Say Yes

41

Inigo

Isang pares ng braso ang nakayakap sa akin ng mahigpit ng imulat ko ang mga mata ko. I had to blink twice and rub my eyes repeatedly.

Nasa tabi ko si Chiara, mahimbing na natutulog.

Nakakaramdam pa ako ng bahagyang ginaw at hinipo ko ang noo ko. A mild fever. Akala ko nagdedeliryo ako kagabi na nakikita ko siya at inaalagaan ako. It seem so real but my mind says otherwise. Nasa Korea siya, imposibleng nasa harapan ko siya.

But this is real. Everything that happened last night was real.

Bahagya siyang umungol ng maramdaman nya na gumalaw ako. Dahan dahan siyang nagmulat ng mga mata, and her first instinct was to lay her hand on my forehead, checking my temperature.

"Check naten temp mo." She lazily muttered, reaching out the side table where the digital thermometer was placed. Itinapat niya yun sa pulso ko.

38.5

She was about to stand up when I stopped her, holding her arm.

"Don't leave." I plead. 

"Kukuha lang ako ng paracetamol at tubig."

Instead, I pulled her down, making her lay beside me again.

"Kulang lang ako sa yakap." Mahina kong bulong na ikinatawa niya. She lifted her head, meeting my gaze. "Kiss din," I said, pouting my lip to her. Pinitik niya ang labi ko na nakanguso sa kanya.

"Corny." Nagsubok ulit siyang tumayo, pero mas niyakap ko siya ng mahigpit, not letting go.

"Haein...."

Tumigil lang ang labi ko sa buhok niya, planting soft kisses on the top of her head. I felt her arms slowly wrapping at my back.

"I was at the point of dragging you out here and rushed you at the hospital last night if your fever did not went down. It shoot up as high as 41." She muttered against my chest. Her hand was making mild brushes at my back. "I am so worried about you, and I can't imagine if I am not even here and you are alone. You are driving me really mad Haeily Inigo. Seriously mad."

Hindi ako nakasagot.

"Why did you lie to me?" Tanong niya sa akin. It took me a while to answer.

"I am sorry Chi..." Mahina kong sagot. I tilted sideways when I heard the strong winds outside. Madilim parin sa buong bahay, most likely electricty is still out. Lumipad ang utak at puso ko sa kalagayan ng farm. Maybe Chi noticed my anxiousness, her hands moved my face back in front of her, cupping it.

"Are you still scared?"

Scared?

I shook my head firmly.

"Liar. You have fever dreams last night pouring your heart and soul to me unconsciously."

Did I?

"Yes you did." She answered for me, as if nabasa niya ang tumatakbo sa isip ko.

"Anong sinabi ko?" I asked curiously. We are now both lying sideways looking at each other. My hands are lying on my side, hers were crossed against her chest. Our eyes were locked against each other.

"You are scared, you are hurt, you are tired."

I was unable to speak.

"Tell me...." Her voice were almost pleading.

I pushed myself closer to her, us almost sharing the same air. I had my arms crossed against my chest, slightly shivering. She noticed that and pulled the comforter up, covering both our bodies. Several times I gulped, and she rested her palm against my now hotter cheek because of my fever. I closed my eyes, feeling her soft touches against my skin.