Fall In Love With A Feline

Chapter 18

**Abigail's POV**

He stayed with me the whole time I was in therapy. From the very beginning until the end of today's session, he kept me company.   

No matter how many times I tell him that I'll be alright, that I can do the therapy alone, he stayed and supported me. The therapy is quite painful especially when I am told to try to stand up. I wanted to walk again as soon as I'm able to.

And a couple of weeks later, he still is with me. He comes every and he never failed to make my day.

He already met my family and they were very grateful to him for accompanying me when they can't. They have used all their paid leaves for me and therapy isn't cheap. Lisa would be here every weekend but on weekdays, only Kevin would stay.

Honestly, I look forward to every day because I knew he would come and keep me company.

He even brought home-cooked breakfast which makes me feel nostalgic. I didn't know where this nostalgia came from but his cooking taste so familiar to me.

Kevin is indeed very timid. Whenever nurses would come, even my family or friends, he would bow his head and stay at the corner, quiet with himself. When he sees me looking at him despite having the attention of those who visit me, he would just smile as if he's telling me he's alright. But of course, I wouldn't leave him out in the dark.

I would always call for him and include him in the small talks and he would get all shy and small despite standing 2 meters tall. It's adorable to see him like that but this behavior made me realize that he doesn't much have confidence in himself. 

"Are you not getting tired of coming here every day doing nothing just to keep me company?" I asked as he pushes my wheelchair. We're out for a stroll at the garden inside the hospital grounds.

"No... I'd get tired of working every day and come back home to nothing, so I'd just spend it here." He answers.

"Don't you wanna get another cat?" I fired a question again, looking up to him who's pushing behind me.

"No cat can replace Abey." He mutters and I noticed a pained smile that formed on his lips right after those words.

It's quite a coincidence that he named his cat Abey and found her the day I got into that accident but lost her the day I woke up. He told me everything about his beloved fur baby and I would love to meet her too.

"You know my nickname is Abey, right? She told you my name when she asked you to see me?" I asked, returning my gaze back at the path ahead again.

"I actually don't remember, or perhaps I did. That's just the first name that came to my mind. Why do you ask?"

"I don't know." I shrugged, a smile cracking up my lips. "I just thought that maybe you named your cat after me?" I answered chuckling in the end.

We suddenly stopped which made me look up to him once again, "So, since your nickname is Abey, can I start calling you Abey?" He asked, looking down at me.

"Sure." I answered, smiling up at him. However, I felt that feeling again, the familiarity of his voice when he says my name which makes me kinda weak in a good way... like feeling soft inside and warm inside.

"Abey..."

We then stopped at a bench near the fountain where there were a few patients strolling. He carried me off my wheelchair and into the bench where we could sit beside each other. He then takes his backpack off and rummages inside it.

"I have something for you I thought you might like." He says as he pulls out an like a puppy's or a cat's bed that looks like a goldfish with an open mouth. Although somehow, it looks like a stuffed toy. It also doesn't look like it's new but when I was able to hold it, I felt this feeling again...

I know this...

This is mine, but... not really mine?

"I-is this your cat's?" I asked and he gave me a nod.

"It's mine..." I whispered as I stared at it for a moment before looking at him. 

"... You're giving it to me?" I asked again which earned his sweet smile.

"Yeah... d-do you like it?" He asked.

I averted my gaze back at the stuffie again, studying it as my lower lip curls into a pout. I have stuffed toys at home and I have no plans in getting a puppy or a cat since my mom is allergic to fur.

But, I have this feeling that I needed this. Like, it's a necessity.

Why do I always get these feelings when I with him?

Why do I feel like I'm being reminded of something?

I then smiled and nodded vehemently as I hugged it tight, "Yes. Thanks very much."

"I know it's not a stuffie, but I'm gonna do this when I'm scared." I then pulled its mouth over my head which I knew looked like it ate all my head which earned his chuckles which also made  me giggle. I know it's silly but I can't help putting on my head like a hat.

Suddenly, he pulled it off me and to my surprise, he was leaning closer, giving me a good close look at his face again.

"If you're scared, will you tell me?" He asked, looking straight in my eyes.

Without knowing it, I nodded. But again, I felt the urge to throw myself to him for an embrace like it's only the natural thing to do at this very moment that he's so close to me.

However, I also couldn't ignore the feeling that he's also doing this out of pity.

To be honest with myself, this feeling I feel when he's around is scaring me... but at the same time, I want him around.

"Kevin?" I called out softly, not even taking my gaze off him.

"Be honest with me... do you pity me? Is that why you're doing this?" I asked.

I want to clear everything out. He said he wanted to make it right and it's clear that he blames himself for what happened to me.

But, is this all he feels for me?

I'm not gonna lie to myself, I'm starting to like him so much that I knew if this goes on, I would eventually fall for him.

And if all he feels is pity and guilt... then, this has to stop.

"I'd be a hypocrite if I say no. I admit, I pity you by how you turned out, but that's because of me. And I told you, I will make things right with for you." He answers sternly.

My clutch at the stuffie loosens as I immediately take my gaze off him and into the toy once again, "then you can stop. It's alright already. I'm fine doing this on my own, I don't want you to be burdened by your guilt. You're not responsible for what happened to me, Kevin..."

"It's not my only reason." He mutters which looking at him once again.

"Be honest with me, Abey. Do you not want me to be here?" He mutters as he asked.

"... I-... I want you to be here. And you? Do you want to be here?" I asked, my heart starting to pick up the pace with its beat, making my hands tremble.

"Took me 2 yrs to finally meet you. Do you think I'd be here if I didn't want to be with you?... Of course, I want to be here." He smiles softly which had me paying those smile back.

"Why? What's your other reason?" I dared to ask.

"You." He answered.

That moment is the very first time I experienced being breathless... as if I've forgotten how to breathe.

I was looking intently to his eyes despite his glasses that somehow brimmed against the daylight until his gaze fell into my lips and so does mine.

We were getting closer and slowly.

But, this is too fast.

Even if I like him, we only knew each for a couple of weeks.

But why do I feel that it's not the case? I feel like I knew him and he knew me before we even formally met each other.

"Go on... kiss him."

Our heads snap to the direction of an elderly voice of a lady in front of us. We found an old lady in a wheelchair with a woman sitting on the other side of the fountain.

"Sorry 'bout my mom." The woman sheepishly apologizes and gently pulls the old woman by her arm gently.

She was grinning widely, waiting as she stares at us with excitement plastered all over her face which just made Kevin chuckle while I pulled the stuffie's mouth over my head again out of embarrassment while feeling all my blood rush to my cheeks.

"Say, wanna go somewhere less crowded?" He asked and I lifted the stuffie from my face, making it just my hat and nodded while pouting shyly.

He stood up and it immediately made me miss walking on my own again.

"I wish I can walk again soon." I sighed as he was about to carry me back to my wheelchair. But then, he sat, crouching on the ground with one bended knee.

"You want a piggyback ride instead of sitting there?" He asked and without thinking it through, I nodded in agreement to the idea.

I climb on his back and as I was doing so, I suddenly realized how embarrassing this will be. I was hesitating to wrap my arms around his neck but as natural is it goes, I realized that I was comfortably being carried by him, holding him tightly but not enough to choke him from behind. 

"Am I heavy?" I asked, muttering by his ear.

"You only ask that now? I've been carrying you since day one." He chuckles which made me frown while blowing my cheeks to fluffy pout. "You're not heavy..." he added as we continue to stroll.

I've never been on his height's level so being carried by him felt like I was the tallest.

"You say so..." I retorted.

"You're not that heavy. It's fine. I can perfectly carry wherever you want to."

"Really? Even if I can walk, will you carry me?" I asked, now leaning until I was resting my chin over my arm that's wrapped around him.

"Yeah... that's is if you'll go out with me...." he says.

I couldn't reply immediately as I didn't know if he's only asking me out for strolls like this or asking out for a date.

"W-what I mean is going out, as in having meals, going to parks or malls or something... wherever you wanna go." He explains.

"Alright. I need to walk again soon so we can go out." I replied softly, feeling giddy maybe because of the whole new height I'm in.

Suddenly he stopped walking which had me asking, "Why'd you stop?"

"Look at your legs..." he stated which made me look over his shoulder and check on my feet wearing my comfy, pink rabbit slippers that's alternately swinging.

As soon as the realization hits me, I gasped, "Omg!" I'm swinging my legs which were both on his sides holding my thighs. 

It was hard to move my feet. Let alone my legs and now I'm swinging them. 

He then turns his head over his shoulder which made me lean away from him a little bit, alerted on how close his face was, "Guess, we'll have to plan ahead now. You're going to walk very soon."

The thought of finally going on a date with him made me excited so I quickly embraced him. I was completely controlled by my emotions and it earned his melodious chuckle before he continues to walk.

I no longer mind anything nor feel embarrassed if were having or cheeks glued now as I completely let myself just be comfy and happy at the moment.

"I can't wait to walk again!" I said, eager as my legs swing lively while tightening my arms around him.

"Hey, I know you're excited and I can't wait to see you walk as well but I hope I can live to see that when that time comes. You're kinda choking me." He replied, letting a soft groan out which I quickly apologized for. "Sorry. I'm just feeling really happy." I perkily stated as I loosened my arms around him.

However, when he muttered the next words, a surge of nostalgia once again distracted me. "I hope you're happy with me."

"Are you happy with me?"

His voice echoes in my and I don't know when or where I have heard it before.

I nodded gently as a response and rested my head on the side of his head.

The feeling of nostalgia comes with the feeling of longing that I couldn't explain. It's as if Kevin and I were separated for so long that my heart misses him so much.

Why am I feeling like this?