Cyrus still can't get over the fact that he kissed Lena last night. He even went to work the next day to get it off of his mind, but Martin told him to rest. Pinauwi siya nito. Ayos din naman sa kanya. Nabibwisit kasi siya sa pagmumukha ni Martin.
He thought of visiting Lena, but he later decided not to. He might do something stupid again. Baka wala na siyang mukhang maiharap dito pagkatapos. So instead of sulking in his own house, he went to his parents' house instead. Naabutan niya roon ang bunsong kapatid na si Cadence.
"Kuya!"
Patakbo itong yumakap sa kanya.
"Wala kang pasok?"
"Later pa. Why are you here? Are you sick? You're burning up!" Hinila siya nito papasok ng bahay at saka pinaupo. Then she went up the second floor to call their mother.
As usual, may hawak na namang panlinis ang mommy niya. That's why their house is always clean and spotless. Napakasipag kasi nitong maglinis. A trait that he didn't fully inherit.
After giving him a hug, his mom went to the kitchen to make him some soup. Ang kapatid naman niya ay kumuha ng bimpo at mainit na tubig. Itinapal nito ang basang bimpo sa noo niya kahit nagpumilit siyang huwag na. Cadence also got the thermometer from the medicine cabinet and tucked it under his tongue. Sumimangot ito nang makita ang temperatura niya.
"Uminom ka na ba ng gamot, kuya?"
"I did. Yesterday."
His sister pursed her lips. "Ang tigas-tigas ng ulo mo. Gusto mo pa bang lumala muna 'yang sakit mo bago ka uminom ng gamot? You should take your medicine every 6 hours until you're feeling okay! And drink some hot orange juice!"
He made a face. His youngest sister can be so bossy sometimes. Maalaga kasi ito, at ayaw na ayaw nitong may nagkakasakit sa pamilya.
"I'd rather have ice cream."
"No ice cream until you're well."
"You can't argue with her," his mom said with a smile. Dinama nito ang leeg niya at saka ito umiling. "How long have you been sick?"
"Uhm... three days?"
"Tapos hindi ka man lang nagsabi?"
"Ma, I'm already 24. I can handle a little fever."
"Clearly," his sister said sarcastically. Inilagay nito ang dalawang kamay sa balikat niya. Then she put her chin on top of them. "Nga pala, Kuya. When will you introduce your girlfriend to us?"
His mother sat beside him and waited for his answer. They were all happy when his dad told them that he was dating again. And when Julie showed them Lena's picture, they became more eager to meet her.
"Soon. Kapag okay na 'yong paa nya." He told them about her little accident yesterday, minus the kiss and his outburst. Suddenly, their concern went out to Lena.
"Kumusta na sya ngayon?"
Nagkibit-balikat siya. Hindi pa niya ito naku-kontak simula kahapon. Cadence urged him to call Lena. Kinulit siya nito nang kinulit until he gave in. He was half-expecting to hear Martin's voice again.
Galit na galit siya kahapon nang marinig ang boses nito. It just pissed him off that he's with Lena when he should have been there with her. He promised her that he won't let her fall and break but that's just what happened and he wasn't even there to prevent it.
Tulog kasi siya nang tumawag ito kaya hindi niya iyon kaagad nasagot.
"Lena?"
His sister pressed her ear on the phone to listen.
