The Last Letter

21

Chapter XXI

Suzanne’s POV

I got to school earlier in hopes that I could study better at the library. It was also raining hard today so I thought the university would cancel the classes but I suddenly remembered that we are in college now. No rain or anything can stop college students from going to school.

It’s just 6am now and I am waiting for the guard to open the library. The library is located on the 3rd floor of Building 3, the last building at the left side of the university. I have quizzes in 2 subjects today and they’re both major. I slept a little earlier last night so I barely got any review. And fortunately, both those quizzes are after lunch so I still have time to review during lunch and break times.

It was quite chilly today, good thing I brought my own jacket. I looked at the window beside me, and saw that it was still raining hard. Since it was still early, there were only a few students outside and inside. The corridors and hallways are empty and quiet.

Benjamin? I think we’re okay now.

That Saturday, it was one of the most memorable moments of my life and I still get so happy whenever I look at the picture we three took at the river. It was also nice to see that nothing much had changed to the area, it was still as therapeutic as ever.

He also kept his promise to pick me up at 3pm on Saturday. I was quite uncomfortable since my dorm mates and other students who lived at the dorm saw me with him. I feared that they might think of it differently.

But nevertheless, Benjamin and I got close again now. Not as close as before but we were talking regularly, which is for me, a huge improvement compared to the way we avoided each other before. I actually see him almost everyday at the cafeteria.

My senior and friend August, I haven’t seen him for 4 days now. Maybe he’s become busier since there are multiple projects in third year and soon enough, they’ll do their thesis. It’s just weird that we were in the same department and sometimes, even the same building but it was hard to see and talk to him. It’s such a shame since I want to thank him for that night, helping me and Ben to reconnect and reconcile. And to also ask him for school stuff since he said he was always open to teach me as his junior.

Setting that aside, I need to review for my upcoming quizzes later.

Thankfully, the library was now open after just minutes of waiting. I got inside and asked the librarian to turn on the heater and she agreed since it was freezing.

I spent about 40 minutes reading my notes and handouts and I thank God for giving me a skill to memorize fast. I may also got to develop this skill as I have been working at the counter for 2 years now.

10 minutes before class, I thanked the librarian and rushed to my classroom which is only one floor below. Since our professor in this minor subject comes either earlier or later than the schedule, I usually get here because you’ll never know.

There were about 10 of my classmates already in the classroom. We greeted each other cheerfully and talked shortly before I went to my seat in the 2nd row from the back.

“I heard one student got into an accident this morning on the way to school. When I passed by the faculty just now, the professors were in a ruckus.” Sarah, one of my classmates, said the news as soon as she entered the room.

“Are you sure? Maybe we won’t have class then.” One of my guy classmates said jokingly which made most of us look at him unbelievably.

“Hey! Don’t joke about it. He was in the same department as us, based on what I’ve heard, he’s in third year, so our senior.” Kevin, another classmate popped out of nowhere and said that.

All paid attention to what she said, including me who stopped reading my notes but got curious about who that might be. I felt my heart beating fast.

“Yes. And they said it was quite serious. I passed by the place of the accident earlier and there were so many police in that area. They are investigating if it is a hit and run case.” Kevin added.

I felt my heart would come out of my chest with the thought that it might be my friend. No, it won’t be August right? I prayed in my mind and hoped that whoever that is who got into an accident, recover as soon as possible. I also specifically prayed that it won’t be August.

The room was filled as seconds passed and all of my classmates were talking about the news of the accident. But no one knows who that might be as of now. As much as I want to focus on reviewing, I can’t as I keep hearing the word ‘accident’ and I get worried for some reason.

At 7:10 am, our professor arrived. He told us about the news of the accident but he himself doesn't know who it is. He also confirmed that it was from the Architecture department and some police are inside the school to investigate. He said that the university is quite in a situation as of the moment.

During the class hours, I couldn’t help but get distracted by the student walking back and forth in the hallway, as if there was an emergency. They were walking around, looking worried and then I think we were all confused when almost all of the professors in our department walked by the hallway with the students earlier.

“You need to subtract the value of-“The class was interrupted by a loud sound. We turned our attention to the door that suddenly slammed open.

To my surprise, it was Benjamin. He was panting and the look of horror on his face… At that moment, I knew something was wrong.

I stood up and looked at him. I felt all of the confused eyes were on me and Benjamin. Maybe they were confused why I was friends with one of the most famous guy in the school and why we were both having this look on our faces.

“Excuse me Mr. Fernandez. What is this about?” Our professor asked. Benjamin walked to him and they talked quietly, explaining the situation. My professor was quite shocked by what he heard while Benjamin looked frustrated.

“Okay Ms. Cruz, you are excused for our class. Please report what happened to the faculty office later.”

My heart is pounding hard and I felt tears falling down my face while I’m placing my things inside the bag. I sobbed and my seatmate handed me tissues. I accepted it and mouthed thank you while I wiped my tears.

I walked to Benjamin and we exited my classroom. He carried my bag as he guided me down the stairs to his car.

It was still raining hard, in fact harder than before when we drove to the hospital.

“It was pretty serious, they said. Oh God, what happened to August!” Ben said in frustration. It was the first time I saw him this serious and nervous. If I am in his situation, I’ll be no different and I might be breaking down by now.

“He’s okay right?” I asked nervously.

“When I talked to his adviser before going to your room, he said he’s still unconscious and unstable.” He answered.

“Was it an accident or a hit and run case.”

“Apparently, chances are high that it was a hit and run case but there was no evidence since it was a non residential area so there were no witnesses and it was raining hard that time.”

“Oh no…” I said quietly.

We drove in silence because I felt both of us were nervous. We reached the same hospital where grandma was admitted before she died. Benjamin and I rushed inside the hospital and headed straight to the ICU.

We saw a crying lady who looks like August’s mother and beside him is what I assume is his father because they look so much alike. Benjamin walked close to them and comforted August’s mom and asked what really happened while I stood at a distance since I don’t know them yet.

After a while, Benjamin sighed disheartenedly and walked to me slowly.

“That was his mom and dad.” He sighed. “They said August suffered multiple rib injuries and a fracture on left arm. Brain trauma might also be his most serious injury but it wasn’t sure yet. He was being tested inside since he didn’t respond to anything up until now.”

“Stay here or talk to Aunt. She’s distressed now. I’ll call my mom at the lobby, I’m sure my family is also worried about August.” He added.

“Okay.” I said.

He tapped my shoulder and walked fast to the stairs down to the lobby. I walked to where August’s mom and dad were sitting and sat beside his mom. They were quite confused about an unfamiliar face sitting beside them but when they saw my clothes, they maybe thought that I might be a classmate of their son.

I blew warm air on my hands and held August’s mom’s cold hands, just like what I do to my grandma when she feels cold. She was startled but she started to cry and leaned to my shoulder. I tapped her shoulder and I saw August’s dad smiled at me and I smiled back at him.

After just about 5 minutes, a doctor went outside the ICU so we all stood up.

“Are you Mr. August Montilla’s family?” They nodded.

“I’m sorry to inform you but…”

To be continued…