TIARA'S POV
After a week of avoiding Jason, It's the weekend. I was in my room, trying to study but constantly battling conflicting thoughts. I felt that Jason might be telling the truth, yet Sharon's words kept echoing in my mind, making it hard to concentrate.
In the late afternoon, my aunty knocked on my door and came in, her expression full of concern. "Tiara, you've been in here all day. What's going on?"
I sighed, putting my books aside. "Aunty, I just... I don't know what to do."
She sat down next to me, listening intently as I poured out everything that had happened over the past week. When I finished, she gave me a thoughtful look.
"Tiara, sometimes our feelings can cloud our judgment, but they can also guide us to the truth. You need to listen to your heart and decide what you believe. Trust is essential in any relationship. If you think Jason is being honest, give him a chance. But if you're not ready, that's okay too."
I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. "Thanks, Aunty. I just don't want to get hurt."
"I know, dear. But you'll never know if you don't take a chance." She hugged me and then stood up. "I'm heading to my night duty now. Is Janet coming over for the sleepover?"
"Yeah, she is," I replied. "There's food in the kitchen, right?"
"Yes, I made sure there's enough for both of you. Have a good night, and don't overthink things too much." With that, she left, leaving me alone with my thoughts again.
Around 7 pm, Janet called. "Tiara, we're outside the gate, and we've been honking for a while, but no one is answering."
I grabbed my umbrella and hurried outside, finding the gateman asleep. He apologized and opened the gate. To my surprise, Janet wasn't alone—Jason was with her. I noticed that Jason looked pale and shivery. "Jason, you don't look well. Are you okay?"
Janet jumped in. "I insisted that he came with me. I couldn't leave him alone at home like this. Plus, I thought your aunty might be able to help since she's a nurse."
I felt a pang of worry. "She's not around, she left a while ago, but please come inside."
He hesitated but then nodded, Janet and I led him inside. I quickly called my aunty and explained the situation. "Aunty, Jason's here, and he's really sick. He's got a severe cold. What should I do?"
She gave me clear instructions. "First, make sure he's warm. Give him some hot tea or soup. Check if he has a fever and keep him hydrated. If his fever is high, you can give him some paracetamol from the first-aid kit. Make sure he rests, you can prepare the guest room for him."
I thanked her and hung up, then turned to Jason. "Let's get you settled. Come with me."
We got Jason comfortable in the guest room, covered him with a warm blanket, and I made him some hot tea. Janet and I took turns checking his temperature and making sure he stayed hydrated. After a while, his fever started to come down, and he seemed more stable.
When I checked on Jason, I noticed he was starting to wake up. His eyes fluttered open, and he looked at me with a mix of gratitude and exhaustion.
"Thank you, Tiara," he said weakly, his voice rough from the cold. "Thank you for taking care of me. And I'm sorry for being here, I know you didn't want me around."
I shook my head, feeling a pang of guilt. "All that matters is that you get better, Jason. I'm happy you're okay."
He gave a small, tired smile. "I appreciate that. I really do."
