Fifteen
893 Words
Second semester.
First year college.
Yes, I am slowly adjusting to my class schedule and crash course which takes up most of my weekend.
I have trainings at the company once a month.
Our family lawyer have met with me and Kuya Benson over Zoom with Grandlolo beside him. He has discussed the properties both me and Kuya will have which we have inherited from our deceased parents.
I will be formally handling the shoe and retail business here in the Philippines while Kuya Benson will take charge of the branches abroad.
For those who thinks that owning a company — rather, inheriting it— is something grand and something to be jealous of, well, think again.
Having it is a big responsibility. A huge one.
Yes, I have my Kuya Benson to assist me whenever I have some things I should have known and Grandlolo but they are not with me the whole time.
Leadership and experiencing it head-on are two different things.
"Hey, you alright?" That was Tristan's voice and he touched my forehead when he noticed me zoning out the whole time.
It was the second week of second semester. Classes have long started.
I was getting used to everything already.
Not until now.
I can feel my body slowly giving up.
I tried to look into Tristan's eyes to smile but my head is spinning.
"s**t! You're burning! You should have rested at home!" He hissed with concern and worry.
I whined when I tried to protest so I closed my eyes and suddenly, felt so cold.
"Hey! Anong nangyari kay B?" Faint voices soon faded away and I dozed into darkness.
I don't have any idea what happened but I woke up inside the clinic.
"Good thing, you're awake. Here, take this after eating that." Nurse Tricia smiled at me as she handed me some Biogesic and a cup noodles with a plastic fork.
I began to sit on the bed and she helped me. She pulled out the bed tray and placed the cup noodles on top of it.
"Gaano po ako katagal nakatulog?" I couldn't help asking and I groaned when I felt pain on my muscles.
"You've been sleeping for more than two hours—" she said and I exclaimed, cutting her off.
"Whaat? Hala! May quiz kami ngayon!" I began to panic and sat up but Nurse Tricia shook her head just in time, Tristan entered the clinic with a frown on his face.
"Thank you, Nurse Trish. Ako na po bahala sa pasyente. Hanap po kayo sa kabilang room namin, may emergency daw po." Tristan said and started to sit at the monoblock across my bed.
"Thanks for the info, Tristan. Bumalik ka na din sa klase mo after your break time ha. I'll be back." She said and went out of the clinic and paging her comrade who is in the next building for assistance.
"If you were bothered about our quiz, the girls told our Professor about it. Magtake ka na lang daw ng special test." He said as if he read my mind. "Seriously, Brit, nagpapahinga ka pa ba? Nangangalumata ka na oh? Tulog-tulog din kapag may time! Do not be too hard on yourself. You deserve a break!"
I sighed and continued eating the noodles I was given. I found myself telling him about my thoughts,
"I honestly feel that I am more of a robot than a human. I feel responsible over our company. Pinamana sa amin yun nila Mom and I cannot afford to let them down. Yun na lang ang alala nila sa amin ni Kuya. Tell me, how can I manage to be myself when everytime I am about to sleep, their memories haunt me every time?"
"Wala namang kumukwestiyon sa responsibilidad mo bilang anak at kapatid. Ang akin lang, alagaan mo ang sarili mo. Paano mo mapapatunayan sa kanila ang mga gusto mong marating kung ikaw mismo, napanghihinaan dahil hindi sapat ang lakas mo araw-araw? Have some time for yourself. Take care of your mental health too. You are overthinking and suffering in return. That is not healthy, I am telling you."
Tristan's words got through my head even at home.
Damon knew about what happened in class, probably because, Jewel told him. He's friends with the girls except for both Alvin and Tristan.
I don't know what's with these guys but I am just ignoring whatever they have.
"Are you sure Tristan is not bugging you? He's everywhere a lot lately!" Damon asked with a hint of curiosity in his voice as he guided me to my room.
I was allowed to go home immediately because my temperature shoot up to 38°C. I was also advised to rest for three days to regain my health and energy.
"Of course, he will be bugging me because we are classmates, Damon! He is also my friend!" I couldn't help but to fight back with irritation.
"Look, masama ang pakiramdam ko, just leave. Kaya ko na ang sarili ko."
"Brit, I'm sorry. I was just jealous." He pleaded instantly.
"Damon." I said, my voice became weak as I snuggled under the covers. "Just leave. Please. Wala ako sa mood makipagtalo."
I heard him heaved a sigh and my door closed after.
Seriously, he is bugging me more than the guys he's jealous at.
- Writer
