"Tatay, Nanay, may I stay full time at our QC condo? I promise to be here every weekend and I promise to maintain my good standing at school." Rain asked one night during dinner.
Their QC condo is for when River or Rain's too late to drive back to Rizal. It was bought by their parents when the twins were still in elementary.
"Why? Is there a particular reason?" Rain's father asked.
Rain hesitated before answering, "Kasi po Taylor's in charge of the collaboration with Essentiá and he's been busy with that project. I have not seen him in weeks, and I thought if I stayed in QC, it will be easier for me to see him." (A/N Kasi po directly translated: It's because – but said in a more respectful manner)
It has been a month since Rain last saw Taylor. They've been only communicating through calls and texts. And even those are starting to be few and far between. Rain's starting to worry that he and Taylor's drifting away from each other.
Rain's father did not say anything, but he looks like he's considering the request. Rain did not repeat the request in fear that badgering their parents may lead to outright rejection. When they've finished eating, the twins' father rose from his seat and said, "Nanay and I will talk about it and let you know tomorrow." Rain nodded at this.
River tapped Rain's hand in silent support.
***
The twins father walked back and forth at the space by the foot of the bed. His wife felt dizzy watching him, so she started the conversation to make him stop pacing.
"Tay, I know you are apprehensive about this, but we cannot really give him a negative answer. For one, Rain's very responsible." Rain's mother pointed out to his husband.
"I know, and we cannot even fault Taylor because there is nothing wrong with focusing on your career. We ourselves were barely there when the twins were growing up. It's all thanks to your parents raising them that they grew up well-mannered and responsible. But I am still apprehensive." Rain's father said
"How about we allow him for now, but we make it clear that this is just a trial period and that he will have to live back home if ever a mistake was made." Rain's mother suggested.
The twins' father sighed. "OK let's go with that."
***
"I asked for permission to stay at our QC condo. It was granted so I'm staying here now. I'll text you the address so you can visit me when you have time." Rain told the inattentive Taylor during a video call the next night.
Taylor did not react so Rain continued, "Since I am staying closer now, I can easily drop by your Makati branch on my school day off. Or your office. Haven't been to your main office come to think of it."
When Rain called, it was a long time before Taylor picked up the call. Taylor also continued working on his laptop and barely spared a glance at him. It was as if Rain's holding a one-sided conversation. He did notice that Taylor looks stressed and a bit thinner compared when Rain last saw him.
When he got no reaction from his statement, he sighed. "Are you listening?"
"Yes." Was all Taylor said.
"And?" Rain asked demanding a lengthier comment.
Taylor sighed as if annoyed. He faced Rain finally and seriously considered his words for a few moments. And then, "If you ask me, I honestly think that it's not a good idea that you asked your parent to live alone."
Disappointed, Rain frowned and sulkily asked, "And why is that?"
"Rain, if you wanted to live alone because you wanted to be independent, that is very acceptable. But your reason is for you to see me whenever you want. Did you even stop to think what your parents think of us because of your actions? Rain, you are no longer a child. You must know that I have responsibilities. I cannot always indulge your need for attention. I would have preferred it if you concentrate more on your studies instead of coming up with ways to always hang out with me." Taylor irritatingly said.
Rain felt his blood boil at this. "Really? Well, I'm sorry I am a disappointment to you. I'm sorry I did not stop to think that my effort to strengthen our relationship will impact your image negatively. I'm sorry I'm being a child that needed attention from my boyfriend who I have not seen for over a month. I'm sorry that you had to always remind me to study hard despite me having excellent grades." Rain paused and breathed heavily.
"It seems you are determined to hurt my feelings today. So, I will hang up now before you came up with more comments about me being unreasonable, irresponsible and childish!" Rain ranted and hanged up.
Taylor stared at his phone's black screen still seeing Rain's angry and upset expression. He placed his thumb and middle finger of his right hand on his temple and massaged it. A headache is forming. However, that pain is nothing compared to the one he's feeling on his chest. He moved his left hand over his chest and slowly rubbed it as if trying to lessen the pain in his heart.
There were no calls or texts from Rain for a few days after that. It was a week after when he heard back from Rain.
***
Rain woke up with a jolt and immediately felt the pain of a splitting headache. He felt hot like he's burning. He clumsily opens the bedside table's lower cabinet to retrieve the first aid box. Upon checking his temp is at 39.8, 'This is not good' he thought. The other day, he started having this bad headache that comes and goes. He can't even sleep properly because the headache will wake him up from time to time. Today he woke up late with a temperature that is steadily rising.
He decided to text Taylor, 'Taylor, I have a fever.', he decided to text just that and then give details when Taylor replies. But 30 minutes passed, and Taylor hasn't texted back.
'I will have to go to the ER myself.' He slowly walked to the bathroom and tried to clean himself up. At the garish illumination of the bathroom, he saw some rashes on his arms. 'This is really not good', he thought. He felt the urgency to go to the ER. He dressed himself up and collected his keys, wallet and phone. However, Rain felt weaker each passing second, eventually, his legs can't seem to support his weight. He's a bit scared now so he sat by the sofa and decided to call River.
As soon as the call pushed through, he said,"River, please take me to the hospital, I'm scared now." After that he lostconsciousness.
YOU ARE READING
If I Let You Go
Romance"So, Rain, baby, just let me do this." He then pulled Rain to stand. "I told you, you do not have to do anything, you do not even have to move." Taylor then stepped closer and caressed Rain's face as he observes every detail of Rain's face. "Just st...
