It’s been a few days since I visited Shamikha at the hospital. She’s probably back home now, recovering. A nurse probably stops by to check on her. Her armchair in the classroom is still empty. Sometimes random classmates sit there, but it’s not really hers anymore.
We’re heading to the gymnasium for PE. I let my friends go ahead without me. Told them I’d catch up. I needed to grab a snack first, something to fuel my body. Didn’t eat breakfast before leaving the house. So I bought a sandwich at the canteen, found a seat, and ate it quickly.
“Jonar, I heard your crush left the hospital. But she won’t come to school for months.”
It was Jonar and his three male friends. They ordered rice meals. They might be skipping classes or their teacher was absent, and now they’re spending their time eating early lunch or brunch. I continued chewing on my sandwich and needed to be in the gym in 15 minutes.
“Shamikha?” Jonar clarified.
“Who else is your crush if it’s not her?”
“Thank heavens, she dumped me. I don’t want to be seen with someone in a wheelchair.”
I swallowed the last bite I took.
“You’re a lucky man for dodging a bullet.”
“Not gonna deny. She’s hot and clever, but she got what she deserved,” Jonar murmured, mockingly.
“Dude, you’re ugly as heck, and she’s disabled. You two suit together!”
Jonar is pissed. “Still better than those who couldn’t get on her knees. I can get plastic surgery, but limping could be forever,” he scoffed.
That Jonar bastard!
He has a huge crush on Shamikha, yet he didn’t visit her. What’s with all his grand public love confessions during heart’s day when he can’t even grow a sack to visit her? It turns out it’s because he’s mocking her now.
It was Shamikha who was lucky to turn down a bastard like you. Yes, she’s smart enough to discern your true colors. And I am sure you have ill intentions towards her.
Just you wait, Jonar. You'd thank the heavens more when you get sent there.
Before doing anything unpleasant to Jonar and his friends, I got out of the canteen and headed straight to the gym.
***
It’s been three months, and Shamikha still isn’t back in school. To my observation, my classmates haven’t really changed how they act, the same as before when she had the accident. Her two close friends are still bluffing, procrastinating, and gossiping as always.
“So, Shamikha doesn’t seem to graduate with us.” – Lyca pouted.
“Yeah, she will retake this year.”
“Oops, we have an exam today! Are you done with the assignment?”
“Crap, I forgot both. I slept late watching a romcom last night.”
“You’re always sleep-deprived because of that. You’re so unreliable!”
“You don’t even have the assignment as well, do you?”
“Forget the assignment. We can do that after the exam. I tried reviewing last night, but my brain is still empty. Who do we ask for the exam’s answers?”
“D*mn! Why do we lose her over a hit-and-run? ”
“Shamikha, we need her,” she faked weeping.
They sounded like they only miss her because they have no one to copy notes from, and no one helps them with cheating anymore. What good-for-nothing friends.
I wanted to visit her every day after school, go to her house, see if she’s okay. But we’re not even friends.
Plus, I overheard her friends talking. They said Shamikha already has someone looking after her, aside from the nurse. Maybe a relative, or someone she knows. So if I asked for her address to visit… that guardian would probably think I’m some guy with bad intentions.
“Yo, Ravel!” TJ startled me. “You’re zoning out, huh? What were you thinking? Why are you staring at Shamikha’s seat?”
I cleared my throat. “N-Nothing. I wasn’t staring at her chair.”
“Hey, Wenzo invited all the boys to hang out at their house. His parents won’t be there, that’s why,” Kevin intervened.
“Why are we even invited? We’re not close with him,” I uttered. He’s really a welcoming guy.
“It’s just you, Ravael.” Kevin answered.
“What do you mean?”
“We became close with Wenzo during the house blessing party.”
“Tsk, tsk.” TJ shook his head. “You didn’t come and missed it.
Kevin put his right arm around my shoulder. “So, this time, let’s all go together, alright?”
“I have to go home early and go to work-”
“Shut it,” Kevin stopped me. “You’re always at school and work, blah blah. Have some fun moments for yourself. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it there!”
I couldn't say no after seeing how excited they got when I didn't immediately refuse. Now I feel like some kind of babysitter for two teenage guys who apparently need an adult around, or else they'll get too drunk and end up detained for some stupid crime they don't even realize they're committing.
We took an e-hailing car. I stared out the window and read the village's arch as the car turned left and pulled in.
Welcome to Queensville Executive Village
So this is the so-called famous village. I'd heard about it plenty of times before, but never actually set foot here. The car drove through for about five minutes before dropping us off beside a house—no, not a house. A mansion. I'm kind of in awe, honestly. Seeing it for real makes me realize my friends weren't exaggerating at all. No wonder Wenzo invites people so casually. With a house like this, why would he be shy? It could probably fit our whole class.
We ended up on the patio by the side yard, which looks right out at their in-ground pool. Pretty nice view. Some guys were playing chess around a coffee table in the middle. A few jumped into the pool, splashing each other. Others were on their phones, and some were playing cards. This thing is boys-only, which means… yeah, boys' talk is inevitable. A mandatory at this point.
Wenzo sat to my right on the sofa, a meter away from me.
“Bro, do you have a girlfriend?” TJ asked.
Wenzo scoffed, drinking a shot of his liquor. “Nah. Ex? Yes.”
“That’s impossible!” Kevin exclaimed.
Wenzo shook his head. “Believe it or not. I’m not convincing anyone here, but I’m telling you the truth.”
“Then why?” Kevin began questioning him.
He shrugged. “Not in a rush. I can be serious or screw around anytime with anyone.”
Kevin laughed and tossed a glass with him. “Right!”
“Wenzo got everything the girls want. He can do everything he wants,” commented someone.
I have seen Wenzo being friendly and getting approached by many girls. But I have no idea if he has been officially with someone.
“Guys, how’s our injured classmate?” Wenzo initiated a serious conversation, which caught my attention.
“Oh, Shamikha?” one of our male classmates replied.
Wenzo nodded. He is wearing a plain dark blue t-shirt, white jersey shorts, and brown leather slippers. Usual clothing inside the house, but when I saw the expensive branded logos, I didn’t mind saying he’s an ordinary guy like us.
“We haven’t heard much about her after visiting her at the hospital. But Lyca and Frances said she’s doing well.”
“The incident must be horrible that she needs months to recuperate.”
“She is getting better, but her left leg and foot were so badly impaired.”
“I wonder if she could walk again…”
“Of course, she could! She’s not in a coma. Even people who got paralyzed can still walk, dude.”
“Just a possibility, okay?”
Our three other classmates added.
“Why’d you ask?” TJ asked.
“She tutored me before. And I feel bad about what happened to her. I was hoping to get more sessions with her. My scores are getting worse.”
“You’re rich but aren’t smart,” another classmate sneered at him.
“We can’t have it all,” Wenzo mumbled, puffing his vape.
I have no idea Wenzo is concerned with Shamikha. They don’t interact much at school, but I guess he’s not as bad as I think.
“Hey”
Not only does Shamikha help me with cheating on the exam, but she also helps other students to get better in academics.
“Rafael”
I snapped, realizing I was in a daze. “Huh?”
“You’re not drinking any?” Wenzo is talking to me.
I only noticed that his hair is wavy and dark brown, which complements his tanned skin. His thick, black eyebrows added to his masculine features.
He glanced at the small glass I was holding, and it revealed his strong jawline and convex, pointed nose.
“Have some. We don’t hold back here.” He took a bottle of liquor and poured me half into my glass.
“I don’t drink.” I refused, but he had already poured everything into the bottle on my glass.
“Too late. Then what were you drinking all this time?”
“Iced tea”
“His stomach couldn’t take it.” Kevin snickered.
“Teach him how to drink.” TJ butted in.
“It’s okay. We’ve got plenty of iced tea. I can get you an ice cream if you want.”
“Oh, I want one.” Kevin requested.
I nodded to have one ice cream instead of liquor.
“Me too!”
“I’ll take one.”
“No, I’ll pass.”
Our other classmates responded.
I stared at the liquor in my glass. I hesitated to say not to share about my inability to drink alcoholic drinks at first because Wenzo might poke fun at me for being a baby, like what Kevin and TJ would definitely do. Surprisingly, he didn’t. He’s way more mature and open-minded than expected.
“Your wish is my command. TJ, let’s get more drinks,” Wenzo stood and combed his slightly long hair with his left hand. TJ followed him to the kitchen.
Seeing Wenzo’s back profile made me recall the scene at the hospital…
My forehead creased about my conversation with Shamikha before she met with an accident.
Kevin texted me Wenzo’s new home address for the house party. Blk 5 Lot 10 Liza Beth Street Queensville Executive Village
“Oh, I’m not. I have a tutoring service booked this Saturday, the whole day at Queensville.”
The physique of a tall, fit guy, with slightly long hair, standing in front of the door with a room number, 325.
This village’s arch says, Welcome to Queensville Executive Village
“She tutored me before. And I feel bad about what happened to her. I was hoping to get more sessions with her. My scores are getting worse.”
It all makes sense.
I can’t say I enjoyed being here when Kevin guaranteed me I would have a good time by joining them. However, deep down, I found out something crucial that I shouldn’t have, which stunned me.
***
Me: Hi! It’s been a while. How are you? Can I visit you for a talk?
Shamikha: I’m okay. How about you?
Shamikha: Yes. You can visit me at my house.
Me: It might be sudden. I hope you don’t mind. I want to discuss something with you.
Shamikha: Sure, here’s my address.
We set a time and date after she sent me her address. I’m glad that she trusts me enough to send me her home address, even if we’re not close. As much as I want to meet her outside of her house, her condition is still in recovery, so she cannot freely go out with anyone.
“You’re early!” Shamikha welcomed me with a big smile at the gate of their house.
A female pushed her wheelchair.
“Good afternoon,” I greeted them.
“Ravael, this is Ivy, my caregiver. Ivy, he’s Ravael, my classmate.”
We walked towards her bungalow. It boasts Filipino design and is quite old, yet it was well-maintained and cozy.
“I got you some snacks.” I handed the protein-packed healthy sandwich I personally prepared. I hope she would like it.
“Thank you,” she’s so happy.
She's still in a wheelchair. I don’t want to romanticize her condition, but I smiled softly. With a 2-inch advantage on me, it appears she’s smaller, and I seem tall for her.
I sat on a sofa in their living area.
“How’s school? Lyca told me you’re all handling graduation requirements.”
“Yes. It was quite a process, and there’s an exit interview.”
Shamikha and I continued talking about school stuff when the right time came to ask her my most-awaited answer.
“I stopped tutoring our classmates since the incident, but I’m teaching some kids here in the neighborhood. It was a refreshing change of pace, but I’m still doing what I love.”
Now that she mentioned tutoring… “I heard that you tutor Wenzo as well.” I initiated it.
“Uh, yes.”
“Actually, he invited the boys to come to his house again, that’s how I knew.”
“…Is that so?” She became silent. Guess that’s all she’s going to say.
“How about-”
“Shamikha, your friend arrived.” Ms. Ivy informed her.
“He’s here?” Shamikha’s face seemed troubled.
I didn’t know if Lyca and Frances would visit her today.
A tall man entered the living area with the latest phone model in his right hand. “You’re not answering my call, no replies. Are you ignoring me?”
“I couldn’t answer it.”
“What? I thought we’d talked about this?” He took his black sunglasses off and put them on his pistachio green knitted long sleeves, dark gray shorts, and white sneakers.
“I told you not to come here anymore.”
W-What does Wenzo have to do with her?! Why is he here?
“You haven’t read my messages, have you?-Rafael. Why are you here?” he saw me.
He looks as confused as I am.
“I-I…” I don’t know what to answer. “Well-”
“He’s visiting me.” Shamikha intervened. “And you weren’t supposed to.”
Wenzo smirked. “Not if I’m not giving you money for your healthcare.”
“Thank you for your financial support. So, please, stop bothering me. I don’t need your money, so keep it with you.”
Am I hearing everything right? Wenzo supports Shamikha financially for her health? When did they become acquainted more than as a tutor and a student? They weren’t even interacting much in the classroom, as if they didn’t know each other. I must have been missing a lot of things about them. And it seems our other classmates have no clue as well.
“Where’d you get your money?”
“I came back to tutoring the children here. Lately, many parents in the neighborhood have been hiring me for a one-on-one tutor with their children.”
“That’s not enough for you. You’ll need to hire a physical therapist, too. Given the rates of tutors, it will only suffice for your monthly basic needs, not even a caregiver.”
Ivy remained standing and listening in the kitchen.
“I’ll find more ways. You don’t have to bother yourself.” She whispered in a hoarse voice.
“You’re a defiant one, really…” He motioned with his left hand, signaling he was clearly upset, and looked at me. “Do you know something about this?” I flinched when he questioned me.
“He doesn’t, and you revealed it because of barging here.”
Wenzo clenched his right fist, the side where Shamikha won’t be able to see it, but I can. There’s nothing special about him aside from his height, which I lack. Me being 6 inches shorter than his 5’11” height has never bothered me, not until now.
“Take more time to think about what I texted you.” He combed his hair with his left hand once. “You might refuse to take my money, but our agreement remains the same whatever happens.”
Wenzo left pretty suddenly, putting his sunglasses back on. I followed him outside after the gate closed. I didn't hear any engine noise near Shamikha's house, but there was a car parked there. Then it came to my realization, it was electric.
Hearing their private conversation like that, completely by accident, made me feel bad for Shamikha. I wasn't supposed to know any of it. But things didn't go the way they planned. I think asking her more questions about her personal life would only bother her. One thing's clear, though: she's struggling with money, and Wenzo isn't making it easy for her to have any privacy.
“P-Pardon me, Ravael. You have to witness that.” Shamikha’s voice is shaky.
Ivy walked towards Shamikha and grasped her wrist. Ivy gave her medicine and a glass of water, which she took.
“Are you okay?” Ivy asked her, rubbing her back.
Shamikha nodded. “Thank you”
“What happened?” I asked.
“I tend to overthink stuff that I get anxious. I must take that medicine to calm myself,” she smiled slightly.
She’s anxious to the extent of having to take an anti-anxiety drug. This is how severe it is.
“I’m sorry. You came all the way here to meet me. But I need to rest for now.”
She might put on that sweet, innocent smile, but I can see it in her eyes. She's exhausted. Maybe coming here today was a bad idea. She was already stressed when Wenzo showed up, and I made things worse because I accidentally heard their conversation.
“If you’re hitting on Shamikha, I won’t stop you, but you better be a good and capable man.”
Those phrases mean someone who combines high competence, skill, and reliability ("capable") with strong moral character, integrity, and kindness ("good").
Ivy pulled Shamikha’s wheelchair and turned my back.
“Shamikha, come live with me.”