Candid

Six

It's warm.

No.

It's cold.

Also, my bed is more comfortable than usual.

I shifted and find a more comfortable spot. But then, the the sky roared loudly making me sit up from laying down.

My body was shocked from my sudden movement that I felt like my world is spinning. I close my eyes tightly, feeling the pulse in my head. It was pounding. Maybe it replaced my heart now?

"I told you. You won't die easily because of the rain. It just makes you feel sick."

My eyes opened immediately upon hearing that voice. Am I in a dream or what? I close my again and count.

One... Two... Three... Four... Five...

If he's still here. He's real.

I slowly open my eyes. He's still standing there.  What the hell he's doing here?

He walks holding a small tray with a glass of  water and bowl.

"Eat up. You're now paler than before."

I removed the comforter from me. As I leave the bed, I realized that this is not my room. My shirt feels bigger on me. Before my feet touch the floor, a slippers slide to my feet.

My heart hammered and my cheeks went crimson by what he did. His hand swiftly touched my cold feet. His hand is warm against it.

I uttered my thanks to him quietly as I walk to what I think is his bathroom. I quickly scanned my face on the mirror.

Pale face. Pale lips. Eyes feverish. Shirt really big on mine. It's plain black.

I feel glad that at least my hair still looks good. I really like my hair and she said she likes me too that's why she always make herself pretty. I shook my head from what I'm thinking, instantly I can feel it throbbing.

I put my weight on the wall, waiting to the pain to be gone.

"Hey, you okay there?"

A soft knocked followed.

I push myself to go out.

His hand is mid air when I opened the door.

"I'm... I'm okay." But I'm not fine.

He nodded, turning his back on me. Before he can even walk away, I tugged his shirt.

He stopped and look immediately at me.

"I... I just need a support. I can't, properly walk... My head hurts like hell."

I lost my balance when my hand left in tugging his shirt because of the sudden pain on my head.

He reacted fast. In a blink of an eye I'm wrapped up in the dark with his arms. He carried me easily like I weigh nothing.

"Don't move too much. Stay on the bed and rest." He said as he put me on the bed.

I didn't answer. I wrapped the comforter around me. Still his warm is what I needed. But I cannot move my mouth to speak. I don't want to be a burden on him. And why the heck do I want his warmth?

"Eat first then drink a medicine before you sleep."

His voice is so soft.

"If you need anything, I'm just in the other side of this room."

He fix the comforter. His eyes look directly at mine.

"Can you... Can you stay here?" I asked. I can feel the heat on my cheeks.

"Are you sure?"

I nodded.

He grabbed the chair.

I want him right next to me.

He sit there.

He make sure that I finish up eating and drinking that medicine before sleeping.

"Can you please..."

"Hmm?"

"Nothing."

I close my eyes and shifted. I think this is too much. Too much for me. Despite of this confusion of mine, I finally realized that I'm not capable for this feeling.

I need to seal my words.

I'm about to fall asleep when I feel a presence beside me. A hand remove the hair from my face but then my hair keeps falling. I open my eyes and I see his face.

"Sleep. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

I scooted closer to him. His scent invaded my nostrils. I felt him pulling me closer to him. His hand stroking my hair slowly. So cozy. How can someone make me feel like I'm already home?

I can hear the beating of his heart matching mine. I sighed in contentment. I heard him sighed too as he pulled me much closer.

All of my silence and patience, pining and desperately waiting for something, for someone, I don't know.

For some reason I felt secure here, sheltered, from someone I barely knew.

I'm home.