Chapter 11: Chapter IX - Atrophy
After what happened, Angel messaged one of her close friends in Manila to, somehow, seek solace. Her heart was really hardened after she lost everything she worked and sacrificed for because of her precocious illness. But due to her friend's busy schedule, she got nothing in return.
Instead, she set her attention towards watching horror flicks. Since then, she was a huge fan of such genre. We went to the movies before, which was our regular date. With a large-sized popcorn and a couple of lemon drinks, we were satisfied while enjoying every film we screamed at. These memories precipitously bumped into her consciousness.
However, her mind was already on the driver's seat. On the other hand, she locked her heart in an oubliette.
"I will never let my fears get in my way again – not even you, Pat."
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While I was on my way to school, I opened Marian's message on Facebook. Contemplating on what to say, I came up with a brilliant answer.
"Hello, Yanyan. How are you? Yes, I'm back now. You're looking great, by the way," inserted a smiley in the end too.
While the bus was moving, I looked outside the window and saw Angel's brother buying something from a store near their residence. He looked like he was in a hurry.
"You can't fool me with your rhetoric, Pat," Marian crowed. Why didn't you tell us?"
"I kept it a secret to everyone. No one knew," I replied.
Most of us call her Yanyan. She played an indispensable part in my life – especially with my relationships. I called her the "comforter," not because she's fluffy or hefty but because she comforted most of my past girlfriends when we broke up. Without my consent, my exes messaged her via social media and tried badmouthing me.
What they didn't realize was she knew me better than them. Yanyan and I have been friends since high school. At the same time, we were both student journalists in elementary, high school and college. She must be the only person aside from CJ and Bryan who knew my darkest secrets.
It may be true, that at some point I was playful and unstable. Yanyan knew superior than anyone else. Evidently, she was there at my highs and lows – never did she quit on me even at my most stubborn. She definitely was and will always be my best friend.
"You kept it a secret, but Bryan knew," she swanked. "Besides, you never really treated me your best friend. I am only a friend when you need someone to calm your violent exes."
"That isn't true. You know how much you mean to me – you are my best friend. Come on, I'm sorry."
"Anyway, how's Angel? Is she still the same, cold?"
"Freezing, shall I say," I mocked. "Kidding aside, you're right. She's been colder ever since. I thought when I came here for her, everything would be better. But, I was clearly wrong."
"She's sick, Pat. You need to understand that, okay?"
"I know she is, and I know where you're coming from. But, you also need to consider how I feel. Put yourself in Angel's position – will you do the same to me even if you're self-pitying?"
She was speechless – recognizing my past and everything that I have been through, she knew that I never deserved such dull treatment. If only there was a way alfresco – until the egress presented itself.
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The enrolment remained the same – swarmed by enrollees who wanted to immediately finish the process because of the sizzling weather. These were just one of the many struggles of the less-fortunate students who wanted to avail free education. Unlike private colleges, we did not have the same privileges they had.
After finishing two sticks of my precious cigar, I proceeded to the publication office. And upon entering, Ma'am Merl enthusiastically welcomed me to a visitor.
"Good morning, Pat," she said. "This is Joe, a former Editor-in-chief of Universidad de Sta. Isabel (USI), and he's here to help us with our articles."
I reached out my hand to shake his, "Good morning, Bro."
"It's nice meeting you. I heard a lot about you from Ma'am Merl," he responded.
Joe really looked familiar. I tried to recall where and how we met. But, the fact that he graduated from USI, somehow I found myself reminiscing an old friend.
"Is that so?" I said. "You must have known by now then?"
"That you're an NSPC qualifier?"
"No. Not that," I defended. "Do I sound too proud?"
"Not really. I guess I'm just mistaken. What is it really that I must have known then?"
"Nothing," I smiled.
As I turned around, I looked outside the door – I felt the gloom brought by the scorching heat of the sun. Frankly, it was a feeling that I couldn't contain. That very moment when this "old friend" of mine popped out of my head, I knew I had to ask him.
I glanced back at him. "Hey, Joe."
"Yes?"
"You know Jane, don't you?"
Astonishingly, Ma'am Merl looked at me in the eyes – she seemed to know what I was after.
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After finishing a movie, Angel felt hungry so she tried to get up by herself. When she got out of the hospital, she barely moved her lower body. When she had to do something, somebody must accompany her to prevent any accident to happen. But, she managed to get out of the bed by herself.
With her back leaning against the wall, she sluggishly moved outside her room. She was almost by the door when she stepped onto something – until she despairingly slipped towards the door, which created a loud, banging noise.
Her mom rushed to her room, and she saw Angel on the floor, facedown. Under heavy pressure, she helped Angel back up and carefully laid her on the bed.
Luckily, it wasn't an impactful fall. She only had a minor bruise on her left arm.
"What were you doing, sweetheart? You're going to give me a heart attack."
"I DON'T NEED ANYONE'S HELP!" she cried.
"But, sweetheart. You have us. You're not alone."
She turned her back from her once again. Her mom went out of her room, and headed straight to their kitchen – sobbing.
"I don't need anyone. I don't need all of you," she wept. "I don't need anyone who feels sorry about my condition."
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Joe looked inquisitive with my question. It was as if he already had an intuition right when I asked him about her.
"Why? Yes, I know Jane."
"How is she?"
"She's perfect," he answered.
"I wanted to message her when I met Ma'am Merl. But, I couldn't find her on Facebook."
"You really won't find Jane using her name."
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