The Marriage Contract

11

KABANATA XI

H A I D E N

"Opo pa, napadala ko na po 'yong pera kay ate," Yuan uttered, talking to someone on his phone.

My head still hurts from the fever, I just stared at him, standing beside the window. He had this worried expression on his face.

Fuck! My head throbbed. Nawala na ang atensyon ko kay Yuan.

When he saw me massaging my temples, he immediately walked towards the bed to check up on me.

"Okay ka lang?" he asked, putting his phone in his pocket. Hinaplos niya ang aking noo, maybe to check if the fever is still there.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako nagkasakit bigla, maybe from the stress I've gotten lately.

He caressed my forehead. His warm hand felt like comfort.

This is the first time in a while someone cared for me. It felt new. It felt genuine—free from obligation.

"I'm fine," I answered as I rested my head upon the pillow. He stood for a while, his eyes scanning my body.

After scanning me, he left the room.

I hate this. Punyetang sakit 'to. Sinara ko ang mata ko at sinubukang matulog kaso hindi talaga ako makatulog.

Foot steps walked inside the room. I was sure it was Yuan but when I opened my eyes, I saw a different person. Someone from my past...

She walked closer, offering me a bowl of soup. She had this unusual grin on her face. The shock made my body react, pushing her away.

"Aray!"

Wait...

"Yuan?"

"Arrgghh! Init!"

Oh fuck, I was hallucinating! Freaking fever!

Nilapitan ko si Yuan, kumuha ako ng tissue para punasan ang sopas na natapon sa kaniya. Hinila ko na rin siya sa banyo, aiding it first with cold water.

Bright painful red was painted on his arms. His skin screaming in agony.

"I'm really really sorry," I apologized while putting bandage on the burned area. Tinulungan na rin kami ni Manang Sally.

I feel like my fever has cooled down because of this.

"Okay na, dapat pala pinalamig ko unti 'yung sopas," aniya.

"No, it was totally my fault, no need to take accountability for this."

He looked at me with a smile. That smile is a bit tricky. Ngumiti na lang ako pabalik.

"Parang tanga, huwag ka ngang ngumiti!" he laughed, slapping my arm.

"What? I just smiled!" I'm so confused but still laughed with him.

"Nakakakilabot kasi, oh siya! Ikaw naman ang magpahinga do'n." He pushed me. I just shrugged and laid in my bed, just like he ordered.

I can't believe memories of her still haunt me to this day. She might be the ghost of me. I thought I had already moved on from her.

Luckily, the fever cooled down the next day and I regained some energy. It was all thanks to Yuan.

I guess marriage isn't bad at all.

Pero hindi ko pa rin matanggap na sa lalaki ako ipinakasal ni Dad. It was totally unexpected. Though Yuan is great choice, it's still a different experience when it comes to women.