Chapter 15- The Hike with someone.
Zarya's POV
Yesterday was tough, almost feel like it was my weakest point. Could not even lift a finger, nor speak.
Thankfully, okay naman na ako today. P'wede na nga lumabas eh, but they won't allow me to.
Earlier this morning, I got phone call from my mom, she received a message that I was sick. She wasn't able to visit me daw because she'll be out of the country with dad. It's fine naman, not a big deal. I'm used to it.
"ay kawawa naman ang Doctor Zarya De Luca na 'yan." Kiro rubbed my hair, it's now ruined. Nang iinis na naman sila, aga aga e.
"are you guys tryna visit me or bwisit me?" I rolled my eyes, irritated. But I'm really happy that they're here.
"sino ba naman kasi nagsabi sa'yo na lumabas ka ng Bar when it's pouring outside." Aisle added.
"Stop that, guys. What's important right now is she's safe, and okay." Saway ni Xylla sa kanila.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there, I had—"
"wala na Ralph, don't explain." Mica teased him.
"mag aaway lang naman kayo, much better if sa labas na lang." I said, sarcastically.
"Ganito na lang, kapag okay ka na, mag tropa time tayo" Aisle said, smiling annoyingly.
"tropa time?" I asked, confused. What does that even mean? I mean, I get it. But that kind of?
"Oum."
"Bora tayo!" Kiro suggested, excitedly.
"overated, crowded. too much adventure." Xylla disagree.
" I want to do something therapeutic." I suggested. I really want to do something adventurous, yet therapeutic eh. The one that's worth the pagod.
" camping? " I don't know if Ralph's asking, or suggesting.
" with a twist, hike tayo then camp sa summit." Mica suggested, which I think is a good Idea.
"I'm down."
"Okay, but only if you're fully okay na. Maybe after a week." Xylla said, ang strict naman. Oa naman ng 1 week, nilagnat lang naman ako kagabi.
"I can discharge tomorrow, okay na ako ngayon. No fever na." I informed them, smiling. Totoo naman, the nurse checked my temperature this morning, and I'm back at 37°.
"Okay, next week tayo."
"Xylla just give me 3days. Okay na ako after that." why is she babying me, kaya ko naman na e. kahit ngayon pa.
"who is tha—"
"Hi, Ohh... I'm sorry, I didn't know you guys are here." Ryan immediately apologize after he entered the room.
And why is he here anyway?
"no, it's okay. We'll leave na din naman, we have duties." Aisle said, fixing her things.
The rest of them just nodded, and pack their things up. But Xylla remained standing beside my bed, I stared at her. Enough for her to understand that I want some time with Ryan.
"Tara na, Xy." Kiro called Xylla.
She stood up, forcibly. Staring at Ryan, sharp. And went out of the room.
"Doc, pagaling ka para makapag hike tayo agad!" Kiro shouted before closing the door.
I look back at Ryan, and he's holding a bunch of fruits l, and a bouquet of flowers. He put the fruits on the table, and handed me the flower on his right hand.
"what is this for?" anong eme na naman 'to?
"just visiting my bestfriend, slash business partner, slash student." He said smiling, and sit at the chair beside my bed.
"How did you know?"
"well, your name is all over the hospital. They're all concerned, I heard." He said, while pealing an orange.
I know I'm quite known here in the hospital, kahit noong first day ko palang. But I didn't know I have bunch of people here, I'm quite surprised.
"here." he gave me the orange he pealed. I accepted it, not a big deal.
"you don't have to visit here, I'll handle the hospital for now. You can just rest." He added.
"Did you forgot? I don't only manage this hospital." I reminded him, because even if I won't visit here. I still have lots of things to do, other than taking care of this hospital.
"you know what, forget about the work. How about we hang out this weekend, I've missed you. You've been here for months already, yet we didn't had time for some bond—"
"I'm busy, Ryan. I don't have time for some nonsense." I don't care if he gets offended, mas mabuti nang direct ako.
"you know what, zar? I sometimes feel like you're pushing me away." His tone changed. from excited, to disappointed. and yes, I feel bad about it.
"Of, course I do. You have a girlfriend, we're no longer kids. We can't just casually hang out." and that girlfriend of yours, is someone I once loved.
"she understands." of course, she do. she loves torturing me.
"still, no."
"How about thi—" his phone rings, interrupting him. "give me a sec."
I gave him time to talk with whoever
is calling him. I could not hear them since lumabas s'ya ng room.
Honestly, when he entered the room. I expected her to come as well. Hindi ko ba alam, bakit palagi ko s'yang hinahanap sa lahat ng sitwasyon, kahit hindi naman dapat.
Maybe it's something I can't control, or prevent. More like a default.
"Hi, I'm sorry about that." Pumasok s'ya ulit ng room, this time he seems to be in a rush.
"It's fine."
"Anyway, I have to go. Urgent meeting lang, I'll visit again when I can." yeah right, go away.
"there's no need to, actually." Why does he need to visit again??
"Ahm...Anyway, let's hang out some time. Okay?" He leaned closer to me, but I immediately avoided him. Anong gusto? beso??
"take care." I said, smiling awkwardly. Thankfully, he just smiled and gave me a nod.
"I brought you dinner. I know you would not eat a hospital meal. Maarte ka e." Xylla handed me a paper bag with some caesar salad chicken. My fav.
"thanks, Xyy!" I excitedly hugged her, tightly. She really knows me very well, even my fav food.
"Ahmm.. I won't be staying for too long, I just came to give you your food. Duty ako e, I'll visit you again later." He said pouting, na para bang ayaw ata mag trabaho? ano naman gagawin n'ya dito sa room ko, samahan ako magpagaling??
"Yeah, sure. I understand." I gave her a playful smile, and a thumbs up.
"anyway, are you sure kaya mo na? I'll have your papers ready for tomorrow if okay ka na talaga."
"Xy, you've done enough. It's fine na already." I've already paid for my bills here, kahit naman may right akong lumayas nalang dito, I won't. Let me be fair.
"oh, okay. Call me before you leave, hmm?"
"yes, ma'am."
Today's the day I can finally get out of this depressing place. I mean, totoo naman?
I am a doctor, I work here. I've heard countless cries, and screams. I've witnessed hundreds of people praying, people who accepted their fates, and people who can't.
And it's draining.... Paano pa kapag nandito ka for days?
"Byee Doc! next time inom ka kaagad ng gamot kapag nabasa ka ng ulan para hindi ka mag landing dito sa hospital mo." Jason laughed, teasing me. He's the nurse who is assigned to take care of me, and he did a good job.
"Yeah, I'll take note of that. Nurse!" I chuckled, and gave him a salute before finally leaving.
I called kuya Jun to pick me up, it was supposed to be Xylla, but she had an important surgery schedule today. So, ayun. Si kuya Jun na lang.
"Zar, sorry ha. Lasing kasi ako noong gabing tumawag ka, hindi ko namalayan ang cellphone ko. Napasaya ang celebrate e, pasensya na anak ha." Kuya Jun explained, and I saw the guilt in his eyes.
"Okay lang po, I understand. I'm okay na, don't mind it po." I assured him.
"sino po pala ang pumunta sa'yo sa bahay mo? si doc Xylla ba?" fuck, I didn't expect that.
"ahh...yes. it was her." I lied, baka kapag sinabi ko ang totoo, he'd ask further. and ayaw ko naman ng ganon.
"buti na lang nand'yan s'ya, ang bait pala talaga ni Doc." yes, she's indeed kind.
"oum." I'm out of words, hindi ko na alam sasabihin ko.
Thankfully, nag focus na lang s'ya sa pag d-drive. While I'm here, sitting in the passenger seat. Thinking about nothing, as in. nothing.
Just staring at the road, checking people's car since we're stuck in traffic. I leaned to my window, turned my earpods on, and listen to music.
I was at the hospital for 2days, nakahiga lang ako doon. Waiting for the sunrise, and sunset. I didn't do anything, i was just there. It must be chilling, isn't it?
But why the hell am I feeling so tired right now? only if I could lay in the clouds, I would. I'm so exhausted, damn fucked up.
I want to go somewhere...peaceful. far from the world, from all these people. is that possible?
then I remembered what my friends just told me yesterday. Camping... hiking.... It must be a good idea, right?
"oh, open forum ba to?" Kiro asked with a confused look on his face.
"Oo nga, and why do we need to bring our necessary stuff?" Mica added same reaction with Kiro.
I almost laughed inside, dahil matatawa ka talaga with their faces.
Lahat sila nakaupo sa couch, dala ang mga gamit nila na para bang lumayas. HAHAHAHA
Pinatawag ko kasi silang lima, with their things para dito matulog. the reason why, is because we're going hiking tomorrow. and hindi nila alam, well... sasabihin ko naman hehe.
If I told them beforehand, they probably won't go kasi kakalabas ko lang ng hospital. but now that they're all here, ano pa magagawa nila?
"okay, so first of all. You guys would stay a night here." I started, kalmahan lang natin. baka mabigla sila e.
" a night? and you made us bring our essentials?" Aisle complained.
"Shhh, let her finish." Suway ni Xylla na kanina pa tahimik lang.
I cleared my throat, before announcing it. "We're gonna hike tomorrow, and—"
"The helly??? What do you me—"
"Shut up, Xylla. Let her finish." Suway naman ni ralph.
Oo nga naman.
"so... I'm thinking, how about we go hiking tomorrow, as well as camping narin. para sulit, diba?"
"Zar? okay ka lang? you just got out of the hospital, you need to—"
"Okay na nga ako." I'm starting to get pissed by these people. ano ako, bata?
"Doc, Xylla's right. you need to re—"
"Isa ka pa." I pointed my fingers at Aisle when she was about to say something.
" Don't be a stub— eheem.." Ralph didn't finish his words, he clears his throat instead when I stared at him, deadly.
" you guys should've just zip your lips." Mica gave them advice, with a teasing smirk on her face.
" Aww!...xy?!" I screamed when Xylla held my hand, and dragged me to the kitchen.
" listen to me." She said pinning me on the corner of my kitchen. What is she planning to do??
"Get off me, it hurts!" Reklamo ko, which she tried to stop me again.
"Zarya!" she gave me a death glare, and I must admit. I flinched. "You need to rest, we can go anytime but not tomorrow. You just got out of that freaking hospital, what if you'll get sick again. Hm?? You're so tough, aren't you? but what if something happen—"
"You don't have to go, if you don't want to." I said sharply as I removed her hands away from mine.
"Zarya, I just want to keep you safe. You have to make—"
"You don't fucking need to keep me safe, it's my obligation to keep myself safe. Thank you for your concern, if it's..... genuine." My tone dropped when I said the last words. But I didn't care, I turned and walked away.
"Is this about Chiara again? I told you, I don't have any connections with her anymore. Why are you so doubtful, huh?" I stopped from taking another step. She's fierce, almost a statue.
" Why am I so doubtful? really??" I walk towards her, slowly. "Don't you remember what you did? can you blame me?"
I sometimes hate being sarcastic, I can say things I'm not suppose to say. The worst part is, I am the one who's going to suffer from my words they provoke me to say.
"zarya, I'm sorry. but—"
"you can leave my house now." I said as I walked away again. This time, no sense of regret.
I went back to my living room, and saw the look of intimidated on their faces. Lahat sila, nakayuko lang. I believe they heard everything.
"You guys can leave as well, you don't have to stay here. I can go alone." hindi na ako naghintay pa ng sagot nila, I went upstairs to take a rest.
Yeah, I can explore alone. That's the point, right?
" we're coming with you." I stopped.
It was Ralph.
I turned around, and saw them smiling from up here.
" Okay then, come with me." I commanded. But none of them made a move. "what? I said come with me. I'll show you the guest room."
They immediately pack up their things, and went upstairs.
"Can I join you guys?" I look around to where that voice came from and it was xylla. I didn't expected her to stay, but I know myself too well that I want her to come as well.
I took a deep breath, and nodded.
" Ralph and Kiro, you guys would be staying a night here." I showed them the first guest room. Okay naman sila siguro dito, this guest room has 2 beds naman e.
"baka gahasain ako ni Ralph." Kiro teased Ralph, acting scared Infront of him.
"If would never rape someone. But if I had to, I would never choose to molest you. Not even in my wildest dream." Ralph became serious, mainitin talaga ang ulo.
"Chill, bro. Cuddle nalang natin mamaya yan." dinagdagan pa talaga.
"You!—"
"hep hep hep!" Aisle interrupted them.
"Hooray?" Kiro said annoyingly.
"fuck you. Pasok na nga kayo, mga isip bata." Xylla pushed them inside, and closed their door.
We just laugh it off, and proceed to the other room.
This room is larger than the other one. But there's only 2 beds in here, same with Ralph and Kiro's room.
"Oh, tabi na lang tayo Xy?" Aisle asked Xylla to share bed.
I looked at her, waiting for her response. "Yeah, sure."
"Oh, there's no need. Mica, you can stay in my room." I suggested.
"no, you need to rest." Xylla scolded me, once again.
I just stared at her, enough response. " Let's go, Mics. " I held Mica's arm and dragged her in my room.
If si Aisle ang makatabi ko, for sure I won't be able to have a peaceful rest. She's a loud yapper. Of course, hindi din pwede na si Xylla.
While Mica, she's a quiet type of person. Wala s'yang pake sa mundo, kaya good choice talaga.
It's late already, about 7 AM. The house was busy. Everyone was getting ready to go hiking and camping. I could smell coffee and the tents we packed. My backpack felt super heavy. They are all in a rush na since it's really late. Kailangan pa namin mag stop over sa mall to buy some things.
"Let's go! We need to get a good spot!" Kiro yelled from the living room. He's always excited to go first.
Aisle, Ralph, and Mica were grabbing their stuff. "We're coming!" Mica said.
" loading na muna namin yung car mo, Doc." Kiro said, and took Aisle, Ralph, and Mica outside. I heard them putting stuff in Kiro's car.
"He's just excited," Xylla said, tying her shoes.
It was the first sentence I heard from her since last night.
"Yeah," I said. "Let's go. Tayo na lang nandito." I rushed her.
Xylla looked at me. "Zarya, I'm sorry about how I acted last night. I didn't mean to upset you." her voice was calm, sounds so sincere.
I sighed. "It's okay, Xylla."
We walked outside. It was cool. Then I heard laughing. Hindi lang sila Kiro yon. There was another voice. I saw a car parked outside of my gate.
I knew it. It was Ryan's. I felt my stomach drop. What is he doing here?
Ryan was leaning on his car, smiling and talking to Aisle and Ralph. Kiro was laughing and hit Ryan on the back.
"What's going on?" I said quietly.
Xylla saw him too. "Oh. This is... a surprise."
Ryan looked at me and smiled. "Ryan? What are you doing here?" I asked, trying not to sound mad. Baka magtaka sila e.
He walked over to us. "Hey, Zarya. Good morning." He smiled at me. Oh gosh, it's annoying. "I wanted to ask about tutoring. you might be free this week."
I was confused. "Tutoring? This early talaga?"
"I thought you'd be up for your—" Ryan started, but Kiro stopped him.
"Ryan came to ask about your schedule, and we told him we were going camping!" Kiro said, smiling. "Sasama s'ya satin! The more, the better!"
Aisle nodded. " Yesss, unexpected diba?"
I looked at Kiro and then at Ryan. He looked happy. They all look so happy. When I turned to face Xylla, she looks horrible. Hindi ko ma explain, nauurat na naiinis, na ewan?
"So," Ryan said, looking at me. "I guess I'm part of the adventure."
"Hindi ka ba busy?" I asked, hoping that he'd say he is. But fuck. " Nope."
" but this was supposed to be a—"
"Yes! it's supposed to be a co-workers gala, and it make sense now na nandito ang mga boss" Kiro laughed at his own jokes. What does he mean, boss? hindi ako boss.
I smiled, but I wasn't happy. This trip was going to be hard.
pero ano pa nga ba ang magagawa ko?