Coastline From The Sky- (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 28

Kabanata 28
Priority

“Carae, baby, wake up.” I heard someone call my name, but it feels like it’s too far from me.

I am still struggling to breathe from trying to compose myself and from the attacking anxiety.

I can’t move my body. I can’t even lift a finger. It’s so hard to breathe, as if someone is trying to stop me from breathing.

“Carae, baby, wake up, please...” I heard that same voice again.

Someone squeezed my hand gently, dahilan kaya hinihingal akong nagising dahil sa tapik ng kung sino man sa akin. I can feel my heart beating so fast, and my face was wet because of my tears that were still streaming down and my sweat.

“Oh, thank God, you’re awake!” parang nabunotan ng tinik sa dibdib na saad ni Arshed.

Habol ko pa rin ang hininga ko habang nakatitig sa kanya. I stared at him while my tears were still streaming down my face. Sa nakikita kong pag-aalala sa mukha ni Arshed ay mas lalo akong naiyak. At sa takot na naramdaman ko, I then hugged him tightly.

Arshed said nothing. He just hugged me back and caressed my back while I’m still weeping.

“It’s okay, baby, it’s only a nightmare,” he keeps on hushing me.

Nightmare. Just a nightmare but it scares the hell out of me. It feels surreal, na kung hindi lang ako nagising ay iisipin kong totoo iyon.

“I t-thought you left already,” I whispered, and my voice was still shaking. Naramdaman ko ang paghalik ni Arshed sa buhok ko habang nakayakap parin ako sa kanya.

“That won’t happen. I won’t leave you.” He sounded like he was so sure. “I won’t leave you, I promise,” he added.

Hinayaan lang ako ni Arshed na nakayakap sa  kanya hanggang sa kumalma ako. Nang bumitaw ako sa pagkakayap, he gave me water and put the strand of my hair behind my ears, still watching me intently while I’m drinking water.

I can’t read what's on his mind. He’s too deep to dive in. He ain't like those boys around that just one look, I already know what they feel, what they want, and what they need. He’s far from that. He’s too mysterious for me.

Tumayo si Arshed when my breathing eased already, kaya agad na naman akong binundol ng kaba.

“W-Where are you... g-going?” I startled.

Arshed stared at me again, and something was in his eyes. His eyes scream different emotions that I can’t name and explain.

“I will just get your dinner, baby.”

Dahil sa sinabi ni Arshed ay napalingon ako sa may bintana, only to see the dark surrounding outside and the pretty lights from the buildings near the hospital.

Ngumuso ako. Nasobrahan na naman ako sa tulog kanina. Akala ko talaga kanina ay umaga na nang magising ako, mabuti na lang panaginip lang iyon. But still, I overslept, kaya mahihirapan na naman akong bumalik sa pagtulog mamaya.

“Are you feeling better now? I’ll just get your dinner, okay?” Tumango ako. Arshed turned his back and walked towards the mini kitchen, at pagbalik nito ay dala na nito ang mga pagkaing hinanda.

He silently placed it in the hospital table at nilapit iyon sa kama ko. Inayos niya muna ako sa pagkaka-upo bago tumabi ng upo sa akin.

I saw Filipino dishes on the table. May Adobong Manok, isa iyan sa mga paborito kong ulam sa Pinas. Mayroon din namang Turkish dish na kadalasan naming kinakain tuwing nasa Istanbul kami.