Paper Memories

Chapter 28-III

Chapter 28-III

Ang bilis ng pangyayari."I tried to stop him!"

Ricos aimed right for the scaffolding near the Ellie and ralph.

Dahil nasa pagtatalo lang nilang dalawa nakatuon ang attensyon ni Ellie at Ralph, ay halos hindi na nila ang mapansin ang papabilis na pagbulusok na mabigit na bakal sa kanila kung hindi lang ako sumigaw. But I don't know if I've done any help. Maybe it's a mistake trying to find them.

When the dust subsides, I see Ricos seemingly in pain right beside the very thing he knocked down, despite his frail body. This impossible. Why are a lot of impossible things happening? Habang sa kabilang banda naman nun ay si Ralph na mahigpit na nakayakap kay Ellie na para bang pinoprotektahan niya ito.

Mausok. Tanging alikabok lang.

"Ate Sheena. He's lying, all lies. Babawi ako sayo."Ricos madly said, he's bleeding." Siya lang ang sinungaling---Ako hindi. I'll help you, so I'll be the bad guy, okay?"

Ralph got up first, then he met my eyes. Kailangan kong ayusin ito bago pa niya baliktarin ang nangyari." R-Ricos, h-he was just----I couldn't stop him! He was angry for me and was having another episo--------"

"You told him to do it, didn't you?!"

"Why do you keep acussing her, Ralph?!"

"Kailan pa nagsimula na masamang tao ang tingin mo sa akin? Why didn't you ask the truth from me instead of making up lies?" Bulyaw ko kay Ralph, nababaliw na siya." Just few months ago we were okay, pero ngayon pinapaniwalaan mo na rin ang akusasyon ng iba!"

"I don't believe in blatant lie! I search for the tru-----"

"Ikaw ang pinakamatagal kong kilala, Ralph!"

"Hindi ako ang dahilan kaya ganyan ang iniisip nila sayo." Ralph was shaking in anger, he was looking madly at the rest of us. Siya lang ang hindi ko kakampi." Don't you know how hard it is for me to find the truth when it felt like you'll break every time I ask for it? Put yourself in my shoes and see that I'm having a hard time turning a blind eye!"

"Wala kang dapat ipagbulag-bulagan..." I want to be more angry than I am now, pero nag-aalala ako na may injuries sila ngayon, iniisip ko na dumulog sa tabi nila." "Dahil una pa lang wala akong kasalanan..."

Ellie grab him."D-Don't hurt Sheena anymore."

"Kung kanina ka pa nakikinig, maybe you've heard how I said I love you?" Ralph's rejected Ellie help and touches, parang gusto na niyang ibuhos sa akin ang nararamdaman niya." I do love you, and not just as friend or however else you want to hear it. Yet I already know being a relationship with you is impossible, my morals and principle and standards hurts you, don't they? And you wouldn't change for me, would you?"

I laugh bitterly." N-Not just as a friend?"

He hissed." Let's stop playing with words----shall we?"

"I can't understand how you can just throw an accusation like this." Malamig kong sabi, it is a mere passing thought in my head, but seeing how his face seems to change made me feel sick." Maybe you're just trying to make me feel guilty over nonsense—or maybe you want to set me up."

"Shin...Please, don't listen to Ralph anymore..."

"Its okay, El. He wants this talk, doesn't he? "

Ralph didn't say anything, it hurts me he didn't say anything. Only Ricos called for me again. His eyes full of adoration, desperation----and even worship for me. He's broken and damned, but his eyes are glued on me, and not even the mess he made." I believe you, Ate Sheena."

"Ano pang gusto mong iparamdam sa akin, Ralph?"

"This conversation is over, I have enough."

"Of course, you have nothing else to say. I'ts not like uou're not trying to make me feel anything." I bit my lip as I watch him slowly turn around, palalapit kay Ellie at Ricos." I'm sorry. Please forgive me I made you work so hard to accuse me!"

Ellie mumbled." I'm sorry, I can't make him understand you..."

"Are you hurt anywhere else El?"Ralph ask Ellie, as if I'm no longer here. He gently inspect every inch of her, but his eyes were vacant as he keep pretending I don't exist. Pero kahit si Ellie ay hindi matiis na magpahawak sa kanya." Wala ka na bang ibang galos?"

"Don't think about me." Ellie gently push him away.

"I'm just trying to help." Malamig na sabi ni Ralph.

Ellie clench her fist, stepping away." Pero hindi mo kayang maging mabait kay Shin."

Ralpg evade his gaze, seemingly tired." Ikaw, paano kung ikaw naman ang apektado?"

"Ate Sheena? Are you alright?" It's Ricos again---he's all who thinks I'm his world mow. May mahabang hiwa sa braso niya dahil tumama siya sa matulis na parte ng scaffolding. Now, Ralph's eyes are on him but Ricos back away from my first love. " Ate! Punta na po tayo sa next class? Let's go away from here?"

"...I'll take you to the infirmary." Mungkahi ni Ralph.

"Ate Sheena! Halika na!" Ricos retorted, fearful of Ralph.

"Ricos, it's fine. Let me help you. I won't hurt you." Ralph softly said, treating him so gently. Sinusubukan niyang alalayan patayo ang kaklase ko, naging kalmado lang si Ricos dahil sa pag-iling ko. " Let's get you to the the nurse, save your explanation for later. Can you stand?"

Ricos glance at me asking for approval." Susunod ka, Ate?"

I nodded at him---but I didn't expect his twisted smile.

I couldn't process that fast, I can't think properly as Ellie is still standing beside me.tries to grab my hand so I can walk with them. To be with the three of them, her eyes convey her apologies that are half meant. Kaso umiling ako at pinauna siya. Tutal nakaalis na din si Ralph.

Ricos made this mess but he's the victim---sigurado ako sa pagkurba ng ngiti sa labi niya. Baka isa rin sa mga pinaglalaruan lang ako. I feel weak, I fell like I can fall to hell at any moment. I'm the evil one again. And now that I'm all alone with my. I can't help but whisper to myself, all while hoping Percival could hear it too----my creation, my savior, my painting.

I curse everyone in my head, especially Ralph. " Hindi ka naman apektado,,."