Aquarius (PUBLISHED UNDER IMMAC PPH)

Chapter 27: Emotionally Distress

GENEVIEVE

"Do you have a boyfriend, Ms. Hutton?"

Bigla akong nabilaukan dahil sa tanong ng isang reporter sa akin.

"Uh, do I need to answer that question?"

Naramdaman ko agad ang paghigpit ng hawak ni Binx sa kamay ko kaya napatingin ako sa kanya nang wala sa oras at nakita ko ang usual poker face niya with those dark eyes of him. Agad ko namang iniwas ang tingin ko sa kanya at mabilis na sinagot ang tanong na iyon.

"Yes. I do have a boyfriend and he's... he's beside me right at this moment."

Biglang umingay ang buong paligid at sari-saring reaksiyon ang maririnig. Damn! Anong konek ng tanong na iyon sa sakit ko? Bakit may ganun na tanong? They're invading my privacy again!

"Oh. I see. But, is it rude to ask his name, Ms. Hutton?"

What? So, kay Binx na ngayon ang topic?

"Oh, that. He's Binx Cristobal."

"Does your allergy affect your relationship with him? How does hives affect you when it comes to a date and such as a couple?"

Oh, so that's it. But still, bigla akong nakaramdam ng hiya dahil parang lahat na lang na bagay at tao sa buhay ko ay konektado sa sakit ko. It saddens me.

"No. Not at all. We're doing well, and I'm really trying not to let it get me down when we're having a talk, but it also bothers and worries me thinking that he'll leave me too soon if he considers me unattractive because of too many outbreaks and so on. I'm also sure he's having a very rough time with me, and I don't want that, so I've done my hardest to maintain our relationship as happy as possible. Also, when it comes to my allergy, I still find a way to redirect our topic with other things. Currently, we don't go out to date in places like other usual couples because it's too hard. We have decided to sit in our house and do some things together. Watching TV, having long and insightful talks, laughing, cooking, etc., that's enough for us as long as we're happy together."

"That's very sweet, Ms. Hutton and a very unique relationship. You're both lucky for having each other. I hope and pray that your relationship will lasts."

"Thank you." I smiled.

"And uhm, Ms. Hutton, I just wanted to ask you this, does your allergy affect your studies and the way that you're living your life?"

Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko sa tanong niya. Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa kamay ni Binx bago ako bumaling sa kanya. In just a span of time, maraming alaala ang bumalik sa akin.

"Absolutely..." Nanginig ako bigla dahilan ng hindi ko pagpapatuloy sa sasabihin ko.

Huwag kang magpaapekto, Eve. Not now, please. You need to answer that question. You need to finish this.

I cleared my throat as I continue to talk, "Since I developed this kind of allergy, my life has changed absolutely. I could no longer continue my studies, and I was separated from the outside world of the hospital. It's altering everything I want to do with my life. And the way I'm moving and talking, I feel a totally different person. All I want and need in my life is only limited, and to the people I have in my life, is also limited and can be counted. My schoolmates and friends, I don't think I know them anymore. Also, after our misunderstandings, my best friend became distant to me, and I don't know why. Still I forgave her already. Things are going to happen, but I didn't expect it to be this way."

Nakaya kong magpatuloy kahit na umuutal-utal ako pero thankfully, dahil naintindihan pa rin nila iyon.

"This is my last question, Ms. Hutton. Sana lang ay hindi kita ma-offend. So, uhm, is it hard or difficult to have water allergy?"