My First and Last Love

CHAPTER FOUR

BERNARD saw how Richard tried to act like usual in front of Thomas, as nothing happened. Richard cracked jokes and all but in his eyes, he can see so much pain. And to hide the reason behind his tears, Richard keeps on complaining about his eyes in pain and tearing up. In the end, he had permission to excuse classes to see a doctor. And him, being the supportive friend also got the permission to accompany Richard. But instead of the hospital, they ended up at the park where Richard cried his heart out. They didn’t talk. He just let him cry. After all, whatever he says, he knows it can never help to make him feel better.

When Richard starts to calm down, he left for a while to buy them some food. And when he came back, he already saw Richard’s right hand bleeding.

“What happened? Are you trying to kill yourself?!” he’s shaking in fear. He really hates blood. “How did you get that?! I shouldn’t have left you here,” he started to panic.

“Relax,” Richard said laughing like it was nothing. “I’m the one who’s hurt, not you.”

“How you got that?”

“I got bitten by a stray dog.”

He looked at where Richard’s looking. He started to panic even more seeing how the dog was in poor condition.

“Are you an i***t?!”

“I think so? But just a little,” Richard still smiling at him. “He was so cute.”

“So cute? How did that ugly dog look cute? He’s full of mange’s and ticks!”

“He used to be a friendly dog. He must have gone through something traumatic to be that aggressive. Or maybe he’s just hungry.”

“Then you should have given him food, not your hand! Do people become that dumb after break up? If that’s the case, I’d rather stay single.”

Ever since Richard does have a soft heart for animals. Actually, not just to animals but everyone he acquaints himself with. He’s just too kind-hearted.

“Let’s just look for food to eat,” Richard binding his injured hand with his handkerchief.

“That’s a stray dog and might have rabies. We need to treat your wound first.”

They end up at the health center and luckily, they have an available anti-rabies shot. They have to come back there for two more shots.

“Are you feeling okay? Are you not feverish?” he touches Richard’s forehead and felt relieved that it’s not hot. “If you feel anything weird, just tell me, okay?”

Instead of agreeing to what he said, Richard just laughs at him. “I already got treated so relax now, okay?” he laughs even more. “I’m sorry. I just remembered how the staff looked so worried about you when we arrived since you were so pale.”

The staff mistook him as the patient when they arrived. He was really cold and nervous because he’s so worried about this i***t who’s just laughing at him.

“Ouch!” Richard exclaimed when he punches him on his abdomen. “What’s that for?”

“For annoying me. I’m going home.”

He’s really annoyed. He was so worried yet this man doesn’t seem to appreciate it.

“Hey, are you really going to leave me?”

He didn’t respond and continue walking.

“Hey, I’m sorry, okay? I know you were just worried about me. I promise I won’t tease you again. Just stay with me a little more, please.”

Richard’s words made him recall why he’s actually with this annoying giant now. His goal was to make Richard feel better. If teasing him would make him happy, fine. He’ll just let it slide for now.

He abruptly stopped and turned around.

RICHARD’S eyes widen when Bernard suddenly stopped and faced him. He’s actually following him and wasn’t expecting that to happen. He wasn’t able to stop walking right away and ended up bumping into Bernard who lost his balance with the impact. His initial reaction was to hug Bernard and hold his head so he won’t get hurt. He felt pain in his right arm after they hit the ground but he didn’t mind it. He was more worried about his friend who’s beneath him.

Their faces were just like an inch away from each other. He tried to move back but his arms were still under Bernard’s head and back that he can’t move.

“Are you okay?” he asked Bernard whose face was really red at the moment. Is he in pain?

Instead of answering him, Bernard’s eyes closed that made him more worried.

“Hey, Bernard!” he once again felt the pain after trying to move his arms but he didn’t care about it. He’s more concerned about Bernard’s condition. He’s about to carry Bernard when a woman came to them.

“Hey, don’t move him. He might have hurt his head or neck. It’s better if we’d just call for an ambulance. Are you hurt too?” the woman asked as she places her phone near her ear.

He wanted to say no but the pain in his arm is getting more unbearable. He pulled his arms carefully and held his right arm with his left hand hoping to lessen the pain. “A little.”

He’s trying to think how Bernard got hurt. He’s sure he held his head so it won’t hit the ground. Did Bernard injure his neck? Was he too heavy?

THE moment Bernard opens his eyes, it took a few seconds before he remembers what happened and realize where he was. He sat on the bed and looked around. With other patients around him, there’s no doubt he is in the hospital. He stood up and went towards the door and almost bumps into someone who just went in.

“I’m sorry.”

 He looked at the tall guy in front and only realizes that it was Richard with a cast on his right arm. Did he got hurt when they fell?

“Why did you get up? Don’t you feel pain anywhere? Aren’t you dizzy?”

Richard was the one who’s obviously injured but he’s worried about him.

“I’m perfectly fine.”

Richard let out a deep breath. “I was so worried when you suddenly faint beneath me. Though the doctor already told me that you’re fine, I can’t help but worry. But now that you’re finally awake, I’m really glad that you’re really okay.”

When Richard asked him if he’s okay and their face was that near to each other, he felt his face getting so hot, his heart beats so fast then his surrounding turned dark. It was the first time they were that near to each other. Richard was also literally hugging him that time.

“Hey, are you spacing out? Now I’m starting to doubt that you’re really fine.”

“I-I was just thinking why I fainted.”

But of course, there’s no way he’d tell Richard about those kinds of stuff he felt before he fainted. There’s no way that’s the reason he fainted. For sure he hit his head and caused him to faint.

“How about you, are you okay?”

Richard scratches his head. “I’m fine but I don’t feel like I am. It’s confusing, right?”

“That’s already expected for an i***t like you. Where are our bags? I’ll carry them. Oh, wait. Are we allowed to go home now? How about the hospital fee? We need to pay for it, don’t we? I can’t treat you anymore if we have to pay.”

“You’re going to treat me? Does that mean you’re not mad at me anymore?” Richard’s expression brightened.

He reached Richard’s hair and disheveled it. “You’re such a baby. What do you want to eat?”

Richard smiled widely at him. “Hamburger?”

“Fine,” he said suppressing his smile and went back to the bed where he was to get his and Richard’s bag.

Richard is so sensitive in the sense that he easily gets hurt and guilty. But on the other hand, even the smallest things and gestures already make him happy too. He’s just tall but he’s really like a baby.

“HEY, why I don’t remember that happening? Are you two going out by yourselves? This is not fair!” Donald.

Honestly, Thomas is curious too but there’s no way he’d ask. He doesn’t know how to react when he sees Richard that morning that’s why he acted like he’s reading a book. Even so, he can’t control himself not to take a peek at them. Especially after finding out that he has a cast on his arm and had an anti-rabies shot.

“I just supported a stupid brokenhearted friend,” Bernard patting Richard’s shoulder.

“Brokenhearted? I thought your eyes were hurting that’s why you excused from the class? So that was just a lie? You had a girlfriend?!” Donald looking at Richard, wide-eyed. “Why do it seemed like I’m missing a lot in this group? Did you guys kick me out from our clique?”

“He was just joking. Don’t worry, next time we’ll take you with us,” Richard said smiling while looking at Donald. “It’s just that the budget was tight so we had to cut one person out,” which was obviously a lie. It wasn’t just one person. They never invited him too.

He looked at Richard who’s not even sparing a glance at him. Did he tell Bernard about them?

He was the one who broke up with Richard but why is he feeling this pain and jealousy? He thought Richard loves him so much but how did he move on that quickly? He knows how clumsy Richard is and he’s honestly glad that Bernard was there for him but seeing how these two became extra close is making him hate his friend.

They were laughing and talking about things he’s not aware of. It seems like Richard really enjoyed Bernard’s company like they didn’t break up just recently. He wanted to leave so bad but he controlled himself. He doesn’t want Richard to think that he’s affected by their break up. He was the one who made that decision that’s why he should stand by his decision.