Just One Date

Chapter 5 - war freak

"Are you sure you'll be okay? I hate to leave you like this pero may klase pa kasi ako in ten minutes at may quiz kami," Chelsea told me with a worried expression.

"Fen, I'm really sorry, hindi ko talaga sinasadya," Lance apologized as I sat on the Clinic bed.

Classmate ko sila sa PE 3, isa sa subjects na naiwan ko noong 2nd year ako dahil ayoko ng Swimming. Pero ngayon ay wala na akong choice kundi i-take up dahil iyon lang ang pwede sa schedule ko at kapag hindi ko kinuha ngayon ay siguradong hindi ako makaka-take ng PE 4 next Sem. Baka iyon pa ang maging dahilan ng hindi ko pag-graduate sa March, nakakahiya naman sa kapatid kong dating sikat na varsity ng Basketball.

"It's not your fault. Na-off balance lang talaga ako. Alam ko namang hindi mo sinadya," I assured him.

"Sigurado ka ba? May klase ba ang kuya mo? Gusto mo sunduin muna namin?"

"No. Maliit na sugat lang ito. Go ahead, I'll be fine," I said, pretending not to panic.

Ang totoo nanlalamig na ang kamay ko sa takot at ayokong umalis sila but I don't want to act childish. May klase sila at nakakahiya namang pati sila ay maabala dahil sa minor injury ko.

I touched the wound on my forehead. Mahapdi iyon at parang nanigas ako nang makita ko ang dugo sa kamay ko nang lumapit ang school nurse sa amin.

"Nurse, kayo na po ang bahala kay Fenella, we really have to go," paalam ni Chelsea bago pinisil ang balikat ko at tuluyang lumabas ng Clinic.

"Let me see, ano bang-"

"Fen?! Anong nangyari sa iyo?" someone interrupted from behind and I heaved a sigh when I saw Bethany.

"Kilala mo?" the school nurse asked her.

"Oo, pinsan ko. Ikaw na muna mag-assist doon sa kabilang room Nurse Mai, ako na muna bahala rito."

Nakangiting tumango si Nurse Mai at iniabot ni Bethany ang hawak niyang cotton bago muling bumaling sa akin.

"Bakit ka may-"

I grabbed Bethany's hand before she could continue.

"Will you please wipe out the blood first?" I begged as I was starting to freak out.

Napatawa siya bago kinuha ang bulak sa tray na nasa tabi niya at dinampi ang sugat ko.

"Sa tigas ng ulo mong yan, paano ka nasugatan?"

"Nagkakatuwaan kasi kami. Natabig ako nung isang classmate ko kaya napauntog ako sa gilid ng pool," I said and grimaced when Bethany dabbed my wound with a cotton soaked in Betadine.

"Wag ka ngang malikot!" saway nito tsaka hinawakan ang baba ko para hindi ko maipaling ang ulo ko.

"Teka, bakit ka nga pala nandito eh andiyan naman si Nurse Mai?" I asked.

Affiliate ng Perpetual University ang St. Michael Hospital kung saan siya nagtatrabaho bilang nurse at kapag wala ang school nurse namin ay siya ang madalas na kinukuhang reliever.

"May blood donation drive kami, nandiyan kami sa kabilang room kasama ng Red Cross," she explained.

"Magkausap tayo kagabi pero di mo man lang nabanggit sakin na may blood donation project kayo," reklamo ko pero tinaasan lamang niya ako ng kilay.

"Bakit ko naman kailangang sabihin sa iyo e sigurado namang hindi ka pupunta? Tingin mo pwede mong i-donate itong dugo mong nasa bulak?"

It was my turn to chuckle. She has a funny way of reminding me about my fear of blood.

"Sabagay."

Bigla ko tuloy naalala noong in-advise kami last year na mag-donate ng dugo. May additional points raw kasi at dahil naghahabol ako ng grade noon, nagtapang-tapangan ako. I was desperate. Pero pagkatusok sa daliri ko for blood typing pa lang ay hinimatay na ako. Nakakahiya talaga. Mabuti na lang naroon si Ethan noon. Pinakiusapan niya ang prof ko na siya na lang ang magdo-donate in my place. And because I already fainted, pumayag naman ito.

"Kaya nga ako hindi nag-medical course," katwiran ko. Sa dami ng course na nilipatan ko, iyon ang hindi ko naisip i-consider. Hindi ko pinangarap maging everyday environment ang ospital at wala akong balak na makakita ng dugo araw-araw. Baka mauna pa akong mamatay sa pasyente ko kapag nagkataon.

"Anong oras pa ito? May natuyong dugo na ah. Bakit hindi ka agad pumunta rito?" hindi na siya nakangisi this time at nakakunot na ang noo niya.

"Basa kaya ako kanina, natural nagbihis muna ako. Tsaka akala ko kanina bukol lang," katwiran ko. Alam niyang ayokong pumupunta sa mga Clinic at Ospital.

"Hindi ka ba nahihilo o nasusuka?" paniniguro niya.

"Kanina nung pagka-untog parang umikot ang paningin ko at nakakita ako ng stars. Totoo pala yun? Kanina ko lang kasi na-experience. Pero that's it, lumipas rin agad."

She chuckled again.

"Buti na lang matibay ka insan. Sa duwag mong 'yan pagdating sa gamutan, pahihirapan mo kaming mga nasa ospital," she stated.

"What are you talking about? Ang tapang ko kaya," biro ko at bigla niyang diniinan ang paglilinis sa sugat ko.

"Aray!" sigaw ko na lalo lamang nagpalapad ng ngiti niya.

"Ang yabang mo. Kay Ethan ka lang naman matapang."

"Pwede ba, don't say bad words," saway ko pero lalo lamang siyang ginanahan.

Nilagyan niya ng ointment ang sugat ko bago dahan-dahang tinapalan.

"Nag-donate si Ethan ng dugo kaninang umaga ah, maasahan talaga pagdating sa mga charitable programs. Naalala mo ba noong nag-volunteer siya sa Tacloban after ng bagyong Yolanda? He traded a sem-break vacation in Italy to help the typhoon victims, can you believe that?"

Umirap ako.

"Ang sabihin mo, gusto lang niyang maka-bakasyon ng mas matagal kesa mag-aral kaya siya nag-volunteer. Alam kasi niyang papayag ang Dean ng College of Education kahit ma-late siya for the Sem kasi for a good cause iyon," katwiran ko.

Bethany ignored my observation and went on.

"FYI insan, Red Cross volunteer si Ethan. That alone speaks for itself. He's commited, realiable, helpful, and he has a good heart. Ewan ko sa iyo kung bakit hindi mo makita iyong mga good qualities nung tao."

"Binayaran ka ba nung mokong na yun para sa mga sinabi mong iyan?" I inquired, eyeing Bethany closely.

She was about to say something when the door flung open and banged on the wall, startling both of us.

Speak of the devil.

"What happened to my Lois?" Ethan exclaimed to nobody in particular when he entered the Clinic.

I was too surprised to speak and Bethany stepped back as he hurried to my side and cupped my face with both hands. He looked at me closely, searching my eyes and studying my face.

"Anong nangyari sa iyo, mahal ko? May sugat ka!"

Magsasalita sana ko pero bumaling siya agad kay Bethany.

"Nauntog lang sa pool 'yan, huwag kang mag-alala. Io-observe lang natin kung hindi siya magsusuka," she explained.

Ethan's reaction about the incident was even worse than mine. I was scared. But he was petrified.

"Baka kailangan ng blood transfusion, pareho kami ng blood type, willing ako mag-donate!"

I couldn't believe how he's overreacting. Sanay ako na OA siya pero ito, grabe. Sobra.

"Hoy Ethan, ang OA mo! Saan ka naman nakakita na konting sugat lang sinasalinan na ng dugo?" I snapped, pulling his hands away from my face and turning to Bethany.

"Ito ba? Ito ang ipinagmamalaki mong Red Cross volunteer?" tanong ko sa pinsan ko pero tinawanan lamang ako nito.

"My Lois, alam mo namang ayokong nasusugatan ka. Ayokong nasasaktan ka." Ethan spoke again.

I made a face. I felt vulnerable kanina nang makakita ako ng dugo but Ethan isn't exactly the person I want to comfort me.

"Okay na ako, galos lang ito, nautong lang ng konti."

"How do you feel?" he asked in concern.

"Nagamot na, Ethan. Tapos na. You can leave," I replied.

He looked disappointed pero hindi pa rin tumigil.

"I want to stay here with you. Alam mo naman you give color to my world. I'm blue without you."

I cringed sa ka-cornyhan ng sinabi niya pero tumawa si Bethany kaya nakahanap siya ng kakampi.

"Let me take you home," he offered.

"Hihintayin ko nang matapos ang shift ni Bethany. Anyway 3pm na, siya na ang maghahatid sa akin," I told him, hoping he'll just leave.

"Pero-"

"Kay Bethany ako sasabay, Ethan. Period."

Ethan stared at me for a while before heaving a sigh.

"Okay, if that's what you want," he finally gave up and I was relieved.

"Basta mag-iingat ka ha. Tsaka huwag ka mag-alala, iginanti na kita."

The last part of what he said disturbed me.

"Anong iginanti? Anong ginawa mo?" I demanded.

"I saw red nang nalaman kong nasugatan ka kaya sinuntok ko yung classmate mo sa PE, yung si Lance nga ba yun? Tsaka ihinulog ko sa pool. So quits na kayo."

Napaka-casual ng pagkakasabi niya noon na para bang araw-araw na gawain lamang iyon ng isang normal na tao.

"War freak ka talaga! Bakit mo ginawa iyon? Bakit mo pinatulan si Lance? Bakit mo siya sinuntok? It was an accident! We were joking around!" sunod-sunod at gigil na gigil na tanong ko.

"Ah, ganon ba? Well then that will teach him a lesson not to get too close to you. I almost turned green with envy," cool na cool na tugon nito, sabay kibit-balikat.

"Pwede ba tumigil ka sa mga kulay na yan! Ethan, you're not in high school anymore! Pwede ba, act your age! Graduate ka na!"

"I don't care. Basta ang alam ko walang pwedeng manakit sa iyo," he insisted before crossing his arms infront of his chest.

I darted Bethany a look because she was giggling non-stop on the corner of the room but she ignored my dagger stare.

"Mag-sorry ka kay Lance," utos ko nang muli akong bumaling kay Ethan.

"Ayoko nga! Bakit ako magso-sorry? That serves him right for hurting you," came his stubborn response.

"O sige, huwag kang mag-apologize-"

"Hindi talaga!" putol niya sa sinasabi ko.

"Pero huwag na huwag kang pupunta samin at sinisigurado ko sa iyo na kahit kelan hindi na kita kakausapin."

Biglang kumunot ang nok niya at lumambot ang kanina ay matigas niyang ulo.

"Ikaw naman, di ka na mabiro! Eto na nga at palabas na ako. Ipagtatanong ko pa kung saan ang klase ni Lance at kukumustahin ko ang pasa niya," maagap na sagot nito bago tuluyang lumabas ng pinto.

When the door slammed shut behind Ethan, Bethany and I burst out laughing.

"Di talaga ubra ang powers si Ethan sa iyo ano? Nganga!"

We were still laughing together when someone came rushing in, making our jaws drop with surprise.

The left part of the guy's lips were bleeding. His chin was badly bruised. His right eye was swollen and his arms had scratches on them.

Pero s**t lang ha, ang gwapo pa rin niya.

"Tyler?" I couldn't help but exclaim when I recognized who it is. I looked over Bethany who seemed shocked as well.

Si Tyler ang long time suitor ni Bethany. Ilang beses na niya itong binasted dahil inborn raw ang pagiging babaero nito pero in fairness kay Tyler, hindi pa rin siya sumusuko. Kahit ako ay tinatawagan niya minsan para magpatulong pero kung matigas ang ulo ko, mas matigas ang kay Bethany.

Graduate rin siya ng Perpetual University at sa pagkakaalam ko ay kaka-promote lang as Head Coach ng Varsity Team ng basketball. Noong graduating na sila ay 2nd year si Kuya Brett at kakapasok lamang sa varsity kaya isa siya sa mga nag-train sa kapatid ko. Isa rin siya sa mga pinaka-sikat na hearthrob sa batch nila at obvious naman kung bakit.

"Uy, Fenella. Andito ka? Napano yan?" bati niya habang itinuturo ang sugat ko sa noo.

"Nauntog lang sa swimming class. Ikaw, anong nangyari sa iyo?"

"Medyo napaaway sa labas, nagkainitan. Pero okay na, nakipag-ayos na rin ako," he explained.

"You don't look okay," I told him honestly at bahagya siyang tumawa. I'm sure magiging black eye ang mapula at namamagang mata niya in a matter of hours.

"That's why I'm here," he said and turned to look at Bethany who never uttered a single word eversince he came in.

Nang hindi pa rin siya kumilos o nagsalita ay umimik na ako.

"Insan, aren't you going to do something?" I teased and wriggled my brows.

"War freak," she muttered under her breath.

"Nandiyan ang school nurse ninyo sa kabilang room, sandali lang tatawagin ko para-" she said in a haste but Tyler grabbed her by the arm before she could turn away.

"I need immediate medical attention, Bethany. Ikaw ang nandito and you're highly capable. Bakit ka tatawag ng ibang nurse? Hindi ba SOP ninyo na bigyan ng first aid at once ang nangangailangan?"

Bethany was caught off-guard. She then heaved a sigh and walked over to Tyler, looking defeated.

Sabi niya sakin wala raw utak si Tyler? Ang smart kaya!

Nakasimangot niyang kinuha ang mga gamit sa counter table bago dinampi ng bulak ang mga pasa at sugat ni Tyler habang nakataas ang isang kilay.

"Aray! Ano yan, alcohol? Wala kayong Betadine rito?" reklamo nito habang kunot ang noo.

"Naubusan kami," straight-faced na tugon ni Bethany sa kanya.

Liar!

"Kaso sabi mo diba, you need immediate medical attention. So kung emergency ito, kung anong nandito, iyon ang gagamitin ko. Or do you want me to get some Betadine? I'll be back in about-"

Saglit siyang tumingin sa wrist watch niya.

"-two hours?"

Tyler inhaled deeply and exhaled sharply before taking Bethany's hand.

"Sige na, go on. I can take it. Titiisin ko na lang," he said in surrender.

Kitang-kita ko kung paano idiin ni Bethany ang paglilinis sa mga sugat at pasa ni Tyler nang magpatuloy siya. Panay naman ang ngiwi ng isa pero hindi na siya muling nagreklamo.

They were both silent and I watched in amusement as my cousin violently did her duty as a nurse with c****d eyebrow. On the other hand, Tyler stared at her with so much affection.

I'm having trouble imagining Tyler being a womanizer because of the way he looks at her. While Bethany is furiously cleaning his wounds, nakatitig lang si Tyler at hindi inaalis ang tingin sa mukha nito.

Kung nakakatunaw lamang ang tingin, Bethany would definitely melt in no time. If only she would look him in the eye.

I don't know how my cousin could resist Tyler. Iyon ba namang gwapong iyon na kung makatingin ay parang nagsasabing Bethany is the only thing that matters in this world? It's as if he was memorizing every part of her face at ayaw niyang kumurap kahit saglit because he didn't want to miss anything.

They were like that when the door slammed open again. This time I wonder kung gaano katibay ang pinto ng Clinic na ito at kung gaano ito tatagal kung laging ganito magbukas ng pinto ang mga pumapasok rito.

The guy who came in looks very familiar. He has dark brown perfectly ruffled hair, smooth moreno complexion, beautiful expressive eyes and a body fit for a hunk. Kung ganito ng ganito palagi ang mga bisita dito sa Clinic, baka maisipan kong dito na lang tumambay kapag wala akong klase. Titiisin ko nang makakita ng dugo.

"Tol, anong nangyari? Bakit ka nakipagsuntukan sa kanto?" he asked while standing by the door, obviously worried.

I know him. Kaibigan siya ni Kuya Brett at isa sa mentors niya noon sa Varsity. Regular customer rin namin siya sa shop at alam na alam ko na ang order siya kahit hindi siya magsalita. One pint of Coffee Crumble for take-out. Addict yata doon ang fiancee' niya na madalas niyang pinapasalubungan.

Bethany had her back facing the door but I'm most certain she recognized the voice. After all, he's Gavin Mateo. Tyler's best friend. And Bethany's first love.

"Ikaw raw ang nag-umpisa ng g**o? Anong problema mo?" Gavin asked again when Tyler just shook his head and kept his mouth shut.

With that, Gavin impatiently stepped closer and when he finally recognized the nurse handling Tyler, he suddenly burst out laughing.

"Si Bethany pala ang nurse ngayon! Oh, now I know!" he exclaimed.

Hindi ako ganoon katalino but it doesn't take a genius to know that Tyler started a fight on purpose para masugatan siya at magkaroon ng reason pumunta rito para kay Bethany. He must be really crazy about her to do such a thing at hindi ko mapigilang kiligin sa ginawa ni Tyler. He did whatever it takes, even as stupid as getting himself into a fight, just to have a moment of being this close to Bethany.

I was hoping na mata-touch ang pinsan ko but her reaction was exactly the opposite. Instead, she slapped Tyler's already wounded arm and glared at him.

"Sira ulo ka ba? Bakit ka naghahanap ng away? Coach ka ng varsities tapos ganyang example ang ipapakita mo sa mga estudyante mo?" she nagged.

Tyler, however, maintained his cool composure.

"If that's what it takes para maalagaan mo ako, why not?"

Muling tumawa si Gavin bago sinuntok si Tyler sa balikat.

"Tarantado ka, nag-alala pa naman ako sa iyo! Tol, kung alam ko lang na ganito ka ka-desperado, sana natulungan kita. Sana tinawagan mo na lang ako at ako na ang bumugbog sa iyo. Wala pa sanang police report na kelangan," he said.

This time Tyler shook his head but Bethany held it still furiously so she could put a bandage on his cheek.

"Oo na, out of desperation na ito. Paano naman ako hindi mape-pressure? Ikakasal ka na! Samantalang ako, hindi pa sinasagot! Ilang years na? Is this what I get pagkatapos kong magbagong-buhay?" he lamented wih exaggeration.

Gavin nodded at me to acknowledge my presence and turned to Bethany.

"Sorry about this, Bethany. I can't promise na hindi na mauulit. Our friend here is running out of diskarte ideas," he joked.

I studied Bethany's expression as she rolled her eyes.

She doesn't seem bothered. Or kung awkward man ang sitwasyong ito sa kanya, I'd say she's a great pretender because she doesn't look uncomfortable at all. I'm not sure if she really meant what she said that she's over Gavin. Matagal rin niya kasi itong pinangarap at minahal, high school pa sila. Magkasama rin sila sa church choir sa village nila. And more than that, they're very good friends.

Iniabot ni Bethany kay Gavin ang ilang pirasong gamot.

"Sabihin mo sa magaling mong kaibigan, every eight hours iinumin yan for pain and swelling. Pwedeng lagyan ng cold compress iyon mga pasa niya lalo na iyong sa mata kung gusto niyang ma-identify pa siya ng mga ex niya," she said and I chuckled.

"Bethany naman, irog ko...I did it for love, can't you see?" angal ni Tyler sabay abot sa braso ng pinsan ko pero mabilis nitong hinawi ang kamay niya.

"Wala akong nakikita kundi isang basagulerong isip bata na kung hindi rin naman tanga at kalahati eh di sana hindi ganyan ang itsura niya ngayon," mataray na sagot nito bago kinalabit si Gavin.

"Iuwi mo na iyan, baka maragdagan ko pa ang pasa niyan kapag hindi mo iyan inalis dito."

Gavin smiled and took Tyler by the arm.

"Mas mabilis itong gagaling kung ikaw ang mag-aalaga," anito kay Bethany.

"Isa ka pa. Baka gusto mong iba na lang ang tumugtog sa kasal ninyo ni Syndell?"

Hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na pumayag siyang mag-piano sa wedding ng first love niya. Masochist yata talaga itong pinsan ko.

"Peace! Huwag mo naman kami idamay. Labas kami sa mga weird courting strategies ni Tyler," he responded in between laugher and led Tyler to the door.

"Fen, regards sa Kuya mo ha," Gavin said to me as they turned to leave and I nodded with a smile.

Kahit may bangas ang mukha ni Tyler at namamaga ang mata ay nakuha pa nitong kindatan si Bethany bago sila tuluyang umalis.

"Hiyang-hiya naman ako sa bait ng pagtrato mo kay Tyler. Estimadong-estimado, dedicated nurse ka kamo?" I kidded when they left.

"He deserved that," walang emosyon na sagot niya habang nagliligpit.

"Wow, am I really hearing this from someone who would always nag me about not treating Ethan right?"

"Magkaiba sila ni Ethan. Ethan is a great guy. Si Tyler, nagpapanggap lang yan."

"For years?"

"Fenella, sa lahat ng kanto sa village namin, may naging girlfriend siya. Nagkataon lang na wala pa siyang nabibiktima sa street namin kaya ayaw niya akong tigilan. Masisira ang pattern niya ng pangongolekta. Tsaka tingnan mo nga, basalugero!"

"Tyler did that just to get close to you, imagine!? Ang gwapong basagulero kaya ni Ty-."

"Nagugwapuhan ka lang sa kanya kasi may resemblance siya kay Tyrone," singit niya.

"Maybe so. Pero gwapo talaga siya."

"Hindi naman magpapahuli si Ethan ah," hirit pa niya.

"Ayoko sa war freak at immature," I said.

She shook her head.

"Someday you'll regret these," she concluded.

"Ang alin?" tanong ko, sounding defensive.

"Iyang ginagawa mo kay Ethan. Ngayon ikaw ang nauntog pero dahil ginamot ko na, okay ka na. Watch out kapag si Ethan ang nauntog," she warned.

Umirap ako.

"Wow, I'm so scared. Hayaan mo at hahanap ako ng pader kapag kasama ko siya at iuuntog ko na para matapos ang kahibangan niya. I can't wait na matauhan siya at tigilan na ako," mataray na sabi ko.

She stopped what she was doing to look me in the eye with a serious expression.

"Be careful what you wish for, Lois Fenella. Kapag si Ethan ang nauntog, baka hindi iyon kayanin ng ointment at plaster. Ikaw rin, tsaka ka magsisisi," she finished.