Touch Of Solicitude

DIECISIETE

I brushed his hair, "Stop the car, I'll drive us home," He glanced at me for a while; he knew that he had no choice but to follow me, "You should be like this, listen to me sometimes," I went out first, assisting him beside the driver's seat.

As he got in comfortable, I entered the car, he started coughing, leaning on the window as he closed his eyes, "You shouldn't have picked me up if you were in this state," He looked at me from his peripheral view, "I am still alive and breathing, that means I can still handle myself,"

I subtly looked at him, "How can you say that you are fine when you are burning up?" I stated, "Stop acting tough and mighty, Luigi,"

After arriving at our house, I helped him get out of the car and guiding him to his room, "Stay here, I'll fetch you something you can eat and also your medicine," Before I could leave, I felt someone holding my hand, "I need to take a shower," My face immediately turned red.

"W-What are you even saying?" My tone raised, "You can do that yourself," Suddenly, the man started to cough with groans following as if he was in pain.

Guilt rushed to me, "All right, I know, I know. I understand," I took a deep breath and assisted him to the shower, "I will just wash your hair, nothing more," He nodded.

He sat at the stool, removing his coat, leaving his shirt as he gently placed his head on the tub, "Close your eyes," I uttered, "Then, if you'll excuse me," As the man shut his eyes closed, my heart skipped a beat.

Luigi's visual never fails to impress me; I understand why women and men look up to him. "You should put more strenght, I can barely feel your hands in my scalp," I shook my head, "Yes," I responded.

"Also, be careful around my ear," He added, "Yes," Suddenly, I noticed that his eyes were opened.

"Why do you look like that?" He questioned; he then pulled me close, leaving an inch between us, "You're not your usual self," As I felt like he was about to pull me closer as he leaned further on.

I step backwards, splashing the water straight to his face accidentally by the showerhead; I turn off the water, stepping back, only to see a lifeless face. The first thought that I had was to run away, but he was a sick man given the situation.

He slowly sat up straight, removing his shirt, revealing his packed body. It seemed like I had a fever; I could feel like my face was turning bright red. "Sunny," He called out, looking at me, "What're you doing there standing, you should continue washing my head," He went back, lying.

"Hurry, I feel cold," I went towards him, "I know,"

The tension between us makes me feel nervous, "I can feel you shivering, do you hate being in my presence," He asked, "You should get used in being by my side from now on, Sunny,"

I shook my head, sighing deeply, "It might be a small thing for you, but being here, with you, in this house, alone. Makes me fell suffocated," I honestly said, "I want things to be normal," I placed the showerhead back.

"You're the one who's making it complicated," I stood frozen in the ground; he sat and pulled me close to him, brushing the excess hair on my face, tucking it behind my ear, "Why, is it wrong for us to be together?" He had a pained expression.

I did not answer him and started walking out, "You can take a shower yourself," I glanced back, throwing the towel to his face, "I'll see you at your room,"

With that statement, I left him, making my way to his room, waiting for him to finish showering. I did not know why but at that moment, I could not answer his question. Is it wrong for us to be together? That question continued to resonate in my mind.

After minutes of waiting, he finally showed up with a towel wrapped around his waist. He walked past by me and wore a robe, and sat at his bed. I plugged the hairdryer and started drying his hair.

"Don't move," He lowered his head; I rubbed the towel on his head, placing the dryer down, "You shouldn't just stayed," I complained.

"I called your secretary that's why I was able to arrive just in time, also, I also heard that you didn't eat your lunch, you must be starving," He remarked, "I wanted to pick you up, that's why I went there, you left too early this morning without having breakfast,"

I heaved a sigh, "I went to the company with my car, Luigi," I retorted, "I can take you to work tomorrow," My hands stopped moving.

"You're still sick, I cannot let you drive me to work," A smile crept on his face, "I won't let you pick me up again if you're in this situation or else, I will really leave you," His face fell.

"Wait here, I'll cook you something," I walked out of the room and went to the kitchen to cook him porridge; this would be the easiest for him to swallow. After searching for the medicine on the countertops, I went back, "Here," I called out.

He sat leaning against the headboard, "Thank you," Instead of eating, he looked at me strangely, making me feel awkward, "Why?"

"Feed me," I took a deep breath; calm yourself, Sunny. I scooped up some porridge and fed it to him, "Is it to your taste?" He nodded, scooping up another.

He finished the entire bowl, "Take your meds," After taking the pills, he looked at me seriously, "Sunny?" He called out my name.

He lifted my face; our eyes met for a while; I averted my gaze, stood up, "Stay here," His eyes looked as if he was pleading, "Sunny,"