Love At First Steps

Chapter 5: Scar's Suitor

POV: SCARLETT

As the week went by, Jaycee continued to visit Scarlett at her dorm, checking up on her, bringing her food, and making sure she was recovering properly. Scarlett's condition slowly improved, and by the end of the week, she was feeling well enough to be back to her normal self.

________________________________

As Scarlett returned back to class, she was greeted by her friends Shanaiah and Maiah, who were clearly teasing her about something.

"Anong feeling na may personal nurse ka?" Maiah asked with a smirk.

Scarlett rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth at the thought of Jaycee taking care of her. She knew her friends were teasing her, but there was a truth to their words. Jaycee had been taking care of her for the past week.

Maiah and Shanaiah continued their teasing, nudging each other and sharing grins.

"Seriously, though," Shanaiah said, still grinning. "Jaycee was practically glued to your side while you were sick. Umabsent siya para alagaan ka."

Scarlett's annoyance flared up as she recalled the conversation with Jaycee. "That's right, Maiah," she said, narrowing her eyes at her cousin. "Ikaw nag sabi kay Jaycee na alagaan ako. Ikaw ang may dahilan bat absent siya sa class."

Maiah chuckled sheepishly. "Wag mo ako sisihin," she said, holding up her hands. "I was just trying to help. May sakit ka, at nag-aalala si Jaycee kasi wala ka non. I just thought that maybe having someone to take care of you would be good for you."

Scarlett crossed her arms, still annoyed. "I appreciate the concern, pero diko naman need na may mag alaga sakin ng isang linggo. Kaya ko naman sarili ko."

Maiah rolled her eyes, clearly not buying it. "Scarlett. Hindi kanga makakatayo pag nagkasakit ka tapos aalagaan mo sarili mo?, Tsaka manliligaw mo naman si Jaycee kaya okay lang yun."

Scarlett blushed slightly at the mention of Jaycee being a suitor. She couldn't deny that she had been touched by Jaycee's concern and tenderness towards her while she was sick.

But she quickly pushed the feeling aside and focused on her irritation at Maiah. "Well, di niya naman kailangan umabsent para lang alagaan ako."

"Oh, come on," Maiah said, rolling her eyes once again. "Ginusto mo rin na alagaan ka niya. Wag mo na ideny."

Before Scarlett could respond to Maiah, Jaycee suddenly appeared, interrupting their conversation.

"Hii, Ano pinag uusapan niyo?" she asked, looking between Maiah, Shanaiah, and Scarlett.

As Jaycee approached, Scarlett found it difficult to hold back her emotions. She was still annoyed at Maiah and Shanaiah for their teasing, and yet seeing Jaycee made her heart flutter with a mix of conflicting feelings.

"Wala dun ka muna sa far away naiinis ako sayo," Scarlett said, perhaps a little too abruptly, gesturing for Jaycee to go away.

Jaycee looked surprised and slightly hurt by Scarlett's words, not understanding the reason behind her harsh tone.

"What do you mean na naiinis ka?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. "May ginawa ba akong mali?"

Scarlett took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She knew that she was being unnecessarily harsh to Jaycee, and that the hurt look on her face was making her feel guilty.