Take Home a Baggage

081

Part 081 (Narration)

Marchienne.

I thought Saniel had left already, but the feeling of a palm dampening my forehead woke me up from my sleep. I opened my eyes and saw a tall figure that looked like Silas when he was younger. If it weren't for his dimples and soft brows, Saniel could've passed as Silas' mini-me. Since I was sleeping in the living room, most probably he saw me once he went inside the room.

"I'm okay," I said to him as I affixed my comforter in place.

Saniel furrowed his brows as he stood still in front of me. "You're really burning, Kiesha. Do you need meds? I will get you some from our room," he asked. "Sorry for coming near unannounced. I panicked because you looked pale."

"D-Don't worry, I'll be fine—" I paused when I suddenly had the urge to cough.

Maybe not.

Kaagad akong dinaluhan ni Saniel; he helped me sit on the couch as he placed an additional pillow on my back. "You're sick, Kiesha..."

"I'll be fine."

"No, you're not if you don't take this seriously." He sighed, running his hand through his wavy brown hair. "I'll just ask for help. Rest for now, okay?"

Aalma pa sana ako pero mukhang hindi na rin kaya ng katawan ko kaya sumunod na lamang din ako. Saniel helped by tucking me under the thick layers of the comforter before I finally dozed off to another session of sleep.

☾ ✈︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☁︎

I woke up to a zipping sound across the room. Nang maidilat ko ang mata ko, it came as such a surprise to my system that somehow, 80% of the discomfort I was feeling hours ago vanished. Umupo ako sa kama, my eyes wandering. I guess my eyelids still felt heavy, nonetheless, I could manage myself better.

My gaze landed on... Silas who was busy searching through the packets of medicines in his medicine bag while sitting on the end of the bed.

"You're here..."

Dumako ang mata niya sa akin, face softening. "Oh. You're awake now." He smiled.

I kept my facial expression stern, disregarding the warm fuzzy feeling in my chest. God, it felt so confusing. "I didn't know you'll be here."

I really thought he was going to avoid me again.

"I'm always here. What do you mean?" He lets out a chuckle before walking toward me. Inilapat niya ang palad niya sa noo ko. "Oh. Your fever went down quickly. Wala ka na yatang lagnat. Thank God it was quick."

I gulped. Tangina, palagi naman kapag ikaw, I muttered to myself.

But I was too restless to respond, so I just stared at him. Silas was sitting beside me now while I was lying down on my bed. And I had to look away when his eyes made a contact with mine, feeling a rush of beats in my chest.

For god's sake.

"Can you sit for me?"

Tumango ako nang tipid. "Oo," anas ko bago umupo. Silas still helped me, either way, kaya wala akong nagawa kundi bumuntong-hininga.

He wasn't making it easier for me.

We both remained silent while Silas wiped my face and neck using a damp towel. Just like the usual. Moments like these reminded me of the countless times he took sleepovers at our house kahit na sa lapag ko lang naman siya ng kuwarto natutulog—para lang alagaan ako tuwing may sakit ako. He stayed up all night. We were in ninth grade.