Just One Date

Chapter 8 - dr. love

"Achoo!"

I wiped my runny nose and rubbed my itchy eyes after that loud sneeze.

"Ano ba 'yan Ate, kaya mo pa ba? Pauwiin na lang kasi natin si Mama," Kirk suggested.

"Okay lang ako Kirk, huwag mo nang tawagan sina Mama," pigil ko.

He put down the project he was doing on my room's floor and turned to look at me.

"Okay ba 'yan? E parang tatalsik na ang utak mo sa lakas ng hatsing mo okay pa rin?"

I pulled my comforter up to my neck and hugged my pillow. Ber month na kasi kaya siguro malamig.

"You're not calling Mama, okay? Kailangan niyang sumama kay Papa sa Batangas, kawawa naman si Mamay kung hindi nila madadalaw."

Kasama ako dapat sa pagdalaw kay Mamay pero paggising ko kanina ay parang binibiyak ang ulo ko at hindi ako makahinga sa sipon kaya nagpaiwan ako.

Mama was hesitant to go but Papa would surely need company during the long drive lalo na at may biglaang lakad rin si Kuya Brett. Nagpaiwan naman si Kirk para tapusin ang project niyang for submission bukas.

"Kung si Kuya na lang kaya? Tinext ko siya pero malayo na siya sa byahe, baka mamayang hapon pa raw siya makabalik," he said and walked over to my bed.

"Kailangang ipaayos ni Kuya yung malaking mixer natin. Hindi naman agad nagagawa iyon kaya dapat talaga madala na niya ngayon."

He heaved a sigh and touched my forehead before freaking out.

"Ang init mo Ate!" he exclaimed in panic.

I touched my own forehead and frowned.

"Hindi naman a!"

"Paano mo mararamdaman eh ang init rin ng kamay mo?" he said, obviously alarmed when he touched my hand.

Kaya pala ako giniginaw.

"Huwag ka ngang mataranta. Just get me a paracetamol sa medicine cabinet. Tablet yun na kulay orange," I instructed.

"I'm definitely calling Mama this time, hindi mo na ako mapipigilan," he told me.

"You're not calling anybody, Kirk," I commanded sternly.

Nahihilo na ako at sobrang sakit ng ulo dahil siguro sa sipon pero kaya ko ito. As long as there's no blood involved, I'll be fine.

"Pero Ate-"

Nagrereklamo pa siya when my door cracked open and someone peeked in.

"Kuya Ethan! Mabuti na lang dumating ka! Ang taas ng lagnat ni Ate!" Kirk shouted in hysterics.

"Kirk ano ba?!" saway ko as Ethan opened the door and made his way to sit beside my bed, looking worried but still composed.

"I knew this would happen. May ininom ka na bang gamot?" he asked with a anxious but calm expression.

I was waiting for him to say I told you so. Anyway sinabi niya sa akin kahapon na huwag akong magpaulan dahil baka magkasakit ako pero hindi ako nakinig. But he didn't say what I deserved to hear. Wala akong paninising narinig mula sa kanya.

"Wala pa. Vitamin C lang," I replied in a small voice.

After hearing that, he got up and left the room. He knows his way around the house and in no time, he's back with my medicine, a basin of cold water and a towel.

"Unahin na muna natin itong paracetamol. Pwede mong inumin ito kahit walang laman ang tiyan. I suppose hindi ka pa nag-breakfast?" he asked, eyeing the barely eaten plate of penne with tuna.

I shook my head.

"May pasta na iniwan si Mama pero di ko nasabayan sa pagkain si Kirk kanina, masakit ang lalamunan ko," I explained.

He helped me sit up before handing me the tablet.

"Umidlip ka muna, hahanap ako sa baba ng pwede mong makain bago kita bigyan ng gamot sa ubo at sipon."

I want to refuse dahil nahihiya ako sa kanya but he knows me so well at bago pa ako makapagsalita ay nakatayo na siya.

"Sleep. I don't mind doing this, especially for you," he said in a low voice and I nodded in submission.

I turned to Kirk after Ethan left and found him smiling.

"O ano, kalma ka na?" I asked.

"Syempre naman, nandyan na si Superman. Alam kong hindi ka pababayaan ni Kuya Ethan at aalagaan ka niyang mabuti. Kaya hindi ko na tatawagan si Mama at makakagawa na ulit ako ng project."

He beamed at me and went back to work while I drifted off to sleep.

"My Lois..."

I woke up later to Ethan's gentle nudging.

"Sorry I have to disturb your sleep but you need to eat something," he said while stirring the bowl in his hand.

I grunted.

"You don't feel okay, my Lois?" he asked with eyes full of concern and I shook my head.

"Yeah, you look sick...but still every ounce beautiful," he said and gave me a little smile.

I chuckled and used all the strength left in me to slap his arm, almost spilling the hot soup.

"Oops!" he said but immediately found his balance.

"Sorry," I apologized.

"It's okay. Pero alam mo, mas maganda ka kung hindi ka maputla," he joked before positioning himself beside my bed.

"Here, have some of this," he offered and raised a spoonful of warm chicken soup to my mouth.

"Nandiyan na ba si Kuya? Sinong nagluto nito?"

He gave me a smug smile before he answered my question.

"Ako. Bestfriend ba naman ako ng greatest chef in town, di ako makakagawa ng chicken soup sa palagay mo? Masyado mong ina-underestimate ang kakayahan ko, my Lois. I can do great things for you."

Kung hindi lang ako nanghihina ay hahampasin ko ulit siya pero lambot na lambot ako para makipagtalo kaya ibinuka ko na lamang ang bibig ko.

"So? What do you think?"

Hindi ako masyadong makalasa ng pagkain dahil sa sipon ko but his chicken soup tasted good. Tamang tama lang lasa at hindi masyadong maalat. Perfect ang consistency nito, hindi sobrang labnaw at hindi rin sobrang lapot. Even the warmth of it is just right. Hindi sobrang init, yung tama lang na lunukin at magpainit ng sikmura ko na kanina pang humahapdi sa kaka-ubo.

"Surprisingly good," I replied.

He gave me another smug smile and shrugged his shoulders, looking very pleased with himself and I had to laugh.

"Anong ingredients nito?" I asked again dahil parang mas masarap pa ito sa luto ni Kuya.

"Ginaya ko rin lang sa recipe ni Brett, pero syempre may secret ingredient."

I raised my brows.

"And that would be?"

"Lots of love, of course. Walang gayuma, promise. Out of stock ang love potion dun sa kilala kong albularyo kaya pure love na lang ang inilagay ko."

I almost choked at his response dahil napatawa ako. And as he laughed with me, I noticed that his eyes looked tired.

"Bakit ganyan ang mata mo? Puyat ka?" I asked before opening my mouth for another spoonful.

He nodded.

"May celebration kasi kagabi dun sa pinag-OJT-han ko during my final year. Late na ako nakauwi kasi nagligpit pa kami," he explained.

"Akala ko nga sumama ka pagdalaw kay Mamay," I commented.

"Tinanghali ako ng gising. Tapos nung tinawagan ko si Brett sabi niya nakaalis na raw at nagpaiwan naman kayo. Umakyat na ako kasi walang sumasagot sa baba."

He continued feeding me with the chicken soup and gave me a capsule for my cough and colds.

"Next time, huwag ka nang magpa-ulan ha. Ang hina-hina mo sa ganoon kahit noong bata pa tayo. Buti nga iyang asthma mo hindi na umaatake dahil kung sasabay pa iyan sa ubo at sipon mo, mas mahihirapan ka," kalmado ang boses na paalala niya.

He fell silent after that at hindi na rin ako umimik. Anyway panay naman ang subo niya ng soup at wala akong chance kumontra until he was done with the last drop.

"Now you take your rest and then later when you wake up, I'll give you plenty of water and juice," he suggested.

"Sure. I'd love some pineapple juice sana," I said but he shook his head in disagreement as he touched my forehead to check on my temperature.

"I'm afraid you can't have pineapple juice. Makati iyon sa lalamunan, it will worsen your cough."

I furrowed my brows and crinkled my nose at him.

"Dami mong alam ah," I observed.

"Bakit, di ba halata?" he asked and we both laughed.

"Hindi bagay," I told him frankly as he waved a finger.

"Just trust me on this. I know what I'm talking about so you better listen to me," he warned while grinning.

"Yes Doc," I joked and gave him a playful salute.

"Call me Dr. Love," he kidded and wiggled his eyebrows.

This time Kirk laughed out loud and I couldn't help but join in. Laughter filled the room and somehow it made me feel a little better.

It was nice sharing a good laugh with him. Parang noong mga bata pa kami na wala pang ibang kulay sa kanya ang friendship namin.

"Pero may binili akong apple, pwede kong i-blender para gawing juice," he recommended, snapping me out of reverie.

"Wow. Gusto ko rin iyon," I admitted.

Bigla kong naalala noong dating nagkasakit ako na nag-cutting class pa siya para lang bumili ng prutas sa Zapote dahil wala raw siyang makita sa malapit. Nakaka-touch sana iyon kung wala lang sana silang group presentation na naka-schedule that time at kung hindi ako sinugod ng mga groupmates niya at sinisi noong makabalik na ako sa school.

I couldn't help but smile at the thought of that. I can't deny na maswerte ang magiging girlfriend ni Ethan pag nagkataon. He's got sense of humour, maalaga ito at mapagmahal.

"You're finally falling for me, aren't you? You have that weird look on your face na parang malapit ka nang ma-inlove sa akin," he cracked another joke.

I was supposed to say something funny but my nose suddenly itched and I sneezed.

"Can I take that as a yes?" he kidded and Kirk laughed again.

I shook my head unable to control my laughter before sneezing three times more.

Medyo nahiya naman ako sa walang ka-poise poise kong paghatsing but he smiled at me instead na para bang bigla siyang naawa sa akin.

With that, he reached for the paper bag he brought in earlier and handed my a pack of wet tissue.

"Iyan ang gamitin mo para hindi mamula ang ilong mo. May moisturizer iyan pero unscented kaya hindi ka mai-irritate sa amoy."

I looked at him, unable to speak. I want to tell him that he has a way of being thoughtful in small details pero ayokong ma-misinterpret niya iyon. Hindi ko alam kung paano sasabihin sa kanya how much this means to me na hindi niya iisiping sinasagot ko na siya so I just kept that grateful thought to myself.

I blew my nose without shame in front of him before he gave me a glass of water.

He made me finish the chicken soup, still spoon-feeding me up to the last drop.

Pinawisan na ako sa soup at sa kakatawa and he heaved an obvious sigh of relief nang makita niya sa thermometer na bumaba na ang lagnat ko.

Pinatulog na ulit niya ako after that. Before I went into a deep slumber, I saw him helping Kirk with his project and heard them joking around. Iyon ang huling nakita at narinig ko before I closed my tired eyes. Every once in a while I would feel him changing the towel on my forehead and several times he would check on my temperature. Ilang beses kong naramdaman ang palad niya sa noo ko.

Lunch is all ready when I woke up. Ethan cooked Tinola this time and he immediately filled the bowl when I opened my eyes.

"Chicken dishes lang ang alam mong lutuin ano?" biro ko habang itinataas niya ang kutsara para ipatikim sa akin ng sabaw.

He smiled knowingly as Kirk laughed while eating in front of my dresser.

"FYI my Lois, chicken soup is the ultimate comfort food. Therapeutic, even. It helps your body get rid of the viruses and bacteria, keeps you hydrated and clears your airway. That's why it's best for your colds. Pero chicken soup ka na kanina kaya nag-isip lang ako ng ibang menu which is still basically the same. Tinola even has ginger which is good for your throat."

Kirk, his biggest fan, applauded.

"Wow! Ikaw na talaga Kuya Ethan!" he exclaimed before turning to me.

"Ate, tingnan mo naman, saan ka makakahanap ng ganyan? Magaling na magluto, may libreng trivia pa!"

I chuckled in response and looked at Ethan.

"Bakit ka nga ba nag-teacher? You should either be a nurse or a doctor," I teased.

"Nah, masaya na ako na ikaw ang inaalagaan ko. Baka magselos ka pa kapag ibinaling ko sa iba ang pagiging caring ko," came his reply.

I shook my head and laughed before trying to get the spoon from his hand but he wouldn't give it to me.

"Relax, kumain ka na lang. Alam mo namang ayokong napapagod ka."

I'm feeling better pero hindi pa ako ganoong kalakas para makipagtalo sa kakulitan niya kaya nagpaubaya ako.

His Tinola tastes great, too. At lalong lumapad ang ngiti sa labi niya nang sabihin ko iyon. Sinadya rin niya na gawing malambot ang pagkakalutong kanin para raw madali kong malunok at hindi magasgas ang lalamunan ko.

And like he said earlier, he gave me lots of fruits, water and juice for the rest of the afternoon. He was peeling a pear while Kirk was asleep on the couch when he gave me another lecture.

"Natural is always better. Itong vitamins na makukuha mo sa mga prutas, it's actually enough to make you well. Iyang cough and colds kasi, it will resolve by itself kahit hindi gamutin. Pero syempre, ayaw natin ng discomfort at may pasok ka on Tuesday kaya we need to do everything to expedite the healing process."

He's starting to impress me, I had to shake my head to clear up my thoughts. He's still the Ethan who gets into my nerves, I have to keep that in mind.

"Ayaw mo nito?" he asked, suddenly unsure.

Muli akong umiling para bumawi.

"No, no, I like that," maagap na sabi ko.

"But you were shaking your head," he insisted.

"It's not about the fruit."

He eyed me closely and studied my face before smiling triumphantly.

"It's about me, ano? Are you finally beginning to fall for me?" he teased, bringing back his joke earlier.

Kinuha ko mula sa kamay niya ang isang slice ng peras bago tumawa.

"In your dreams, Ethan. Lagnat, sipon at ubo lang ang sakit ko, hindi ako nagdedeliryo," I kidded.

"Come on my Lois, don't fight your feelings. I'm very much willing to catch you when you fall," he replied, still beaming at me.

Hinahampas ko ang braso niya para tumigil na siya and he was responding with laughter when Kuya Brett barged in without knocking.

"Whoa! Am I interrupting something?" tanong niya nang datnan kami na magkatabing nakaupo sa kama.

"Naglalambingan lang kami, Bro. Wholesome naman ito, don't worry," Ethan replied with a wink.

Hinampas ko ang braso niya ng mas malakas this time tsaka lamang siya nag-react.

"Aray! For someone who's sick, ang lakas nun ha!" he exclaimed before turning back to Kuya.

"Kita mo na, Bro? Ang galing ko mag-alaga, she's all better!"

Lumapit si Kuya at hinipo ang noo ko bago tinapik ang balikat ni Ethan.

"Salamat, Bro. You can go home now, ako na bahala rito."

"Okay lang Bro, I can stay," came Ethan's stubborn reply.

"Ano ba, go get some sleep. 4am ka na umuwi, wala ka pang maayos na tulog," he said as he tapped Ethan's shoulder.

"4am? Tapos andito ka na ng 7am? No wonder ganyan ang mata mo," singit ko at medyo napaawa naman ako sa kanya.

Nabanggit niyang puyat siya pero nang sabihin niya na 'late' na siya nakauwi, hindi ko naisip na umaga na ang tinutukoy niya. Than means he only had three hours of sleep tapos hindi na siya tumigil sa kakaluto pagdating niya rito.

"Sanay ako sa puyatan, ano ka ba?" pagbabale-wala nito, not bothering to move even an inch away from me.

This time I turned to face him and met his eye. Malalim ang mga mata niya pero masaya.

"Ethan, go and get some sleep. I'm feeling better na rin naman at halos wala na akong lagnat. What you did was more than enough," I told him sincerely.

That's probably the kindest thing I ever said to him simula nang bigla na lamang siyang dumating sa bahay noong high school ako na may dalang bouquet of roses at nagdeklarang manliligaw siya.

"Are you sure?" He looked at me with sad eyes.

I nodded.

"But I want to stay by your side and make sure you're okay," he insisted.

With that, Kuya Brett sat beside him and put an arm around his shoulder.

"Bro, that sounds really pathetic. Tingnan mo nga ang mata mo, mas mukha ka pang may sakit kesa sa kapatid ko. Umuwi ka na, antok lang 'yan."

"But Bro, this is one of the happiest days of my life-," Ethan started again but stopped himself mid-sentence, suddenly looking apologetic before he went on.

"Not that I'm happy my Lois is sick, of course. But happy because I got the chance to be with her. I really enjoyed cooking for her, checking her temperature, sitting by her side while she sleeps. You know what I mean?"

He looked at Kuya Brett expectantly but my brother stared at him as if he was an alien.

"Now you're babbling. That's creepy. Lack of sleep is taking away your sanity little by little, Bro. Now go home, you're starting to freak me out."

Napatawa ako sa sinabi ni Kuya Brett pero parang nakunsensiya ako when Ethan slowly stood up, obviously feeling defeated.

He walked to the door and was about to get out when I called his name.

"Ethan!" I almost croaked with my hoarse voice.

He turned around to look at me in surprise and raised his brows as if to ask.

"Thank you."

That was all I could come up with, although I want to tell him more.

Honestly I want to tell him that I enjoyed the chicken soup and tinola.

I want to say that the cold towel felt nice on my forehead.

I want to tell him that the fruits were good but laughing with him was also therapeutic.

I want to tell him that for the first time in a very long while, I'm grateful to have him around.

But I was afraid to be misunderstood so I just left it at that.

"Thank you. Really," I repeated when he didn't say a word.

He stared at me seriously and I returned his gaze, unable to tear my eyes away from his.

"No, my Lois. Thank you. Thank you for allowing me to take care of you," he responded before finally closing the door behind him.