BNM-29

                                    

                                          

Quentin Leilani Agape

Hindi ko alam kung gaano na katagal si Noelle sa loob. It was frustrating because I felt helpless, all I could do is wait! Ang maghintay na may lumabas na nurse o doctor to give us an update on her condition.
Maraming beses kong pinigilan ang sarili na hindi magwala at magpumilit na pumasok sa loob para makita siya. Dahil habang tumatagal, lalo akong nakakaramdam ng takot. My mind couldn't stop thinking up worst-case scenarios, driving me to the brink of insanity!
I couldn't bear it any longer!
Tumayo ako at umalis na lang basta-basta. Hindi ko kayang manatili doon. Mababaliw ako. Wala sa sarili at sumunod na lang saan man ako mapunta. I wandered aimlessly, letting my feet guide me wherever they pleased. Eventually, I found myself sa isang hardin na puno ng mga bulaklak. Umupo ako sa isang bench malapit sa pond. Huminga ako ng malalim upang subukan ipahinga ang isip. I allowed myself to be enveloped by the peacefulness of the surroundings nang biglang may naramdaman akong may umupo sa tabi ko.
"Tama ba ang nakikita ko, nandito ang mataray na propesor ng Xaxen?" 
Binuksan ko ang aking mga mata and turned to see one of our friends, "Professor Solada, why are you here?" I asked, surprised by her unexpected appearance.
Ngumiti siya ng bahagya bago tumingin sa pond na puno ng mga isda. "Just visiting a friend of mine."
"I see." Maikling sagot ko habang nakitingin na rin.
"Ikaw, ano ang ginagawa mo rito?"
"Trying not to break down," I confessed. I knew exactly what she meant, but I didn't want to delve into that topic just yet. Baka umiyak lang ako.
"Mmm. Look at that couple," Itinuro niya ang isang lalaki na nakaupo sa wheelchair habang ang babae ay nasa likod nito at minamasahe ang kanyang balikat.
I followed her gaze and observed the couple. "What about them?" I asked softly, my eyes fixed on them.
"What if one of them is your loved one? Are you okay with seeing him happy with another person?" 
Her, not him.
Hindi ko maiwasang isipin ang tanong niya at bigla kong naalala ang sitwasyon namin ni Noelle ngayon. And suddenly nakaramdam ako ng kirot sa dibdib ko.
I would rather endure watching her find happiness with someone else than never witnessing her smile again.
"Yes, even if it means facing my own pain and I'm willing to negotiate with him to see my love happy."
"I agree with you, but there's one slight change to mine," she paused and took a deep breath. "If I saw her with someone else, making her happy, I would find contentment in leaving this paradise."
Agad akong humarap sa kanya. Nakatingala siya at tinitingnan lang ang langit na may ngiti. "Her?"
She met my gaze, her smile widening. "Yes her, I'm in love with a brat who never fails to bring a smile to my face."
Once I had composed myself, I decided to go back inside. Professor Solada bid her farewell as she had other matters to attend to. When I returned to the room, Avany and Sage were sitting quietly. I took a seat on the opposite bench and looked at my hand, which still had traces of blood.
​I sighed. Bumabalik na naman yung sakit.
"She'll be fine," Tumingin ako sa bestfriend ko na umupo sa harap ko habang pinupunasan ang dugo sa kamay. "She's not done annoying you, right?"