She Crossed That Bridge

13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

I can do this . . .

"THANKS for the ride, Kath. Next time it's on me, I promise," I said, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Like Gerald would allow you to drive."

"He will." I winked.

Gerald's waiting for me at the veranda, shooting me a glare. Iyan na naman 'yong nakaiirita niyang presensya. Kailan niya kaya ako titigilan sa gan'yang tingin niya?

"What?" inis kong sabi.

"You're late."

"I was with Kath."

"So?"

"So?" I mimicked.

His jaw clenched, shaking his head in annoyance. Served you right, my dear brother.

"Helix dropped out of school."

Agad na nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang sabihin niya bigla iyon.

Why would he? He said he's going back to school once he got out of the hospital. Wala rin naman siyang ibang nabanggit sa 'kin bukod doon.

"I think his chemotherapy just got started," Gerald said, letting out a small sigh.

The moment I heard that, all I could feel was sadness for Helix. He's a good guy, and he's still young. He didn't deserve any of this.

Kaya ba siya nag-drop out? Kasi start na ng chemo niya?

Hindi ko maiwasang mag-alala. Kung ako ngang maayos ang pangangatawan ay madalas pa ring hindi okay, paano pa kaya si Helix na may sakit?

I couldn't imagine myself experiencing things he's experiencing right now.

"Can I skip school tomorrow?" I asked Ger, getting inside the house.

"No," he said sternly.

"Oh, come on, Ger. I just want to know if Hel's okay."

He raised a brow at me and gave me a scrutinizing stare. "Fine. But tomorrow's going to be the first and last time you'd skip school. Are we clear?"

I jumped in excitement, giving him a warm hug. "Thanks, Ger."

He was stunned by what I did, but few seconds later, he just hugged me back. Hindi namin ugaling maging sweet sa isa't isa. 'Yong ibang magkapatid siguro, sweet talaga sa isa't isa, pero kaming dalawa ni Gerald? Hindi talaga. Kung sweet man kami sa isa't isa, sobrang dalang.

Umakyat na ako sa taas pero agad din akong bumalik pababa saka huminto sa gitna ng hagdan at sumilip sa kanya.

"Uhm, Ger?" I called him.

He looked up. "Yeah?"

"Can I borrow your car tomorrow?"

His brows furrowed. "Probably not. I have to go somewhere important. But I can help you borrow dad's car instead."

I grinned ear to ear. "Great. Thanks!"

See? He may be strict with me, but whenever Hel's name was being mentioned, my brother becomes a softie.

Pagkapasok ko sa kuwarto ko ay pinagpatuloy kong basahin 'yong libro na isinulat ni Stephanie Perkins.

I was silently reading the book until a small laugh escaped my lips when Anna, the main character, blurted out something she shouldn't have blurted out. Nakita ko kasi ang sarili ko sa kanya sa part na 'yon dahil minsan ay gano'n din ako. 'Yon bang may sinasabi ako sa isip ko tapos maya-maya lang ay sinasabi na rin pala mismo ng bibig ko. It's kind of annoying, pero nakagagaan ng loob kapag nasabi mo na 'yong bagay na 'yon na akala mo hindi mo kayang sabihin.

Naalala ko bigla si Dest.

I've always blurted out some things I regret blurting out after kasi ugali niya talagang asarin ako. Pero napagagaan niya ang loob ko sa pang-aasar niya. Minsan kasi ay nakalilimutan ko 'yong mga problema ko.

Why was I even thinking of him again?

***

THE blinding sunlight creeping through my bedroom window greeted me as my eyes slowly opened.

I did my morning routine and got the car keys in dad's drawer. With the help of Gerald, dad agreed to let me borrow his car for the entire day. He's been asking a lot of questions, but Gerald and I decided not to tell him about Hel's condition.

I entered the address Gerald sent me into my GPS right away, choosing the fastest route to Hel's house.

I wasn't really sure if he's home right now or still in the hospital, but I could try checking both, right?

And finally, I was outside the Guatamyel's Residence.

It was a combination of white and gray mansion, with high glass gates at the front. He really was a rich kid. No wonder why his brother, Dest, used to be the leader of the P5.

Minutes later, a woman in her sixties told the guard to open the gate for me.

I got out of my car and greeted her.

"Hi, Mrs. Guatamyel."

She flashed me a genuine smile. "Gerald's sister?"

I nodded in response.

Inilahad niya ang kamay niya sa 'kin kaya nakangiti kong tinanggap iyon.

"Gerald called. He informed me about your plans for today."

Oh. Great. Why was he helping me too much? I mean—yeah I got it, Helix's his friend. But he won't even let me go on a movie night with Nico without him tagging along. Nico's his friend, too. What's so special about Helix?

"I'm glad you came. Hel's been rejecting all the foods we were serving. He doesn't go out of his room. He doesn't talk to any of us. I'm worried he might do something stupid." Frustration and sadness crossed her face.

"Maybe I can help," nakangiting sabi ko at agad siyang tumango.

She led the way to his room and I tried knocking on his door.

I already did a few knocks, but still, there's no response from him.

Clearing my throat, I called him. "Hey, Helix? It's me, Shin."

Pero wala pa ring sumasagot.

I was about to turn around and shake my head, but I halted when the door clicked open.

Mrs. Guatamyel peeked at me from the side of her eyes. I could see surprise crossing her face. Even I wasn't that confident if he'd open the door for me. But thankfully, he did.

I gave her a reassuring smile before entering his room.

I can do this . . .

~

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