Art of Serendipity

13

Dumating na si Nanay Luz maya-maya lang kaya medyo naging distracted ako. We are going to the market so I still have to ask Levi if he is coming with us but he said yes, so.... Wala naman daw siya gagawin ngayong sunday.

We bought fishes, chickens, meats and other foods that are good for our meals. Nasa likod lang kami ni Levi at tumutulong sa pagbubuhat. Magulo rito sa market ngayon, pawisan ang mga manggagawa at kaliwa't kanan ang salestalking. Hindi naman ako maarte so it's just okay for me but this man beside me, hindi ko alam kung bakit pero parang mas sanay pa siya sa akin. He is helping Nanay in choosing good fish and fresh vegetables, as well as meats.

"Bakit maalam ka rito? Are you the one buying goods in your home too?" I poked him. Bahagya pa akong humawak sa ulo ko dahil medyo kumirot ito nang biglaang kong paglapit sa kaniya. I don't know if I am just getting not used to this or what.

"No. I am living in my Condo alone so I need to know how to choose goods for myself, especial that no one could do that for me." He smiled while answering.

I nodded. May condo pala siya na sarili? Pero palagi kasi siyang nasa Art Gallery at iyon lang ang nakikita ko. How could he concur studying and painting at the same time? Well, maybe it's easy for him since he only works in the same field. Napaka-independent living din pala nitong lalaking ito.

I also want to live independently. Away from the negative vibes in our home. It is not that I want to live without Dad and Nanay Luz, but I do not want to rely on them more. Gusto ako ang magtatayo sa sarili ko. Ako lang mag-isa. Suporta lang ang kailangan ko mula sa kanila.

Hindi ko alam kung nahihilo ba ako dahil sa dami ng tao o dahil pagod lang talaga ako. Hindi ko pa naipapahinga ang katawan ko simula pa kanina na galing ako sa airport. Sala sa lamig at init ako. My sight is spinning like a carousel, so I need to shook my head to get rid of it pero lalo lang atang lumalala.

I stopped while sighing heavily, I did not even realize that I was holding Levi's arm because he was next to me, that caused him to stop midway and watch me. Naramdaman niya ata ang paglagay ko ng bigat ko sa kaniya kaya inakbayan niya ako kahit may hawak pa siyang mga plastic.

"Hey, are you okay? You are pale," he sounded so worried and concern.

"Oo, nahilo lang ako saglit. Marami kasing tao tsaka mainit. I'm not very used to this environment," I explained softly. Umayos ako ng tayo at inalis ang akbay ni Levi. Iniiwas ko ang tingin ko at inilibot ang mata pero talagang dizzy ang paningin ko.

I yelped when he gently placed his soft hand on my forehead, down my cheek and to my neck. It's like, it has thousands of voltage in his hands. Napapaso ako, hindi ko alam kung dahil ba masama ang pakiramdam ko o iba na.

"Tsk, you're sick! I'll take you home. Wait. Magpapaalam ako kay Nanay Luz," he said in annoyance but I can feel the care and caution.

Hindi na ako nagsalita hanggang sa lumapit na rin sa akin si Nanay Luz at ch-in-eck ako. Pinagsabihan niya pa akong magpahinga bago kami tumulak paalis. Iniwan namin si Nanay Luz dahil hindi pa raw siya tapos mamalengke. Ayaw ko pa nga sanang iwan si Nanay pero alam kong magiging pabigat pa ako rito. She has our car and I'm in Levi's car. Magkahiwalay kasi kami nagpunta rito.

"Did you drink medicine just what I told you before?" he asked while driving.

"Yeah..." I said sofly and rested my head on my seat. Tuluyan nang umikot ang paningin ko but I didn't close my eyes. I want to assure him that I'm still okay.

"Nasusunod ba ang oras?"

"N-not really, nakakalimutan ko minsan and ubos na rin ata yung gamot doon. Wala rin naman akong sakit this past d-days so I really thought that its okay not to t-take," I answered with all my honestly. Pinipigilan ang sariling pumikit.

I didn't hear him talking. Huminto kami maya-maya lang. I'm too exhausted to care where we are. Lumabas siya at pagbalik niya ay may dala na siyang plastic from the pharmacy.

"Rest, okay? If hindi mo na kaya ang sakit. Please, inform me immediately. I'll take you to the nearest hospital." He tsked while leaning towards me. Ang lapit ng mukha niya habang inaayos ang back rest ko. He secured my seatbelt too.

I closed my eyes but he is not still getting away from me. I don't know, the heat from him somehow soothed me. I felt his hand stroking my hair slowly. It's comforting. Parang gusto kong nandito lang siya sa tabi ko.

I slept and the moment I opened my eyes. I'm already in my room. I held my head and I felt a towel on it. Tumayo ako at masakit pa rin ang ulo. Although, my sight is not spinning anymore. Mabuti at wala naman akong sipon at ubo, tanging lagnat at sakit ng ulo lang.

I roamed my eyes just to find any possible hint of Levi here but I can see nothing but my bare room. Siya kaya ang nagdala sa akin dito sa kwarto ko? E sino naman kaya ang nagbihis sa akin? Nasaan si Levi kung ganoon?

I looked at my wall clock and it's already dinner. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay hapon kami umuwi kanina. Para akong lumulutang nang maglakad ako palabas at pababa sa dining area. Daddy isn't here because he's in the business trip, he is along with Tita Donna. Iniwan na naman nila ako, but I can understand. They don't have to know that I got sick, lagnat lang naman 'to, madaling mawala 'to sa akin. They say that don't baby your sickness because it can just be worsen.

"'Nay..." I called but my voice isn't cooperating. Parang binulong ko lang ang pagtawag ko. Good thing, Nanay still notices me.

"Aya! Bakit ka bumaba, hija? Halika! Umakyat ka roon sa taas at susunod ako dala ang pagkain mo!" Nanay said in hysterical.

Hindi muna ako gumalaw at iginala ko muna ang mga mata ko. I can't see Levi anywhere. Hindi ko alam pero umaasa akong narito pa siya kahit alam kong imposibleng mag-stay pa siya rito. Sino ba naman ako para pagtutuunan niya ng oras at panahon?

"Nasaan po si Levi?" I asked Nanay Luz who are busy preparing my food.

"Nako, pinauwi ko na. Ayaw niya pa nga sana at hinihintay niyang magising ka para kung hindi mo na raw kaya ang sakit ay dadalhin ka na niya sa ospital. Kahit naman ako ay gusto kong bantayan ka niya pero narito naman ako. Baka busy siya kaya pinilit kong umuwi at sinabing tatawagan mo na lang kapag gising ka na," she explained.

I was wrong. He wanted to stay here, but Nanay Luz chose to make him go home, pero okay na ako na umalis siya. Ayaw ko ring makaistorbo dahil hindi ko hawak ang oras niya at hindi niya kailangan gawin iyon para sa isang kaibigang tulad ko. I am not his responsibility at all.

I nodded and went upstairs. Nanay said that I have to call him so I did. Wala pang dalawang ring ay sinagot na niya agad. Was he waiting?

"Hello..."

[Aya, you okay now?] his bedroom voice is more defined now.

"Yup, pahinga lang-"

I stopped when someone called me too. Kasabay ng tawag ni Levi. It was called off though. Siguro ay nalaman niyang busy ang cellphone ko. Pero maya-maya lang ay tumawag ulit siya.

[What is it?] he asked when he noticed that I got trailed off.

"Uh... Alastrid is calling me," I said while still looking at the caller's name.

Natahimik bigla ang kabilang linya. It's like he's thinking so hard.

"Uy..." I called again. Did he told Alas that I got sick?

[I told him that you're sick. Answer him now. I'll hang up] he comanded but his voice says otherwise, na parang sinasabi niyang h'wag kong gawin ang ipinaguutos niya. Weirdo.

"O-okay..." I was about to say 'Goodnight' but he already hung up. I sighed before answering Alastrid's call.

"Hello..." I said for the second time but for different people.

[Ayannah, you're sick. I know you're not okay] his voice reflected Levi's.

"I am fine now, ipapahinga ko na lang."

[Yeah, do enough rest and eat healthy foods. Don't come to school tomorrow. You should take a rest more] reminded by him.

Alastrid is like a brother figure to me the way he reminded me. Well, si Levi rin naman. The way they took care of me felt so serene.

Tumagal pa ang tawag niya hanggang sa dumating si Nanay Luz. Sinunod ko ang sinabi ni Alas, hindi ako pumasok kinabukasan and I rested the whole day. Ayos na ang pakiramdam ko bago matulog sa gabi kaya kinabukasan ay pumasok na ako.

I didn't inform those boys about this, that I already come to school. Babatuhin lang ulit ako nila ng mga tanong at hindi naman sa nagsasawa akong sagutin sila pero ayaw ko na silang mag-alala pa. They didn't call yesterday and let me rest. I also don't want to be a bothersome to anyone.

But of course, kailan ba ako nakaiwas sa kanilang dalawa? Pagkatapak ko pa nga lang sa Complex ay magkasama na sila agad nang makita. Though, pwede naman akong h'wag na tumuloy dahil hindi rin naman nila ako nakikita but I chose to take a step closer to them. They are just staring at the wide complex while talking about something seriously.

"Sight seeing kayo r'yan, ah," I started and I caught them on guard. Gulat silang humarap sa akin pero agad ding nakabawi.

"Are you fine now? I hope it's a yes," Alastrid asked first. Umusog siya pagilid para makaupo ako sa gitna nila, ganoon din ang ginawa ni Levi.

"Yes, hindi naman ako papasok kung hindi," I answered him.

"Good. Have you eaten already? We thought that you wouldn't come to school," Alas added.

"Oo, I already ate before going here. Kayo?" I asked and he just nodded.

Lumingon ako kay Levi, nagmamasid lang siya sa aming dalawa so I smiled at him. Hindi ko pa pala siya napapasalamatan.

"Uh... Thanks for accompanying us last sunday and for also taking me home," I genuinely said to him.

"Always," he answered shortly and smiled a little before gazing away. Nagtaka ako. Wala siya sa mood?

~~~