JaeVon FanFic Chapters 4 thru 6

JaeVon FanFic Chapters 4-6



Chapter 4

“Hello?” wika ni Fretzie habang hinahanap sa bag ang spare battery para sa kanyang pa-lowbatt na cellphone.
“What the hell happened? Why didn't anybody give me any details? Do you know which wing they're in?” pasigaw na salubong ng boses sa kabilang linya.
“Bun, si James.” Fretzie said, not bothering to respond to the irate James. Still wincing as she held the phone up for Bret, she started to skillfully change the battery on her phone with one hand step by step.
“Hey, Hey! Calm down! We're on our way too. I can't talk long cause I'm driving and--” at tuloy parin sa pagsigaw sa kabilang linya si James.
“James, -- what the hell buddy. -- Quit yelling at me! Yes, you're yelling. -- If you wanna be there, then be there. But don't be such a – No. Stop. Seriously. -- We don't need you to make things worse! Stop being such a downer! What the eff. -- Okay, whatever James. You are not making any sense. -- We're almost there! Ten minutes tops. -- You weren't picking up! -- Whatever, man. You are hysterical at best. Take a freakin' chill pill! -- I said quit yelling! -- Whatever. I'm hanging up.” at pinindot na ni Fretzie ang end button at sandaling nanahimik ang magkasintahan.
“I don't understand why he suddenly cares so much about Shey.” usal ni Bret.
“I think bun, he thinks it's not Shey.” ang empathic response ni Fretzie.
“What?” ang sagot ng equally emotionally dense na si Bret.
“Call it women's intuition na lang.” sagot ni Fretzie na tila inaabangan ang kada street light na madaanan nila. “I think he's under the impression na it's...”
“Devon...” usal ng binata. “But why?”

Mga ilang minuto ring walang kibo ang dalawa na parehong di na pinansin ang ring ng ring na cellphone. Di rin naman nila pwedeng basta nalang itong patayin dahil may mga ibang kaibigan ding sa kanila lang pwedeng makacontact. Maka ilang minuto pa ay tumila ang walang tigil na kakaring ng telepono. Pero tahimik parin ang dalawa hanggang makarating na sila sa ospital.

Sa parking lot, hindi agad bumaba ng sasakyan ang dalawa.

“I know that James is your bestfriend, Bun. He's my friend too. But he can't be like this. Specially around Devon. Not now.”
“I know.” sagot ng binata.
“Whatever got in his head? Did anybody tell him something happened to Devon?” nagtatakang tanong ni Fretzie.
“I don't know either. I doubt it.”
Hindi umimik ang dalaga. Nag-iisip.
“He was at Ivan's. He must've noticed Devon was there... he couldn't think it's Devon.”
Hindi parin umimik ang dilag.
“There's no reasonable grounds for him to think so.” konklusyon ni Bret.
“Do you really think that, Bun? Si James, he hasn't been logical around Devon.” ang malungkot na saad ni Fretzie. Kung tutuusin, marami ngang nangyari na hindi rin alam ni Bret. Si Devon kasi, kinarir na yata nito ang pagiging kimkim queen, at ang pagiging gold medalist at long time record holder ng tiis guild.
At may mga bagay-bagay talaga na sikretong pambabae. Hindi pwedeng ishare ke sa boyfriend o kung kanino man. Usapang magkaibigan lang.

Naisip ni Fretzie minsan na si Devon yung tipong bigla nalang bubuhos. Parang dam na biglang nagrelease. One time last year, nakita niya si Devon na nakatayo lang sa veranda ng hotel room nila, buong akala nito ay tulog na ang lahat. Akala nga rin niya ay nagpapahangin lamang ang kaibigan nang magdesisyon siyang samahan ito. Saka niya lang napansin na umiiyak na pala ang kaibigan at judging sa mugtong mga mata niya ay matagal-tagal narin siyang umiiyak. Nung tinanong ni Fretzie kung ok lang ba siya, parang napilitang magkwento si Devon sa kaibigan. Dala narin siguro ng bigat ng dinadala at pangangailangan ng release...
Pero ang kilos at boses niya, as casual as could possibly be parin... habang ang luha ay walang tigil sa pag-agos. Nung mga panahong natatakot siya kung makakaya pa ba niya. Nung mga panahong inaalala niya ang kalagayan ng kanyang ina. Nung mga panahong kinukulang ang kumpiyansa niya sa sarili dahil sa pambabatikos at mga nakakasakit na salitang ibinabato sa kanya.

“I gotta call him.” sagot ng binata na tila natauhan din mula sa sariling pagmumuni-muni, sabay dampot sa cellphone. “We gotta get going too. They're waiting for us.” Tumango ang dalaga at binuksan na lamang ang sariling pinto dahil ang kasintahan ay busy ding tinatawagan si James.
Deep in thought, punong-puno ng pag aalala ang isip ni Fretzie. Inaalala niya ang kaibigan. Kung sa bagay, mas maayos na siya ngayon. She has some money saved up para makapag-aral ang mga ate niya hanggang makatapos, may scholarship siya, at okay narin ang nanay niya. Pero ni minsan ay hindi naman nawala sa kanya ang pag-aalala. Alam naman niyang tumatanda na ang mga magulang niya at naiintindihan din niyang ang mahirap nilang pamumuhay noon has already aged them beyond their years. Dagdag pa ang problema with James sa mga pasanin ni Devon. Bagay na walang ibang nakakaalam kundi sila-sila lamang. Si Devon, si James, at sa pagkakaalam niya, si Ivan din bukod sa kanila ni Bret. Si Ivan, isa pang matinding sikretong hindi pa panahong lumabas, Ang hirap nga naman kasi sa taong mababait, kadalasan, sila ang nagdadala ng mga sikreto. Sa kanilang anim, si Ryan at James lang ang hindi niya kargo. Pero sa mga nangyayari, dahil bestfriend niya si Devon, bitbit narin si James kahit second degree lang. Ang mas mahirap pa ay kaibigan ni Fretzie silang lahat. Ivan likes Devon, potentially in a romantic sense, while James and Devon has always had a tumultuous something. Nameless, and perpetually undefined as of yet, but something.


“His phone is off.” frustrated na napasinghal si Bret habang nagpipindot sa phone.
“Keep trying! Hindi pwedeng umabot siya dito na ang mood niya eh ganun.” tarantang sambit ng dalaga. Bagay na madalang makita sa kanya. Ramdam ni Bret ang frenetic mood ng kasintahan. At dumial muli.
“You should try too.” udyok nito sa dalaga. “We can't go in yet cause phones aren't allowed inside.”
“James always makes things worse lately. What's up with him?” iritang sambit ng dalaga bago nag simulang dumial muli. Alam naman ni Bret na stressed lamang ang girlfriend niya kaya't mapakla ang mood nito. Naiintindihan naman niya, dahil pareho lang naman sila.

Si James ang sanggang dikit ni Bret. Kakampi sa mga kalokohan, moral support at collaborator sa mga projects and song writing na din. Bestfriend ni Fretzie si Devon, specially in the past two years when they were constantly shuttled from various locations, sila ang talagang naging close dahil narin lagi silang magkasama. Devon has also gotten closer to Bret dahil narin kay Fretzie. Malaki rin naman ang naitulong ng dalaga kay Bret nung nililigawan pa nito si Fretzie. Daingan ng problema, moral support, secret assistant at advice giver ang drama ni Devon for a year. Mangyaring naging taga-SoCo narin siya bilang kinailangan din niyang imbistigahan ang mga hilig ng kaibigan sa ngalan ng pag-ibig ng isa pang kaibigang si Bret.

For the past 6 months, ang tukso sa BretZie+Devon, sa kanilang tatlo ay non-love triangle - dahil lagi silang magkakasama. Aminado si Devon na siya ang third wheel. Hindi naman ininda ng dalawa ang presence ni Devon, pero si Devon na mismo ang lumalayo para magkaroon ng space ang mga kaibigan niya. Maliban nalang kung may trabaho, at napipilitan naring makisabay si Devon.

Alam ni Fretz na kailangan ni Devon ng kasama.
Kung hindi busy si Ivan, siya ang magiging kasakasama ni Devon, pero naging busy siya sa back-to-back projects, at ayaw din ni Fretzie na umasa pa ang binata sa wala, o di kaya ay mas lalong bumigat pa ang dinadala ng bessy niya. Maguiguilty lang si Devon sa unrequited feelings ni Ivan. At higit sa lahat, alam naman niyang James is more than a handful. Mahirap tantiyahin ang binata.

Si Devon lang ang somehow, nakakagamay sa kanya.



Chapter 5

“Shit!” sigaw ni James sabay bato sa backseat ng iPhone4 nito. Alam naman niyang sumasakit na ang ulo ng mga tao sa kanya. Planuhin man niyang umayos na, hindi matuloy-tuloy. Mahirap eh. There are too many people concerned. Too many people invested in this. He dug for his other phone, the seldom used BlackBerry, in the dash. Hindi niya ito makita and he swerved a bit into oncoming traffic. Several motorists honked their horns at him. “Shit!” muling singhal ng binata sabay hampas sa steering wheel ng kanyang sasakyan. “Shit, shit, shit!”

Humanap ng shoulder sa daan ang binata at pansamantalang pumarada muna para mahanap ang isa pa niyang phone. Nang mahanap na niya ang isa pang phone, lowbatt na rin ito. Meron lamang enough power para makita niyang meron siyang 66 message alerts, na naging 67 nang magvibrate ang telepono at namatay.

“Fuck!” sigaw ng binata sabay bato ng cellphone sa front passenger door. Panandaliang tila sinabunutan nito ang sarili para matauhan bago muling nagsimula para hanapin ang charger ng iphone. Nakita niyang nakakabit parin sa inverter ito bagaman nasa ilalim ng mga script at kung anu-ano pang papeles. Dali-dali niyang hinanap ang kanyang iPhone4 at sinaksak ito sa inverter para ma-charge.

Muli siyang nagdrive habang inaabangan ang muling pagkabuhay ng kanyang telepono. “Come on, come on, come on!” udyok nito, na para bagang makapapabilis sa pag charge ng telepono. Limang minuto pa bago ito muling aandar, alam niya, at sa tantiya niya, sa mga oras na yon ay nasa ospital na sina Bret. At pagkatapos ng pansamantalang pagka-preoccupied sa cellphone, ay muli niyang naalala. Devon's at the hospital.

With the pedal to the metal, nag decide na lang siyang pumunta na lang sa ospital and sped away into the night.

***
Joe hugged Devon as April comforted Kyra. Unfortunately, they were all there was. Everyone else was unreachable, or just plain unable to come. Ryan, Jenny, Bret, Fretzie, Kyra, Devon, Ivan, Joe and April sat lined up against the bleached white walls of the ER hallway. Devon already did a cafeteria run for water, and juice to keep her company hydrated and their sugar levels stable because nobody seemed to have the mind to nourish themselves. Devon felt better with something to do. She needed to keep moving. Sitting and waiting was eating up at her, and Hospitals made her anxious. It made her think of death, and loss, and abandonment. Thoughts that she does not want nor need at any occasion in particular, but thoughts that creep up on anyone regardless, and she was unfortunately not immune to it.

Getting antsier but already out of things to do, she told Ivan she was going out for air. Ivan offered to come with, but Devon declined with the notion she needed to be alone. Ivan obliged after giving Devon a comforting hug. He understood where she was coming from. She walked by Fretzie with a squeeze of the hand for mutual comfort. They both needed it and it had been quite a long night as it were.

Shey's mom was still a ways away, and nobody had her dad's contact info. As for the boyfriend, Shey could barely reach the guy, what more the mere friends of the girlfriend? They just made do with each other. Waiting together for news about their friend.

***
Devon sat at the chapel, on an empty pew. There were other people in there despite the late hour. Praying for their beloved to get well with the help of God. With the help of prayers. There really is no such thing as appropriate timing. Things have a tendency to happen on their own terms. Mangyayari ang dapat mangyari. Devon said a silent prayer for her friend. Wala narin naman siyang iba pang magagawa. Lahat ng pwede niyang gawin, nagawa na niya. Alam naman niyang hindi siya si Wonder Woman. At sa totoo lang, pati si Wonder Woman, napapagod din.

Life really is so intangible. Akala mo may bukas pa. Little do you know, baka wala na pala. So little is for us to decide... But as people, we seem to think otherwise and forget there is something out there much bigger than us. Much more profound. Things like Trust. Love. Faith...

Mag iisang oras din sigurong nagmuni-muni sa chapel si Devon bago siya nag decide na bumalik na, but the idea of putting on the strong demeanor for everyone seemed too hard. So instead, she walked aimlessly. Saan nga ba siya pwedeng pumunta? Hindi pa naman siya pwedeng umalis...

***
James did a sloppy parking job and bolted into the hospital halls with all abandon. He only slowed down when he spotted Ivan leaning against a pillar and then saw April and Joe talking. They had concerned expressions and there were several people sitting too. Bret got up, and James rushed towards them. Anxious, worried.

“Bret!” James called out, somehow, suddenly unable to make the last few steps. “Bret, what happened?”
“She's okay now.” Bret answered, “They're moving her over to the ICU for further observation for the next couple of hours.” he explained and watched James' expression somehow grow more anxious. “But later today she'll be moved to a regular room.” he added, realizing for the first time the actuality of what Fretzie told him by the expression on James' face.
“You made it. Thanks man.” Ivan offered, which was met by a seething glare. “Whoa.” Ivan backed off a step.

That was the last straw for James, it seemed. Because seeing Ivan made him remember Devon. Everything he used to get to do with her when no one was watching. Happily dancing around as they tried stepping on each other's feet, staring contests, pointless chess games, movies with friends. He used to buy her icecream when the group went to the mall. Apparently, his place has been usurped by Ivan. And all he could think of was Devon with him.
How they looked as they walked away for FroYo at the mall.
Arms linked, laughing over some in-joke nobody else knows of.
How Devon messes up Ivan's hair in revenger over something insignificant.
And he chases her across the foodcourt with feigned anger.
How Devon always calls him when they're having boy's night,
And Ivan acts annoyed that she called an hour late. Again.

James collapsed, said nothing further then cried quietly. The tension in his shoulders significantly eased by relief. She's fine. Still in a stupid hospital, but fine. He cried in his quiet misery and joy and relief.
Fretzie, her suspicions confirmed, walked up to James and kneeled beside him. “DD, I know what you think, and you're wrong. Devon is fine.”
“What?” James and Ivan asked. James in shock, and Ivan in confusion.
“Devon is fine. Bret just said--” James retorted.
“You thought Devon was confined here, right?” Fretzie asked, as everyone stared at James. Their puzzled expressions growing ever more pronounced. James said nothing so Fretzie continued rather penetratingly, “You can't blame any of us – you never asked. Shey had an accident and she's fine now. Devon came cause, well you know how she is with Shey.”
“Devon is fine?” James asked absently, eyes slightly glazed over.
“Devon is fine. You've been so self absorbed that if a meteor were to land at your feet, you would fail to notice! And really, you're such a pain a lot of the time, that I wonder why I bother with you. Really James, would it kill you to try a little? I mean you are such a downer! But then I remember were friends, and--” naudlot ang spiel ng dalaga ng bigla siyang yakapin ng mahigpit ni James. Umiiyak parin ito, humihikbi.
“Oh my God, Fritz. Thanks so much. Thanks so much. Oh thank God.” bulalas nito ng paulit-ulit, while clinging to Fretzie as if for dear life. Bret just shrugged. Bagaman may ideya siya kung anong nangyari, mahirap parin sa kanyang sundan ang turn by turn ng events.
“Women.” bulong na lamang nito sa sarili as he rolled his eyes.



Chapter 6

Mga ilang minuto din bago gumalaw mula sa sahig si James. Nakasalampak siya at nakapikit lamang ang mata na walang malay sa paglipas ng oras. Nang idinaan na si Shey, mukhang okay naman siya. Gising ito pero mukhang kaunti na lang ay makakatulog na, at isa-isa niyang piniga ng bahagya ang mga kamay ng kanyang mga kaibigan na lumapit sa stretcher na lulan siya. Mahina, pagod, pero may fight parin ang kapit. Dahil narin sa mga gamot na nakaturok sa kanya, hindi na niya naisip na magtanong, o hanapin pa si Devon. Gratitude at panibagong pagpapahalaga ang laman ng puso niya. Si James, na natuwa sa pagiging maayos ng kalagayan ni Shey, ay tumingin at napangiti na lamang, pero hindi parin tumayo sa kinalalagyan. Masama mang isipin, mas nasayahan siyang malaman na ayos lang si Devon, kahit na masaya rin siyang mabuti ang kalagayan ni Shey. Iba lang talaga yung klase ng appreciation niya nang malamang okay lang si Devon.

***
Isa-isa nang nagpaalam ang mga pagod din at ngarag na housemates ay hindi parin gumagalaw si James. Tila inabutan na siya ng fatigue pagkatapos ng mala-rollercoaster niyang emotions, at doon na niya kinailangang mamahinga. Si Ivan ang naunang magpaalam at umalis sa lahat. Para hanapin si Devon na mag dadalawang oras naring hindi bumabalik, nag-aalala.

Ayven Dorchnrr: Devs, she's fine. Drugged up to the gills, but she's fine. Sleeping now. Where are you? You need to rest too. You were on call since 5 yesterday pa, it's almost 4 now.
Bebe Devon: Thank God. Thank goodness talaga.
Bebe Devon: I was at the chapel then I kinda wandered around a bit. Don't worry, I'll catch a cab. You go ahead.
Ayven Dorchnrr: You sure? I can wait. It's no trouble, really.
Bebe Devon: No, really. Go ahead. I'll be fine. I just need a breather.
Ayven Dorchnrr: But Devs, you must be exhausted after all that.
Bebe Devon: Yeah, pero ikaw din. Rest ka na din.
Bebe Devon: Trust me. I'll be fine. I'll text when I get home, and if I can't get a ride, you know I'll call you. Don't worry.
Ayven Dorchnrr: Devs, I'll take you home. You're probably delirious lang from fatigue.
Bebe Devon: Kaya ko na. Thanks for everything though.
Ayven Dorchnrr: Devs naman. You sure you're fine?
Bebe Devon: Promise. Umuwi ka na. I'll head back there. Diba I'm gonna sleep over with the guys dapat? My things are still at your place. Go na. I'll be fine.
Bebe Devon: Kapag di ka umuwi, you won't be able to reach me at all.
Bebe Devon: My phone will be off.
Ayven Dorchnrr: Ok I'm going. Don't forget to call, ok? No matter what time.
Bebe Devon: Opo.
Ayven Dorchnrr: Don't turn your phone off either.
Bebe Devon: Promise.

***
Parang naglalakad sa buwan na lumakad si Devon papunta sa information desk, then papunta sa bagong room ni Shey para sumilip sa natutulog na kaibigan. Ng makita niyang payapang nakahimding ang kaibigan, ay napabuntong hininga ito. Tila nabunutan ng isang malaking tinik sa dibdib. There, she rested her forehead on the door and said a silent thanks in her thoughts. She watched her friend rest.

Habang tinitingnan ni Devon si Shey na natutulog, para lang siyang nakamasid sa isang batang nahihimbing. Sa mukha ni Shey, walang traces ng problema, walang alalahanin. Walang stress, walang pag-aalangan. Napaluha si Devon sa tuwa. Muling bumulong ng isang pasasalamat sa Diyos. Kahit na puno na ang salok at aminado ang dalaga na matagal-tagal narin niyang kinakailangan talaga ng release, at tila lahat ng braces na prinepare niya para maka survive sa gabing iyon ay nag-expire na, kahit na hindi tumigil ang mundo para makahabol siya sa tambak ng recoveryng kailangan niya, di parin maubos ang pasasalamat niya. Oo, matagal-tagal naring kinailangan ni Devon ng 'me time' sa dalawang taon na nakalipas. Pero paano? Kanino? Kailan? Wala namang panahon, walang pagkakataon. Busy sa commitments, at ayaw ding maging pabigat ni Devon sa mga kaibigan at pamilya niya. Habang nakatuon ang tingin ni Devon sa kaibigan, hindi niya maiwasang maramdaman ang bigat ng puso niya. Buti pa si Shey, na para kay Devon, ay isa sa mga ate niya, nakakapag pahinga na, yun nga lang kinailangan pang maaksidente ito at maospital bago makapag break.

Bagaman hindi sila magkadugo, ni minsan ay hindi pinagdamutan ni Shey si Devon. Sinuportahan siya nito at inalalayan. Kahit na dalawang taon lang ang tanda nito sa kanya, parang gamundong kaalaman ang naiishare niya. Kaya't habang minamasdan ni Devon si Shey, tuluyan na lang na naiyak lamang ito. Tila nagsusumbong sa ateng impartial sa problemang pampamilya, at objective sa mga happenings sa buhay niya. Isa-isang bumagsak ang mga luha at naglabasan sa malalaking mga patak. Napaka-laki ng pagkakaiba ng Devon na nangungusap sa ateng kaibigan sa Devon na pangaraw-araw.

“Te, kaya natin to. Iiyak lang ako tonight, tapos bukas ok na. Promise.” bulong nito sa pinto. “Ikaw, te Shey, hindi ka dumaan sa butas ng karayom para lang mauwi sa ganito.” bulong niya. Alam niyang walang nakakarinig, hindi naman makakasagot ang pinto, at hindi naman mamumroblema si Shey sa mga sinasabi niya. Kampante siyang mag-emote dahil alam niyang siya lang ang makakarinig, at pag natapos na siya, move on na. “Sa uulitin, don't scare me like that! Papatayin mo ba ako?” she joked. Tumatawa habang umiiyak. “Baliw na yata ako... Umiiyak, tapos tatawa.”

“Ang matapang at palaban na Shey, nag mukhang weak and vulnerable.
Ang bubbly at masayahing si Devon, nakakailang beses nang napaiyak sa isang gabi.” biro pa nito. “Is hell gonna freeze over? Ibang-iba tayo 'te! Versatile!”

Matagal-tagal din ang naging one-sided usapang Ate ni Devon at Shey. Nang mapagod na si Devon ay nag-intay na lamang ito. Ayaw niyang maiwang mag-isa ang ate shey niya. Nang dumating ang mama ni Shey, saka lang nakaya ni Devon ang lumabas na ng ospital para umuwi. Pagdaan ni Devon sa may malaking bintana ng ospital ay nakita niya ang pasikat na ang araw. Tumitig si Devon sa sky, bago pinanindigan ang pangako. Today is a new day. Expired na ang emote pass niya.