Sinking Deep (GL)

CHAPTER 21

Lumabas siya sa isang pintuan thinking she'll depart but lumiko siya sa kaliwa at pumasok sa pintuan na pinasukan ko kanina. Lumapit siya sakin.

"Frey, are you okay? You seem a bit pale," her voice was laced with concern.

"I'm... I'm fine, ma'am," I responded.

Pale? Kanina pa ba ako maputla? Hindi ko napansin.

"Let's head to the clinic or my office. You should rest there. Come on," she insisted.

"But..." I hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

"Don't worry. I'll write you an excuse letter. You're excused from class," she affirmed, her hand gently clasping my wrist as she helped me to my feet. Leading me towards the door, she opened it swiftly. "Careful," she cautioned.

I found myself compelled to follow her lead, despite my reservations. Iginiya niya ako papunta sa office niya sa second floor. Sumakay kami sa elevator at nakarating sa second floor. Still, she's guiding me.

Unexpectedly, nakasalubong namin si Ma'am Rhea. Kakalabas lang galing sa office ni Sir Montejo.

Sana all nag re-charge.

Tumingin lang ako nang saglitan sa kanya while pinanood niya kaming dumaan ni Ma'am Vivien sa harap niya. Hindi ko na nakita ang mukha niya dahil mabilis kaming nakatalikod sa kanya but I was sure na hindi tumunog ang boots niya indicating she's walking away but it seems like she's just standing there.

Not sure, I guess?

Nakarating kami sa labas ng office ni Ma'am Vivien tapos ay binuksan niya ulit ito para sakin, still guiding me to her office.

"Sit here. I'll give you a pillow and a comforter." Sabi ni Ma'am Vivien sabay paupo sakin sa couch niya. It's comfortable, really. She's treating me like someone special to her.

"Ma'am? Ano kasi nakakahiya," I said bago pa man siya makaalis para kumuha ng gamit.

"Don't be shy. I'm doing this for your own good, okay? I must take care of you." She answered, wearing her assuring smile. Kumuha agad siya ng kumot at comforter. She placed the pillow on the top of the couch at binigay sakin ang comforter.

"T-thank you, ma'am." I said, offering my gratitude.

"No problem. Lay down as I will get you medicine in the clinic. I will also tell the nurse about you so she'll give me the right medication for you." She stated.

Nakaramdam ako ng matinding hiya sa ginagawa niya sakin. I'm not her friend or something but the way she cares about me is just, nice.

"Stay here," she insist. Lumabas siya sa office at naiwan ako. Despite of situation, Ma'am Vivien never really ignored me.

Pero bakit sinabi niyang maputla ako? Am I that pale? Is there something wrong about me?

Bumangon ako mula sa pagkakahiga at tiningnan ang kamay ko kung totoong bang maputla ako. Hindi ko naman masabi kasi it seems normal for me. Tumayo ako para maghanap ng salamin at para tingnan ang mukha ko.

Tumungo ako sa desk ni Ma'am Vivien pero wala akong makitang salamin sa itaas nito kaya I tried to open her drawer. May nakita akong bilog na katamtaman na salamin kaya I immediately picked it, nang makuha ko na ay bungad sakin ang papel na nasa ilalim ng salamin. Natabunan yata. Binasa ko ang nakasulat roon.

San Isidro Hospital

Hospital?

Balak kong kunin at basahin kasi I'm curious but as soon as I touch it bumukas ang pintuan ng office. I thought nakabalik na si Ma'am Vivien but I was wrong.