“I can’t understand why you have to help me out like this,” Devon complained. “I could walk all by myself.”
James has his arms around Devon, supporting her while walking. Less than a week after being released from the hospital, Dr. Alvarez has been asking them to return to take additional tests and monitor Devon’s improvement.
“I don’t want you to trip,” James feebly explained.
“I am fine, baby,” Devon defended. She removed James’s hand from her shoulders. “I am fine.” She smiled and gingerly walked to the house.
I think you’re making a mistake, James remembered Dr. Alvarez saying. James pleaded the good doctor not to tell Devon her condition yet. She has to know, Dr. Alvarez told him.
I know, James answered. I just want to be the one to tell her.
Dr. Alvarez did not agree, but James insisted and promised to tell her immediately. James decided to tell Devon’s parents the truth, asking them not to tell their daughter her disease. Nanay Linda cried, while Devon’s father Tatay Tony tried to control his emotions, but was miserably failing.
They have been spending their time with Devon while James works in the office. As much as he wants to take care of Devon, he can’t. Monthly bills won’t go away just because a person is sick.
James followed Devon inside the house. She was already seated on her desk, opening her laptop. James walked and closed the laptop immediately. He knew that Devon would be checking her e-mail, and check her students’ papers and exams.
“No working,” he explained.
Devon stared at James, with an incredulous look in her face. “I told you James, I am feeling fine and great.”
“It is better to be on the safe side,” James weakly answered. He climbed the stairs to their room. Devon hotly followed him. James could sense Devon’s frustrations these past few days. He knows that she is bound to ask him why he is being so protective of her.
“I want to go back to work,” Devon said sharply. She followed James inside the bedroom and was leaning on the doorframe.
James sighed. How much longer could I keep it from her, James thought.
“Not yet,” James said. “Besides you haven’t filed for any vacation leaves yet, this would be the perfect time to use them.”
“I can’t just file for a vacation. It’s the middle of the semester. I just can’t drop my students like that,” Devon explained angrily.
“I just want you to stay home and rest,” James answered back, trying to control his composure. I don’t want to lose you, James wanted to scream.
“I had enough rest already,” Devon defended. “I don’t know what you are so scared of.”
I am scared that the next time you get off a jeep, you would fall and the next car won’t be able to stop on time. I am scared that the next time you leave the house, you won’t be able to make it back¸ James wanted to scream. James wanted to question all the forces in the universe, why this thing happened to both of them.
“I just wanted the best for you,” James was trying so hard to control his emotions.
“What’s best for me physically, emotionally and mentally right now, is to go back to work and just live normally,” Devon replied. “It is as if I have a virus or communicable disease!”
