Save Me

2: Care

I blinked thrice and as I tried to open my eyes, I was blinded by the white lights. Nakakasilaw. Naging successful ba ako? Is this the after life? Napakunot ang noo ko ng unti-unting nagliwanag ang lahat sa paligid ko. Only to realized that what I'm looking at is the white ceiling of our University Clinic. Napatitig nalang ako sa kawalan.

"I'm alive."

Napapikit na naman ako. Huminga ako ng malalim.

"I know you're awake."

Isang baritonong boses ang nagpamulat ulit sa mata ko. His voice sounds familiar. Agad kong hinanap ang pinanggalingan ng boses na yun.

Our eyes met when I finally saw him sitting comfortably away from the bed where I'm lying. He is staring at me intently and for some reason it made me uncomfortable, I looked away from his dark gaze. Bumangon ako at umupo sa kama. Napahawak ako sa ulo ko dahil nakaramdam ako ng bahagyang pagkirot nito.

"Don't move yet." Aniya.

Agad nagregister sa utak ko ang nangyari. I know what happened and I'm not happy about it.

"Don't expect that I'll thank you for saving my life." I uttered.

I heard him scoffed.

"I wasn't expecting that too. But be thankful that you are still alive." He answered.

Tiningnan ko sya ng masama. Anger consumed me because I failed my attempt. I thought I'll be free. I thought I'll have my freedom. I'm fully aware what I did earlier and I never thought that someone will save me from there. I thought I was alone at that precious moment. I thought that I'll be succesful this time. But I was wrong. Akala ko magiging ok na.

"I don't want to be alive! Nagets mo? Kung hindi mo sana ako pinakailaman, malaya na sana ko!" I exclaimed.

Naramdaman ko bigla ang frustrations ko. At dahil sa ginawa nya, dahil sa pagpigil nya sakin. I'm still here. I'm still alive.

"Do you think I'll let someone die infront of me? Like hell I would allow that! I was there when you came and you just went straight to the edge. I knew you're about to do something and I was f*****g right! I knew that moment that I need to stop you." He retorted.

"I don't need saving! I don't need it, you hear me!! I don't want to be saved!"

Tears fell from my eyes because of frustration, I saw him paced back and forth. This is not the outcome that I was expecting and I can't accept the fact that a man saved me.

"f**k!" He cursed.

"Bakit mo ako pinigilan? You don't even know me. Dapat pinabayaan mo nalang ako. Sana hindi mo ako pinigilan!"

"And let your body and blood scattered on the school ground? Hell no! That's gruesome!"

"Don't you think that I have my own reason of doing it? Bakit ka nakikialam?!"

"Because it's the right thing for me do."

Tiningnan ko sya ng masama. Kahit ano pang sabihin ko hindi nya ako maiintindihan. "You can go now. You can leave me now."

"Leave you here? No f*****g way! Baka mamaya bumalik ka don at ituloy mo ang naudlot mong pagtalon."

"What the f**k?!"

"Yeah, you f*****g heard me. I won't leave you here alone. Mahirap na."

"Sino ka ba at nakikialam ka sa buhay ko? Just go!!" Pagtataboy ko sa kanya.

"Aziah Connor Enriquez, Engineering. You can call me Ace for short." He smirked and I'm annoyed.

"I don't care! Just leave! Just go! Leave me alone!"

"I told you I won't leave you alone."

"You're annoying! Wala kang pakialam sakin! Just go!"

He shrugged his shoulders and sat on the chair again.

"Let's wait for the nurse, baka pwede ka nang lumabas dito sa clinic." He added.

And with that being said, a thought came to my mind. "Did you brought and carry me here from there?" Tinuro ko pa ang kisame. Nagets naman nya siguro.

"I did." He shortly answered.

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa lalakeng to. Why would he do that? Hindi naman kami magkakilala para gawin sakin to. He is a stranger and I'm sure ganon din ako sa kanya. Pero hindi ko padin matanggap na pinigilan nya ako sa plano ko.

Pumasok na ang nurse at may pinaliwanag lang na kung ano-ano sakin.

"I'm fine. I feel fine, ok?"

"Just take enough rest. May I have your name for my record?" The nurse asked.

"Maziekeen Brilliantes."

"What department?"

"Archi."

Tiningnan ko ang lalakeng prenteng nakaupo lang. I'm sure nakikinig sya. I mentally scoffed. Bakit kasi hindi pa sya umalis dito? Wala naman syang kinalaman sa buhay ko. Bakit kasi nakikialam pa sya?

Umalis na ang nurse at aalis na din ako.

"Umalis ka na nga! Leave me alone you twerp!"

"Make me." Ngisian ako ng kumag.

I rolled my eyes at him. Gustong gusto ko syang sapakin sa kanyang mukha. Pero napatingin ako sa kanyang buhok. Nakaman bun ang style ng buhok nya na nagpakunot ng noo ko. Sya lang yata ang nakita kong ganon ang hairstyle.

Lumabas na ako ng clinic at alam kong nakasunod sya sakin. Nilingon ko sya at nakita kong nakapamulsa pa sya habang naglalakad. Tinaasan nya ako ng kilay.

"Susundan mo talaga ako?"

"Uh-uh. Susundan kita hanggang makarating ka sa classroom mo." He stated with finality and it irritates me to the core of my being.

"Back off! I don't need you and wala kang pakialam sakin." I shouted at him but he just shrugged his shoulders.

"May pakialam na ako sayo ngayon. Maziekeen."

Nanigkit ang mga mata ko sa kanya. Nilapitan ko sya and I slightly pushed him.

"I said backoff!"

He grabbed my wrist. But I immediately pulled it away when I felt his touch. Para akong napaso. Pero hindi dahil sa hawak nya, I felt weird. It's because of something. Nagulat din sya sa ginawa nya at sa reaction ko. Napahawak ako sa wrist ko na nahawakan nya. He stared blankly at me.

"Maze!!!"

Napalingon ako kay Queen. Nagmamadali syang lumapit sakin. Agad nyang hinawakan ang dalawa kong kamay. She looks so worried.

"What happened to you? Why did you skip our class? San ka galing hah?" Sunod-sunod nyang tanong.

Natahimik nalang ako. I looked away to avoid her gaze.

And her brows furrowed whe she saw the man standing at my back. Ngayon lang ba nya napansin ang lalakeng ito?

"And why are you with him Maze? Magkakilala na kayo?" Kumunot ang noo ko sa kanya.

"No. Bakit kilala mo ba sya?" I asked her instead.

"Sya yung number 1 student ng Engineering Department. Hindi mo talaga sya kilala?" Tanong nya sakin.

"No and I don't care."

"I think I can let you go now." He stated that made Queen look confused. He made a gesture of pointing his eyes at me before bolting out.

Hindi na ako nakareact sa ginawa nya. What does that even mean? Na babantayan nya ako? The nerve of that guy. Pakialamero. As if naman magkikita ulit kami.

"Bakit kayo magkasama ni Ace? Nakilala mo na sya?"

"Hindi ko sya kasama Queen." I won't tell her what happened between us.

"Hindi ako makapaniwala na hindi mo talaga sya kilala. He is their department top student. His face is all over the school newspaper. He is smart and good looking." Queen explained as if I'm interested.

"Hindi ko pa din sya kilala. Wala din akong balak kilalanin sya. Nakasalubong ko lang sya."

"In addition to that, he is famous because of his top knot hair style. Parang ipinanganak ang hairstyle na yun para sa kanya lamang. Hindi kasi bagay sa ibang gumaya."

"Stop talking about him. I don't really care about that guy."

"Ok, sabi mo eh. Pero ang gwapo nya talaga nuh." She giggled and I'm irritated.

Natapos na ang klase ko sa araw na to. I skipped one of my class because of my failed attempt. And I felt exhausted because of what happened. I want to go home. I went straight to the parking lot where Max was parked.

I pressed the key to alert my car and before I reached the door, a familiar built appeared right infront of me. Napapikit ako sa inis.

"Are you stalking me?" I asked irritatedly.

"I'm just checking on you." He answered.

"Look Mr. Whoever you are, you don't need to check on me. And I don't need you to look after me either. My life is none of your God damn business, so stay away from my f*****g life!" I exclaimed.

"The more I need to check on you."

"What?"

He put his hands on his pockets and leaned on the driver's door. He stared at me deeply.

"I'll be watching you whether you like it or not. Maziekeen." I clenched my fist because of anger. " And btw, I'm not Mr. Whoever you are, you can call me Ace." He flashed a grin before leaving.

Sumakay na ako sa sasakyan ko at nahampas ko ang manibela dahil sa inis sa lalakeng yun. Ano bang problema nya? Bakit ba sya nakikialam sakin? Just because he saved me from dying, it doesn't mean he has the right to meddle with my life. He is just a stranger and a Mr. No-one in my f*****g life.

"Agggh." Naiinis ako dahil sa pakikialam nya.

Sa condo ako dumiretso because I'm planning to visit

Kailey, my tattoo artist. I need to have a new tats. It's because I survived another attempt.

After kong magbihis, I went to her shop. Agad nya akong sinalubong.

"Hey Maze!"

"Kailey."

"Got the design?" She asked.

"Yeah, just a simple one."

"Where to?"

I immediately pointed my wrist. The right one.

"Let's start."

After an hour she completed my new ink. Four birds flying so high. They are so free. Nakakaiinggit.

"Satisfied?"

"Yeah. Thanks Kailey."

"Anytime Maze."

I went back to my condo to rest. I felt exhausted and drained. I felt weak. I tried to close my eyes but his voice echoed in my mind.

"Do you think I'll let someone die infront of me? Like hell I would allow that! I was there when you came and you just went straight to the edge. I knew you're about to do something and I was f*****g right! I knew that moment that I need to stop you."

"Pakialamero."

I curled up in my bed and hugged my knees touching my chest. It's my comfort sleeping position. And when I thought I can sleep peacefully because I'm tired, I was completely wrong. Nightmares are my dreams.

Pagpasok ko kinabukasan wala na naman ako sa mood. Hindi na ako nakatulog, hindi naman ako nakakatulog ng maayos. I can't even remember the last time I had a good sleep.

Pagkaupo ko sa upuan agad akong pinuntahan ni Queen.

"Did you sleep well?"

Umiling ako. She heaved a deep sigh, hahawakan nya sana ang kamay ko nang makita nya ang right wrist ko. Agad nya itong hinawakan.

"This is new." Tiningnan nya ako ng makahulugan. "I knew something happened Maze at hindi kita pipilitin na sabihin sakin kung ano yun."

Tiningnan ko lang sya. Napakunot ang noo ko nang bigla syang mapatingin sa may pinto na nanlalaki ang mga mata.

"I can't believe it." She uttered. Napatingin nadin ako sa may pinto.

And my reaction is the same with Queen.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Sa isip ko.

"Oh.em.gee! Naligaw ba sya ng Building? Bakit sya nandito?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Queen.

I looked at him and I met his dark gaze. I rolled my eyes at him. Parang alam ko na kung anong ginagawa nya dito. The nerve of this man, he is really getting into my nerves. Ang lakas ng loob na pumunta dito eh hindi naman nya to building. Pati mga classmates namin nagtataka kung bakit sya nasa labas ng classroom namin.

"What are you doing here Ace?" Tanong ng isa kong classmate.

He stared at me. "I'm just checking on someone." Saka sya tumalikod. Nagbulung bulungan pa ang mga classmates kong gossiper.

"Maze."

Napatingin ako kay Queen. Nagtatanong ang kanyang mga mata so I looked away.

"He is checking on you, right?" She whispered.

"I don't know. I told you I don't know him." I answered flatly. Yun naman ang totoo.

Hindi na sya nagtanong, sakto naman na dumating na ang prof namin.

And when it's time for our break, hinila agad ako ni Queen dahil may dala na naman syang pagkain. Hindi na ako nakatanggi, balak ko pa namang magstay lang sa classroom. My routine is slowly changing and it's because of Queen.

Agad kaming nakahanap ng vacant space, inilabas ni Queen ang baon nyang Carbonara and garlic bread, may dala din syang orange juice.

"Kumpleto talaga ah."

"Syempre naman."

Nag-umpisa na kaming kumain ni Queen nang makita ko ang pagpwesto ng lalakeng yun kasama ang dalawa pang lalake sa katabi naming table. Napanganga naman si Queen habang ako ay nagumpisa na namang mainis. Nakita ko pang inginuso ni Queen ang lalakeng yun.

"What are we doing here Ace? Hindi naman tayo pumupunta dito sa Cafeteria." I heard from the other guy.

"I'm starving. Bibili ako ng pagkain." He answered.

"Kelan ka pa kumain dito Bud? You don't buy your food in here." The other guy asked.

"I'm craving for Carbonara. May nakita kayong tinda na Carbonara?" He asked.

Sabay kaming nagkatinginan ni Queen sa kinakain namin na Carbonara.

"Hi! San nyo nabili yang Carbonara?" He asked Queen.

"No, I made this one. This is my Baon." Queen answered.

"Ahh. I see." He answered. Sinulyapan pa nya ako. " Nagkecrave pa naman ako ng Carbonara."

"You like this ba? Wait. I'll give you some, marami naman tong baon ko saka malinis to ah."

Nanigkit ang mga mata ko sa sinabi ni Queen. Binigyan nya talaga ang lalakeng yun ng pagkain pati garlic bread saka juice. Napailing nalang ako sa ginawa ni Queen. Kitang-kita ko ang malawak na ngiti ng lalakeng yun.

"Damn! You are so generous!! Thank you for the food!" He exclaimed.

"Wow! This is great! Tastes good!"

"Pota! Para kayong mga PG!" Sagot naman ng isa.

"Welcome." Nakangiting sagot naman ni Queen.

"You are unbelievable Queen!" I exclaimed.

"Hey! Thank you for the food. I owe you one! My name is Ace."

"I'm Clayton."

"Archer here."

"I'm Queen and this is Maze."

Hindi ko sila tiningnan dahil wala naman akong pakialam. Inubos nalang namin ni Queen ang mga pagkain namin.

Diretso na ako kay Max ng uwian na. I pressed the key to open the door. Pasakay na ako kay Max only to hear his annoying voice.

"Got new tats?"

Napalingon ako sa boses na nagsalita mula sa aking likuran. Alam ko na kung kaninong boses yun. Nakasandal sya sa isang Black Mustang. Mukhang sya ang may-ari nun.

"What did you say?"

"You got a new tats on your right wrist. I noticed it earlier. Wala yan kahapon ng itinulak mo ako."

"Anong pakialam mo?" Tinaasan ko sya ng kilay.

"It's nice."

Inirapan ko sya at binuksan ang pinto ni Max. "Stay away from me Mr. you don't have any f*****g obligation to watch over me. Stay away from me."

"It's Ace or you can call me Aziah or Connor, whichever you like. Just call my name."

"Do you think I care?" I hissed at him. I closed the door and started the ignition and drove away.

"What a pain in the ass."