When You Smile - Complete

Chapter Twenty Recovering

Chapter Twenty – Recovering

The next day she didn’t deem him well enough for school, so she gave him the same instruction: water and sleep. She returned that afternoon – skipping tennis – and lay with him until five when she said she had to go home. She gave him a kiss as she reluctantly bid him farewell and promised to see him the next morning, a Saturday.

When she arrived that morning he was still sleeping – unusual as he always woke early – she kissed his forehead and left to the kitchen to heat up the rice porridge her Mother had made. A part of herself felt proud. She’d watched over him and cared for him – she felt like a true girlfriend.

Once the porridge was heated she tipped it out of the pan and into a bowl. She placed the pan aside for cleaning later and after getting a spoon she walked back to Tezuka’s room. He was just waking up, groggily shifting and trying to sit up. But he winced at the slightest of movements.

Miyako placed the porridge on his desk and walked over, pressing the back of her head to his forehead under his long fringe. “Your fever is down. Your body is aching?”

He mumbled a groggy reply.

“That’s alright. Some pain killers and you’ll be fine. Can you sit up?” She asked.

“Yeah.” Tezuka replied as she stood up to retrieve the porridge.

“Now, I talked to Mum and she made this for you. She said that it works wonders – it was weird, she predicted that your fever would be down but your muscles would be in pain.” Miyako rambled as she walked back. “But then she used to be a nurse so she probably just knows.”

“Used to be?” Tezuka asked curiously as he sat himself up against his pillow and bedhead.

Miyako nodded as she sat down. “When I got sick she left her job to take care of me – but she never went back because the thought of hospitals worried her after all of that.” She explained. “Do you want to eat it on your own or shall I spoon feed you?” She teased.

“Give me the bowl.” He said, reaching for it.

“Can I spoon you just one?” Miyako pleaded. “Then it would be like I’ve done everything a carer does. It would make this process complete, you know?”

Tezuka sighed, rolling his eyes, but smiling. “Okay, okay.”

Miyako lifted a reasonable portion onto the spoon and held it up to him. “Blow.”

Still exasperated, he lightly blew on the spoon and then opened his lips as she placed the spoon in and then with an emptying motion, slipped it back out. The hot porridge burned slightly, but not painfully and warmed him all the way down his throat and into his stomach. He closed his eyes happily.

“It’s good, huh? Mum makes this every winter morning – and if any of us are sick.” Miyako explained, handing him the bowl. “Did you sleep well?”

Tezuka nodded. “I’ve been sleeping too much.”

Miyako laughed lightly. “I’ll be back; I’ll get you those pain killers.”

“How do you know where everything is anyway?” He asked.

“Trial and error.” She replied, leaving his room.

He smiled after her and eagerly continued to eat the porridge – wondering if he should get the recipe for himself.

Miyako appeared at his doorway, and she watched him with an amused smile. “You really like it, don’t you?” She said as he finished the bowl off and placed it aside. She put the glass of water and two tablets on the bedside table as she sat down on the mattress. She giggled lightly and without a second thought licked his bottom lip. “Missed a spot.” She whispered.