Hello Lust, Goodbye

Chapter 4

Bata pa lang ako, sakitin na ako. Kaibigan ko na nga ata ang hospital sa linggo-linggo kong pagdalaw doon.

Despite of my weak immune system, Rimuel didn't leave on my side. He always had been the cheerful friend of mine who always gave me the will to live even it was actually hard for me to live.

He never failed to make me smile, specially during the times where I needed it the most.

"Jem nilalagnat ka raw?"

Bahagya pang nakapikit ang mga mata ko nang tignan ang kadarating lang na si Rimuel sa kwarto ko.

"What are you doing here Rimuel? Baka mahawa ka sa 'kin."

He smiled worriedly and held my forehead. "I'm visiting my lady. How are you? Three days ka ng hindi pumapasok sa school."

"Hindi ka ba nakita ni mom? Bakit hinayaan ka niyang pumasok sa kwarto ko?" I was too worried he might be sick because of me. Although his health was definitely stronger than mine.

He was still smiling, but his eyes were glistening in worry. "Your mom isn't around, so I decided to just come in straight to your room. I'm worried about you Jem." He sat on my bed.

Umupo ako at bahagyang umusog palayo sa kanya. Sinandal ko ang likod ko sa headboard bago siya tinignan. "Don't worry Rimuel. I'm okay. Magaling na ako at nagpapahinga na lang."

I always appreciate him, showing his concern for me. I felt really special because of his presence.

"Sure ka?" He held my forehead for the second time. "Hindi ka na nga mainit, pero magpahinga ka pa rin ha."

I nodded with a smile. "Syempre, kaya umuwi ka na muna Rimuel. Ayaw naman nating ikaw naman ang lagnatin paggaling ko."

I tried to threaten him to go. I just don't want him seeing me like this; I didn't want him to witness how hard my life was going, because I know it would be a burden for him.

"Hindi ako lalagnatin. Bukod sa gwapo ako, malakas pa ang resistensya ko." He showed me his biceps, as if it was really firm.

And he never failed to make me laugh. "Ang yabang." Siya lang ang tanging nakakapagpatawa sa akin sa tuwing masama ang pakiramdam ko. It felt like he was an angel sent for me to give me the happiness that I deserve even just for a bit of moment.

He crossed his arms proudly. "Nagsasabi lang ako ng totoo."

Napailing na lang ako habang patuloy sa pagngisi. "Totoo namang malakas ang resistansya mo, pero 'yong gwapo? I highly doubt it." I was just teasing him, but deep inside my heart, he was the most handsome man I ever met.

He laughed like he heard the funniest joke in the world. "Stop denying it my lady. It's pretty obvious." He shrugged proudly and winked.

Napangiti na lang ulit ako at napailing. "Ikaw nililibang mo lang ako ha. Sabi ko umuwi ka na muna eh."

"Iyong mga gamot na pinapainom sa 'yo ni tita, nainom mo na ba?" He again, ignored my words.

I sighed, he really wouldn't go unless he wanted to go. "Opo ininom ko na po."

His smile gave me peace. "Good."

My brows furrowed when he got the pad paper that was on my side table.

"Uy anong gagawin mo riyan?" He might need me to teach him on math. I was mainly like a tutor for him, but I love tutoring him.

He laughed as he got one sheet of paper and do something, but I couldn't see what it was because his back was on me.

"Hey Rimuel, what are you doing?" I was really curious, but I did not have the strength to move my body just to see it.

"Make a wish my lady."

My eyes glittered when he faced me and showed me the paper plane he made.

"You believe me now?" My heart melted.

I was the one who told him when we were a kid that a paper plane can make a wish come true. Now I realized it was just a myth, but I was still happy that he remembered what I said when we were just kids.

"There's nothing wrong on believing my lady. Come on, make a wish."

I couldn't help but to smile widely. I wasn't believing anymore, but I didn't want to break his trip so I closed my eyes and sigh. I wish to have more time living and breathing with Rimuel. 

I was so happy to the point that I hugged him after I made my wish.

A smile crept on my heart when his arms hugged me back. "I wish that your wish will be granted." His whispered almost made my heart cry. He was even the sweetest person next to my mom.

After an hour, my mom came on my room, so he told Rimuel to go home. Si mom lang pala ang makakapagpauwi sa pilyo pero malambing kong kaibigan.

My mom asked me to take my medicine so despite of my lungs being so tired with all the meds, I managed to obeyed her besides this is all for my life.

"Ang kulit talaga ni Rimuel. Sinabi ko ng umuwi na muna siya at nagpapahinga ka, tumuloy pa rin pala rito." Mom was shaking her head, but I could see that she wasn't that angry.

I laughed. "Mom hayaan ninyo na si Rimuel. Gusto niya lang daw po kasi akong kamustahin."

Sa tuwing naiisip ko iyon, tumatalon sa tuwa ang puso ko. I don't know if this was right, but at the age of seventeen, I could feel butterflies playing on my stomach whenever Rimuel do something sweet for me.

"I told him that you are alright. Iyong batang 'yon talaga. Mabuti na lang at napapangiti ka niya nang ganyan, kung hindi, hindi na talaga siya makakatungtong sa bahay natin."

I chuckled. "Rimuel is such a good guy po talaga mom. Kaya please, don't make him stop being friends with me."

Mom smiled sweetly. "Of course I won't anak. Just promise me that you guys are just friends only okay?"

Natawa naman ako sa sinabi ni mom.

"Syempre naman mom."

Mom smiled in satisfaction. "Good, because you're too young pa for that baby."

Napayuko ako at mapait na napangiti. "Probably I'm to weak for that mom."

My mom went closer to me and caressed my back. "Come on baby. You're not weak, you're strong and you are capable. We will survive this anak; we definitely will."

Even on the eyes of mom, I saw the pain and misery. I knew he was just saying that for me to have high hopes. Little did she know, I lost the biggest hope I had when my dad died.

"Anak I think this is yours?"

Mom showed up in my room, holding a small box. Inaayos niya na 'yong ibang mga gamit na dala namin mula sa States. 

Mom showed up in my room, holding a small box. Inaayos niya na 'yong ibang mga gamit na dala namin mula sa States.

"What's that po?" I was clueless. As far as I could remember I brought all my boxes and stuff here in my room.

She shrugged as she went near me. She sat on my bed. "An old paper planes I guess."

My eyes widened as I almost forgot about the papers I kept for a long time.

"Yes it's mine mom." Kinuha ko sa kanya ang maliit na box. "Thank you po." Buti na lang inabot niya pa sa 'kin. I almost forgot about this, but I shouldn't.

"Why do you still keep that anak? Lumang-luma na at naninilaw na ang mga papel."

A smile crept on my lips as Rimuel came on my mind. "This is sentimental mom; this is so special."

Tipid din siyang ngumiti. "Let me guess, It's from your friend Rimuel?"

My lips smiled wider as I nodded. "Lagi niya 'kong ginagawan nito sa tuwing nagkakasakit ako. Tapos pahihilingin niya 'ko." Natawa na lang ako nang maalala ang mga hiling ko. "It's funny po 'no? Because how could papers granted such a wish." I shook my head, laughing.

Silly me for hoping that it would grant my wish, well that was a kid thing.

"I find it cute anak." My mom was smiling like a teenager seeing her crush.

My lips never stop smiling when thinking about Rimuel. "Yeah mom, it's cute."

Mom tapped my back. "Oh siya, maiwan muna kita rito ha. Hindi pa 'ko tapos mag-ayos sa baba. Kung gusto mo bumaba ka na rin. Have some walk to exercise your body."

"Sige po mom. Sunod na lang po ako sa baba."

My mom nodded before leaving my room.

I sighed as I turned my gaze at the box. A butterflies swam on my stomach when I opened it and saw the papers I kept for so long.

Tama nga si mom. Lumang-luma na ito at naninilaw na. Still I don't care, our friendship never gets old and that's what matter the most.

Mapait akong napangiti nang maala ang hiling sa likod ng mga eroplanong papel na ito. I was trying to think if somehow I had a wish that had been granted.

Halos hindi ko na maalala ang ibang hiling ko. But the wish that matters the most for me was me having a long life to live with my mom and Rimuel. I was still breathing, though I wish this breath could stay longer.

"Rise and shine Jem!"

Naisara ko ang box sa gulat nang biglang sumulpot si Rimuel sa kwarto ko. Mabilis pa sa kabayo ang t***k ng puso ko, buti na lang at naikalma ko rin agad ito. I didn't want to go at the hospital for now. I didn't want Rimuel to witness how sick I really was.

"Nakakagulat ka naman Rimuel." I laughed as I shook my head.

"Nagulat ka ba sa kagwapuhan ko?" He walked towards me and sat beside me.

I rolled my eyes, but my lips wouldn't stop smiling. "Iyan ka nanaman."

He laughed. "Iyan ka nanaman, ide-deny mo nanaman, my lady."

Ngumiti nanaman ang puso ko nang marinig ang tawag niya sa 'kin. I felt really important every time he called me his lady. Although it was clear that the meaning of it for him was his woman friend; he cleared it to me during our younger years.

Tinawanan ko na lang siya.

He looked at the box on my lap. "Ano 'yan?" His thick brows furrowed.

Nakangiti pa rin ako. I was a bit shy to show him, but why not. I opened the box and let him saw what was on the inside.

A colorful rainbow appeared on my heart when I saw his sweetest smile. "The paper planes I gave you?"

I nodded. "Yep. I still keep them." I said in so much proudness.

"Aww that's so sweet of you Jem." His ashes eyes were melting my eyes.

"I'm just really sentimental." I smiled as I turned my gaze at the papers when I couldn't take to stare at his glittering eyes any longer.

"I'm glad you value my gifts."

I smile in so much appreciation. "Thank you for all of your gifts." Little did he know, I value him more than any gifts he could ever give.

"My pleasure Jem; my pleasure."