Mary Grace

Three

Three

I inhaled a sharp breath when someone from medical team pressed cold compress into my throbbing leg. The pain intensified. I bit my lower lips to prevent myself from screaming.

"Okay ra ka, Ma'am?" (Okay ka lang, Ma'am?) The guy wearing a white uniform who seems to be in early 20's shot me a worried look.

"Okay lang." I said silently.

"Sure ka na di ka gusto muadto ug hospital?" (Sure ka po bang ayaw mong magpunta ng hospital?) patuloy pa niya. Someone shouted and we both snapped our direction. A girl just fainted and the team come to rescue her. Ibinalik ng lalaki ang tingin niya sa akin.

"I'm fine." I said weakly, wincing at the ugly purple bruise that is starting to form on my left leg. They ripped my jeans open to access the throbbing area.

My mind drifted back into Harry's face. I am fucking sure na siya ang nakita ko. It's him. My eyes started watering again. What is that idiot doing here?

"Diri sa ka Ma'am, naa sa koy laing atimanon. Balikan lang tika." (Dito ka muna Ma'am at may iba pa akong aasikasuhin. Babalikan lang po kita) He lifted himself up and left me sitting on the rough concrete of S&R market. Lumalaki na nang lumalaki ang apoy sa NCCC mall.

I closed my eyes and tried to imagine Harry's face once more. I haven't seen him for over two years. Yet, the memory of his face is still fresh and vivid inside my mind especially the night he betrayed me. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"Are you okay?" The guy who saved my life earlier approached me, walking slowly. There are black ash stains dotted on his jacket. Basag din ang isang lens ng salamin niya but he didn't seemed to mind it. His face, although dotted with some small pimples on the forehead and chin, still looks attractive. His eyes spoke so much words it's impossible to break eye contact with him once you started it.

I nodded my head, still engulfed at the beauty that is his eyes.

"I'm sorry for shouting at you earlier," He said silently, crouching down across me as he examined my bruised leg. "I was really panicking that time."

I shook my head slightly, giving him a tight smile. "You saved my life. I don't know how to express my gratitude for it."

"Oh, a kiss will do."

I stared at him for a few seconds and when it sink into my brain, I immediately glared at him. He threw his head back and laugh, his face even brighter as time went on.

"Kidding." He grinned and cleared his throat. "What's your name?"

"Katherine." Tipid kong sagot.

"Katherine?" He prompted. I hesitated for a while if I should tell him my full name but considering the fact that this guy just saved my life, I decided to do so.

"Katherine Lagmadeo."

"Oh," A hint of recognition crossed his face. "Katherine Lagmadeo? As in the Katherine Lagmadeo?"

I sighed and nodded my head.

"Woah. Looks like I found a real piece of work today," He mused. Napatingin kaming dalawa nang may magsipaglabasan pa sa NCCC mall sa tulong ng BFP. Hindi ko inalis ang tingin sa mga taong nagyayakapan sa labas. My heart sank a little deeper when I realized Harry isn't one of them.

"By the way, I am AJ Estrada. I'm a YouTube vlogger." He offered his hand for a handshake. I accepted it but instead of shaking, I used it to pull myself up. Muntik pa kaming matumba dalawa. "San ka pupunta?"

"Kailangan kong bumalik sa loob." My voice quivered.

"May kasama ka ba?" Tanong niya sa akin.

I started shaking my head then stopped abruptly. I gave him a desperate look. "AJ, I need to save someone inside there."