Chapter 14
890 Words
t was past twelve noon, Lorrie May's empty stomach rumbled and it broke the silence between them. Rodney gradually maneuvered the car at the Jollibee's drive thru counter. He opened the window shield and gave his order after he heard the ma's instruction on the voice box. After a while, Rodney drove slowly to the window where their orders were waiting. A young man welcomed them with a quick smile and handed the paper bag to Rodney. He picked it up and paid the bills.
The car zoomed fast when Rodney stepped on the clutch and began maneuvering the steering wheel. Lorrie May got nervous that she held her hands tightly to her seat. She whispered a little prayer for their safety. Minutes later, he stopped the car on the sideway of a recreational park. Rodney stretched his arms to get the paper bag at the back seat, then he signaled her to go out of the car. They looked for a bench to sit and they never failed to see a good spot under the bushy tree.
"Let's take a seat and enjoy the food." He said, offering him to sit beside him while his other hand was handing her the burger and juice he ordered.
"Thanks. I mean thanks for the treat." She gave him a pinky smile, her bottom slowly sat on the bench. Then they ate silently together.
His eyes were busy looking at the few children playing around where either nannies or parents guided them. From the other side of the park, Lorrie May was caught by a woman who was embracing a crying child. This woman was trying to pacify the child from crying so loud. She noticed that there was a wound on his knee as the blood was oozing.
Lorrie May returned her food to the paper bag, then hurried off to the child. She gave him a first aid by wrapping her own hanky to his knee and tied it there.
"Stop crying now baby, you'll feel okay soon." she said while patting her hand to his head.
"Thank you very much, Miss Nurse." said the woman.
"Soon to be nurse, Ma'am. A nursing student." She said, pointing to her cap.
The woman turned back as she held the child's hand going to somewhere. Lorrie May accompanied them with a look.
"Uhhmm. Shall we go? I thought you need to go back to your school." Rodney said. He was behind her looking also at the woman and child.
She just nodded and followed the pathway going to his car. She snatched a quick glance at him, there were so much that she wanted to ask him but she tamed her tongue and kept everything to herself quietly.
Twinkling stars hanged above the heaven, and the moonlight were guiding her footsteps. After a while, Lorrie May paused on the sidewalk. It was past eight in the evening where she had to make an over time that day to finish everything which Dr. Valle instructed her to do.
She had been there for thirty minutes, waiting for a taxi to save her from the disgusting mosquitoes which were flying around her.
Screeched! A familiar car stopped in front of her. Then the window shield had pulled to open.
"Need a ride? Seems your stuck there." A husky voice spoke, and the luxurious sunglasses showed those pair of expressive eyes she's been missing for weeks now.
"Hi. Ahhuumm... No thanks. I can manage." She said, her voice was stammering.
"Miss Lorrie May, I insist."He said with hoarseness in his voice.
He opened the door beside the driver's seat. Like a gentle lamb, Lorrie slid her body into the car.
Moments later, they were standing beside the car. Their backs were leaning on the (windshield.) while their hands were holding a cup of coffee from Star Bucks Café. Their eyes were busy counting the stars from the open field.
"I'm sorry." They mumbled to each other. He glanced at her small face. Her eyes caught his expressive look that could swoon a thousand hearts.
"Would you believe that I'm dying soon?" He broke the silence with a confession.
"I know. I've read your medical record, but sorry for that. I know I shouldn't have done that." She said, her voice shriveled as the wind touched softly to her skin.
"If a woman knew my condition, do you think she'll love and take care of me?" his eyes now were wide open, looking straightly to her face.
Lorrie May refused to get caught of his gentle, yet alluring eyes.
"I don't know. I haven't been in that situation. Seriously, do I look like I rose from the tomb?" Lorrie May jokingly answered.
She didn't want to spoil the night. All she ever wanted was to make this guy beside her smile. And she didn't fail, Rodney laughed for the first time, showing his white set of teeth. His expressive eyes glimmered in the night.
"I need your service." He said seriously.
"What? I'm not yet a full pledge nurse. It's not I that you need."
"I need you. Help me to live even for six months or three months. Please, I'm begging you." His voice was pleading while his hands held hers.
She got carried away by his summon. His eyes were like a magnet that made her heartbeat fast.
The moon, the stars and all the lights around them became the silent witnessed to a blossoming love. And slowly, their shadows faded in the dark night.
- Writer
