Paper Memories

Chapter 34-I

          I couldn't see Kiera cry earlier.

Well, not that I wanted too. She perfectly held her composure even as her crew members are wheeled out by the medics. Hindi naman lahat may malalang injuries, hindi naman nasira ng aksidente ang pinaghirapan ng theater arts block 3. Ako naman may kalakihang hati lang sa binti ko, na natitiis ko naman. Maybe this what would even make their play memorable once everything settlew down, for Underworld Lilies to be labelled as a cursed play.

For now, I'd just rest a little here in the clinic. Tapos mamasyal na kami ni Ronald.

"Are you alright, Shin?"

Ralph really never listen, sinabihan ko na siyang layuan ako pero ngayon nasa tapat siya ng kama ng clinic. Napaayos ako ng upo dahil ayaw kong mahina ako sa mata niya." Yeah, the nurse just left after finishing my first aid. Nandito ka pala, akala ko hindi ka pupunta kasi may event..."

"How come you're so calm?"

"I don't feel calm. Pagod ako, Ralph."

"Nabagsakan si Nabi sa harapan mo, don't feel anything?"

"So you watch the play too."

Napataas ang kilay niya, he scoff." Natutuwa ka ba?"

Huh? My head jolted because of his statement." Anong pinagsasabi mo?"

"Nothing. What I said is that I'll drive you to the hospital, I'm not so sure if that first aid is enough." Ralph declared, his voice making me jump. I can see him making a fist.He tries to reach for me, kaso napatayo na lang ako at napalayo kahit paika-ika na ako." Baka may injury kang hindi naman napansin ng nurse kaya ganyan ka. Ako na lang din ang maghahatid kay Ronald pauwi."

Bawat lapit niya lumalayo lang ako." How did you know he's with me?"

"What happened couldn't been an accident, I'm just helping!" Napahilamos si Ralph ng mukha habang nakikipagtalo." I can't just calm down, so please let me be by your side even just for today. I j-just need to make sure you're safe, Sheena."

"But you're being weird and aggressive like this? Nakalimutan mo na ba mas lalo tayong hindi okay nitong mga nakaraan? Ayaw ko nga sayong sumama!"

"I know, but I ju---NO. No. I'm sorry, I might be scaring you... But please."

Suddenly, somebody knock on the door.

Napasulyap ako sa labas ng kurtina ng kama, si Ronald. He's finally here, but only to watch Ralph and I with disgust. Until now he have that withdrawn and wary expression in his face while his hands are occupied with the DSLR camera I lent him, his eyes throwing daggers at Ralph.

I gulp, I returned to the bed to grab my sandals.

"Hindi ako pinapasok backstage kanina, akala ko kasama ka na sa mga sinugod sa ospital." Ronald commented as I hurriedly try to get myself ready. Gusto ko na lang makalayo kay Ralph bago pa niya akong tangkang tulungan. Ronald held me by my hand when I was nearer him. I was relieve, I want to hug the kid." May sugat ka na nga nagmamadali ka pa, hindi naman ako aalis."

"A-alam ko, hindi ka aalis." I chuckled in this tense room.

"Sheena, ihahatid ko na kayo." Ralph brought up calculatingly.

"I brought the car, I can still drive." My grip on Ronald's hands becoming tighter, I'm relying on him instead. Sinabayan niya ako sa paglalakad papalabas ng pinto ng clinic abang si Ralph naman ay naestatwa sa loob dahil sa pagtanggi ko." It doesn't hurt much, thank you. Really. Mauuna na kami ni Ronald."

"You should rest now, pa-check up sa hospital."

"We'll attend the events later."

"Bukas naman ang last day ng event." Ralph tried to rationalize, conflicted in letting Ronald help me or if he should do it himself, but I turned my back. Napadiin lang ang kagat ko sa labi ko habang pinapalabas sa kabilang tenga ang sinasabi niya." Humabol na lang kayo pag-aayos ka na."

Ronald whispered when we're outiside." Akala ko kaibigan mo yun, Ate?"

"He shouldn't be trusted, Ron."

"Ate, umuwi na lang kaya tayo? Baka masama na ang pakiramdam mo." Ronald just brush my warning and just match my walking pace. Wala na siyang naging ibang tanong kay Ralph, pero may mga pasaring. I keep looking behind the long hallway to make sure no one is following." Narinig ko nga na pinapunta ka pa niya sa ospital, kaya bakit ayaw mo sumama?"

"You're enough, ikaw lang."

"Pero, Ate..."

"May mga events pa ngayong hapon at hanggang mamayang gabi. We're supposed to go there, this is just a small wound..." I explained as I leaned on him to walk, but I slowly trail off my explanation as something caught my eye. Halos mawalan ako ng hininga at napabitaw ako kay Ronald dahil sa taong nakita ko. Gusto ko humabol." N-Nakita mo siya, Ron? I wasn't imagining it, right? Wait, for me. You should go. May pupuntahan lang ako."

" Huh? Saan ka pa pupunta? Akala ko gusto mo pa------"

I just smiled at him, but gosh, he's terrified of my smile." Mauna ka na sa kotse, Ron."