Versailles Series Book 5: The Barista

CHAPTER 22

~ tabi ~

I stretched my hands. When I opened my eyes, I felt so much better. Weak, but better. My eyes landed on Calhoun who looked very uncomfortable sitting on an armchair. He will surely get a stiff neck when he wakes up.

I felt my forehead and neck to check my temperature. I'm cooler now than I remember. The window's curtains are open so I can see the sun shining through. I slept through the night. I peeked in my blanket to find me in my undies. WTF?

I looked up to see Calhoun still asleep. I got out of bed and grabbed myself some PJ pants. I hope he didn't see anything. Gosh, it would be so embarrassing. I shook Calhoun to make him transfer to my bed. I can sleep on Marceline's bed. Ayoko namang sumakit ang katawan nito dahil sa pagkakatulog nito.

"Hey...why are you up?"

Since when did his just-woke-up-bedroom-voice have THAT effect on me? Am I still sick? Why am I feeling tingly all over?

"Ahm....baka sumakit iyung katawan mo diyan. Doon ka na matulog sa kama ko. Dito na lang ako kay Marceline."

He stood up and towered over me. He placed his hand on my forehead and neck. "Hmm...you're cooler now. But you should still be in bed. Come."

He pulled my wrist and we went to my bed.

"Ah doon na lang ako sa kabila-"

We lay on the bed in a spooning position as he touched my forehead again.

"Let's stay like this, Tabi. I'm still sleepy. You should sleep too."

Napalunok ako. The last time I slept beside him was back in elementary; it was nothing back then. Now it is everything. I can feel his hard and warm body against mine. Everything is tingling all over.

"Cal?"

"Hmm?" He buried his nose in my hair. It must be a mess of curls right now. There's a reason why I sleep with a silk bandana on.

"Are you okay with us sleeping like this?"

"I am. Now I'm thinking why we never did this before. It's the best feeling." He murmured like he was between being awake and asleep.

I swallow the lump in my throat.

"Sleep, Tabi. We both need it." His tone was dismissive like he just wanted his damn sleep.

I nodded and I closed my eyes. When I opened my eyes, my face was buried in something. Or someone.

I looked up and sighed inwardly. Teenage Tabi would have swooned with this view. Calhoun from afar is a stunner and a headturner. Calhoun up close is gorgeous. With his dishevelled hair and unguarded state, he looks so handsome. Contrary to everyone's beliefs, I am not immune to his charms. If anything, I was the first to see it before the world did.

A lot of people would kill me to be in this place. His arm is wrapped around my waist and I am sleeping on his shoulder. He smells so good despite him watching over me yesterday so he might not have showered. Oh...what I would give to have him like this forever.

I closed my eyes when I noticed him move. I wonder what he's gonna do. Is he gonna push me off the bed? Will he tell me to get off him?

I felt like I was holding my breath until he moved. He pulled me closer as he shifted, tucking me in his chest further. My body is pressed up against his now. His nose is buried in my hair again. My heart throbbed stronger and faster. It looks and feels like we have been doing this forever.

Then I heard him whisper.

"I never thought it would feel this nice. Having you here with me." He sighed. "I hope you find the courage to tell me everything one day, Tabi. I know you have your reasons. I want to know everything, Tabi." He dropped a kiss on my head before slowly getting up and tucking me under the blanket again. I heard him sigh again before the door closed.

That's when I opened my eyes. What did he mean that I have to tell him every-

Napahawak ako sa peklat ko. He saw it. He definitely saw it.

Since I got to Paris, my cramps have been giving me hell. Since when were my cramps this painful? I should have stayed home but I don't want to miss a day at work. I need the money. So here I am powering through until I get to our restaurant.

"Tabi?" Tanong ng kapwa pinoy na assistant doon na si Macy.

"Oh?" Hinihingal na sabi ko. I almost hissed when a pang of pain surged again.

"Bakit namumutla ka? Okay ka lang ba?"

Tumango ako at pumunta sa locker room. Kailangan makapag-palit na ako bago ako dumating ang chef.

Napahawak ako sa locker nang makaramdam uli ng sakit. Napaluhod ako at unti-unting nagdilim ang paningin ko. Ang huli kong nakita ay ang papalapit na yapak ni Macy.

Nang magmulat ako ng mata ay puro puting dingding ang nakikita ako. Wala ako sa restaurant. Nasa ospital ako. Bakit ako narito?

"Tabi?"

Tinignan ko si Macy na nasa tabi ko. Naroon din ang chef namin. Kinabahan ako. Naku, paano ba ito? Wala kami lahat sa restaurant. Magagalit nanaman sa akin si Chef Flor. Kasalanan ko bakit kami narito ngayon.

Ano bang nangyari?

Nilapitan ako ni Chef Flor habang katabi ang doktor. Hindi pa ako nakakaintindi gaano ng French kaya naman ito ang nagta-translate ng sinasabi ng doktor sa akin.

"You need surgery to remove your cysts."

Nanlamig ako. "S-surgery? Cysts?"

"Have you had yourself checked? They are bigger now that's why it's causing you extreme pain. They have to remove it surgically."

"B-But...I have work...I don't have money for a surgery..."

Sure the scholarship included all expenses but I was saving up for a restaurant once I go home.

Tinapik ni Chef Flor ang kamay ko. "I'll handle it for now. You just repay me."

"I..."

"You need to remove it as soon as possible, Tabi."

Tumango ako. "C-Can I call my mother?"

Inabot ni Macy ang telepono ko sa akin habang iniwan muna ako ni Chef Flor at Macy.

Naiyak ako habang nagriring ang telepono. Natatakot ako. Kinakabahan. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. Kailangan ko ng makakausap. Kailangan ko ng karamay. Nakailang tawag ako kay mama pero hindi nito sinagot iyon. Inisip ko kung tatawagan ko si Calhoun. Nabanggit kasi nito sa akin noon na may shooting ito sa isang liblib na lugar sa Pilipinas kaya hindi muna niya ako makakausap ng ilang araw. Sinubukan ko ulit tumawag kay mama pero wala pa rin.

Nang bumalik ang doktor sa kwarto ko ay para akong robot na sumunod sa sasabihin nito. Sinigurado ni Chef Flor na alam ko ang mga mangyayari at huwag ako mag-alala masyado. Si Chef Flor ang huling taong naisip kong gagawin ito para sa akin. Masungit at istrikto ito sa restaurant. Kahit anong pakikipaglapit ang gawin namin noon ay mailap talaga ito.

"Why are you helping me?" Hindi ko mapigilang tanong dito.

"I have a daughter who also went through what you will go through. You must be scared. She was so I'm here to tell you not to be scared. Just think that you need this surgery badly, Tabi."

The operation went through successfully. Habang hawak ang bandage sa may tiyan ko, nabuo ang desisyon kong huwag ng ipagsabi ang nangyari sa akin. Nobody would have cared anyway. Sabi nga ng tatay ko, dapat kaya ko na ang sarili ko at huwag ko ng iasa kay mama ang mga maliliit na bagay. Ayoko ring istorbohin si Calhoun. He's burdened enough to produce another blockbuster. Ayoko ng dumagdag pa.

I blinked my tears away from the memory. I know Calhoun will feel bad or mad even that I haven't told him about that. I thought I could keep it away forever. I was wrong.