Between The Lines

He's Sick?

I woke up with my phone ringing. I didn't even set an alarm? What the hell?

I groaned in annoyance. Bumangon na ako at ang unang bumungad sa aking mga mata ay ang numero na hindi naka rehistro sa aking contacts.

Sinagot ko ito. “Hello? Sino ‘to?”

“You're grumpy early in the morning?” That familiar voice.

“Rhys?” Halos gulat kong bungad sa kanya.

I heard him chuckle. “Why? Don't tell me you didn't save my phone number?” I cleared my throat. “I got busy, how do you even know my number. Hindi mo naman hinihingi ah?”

“As if I can't look into it on the internet?”

My mouth opened, yeah. I forgot.

“Why did you call?”

“Can we met?” He asked, changing he tone of his voice from being a tease to now, pleading.

“Why?”

“Just… Just come if you're available. I’ll see you, just message me if you'll be able to come.”

Hindi na ako makapagsalita ng patayin niya na ang tawag. He’s so grumpy, siya nga itong agang-aga ‘di na ma gets. He send me his location. Nag-ayos na ako nang aking sarili. I wore one of my favorite dresses, a Cowl Neck Mini High Strap Floral Slit Dress. Yes, that’s how it is. It should be specific.

Nang makalabas ako sa aking kwarto ay nadatnan ko si mama at papa. I smiled at dad. “Aalis muna ako.”

“Asan ka pupunta with that dress, Hija?” Si dad na masyadong protective.

I sighed. “To a friend, malaki na ako dad. I’m fine don't worry”

He hugged me and tap my shoulder. “Okay fine, wag mag palate we will have a dinner at 7 o'clock.”

I nodded. Tiningnan ko si mom. “Alis na ako, mom.”

Sumakay na ako sa aking kotse at umalis na. Nang makarating ako ay nakita ko kaagad si Rhys. He’s just sitting on a corner while looking at his phone. Nilapitan ko siya at tsaka tinabihan siya. “What do you need?” I asked.

He looked at me and shook his head. “I’m sick, I can't go to the hospital.”

My brows arched. “Okay? Ba’t nandito ka sa labas? Go inside.”

Tumayo ito kaya naman ay tumayo na rin ako at inalalayan siya. He looked so pale and really really sick. Ano bang meron dito at bigla bigla na lang nagkakasakit.

“Do you want me to take you to a near hospital? Parang ang init mo ata?” I said as I put the back of my hand on his forehead. Naglalakad kami patungo sa kanyang kwarto. His house is enough for one person, it's clean and minimalist. But he like dark colors i guess?

Nakahiga na ito ngayon habang ako naman ay nakaupo sa gilid ng kama sa kanyang tabi. He shook his head and put his hand under the slit of the dress, taking advantage of my expose thigh.

“H-hey your hand,” pagsaway ko dito at mahinang tinampal ang kanyang kamay.

He chuckled and squeezes my thigh sensually. “Ayoko sa hospital. If you're not busy, can you just stay here?”

I raised my brows. “Hmm…” I paused. “Sa tingin mo? Why would I stay, huh?” Panloloko dito. Umupo ito at tinitigan ako. “Why? Are you busy? Did I disturb you?” Sunod-sunod na tanong nito.

I shook my head and smiled at him. I leaned forward, getting closer to his face. “No, I have no appointments. But—” I stopped and gazed at him intently. “What do I get in return?”

He chuckled weakly. “ Come closer.” He commanded.

Umiling ako. “ayoko.” Pagmamatigas ko pa sa kanya.

He groaned and pulled me towards him. “What are you wearing? It's distracting me.”

I looked down on my dress and pout. “Nothing is wrong with my dress.” Tumayo ako at tsaka tinuwid ang nalukot ko na suot. “Stay there, at kailangan mong mapunasan. Sobrang init mo. Mamaya mag convulsion ka na diyan.”

Lumabas ako at kumuha ng maliit na palanggana at naglagay ng malamig na tubig at ng ice. Kumuha ako ng tuwalya at bumalik na sa loob ng kwarto. Nakita ko siyang nakahiga na ulit. Nagpapawis siya masyado but the air-conditioner is on. Ang lamig na nga dito eh.

Binaba ko sa side table ang dala ko at tsaka mahinang tinapik ang kanyang balikat. “Hey,” i whispered.

He didn't talk. I gently pat my towel to his face down to his neck. Hindi naman ito nagreklamo so I decided to unbutton his shirt and started wiping him with the towel. I'm not good at taking care of someone. Just doing the things I know. He groaned as my hand touched his abdomen.

Tinitigan ko siya at napabuntong-hininga. He's way too handsome.

Binalik ko ulit sa planggana ang tuwalya. “Where is your thermometer? Titignan lang natin kung gaano na kataas ang temperature mo so i could asked my friend on what to do.”

He pointed to the drawer from the left side of the bed. Nilapitan ko ito at doon na hinanap ang thermometer. Nakita ko naman ito kaagad dahil narin ay organize siya masyado.

I bit my lips and started taking his temperature. Pinagpatuloy ko ang pagpupunas sa kanya ng tumunog na ito. “ 39 degree? Really?” I was so overwhelmed that i run towards my car outside and took my things together with my phone. Tinawagan ko ang kakilala ko.

“It's so easy, make him drink a lot of water, he should take a bath— lukewarm or shower that would do, change his clothes, pakainin mo siya like soups, painumin mo siya ng gamot, acetaminophen or ibuprofen will do.”

I rolled my eyes. “Fine, thanks.”

Bumalik na ako sa kwarto at tsaka nag-order ng soup. Well, I don't have time to cook kung magluluto pa ako ubos na ang oras.

“Hey, can you stand up? Kailangan mo palang mag bath. Masyadong mataas ang lagnat mo.” Nagmulat ito ng mata at umiling. “Nahihilo ako.”

I pouted and walked towards the bathroom to check for something. Bumalik na ako at tsaka sinabihan siya. “You should take a bath, i’ll help you, para makapagpalit ka na rin ng damit.”

He nodded. Mukhang napipilitan. Naghanap na ako ng masusuot niya at kumuha rin ako ng extra shirt para magpalit. Nagpalit muna ako nang damit, just his shirt and a boxer na nakita ko pang nakakahon at wala pang gamit. Nagprepare na ako ng bath niya, well may adjustment naman ang temperature ng tubig niya kaya hindi gaano kalamig ang tubig.

“Mababasa kasi ako so o change my clothes.” I said. He looked at me from my head down to my toe. He bit his lips. “Why aren't you wearing any bra?”

My eyes widened. “Napansin mo pa ‘yan?!” i hysterically said. “My dress is padded so hindi na ako nagsuot ng kahit ano.”

He nodded and chuckled. Pinabangon ko na ito at tsaka inakay patungo sa bathroom. “You should remove your pants. Lalabas muna ako.”

“I can't.” Hirap na hirap na sabi nito habang mahigpit ang hawak sa akin. Uminit naman ang pisngi ko ng kinuha niya ang aking kamay. “Do it.” He said almost a whisper.

I nodded.

I remove his pants pulling it down. As i pulled it down, my face was on the level of his length. It was huge and bulky.