Nagising ako na parang ang sakit ng ulo at ng pakiramdam ko at parang ang bigat ng katawan ko. Nang tiningnan ko ang oras sa cellphone ko lampas 9 PM. Biglang nagpanic ako—talaga bang natulog ako ng buong araw?
"Bakit ba ako nagkakasakit?" bulong ko sa sarili ko, I rub my forehead to lessen the pain. Nagiging physically sick ba ako dahil sa selos?
It's ridiculous, right? Tumayo ako mula sa kama at naglakad palabas ng kwarto ko I headed in the kitchen so I can get a water so that I can drink my medicine.
As I getting my meds in my medicine kit
bigla narinig ko ang tunog ng pintuan, at ang mga yapak ni Lan sa hallway.
My heart raced at the thought of Lan being home. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the fluttering in my chest.
“Xian?” Lan called out, his voice echoing through the condo. “Here!” I replied, forcing a myself to act normal even though I still felt a bit off.
" Are you done eating dinner?" he ask, I just shake my head to answer him. I slightly stubble in my feet luckily he immediately catch me.
" how are you? are you sick?" he ask, worry plastered in his face.
“Slight fever but I’m… okay,” I lied, trying to keep my tone light
Lan studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. “You sure? let go in your room so that you can rest”
I slightly nodded to him.
Lan carefully tucked me in, adjusting the blanket around my shoulders with a tenderness that made my heart flutter despite my discomfort. His hand rested briefly on my forehead, I closed my eyes, savoring the warmth of his touch.
“ slight fever it is” he murmured, his brow furrowed with worry. “I will make you some soup it might help.”
“No,” I blurted out, grabbing his hand tightly, my fingers entwining with his.
“Please don’t go.” The vulnerability in my voice surprised even me, but I couldn't help it. I needed him here with me as the comfort I craved.
He looked down at our hands, then back at my face, his expression softening. “Xian, I’ll be right back. I promise. You need to eat something.”
“I don’t want soup,” I insisted, feeling a mix of stubbornness and longing. “I just want you to stay with me for a little while.”
Lan sighed and settled down on the edge of my bed, his presence is enough for me to get better. ito ba ang gamot sa selos?
We stay in comfortable silence for a moment, the only sound is our steady breathing. Just then, I noticed my eyelids growing heavy. “I think I’m going to sleep,” I murmured, fighting back a yawn.
“Get some rest. I’ll be right here,” he said, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze before gently pulling it away. I felt a pang of disappointment at the loss of his warmth but knew it was for the best.
“Okay,” I whispered, closing my eyes.
As I drifted off, I felt his presence beside me
