Epitome of a Hero

Resurfaced

Why are you always hiding?

I thought in my head and once again there was no answer. I sat down and laid my back on the pillow that Kyle put in the headboard and I thanked him for it.

“Kyle?” I croaked and he pulled the chair on my desk, placing it near my bed before asking me what the matter was.

How did you know her name from the start? Is it possible that she likes him too. What I I tell him that I like him...?

I won’t be losing anything if I do… since I will probably be gone soon especially when Tricia is surfacing once in a while.

“Tricia?” he asked, his eyes puzzled as he stared into my eyes. I pursed my dried lips and tried to shake her off in the body so that it won’t get nervous with him.

“I like---“

“Hey kids…” Ms. Mary walked in the room and my words were left hanging out of nowhere. Kyle was still looking at me but I noticed how he shook off his shock when the lady came in. Did he understand??? I kind of hope he does. Tricia have a bad habit of shutting herself up when it comes to the things she like.

“Hello Ms. Mary,” Kyle stood up so that the lady can take his place. He then said he will go out and buy something for a while and It kind of pained this heart. Maybe I did wrong? He left me a warm smile before he left the room and it was kind of --- different. How do I explain it? It somehow eased the cold breeze that revolves around the room.

“I made you a porridge,” Mary said and I saw her hand a tray with a bowl of porridge.

“Thank you…” I said. She looked so motherly. I smiled at her and I began feasting on the porridge. To my surprise, I guess the medicine that Kyle gave me is working, I kind of feel lighter than earlier. The porridge also tastes good.

As I ate, Mary was smiling at me, her eyes looked like she was broken…

“Are you okay, Ms. Mary…?”

I asked and she just nodded. “I’m okay, do you want some juice later after you eat?”

I nodded and she patted my head and left the room, saying that she’ll be stirring up a juice for me. I held the spoon and looked at the tray. As I did, Mary’s eyes imprinted on my mind and I realized that my brokenness reflects hers. I scooped up some porridge and my eyes began clouding when I remembered how I stayed by my own when I was sick back in my world. After Julla died, no one attended to me when I was sick—since it was very long since Uncle Lumiere came.

After working at the stables, I would just stay at the ground to mourn myself, I had a father who didn’t care… and I had a mother who died after I was born...

Even though my head felt so heavy, even though my nose was clogged by cold--- I just thought it didn’t matter. Which is why I think I tolerated a lot of pain at my earlier life causing me to feel numb and empty.

“The porridge is so good…”

I whimpered as the spoon shook before it entered my mouth. If only my mother was alive… or maybe if I haven’t been born at all… Things would have been different… even better without me…

No…

I grip on the spoon and wiped my tears with the back of my hand. Your mother is alive here. Even if it’s yours, I want to see her too. I want to see our mother.

“There’s so many people in here which gave importance to my existence… And I want to give you something I never had… Maybe that’s my purpose…”

At least I get to do something good before I really disappear.

When Mary’s footsteps echoed near the door, I shook off my thoughts and proceeded finishing the food. She entered the room with radiance as she held the orange juice.

“Are you done?” She asked and I nodded, putting the last spoonful of porridge on my mouth.

“It was delicious. Thank you.”

She giggled and grabbed the tray from me, exchanging it with the orange juice.

“I’m sorry I have been moving up and down in your house. I texted Marcus—I mean Mr. Caprius about it and he said he’ll be home right after he got off work.”

Do school nurses really have parent’s contact?

“It’s okay.” I just answered, shaking off my thoughts. “Thank you for taking care of me Ms. Mary.”

“You’re welcome darling.”

I took a sip of the orange juice and it was perfect. It was sour but not the bit burnt my throat since it was also sweet. I can taste honey on it.

“This is so refreshing.” I giggled.

Ms. Mary took the glass from me once I finished and asked me if I wanted to change into a more comfortable clothing. I forgot that I was still wearing my uniform. I told Ms. Mary that my pajama are in the first drawer of the cabinet and she grabbed some of it and laid it on my bed.

“Can you do it on your own?”

“Yes, thank you.”

She left the room and closed the door so I could change into my sleepwear. My body is still shaking but I can manage. I called Ms. Mary once I’m done and she entered the room with a basin and a towel.

“Good girl,” she giggled when she looked at me and I gave a light laughter.

She proceeded to wipe my head with a warm and wet towel and as she did, I felt happy…

She was taking care of me a lot and I like how we had small talks about her childhood, saying that she used to take care of her brother and sister like this whenever they get sick. Turns out, Ms. Mary’s parents were workaholic which is why she became the mother and father whenever it comes to her siblings.

“I bet you’re a good mom too,” I said and I felt her stop and falter as she placed a cooling pad on my forehead. Did I… say something wrong…?

Ms. Mary put on a smile for me after she placed the cooling pad and helped me lay down on the bed. Behind the smile she was trying to show from her face, I can feel the sorrow she was trying to hide. What could have happened…?

“I’m just going to be downstairs. Call me if you need me, okay?” she said after wiping my cheeks lightly with a thumb and tucking me on the blanket.

I nodded at her and I stayed crumpled at the bed, thinking about why my question had that sort of impact to the lady.

I felt sad as minutes passed by--- thinking about what wrong I did this day. I think what I said made Kyle leave too. But I didn’t finish my thought though. “Once he comes back, I’ll just say I like chocolates.”

I giggled since the thought was stupid. Do you have any other say Triz? I asked on the back of my head and I felt a little giggle came out without me in control.

I blinked at the door several times until my eyes got heavy. I felt an urge to sleep and so I closed my eyes.

I was half awake.

I can’t even sleep properly. My eyes opened when I heard footsteps approaching near the room and when I saw who it was, warmth covered me. It was Kyle.

He peeked his head on the door opening and I laughed at how adorable his reaction was. He looked like a kid.

“Can I come in?” He asked and I nodded. When he entered, I noticed that he was carrying a paper bag with him. I tried sitting up but he shook his head and hurried his way to the chair beside the bed.

“No, don’t sit down, I’m just checking on you.” He smiled and placed the back of his hand on my neck to check my temperature. I bet it has gone down a little.

I felt nervous the moment he sat down the chair and looked at me. What should I say? I pursed my lips in and stared at the door past him.

“I—

“I—

Our voices overlapped and we both went silent, both of us embarrassed by our own thoughts.

“You go first…” he smiled and I sat down slowly, getting myself ready to confess the feelings that she has for him once again.

“I like you…” I whispered while I stared at him, my voice was a little low but it was enough for him to hear. Kyle looked flushed but his gentle smile and genuine eyes made me want to repeat it again. “I like you Kyle…”

“I like you too… For a very long time…”

He mumbled and I can feel the butterflies flying on my stomach as he said those words. This time, it wasn’t just me who listened. My heart was singing such joyful melodies. He likes me too…

 “Ever since I saw you in the university for the very first time. I already liked you a lot. But every time I try to approach you… I always turn away before I could reach you…”

He disclosed as if it was the most secretive information that he has. He was looking away and the pint of embarrassment emerged from his eyes.

“So yea… For these past 4 years, I liked you… uptil now.”

He looked at me and his penetrating gaze made me feel so naked. I felt like he could read me, the soul inside of me saying that she liked him all the same. Both of these kids liked each other for a very long time and this was the only time they confessed to one another. All because they have their own fears blocking their path to be with each other.

“I want you to take a look at that notebook by the desk!”

I squeaked and there I knew, I wasn’t the one talking anymore. It was her and now I am the spectator.