Chapter 5
2170 Words
Nagising ako ng madaling araw dahil na rin sa uhaw at gutom.
Siguro naman ay tulog na siya...
I already thought that he was asleep, but when I opened the door… I saw him standing there while hugging Heino. His shoulder fell off because of the drowsiness, while his shirt is wet because of his tears.
His hair is messy, that made him look more handsome—wait... he's not handsome. I just love his messy hair, that's all.
“Heina..."
When he started to spoke, it gave me goosebumps. His deep voice makes him more attractive.
“Heina ko,” tawag niya ulit sa akin.
I still didn't respond. I can't even walk through the door because he's blocking my way.
"Galit ka ba sa akin, Heina ko?" he asked.
I didn't answer him.
Isn't it obvious? Yes, I'm mad at him. Very, very mad.
"Huwag ka na magalit sa akin, Heina." He hugged me, and he's like taming me using his charms.
He's always like that and I hate it. Whenever I'm mad and angry about him, he's always tender to me and I can't help it.
He's like water... I'm slowly drowning in him.
“Umalis ka riyan, Uno," I said while there was emphasis on each word.
He didn't bother what I said, instead he hugged me more.
“Gutom na ako..."
I suddenly stopped, for what he said. So, he didn't eat. Why? There's no reason for him not to eat...
“What? Why?!" I asked.
“Because you didn't even let me explain and I know you're mad at me."
"Alam mo naman na pala na galit ako sa iyo. Bakit mo pa tinanong?"
“I want assurance," he murmured.
Sinubukan kong tanggalin ang pagkakayakap niya sa akin ngunit nabigo rin ako dahil sa lakas niya.
"Stop hugging me. And oh? You want assurance? Yes. I'm fúcking mad at you, Uno."
Tears start to drop again. I can't help but to sob.
I remember what my Mom said before she died...
“Mommy."
She hummed. “Yes, baby?"
“My classmates always laugh at me," I said to my Mom while she's brushing my hair.
“Why? Did they bully you there? Do you want to transfer to another school?" my Mom asked.
I shook my head. “No need, Mom. But the reason they're bullying me is that because I easily cry."
“They even said that I am a cry baby," I said while pouting to my Mom.
Mom chuckled at me.
”Baby... it's normal to cry, okay? Crying doesn't make you less weak, in fact it makes you stronger. So, if you want to cry, just cry it out loud."
“Really, Mom?" I asked.
“Yes, baby. So, don't be afraid if things don't go right... just cry it."
Painful smile became visible on my face.
“Heina, why are you crying?" Uno asked.
I turned my gaze at him. His eyes are full of concern.
Stop being like that, Uno. Because I don't know what will happen if I fall for you...
“Let go of me, Uno."
"No."
Parehas kami nagmatigas sa sinasabi namin.
"Uno, huwag kang makulit. Kailangan ko pa pumasok mamaya. Umalis ka riyan!" Hindi ko na naiwasan na masigawan siya dahil na rin sa inis.
Mabilis lang ako mainis at magalit dahil na rin siguro sa anger issue ko.
“Heina, even how many times you shouted and cursed at me, I don't care. I just want to know if you're still mad at me. And about your work? You can cancel it anytime."
“How many times have I said to you that I'm mad at you? Huh, Uno?! And of course no! I can't cancel my work since it is the only thing that makes me live. It's my source of funds, Uno."
After a long explanation, he suddenly got silent. His body became heavy too. So, I checked him.
He's sleeping... no, shít! He has a fever!
"Uno!" I tried to wake him up but I failed.
I carry him to my bed and ready the water and towel. I put the towel above his forehead. And checked his temperature.
He has a temperature of 38.5. I don't know what to do because that's too high. I'm panicking...!
I can't bring him to Hospital because the bill will be expensive and it might affect my savings and also once he talked about that he doesn't want to go to Hospital because he's afraid of it.
“Uno..." I said in a worried tone.
My hands started to tremble too.
“Heina."
I immediately walked closer to him when he spoke.
"Why? Do you want anything? I'll cook food for you, don't worry."
I can't even feel the hunger that I felt a while ago because of worrying too much about him.
I can't afford it if I lose someone... again.
“No. I just want you to stay here, Heina."
“I will, don't worry."
Tumabi ako sa kaniya at nilagay ang kamay ko sa may ulo niya at inayos-ayos ang towel sa noo niya.
"Are you still mad at me?" he asked.
“Grabe, kung makapagsalita ka ay parang gusto mo na lang laging magkasakit para malambing kita, ah?" saad ko sa kaniya para naman kahit papaano ay mawala ang inis na nararamdaman ko.
He chuckled... and I miss that.
“I just want—"
“Assurance."
I cutted his word and I continued it. He also said that earlier.
“I won't say if I'm still mad at you if you didn't recover from your fever."
"Then, I'll manifest for my fast recovery."
"Don't manifest it, Uno. Pray it," I said because Mom taught me to always pray when you have a problem or when you don't know what to do. Just tell it to God.
“I will, Heina. As you said."
Long silence eats us. We're just staring at the ceiling.
“About—"
“I'll co—"
We both spoke at the same time.
"Go ahead, Heina."
"I'll cook lugaw for you. It will help you to fasten your recovery."
"What is lugaw?" he asked.
I sighed. "Don't asked anymore, Uno. Kasalanan mo rin naman kung bakit ka nagkasakit. Bakit hindi ka ba kasi kumain?" tanong ko.
Hindi pa rin mawala-wala ang inis ko sa kaniya.
He's playing with my hand before he spoke.
"I don't want to eat without you."
"Kalokohan mo! Sige na. Diyan ka na muna, magluluto ako ng kakainin mo."
Aktong aalis na ako sa tabi niya ng magsalita siya.
“Stay, Heina. Just stay here until I fall asleep," he said.
I sighed again. I can't argue to him anymore. Ayaw ko rin naman na lumala ang lagnat niya dahil sa pakikipagtalo ko sa kaniya.
And for the second time, silence between us won. Not until he spoke.
"I'll explain," he said.
"About what?" I innocently asked even though I already know what he's talking about.
"I know that you know what I mean, Heina."
"No need ex—"
He cutted my words. "Of course, you need an explanation. Do you think I can sleep thinking about your anger about me?"
“So, he was just concerned not because he has a care for me... but because of his own feelings. Umasa ka kasi, Amor eh,” ani ko sa aking isipan at pinigilan ulit na maluha.
"Explained it then." I just want this to end, because I want to cry it without him noticing my tears.
“Someone knocked at the door, so I thought it was you. But when I opened it, I suddenly felt dizzy when I stared at her eyes. I don't really know what's happening. I just can feel that she's playing around with my body..."
“Wait? What...?! Did she touch something anywhere besides your chest?" I was surprised.
“No. I'm thankful that you came early because if you didn't, she might have done something to me."
"Ah, that's it?" I asked and he nodded.
I don't know if I can trust what he said but there's a chismis in our barangay that the Flair family can hypnotize people. That's why people didn't come near them.
"Uno."
"Yes?"
"Don't come near her again and don't open the door until I call your name, okay?"
"Got it!" he said while smiling.
I just love his smile.
“You don't know how dangerous she is, so be careful when you're alone.
He nodded.
It's already four am but he's still not sleepy. I'm also planning to take a leave for one week because I want to take care of Uno.
I sang a song to him, and after I'm done with the three songs, he fell asleep.
I took my phone. There are so many messages from our group chat, but I didn't mind it.
I texted Ms. Del Valgon. “Ms. Del Valgon, I'll take a leave for one week and for the reason? You don't need to know it.”
After that, I send it to her. I also inform the heads of the departments.
When I opened the SYL app, many messages from Zain popped out but I didn't mind it either.
“To all head departments, I'll leave for 1 week. Take care of the company while I'm not there.” After I typed it, I sent it to our group chat.
I turned off the phone, but it suddenly vibrated, that means someone texted.
When I opened it, it was from our group chat.
"Alright then, take care, our manager," Erin replied.
I replied to what she said. "Thank you, Erin. You too, care."
I also saw the other heads' messages.
"We will, don't worry. Enjoy your one week," Bessy replied.
"Why do you need to leave for one week?" Zain asked.
And many messages, but I didn't take a glance to answer it.
Ms. Del Valgon didn't reply, she must have been still asleep.
I went to the kitchen to cook lugaw. I just learned to cook because of the internet.
I started to rinse the rice and after many steps I added the boiled egg and mixed it with the lugaw.
Five a.m. in the morning. I'm glad that I didn't need to go outside just to buy medicine because I have a medicine kit, just in case.
I putted the lugaw in the bowl and prepared it with the water and medicine. I came to my room to check on him.
I stare at him while he's sleeping.
“Even though he's asleep... he still looks like an angel,” I said in my mind.
I woke him up to let him eat and drink the medicine to lower his fever.
"Uno—"
I didn't know what to say when he suddenly spoke while sleeping.
"No. No please. I don't want to—"
I'm afraid of what will happen next. That's why I woke him up.
"Uno!" I shouted and shook him.
"Uh, why? What happened?" he asked.
I was so confused by what he said. He didn't remember it?
"Binabangungot ka yata. Wala ka bang natandaan kung ano iyon?" tanong ko.
Agad naman siyang umiling pahiwatig na hindi niya naaalala kung ano iyon.
"Oh, what is that?" Tinuro niya ang lugaw na nasa mini table ko.
"Lugaw. Kainin mo para makainom ka na ng gamot."
Kinuha ko ito at sinubuan siya. He won't be able to eat alone since he felt dizzy because of high fever.
Kinapa ko ang noo niya at pasalamat ako dahil kahit papaano ay bumaba na ang lagnat nito.
While he's eating, I'm thinking about what he said earlier.
Sana pala hindi ko na lang siya ginising para nalaman ko kung ano ang gusto niya sabihin...
"Heina?"
Napatingin ako sa kaniya nang tawagin niya ako.
"Did you already ate?" he asked.
Nagdadalawang isip ako bago sumagot dahil bumalik na naman ang gutom na naramdaman ko kanina.
"Ah... yes! I already ate so, don't worry. Just eat your meal and drink the medicine."
I lied.
Nagpatuloy ako sa pagsubo ng lugaw sa kaniya hanggang sa maubos na ito.
"How was the taste?" I asked because it's my first time cooking lugaw.
"Delicious."
"Really?" I asked and he nodded.
"Is it your own ingredients?" he asked.
I stopped for a bit because I am planning to take the medicine.
I faced him. "Ah, hehe. About that, I just actually searched for it online since I don't know how to cook lugaw."
"But you did a great job," he said.
"But I put secret ingredients there."
"Hmm... really? What is it?" he asked.
Pagmamahal ko…?
"Secret. It won't be secret ingredients anymore if I said that to you."
He chuckled. "You're right."
Hindi na ako humarap sa kaniya para kunin ang gamot ngunit pagbalik ko ay nakatalukbong na siya ng kumot.
"Uno?" I called him but he didn't respond.
Hays... Uno, my baby. Yes, he's still a baby.
- Writer
