When Life Sucks

Chapter 24

Chapter 24: Marked

"Magpahinga ka na rin," sabi ni Rich kay Arch matapos niyang ipatong sa harap ko ang tasa ng tsaa. "Ako na muna ang bahala kay, Amira."

Nakita ko ang pagtutol sa mga mata ni Arch. Bubuka pa lang sana ang bibig niya nang maunahan ko na siya, "Sige na, Arch. You need to rest. Kapag bumuti ang pakiramdam ko ay baka tumuloy rin tayo mamaya." And I gave him an assuring smile

"Are you good?" mahinang boses na tanong ni Arch sa akin.

I nodded. "Please be good, too."

He let out a heavy sigh as he nodded gently. "I will." And he forced a feeble smile.

Pumasok din sa kusina si Tita Minerva. "Naayos ko na ang higaan mo, Arch. Ginamit ko rin 'yung favorite scent mo. Halika na," aya niya sa anak.

Sa huling pagkakataon ay nilingon niya ako. Tumitig lang siya sa akin nang ilang segundo bago ito tumalikod at sumama kay Tita.

Sumimsim ako sa tsaa nang maramdaman ang pagbabara ng lalamunan,

Umupo sa tabi ko si Rich. Narinig ko ang pagbuntong-hininga niya kaya napalingon ako. Nakayuko ito at pinaglalaruan ang mga kamay sa ibabaw ng lamesa. Halatang malalim ang iniisip nito.

"H-hindi pa siya kailan nagsuka ng dugo," dinig kong bulong niya. Umangat ang tingin niya sa akin. "I'm so scared, Amira. What's next?"

Hinawakan ko ang kanyang kamay at hinimas 'yon para pakalmahin siya. Ramdam ko pa rin ang pagbabara sa lalamunan ko. Sobrang bigat din ng pakiramdam ko. Hindi ko alam kung ano ngayon ang nararamdaman ni Rich pero alam kong walang-wala ang nararamdaman kong ito sa kanya.

"Nakita mo ba siya kanina, Rich?" I asked him. "He immediately stood up and wiped the blood on his lips. He's fighting." I bit my bottom lip to stop the mounting emotion. "He's fighting hard. Don't doubt him."

He gulped. "He's fighting something that gets harder every time he wins."

"No. He gets tougher every time he wins. He won't fall." That's the belief I've been trying to embrace. He won't fall.

Napangiti si Rich. "Can I say something?"

I nodded.

"Kuya Arch likes you."

Natigilan ako sa sobrang gulat.

Mahinang tumawa si Rich. "Well, I like you, too. I like you as a woman. You are kinda unique. But I think he likes you in a romantic way."

Nagtaas ako ng kilay.

"Are you playing with me?" Sinubukan kong magtaray kahit na alam kong apektado ako, ramdam ko ang init ng aking mukha. "I don't have time for this, Rich. Masama ang pakiramdam ko. Give me a break."

He shook his head. "Why would I? I am a good observer, Amira."

"Then, elaborate the things you have observed that will prove your accusation," I dared him as I took a sip on my tea.

Sumandal siya sa upuan habang nag-iisip. "Sa 'yo lang siya nagkalabas ng loob para umamin. He let you see the real him. He let his guard down for you to see his vulnerable side. You are the first one to know, aside from us, who really he is. Hindi niya 'yon ginawa kay Camille. You know why?"

I gulped.

"Because he was scared that people would either pity him or change the way they treat him. That's why he kept it from Camille." He chuckled while shaking his head. "But then you came. You changed it all. For the record, you have seen him whole. Why? Because he believed in you. He wanted you to know him."