When the Flower Falls (Fitzmael 7) - COMPLETED

05: Don't You Like It?

"ELIMAE..." LILAC CALLED HER NAME while folding my clothes. I could finally be discharged from the hospital today.

"Yes, Ate?"

"Here are your clothes." Lilac handed her a paper bag. "You've been staying here for days and haven't gone home, so I bought you something to wear."

I smiled. Because of my condition, I couldn't take care of Elimae the way I wanted to, so my siblings and cousins did it for me. It was pure. My chest tightened a little with gratitude. I never imagined they'd support me like this. I was a lucky guy.

Elimae refused to go home. She insisted on watching over me. For days she'd been here, taking care of me. It should've been the other way around, but she wouldn't listen.

"Thank you, Ate."

"Have you eaten?" Archer asked her. "We brought food my cousin cooked."

She turned to me. "Ren, are you hungry?" Her voice was soft, honeyed.

"I'll eat later, after you," I said, smiling.

"Okay." She smiled back. "I'll eat first, then I'll feed you."

I watched her as she talked to my siblings, smiling the whole time. My family welcomed her with such warmth, and I couldn't have been happier. After a few minutes, she started feeding me. When she finished, she went to shower. Then it was my turn.

"Can I be the one to bathe him?" Elimae asked Archer before we went inside. Usually, he helped me since I still couldn't move my arms well.

All eyes turned to her. I cleared my throat and noticed my cousins grinning like maniacs.

"So this is what Ren meant when he said that if he ever gets a girlfriend, he'd rub it in our faces?" Marcus teased.

I sighed and mouthed fuck you. Every time I talked to Marcus, I felt my blood pressure spike. It was a miracle his wife could stand him.

"Is it okay, Ren?" Archer asked.

"Y-Yeah. It's okay," I said, scratching my head, forcing a smile at Elimae.

"Let's go!" She took my hand and gently led me inside. "Just sit here," she said, pointing at a stool.

My breathing grew shallow as I sat down. She started helping me remove my shirt.

"Marcus told me that Ate Jarzaiah used to help you dress," she said, pouting. "That's not fair!" She huffed. "And he said you two promised to get married if you were still single now!"

"That was a long time ago, Eli..."

"Still! What if they hadn't ended up together? Would it be you two then?"

"We were never romantically involved," I said. "We just said those things back when we'd both lost hope for love." I looked straight into her eyes. "I'm sorry if that hurt you."

"I'm sorry. I just got a little jealous," she murmured, turning the shower on. "Close your eyes, Ren." I obeyed. "Do you still use shampoo?"

"Yes." Then I felt her pour something over my head and massage it gently. "It smells good."

"That's my shampoo," she said. "I'll buy you one so you'll remember me every time you shower."

"I don't need shampoo to remember you, Eli. You're always on my mind."

"You're making me blush!" she said, laughing. Then she rubbed soap on my back with a bath sponge.

"Thank you, Eli..."

"Hmm? For what?"

"For taking care of me."

"I should be the one thanking you," she said softly.