Between Forever and Nothing

Chapter 10

Chapter 10: "Love is a maze. You take the wrong turn; you end up in a place you never wanted to be."

I am supposed to stay away from you until I get rid of this feeling I have for you. I sighed, looking at his pale face. Kuya Drake phoned me this morning, worried as he couldn't reach DJ. They had been trying to phone him since last night, but there was no answer until it became unreachable. Apparently, they are out of the country and won't be back until the end of the month so there's no way for them to check on him.

Walang pagdadalawang-isip na nagmaneho ako papunta sa unit niya. Using his passcode, I entered his unit and found him sleeping in bed, moaning as though he was in pain. I touched his forehead and grimaced as I realized that he was burning with fever.

After turning down the aircon, pinunasan ko siya para lumabas ang init sa katawan niya. Habang hinuhubad ko ang damit niya ay nagising siya. 

"Cassie?"

"Ang taas ng lagnat mo, DJ. Basa din ng pawis ang likod mo. We need to change your shirt."

Kahit naiilang ay tinulungan ko siyang magpalit ng damit. Unintentionally, I caught sight of his eight-pack abs. I swear I didn't mean to look at his sinfully gorgeous body.

"Kumain ka na ba?"

Nakapikit na umiling siya. His forehead was creased. 

"I'll cook porridge for you. Matulog ka na muna. I'll wake you up when it's ready."

He just made a sound as a response. I went to the kitchen to cook porridge for him. Afterwards, I brought it to his room along with his med and water.  

"DJ?" I called softly, touching his arm. Umungol siya at bahagyang nagmulat ng mga mata.  "You need to eat."

Inalalayan ko siyang umupo. Nilagyan ko ng unan ang likod niya at umupo sa gilid ng kama. "Ito yung laging niluluto ni Mommy para sa akin kapag may sakit ako." Inabot ko ang mangkok. Hinipan ko muna ng bahagya bago siya sinubuan. "It's a little bit hot."

Nakailang subo lang siya at umayaw na. "I'm sorry, but I really don't have an appetite."

Tumango ako at inabot sa kanya ang gamot niya. After taking his med, he lay down again and closed his eyes. 

"May masakit ba sa'yo?" nag-aalalang tanong ko ng mapansin na nakakunot ang noo niya. 

"My head is pounding."

Immediately, I scooted closer to him and started to massage his head gently. My lips parted as he held my hand and murmured, "Feels good. Please stay."

I took a deep breath and continued massaging his head despite the chaos in my heart because of our close proximity. Hindi nagtagal ay nagpantay ang paghinga niya tanda na nakatulog na siya. I sighed and leaned my back against the headboard of his bed, staring at him. 

Marahan kong hinaplos ang makinis niyang mukha. I've liked him for a long time. But back then, there was a clear boundary especially, he didn't even know I existed. Kaya ayos lang na gusto ko siya at kiligin kapag nakikita ko siya. Ayos lang dahil klaro sa akin na walang pag-asa na maging kami.

But by some twist of fate, I got to be part of his world. And it's alarming how my feelings for him get deeper each time. 

Hence, I decided to take a step back. Though it wasn't easy to say 'no' and make up some excuses each time he would invite me out. Tiniis ko kahit mahirap. But it seems Destiny has got another plan. 

Smells so good like DJ. I hugged the pillow tighter, but my eyes flew open as I realized something. Bigla akong napabalikwas ng bangon. Bakit ako ang nakahiga sa kama ni DJ? Ang huling naalala ko ay nakaupo ako sa tabi niya at binabantayan siya.