Breathless (Book 1&2)

Breathless #50

Breathless #50
Cloud
Cambridge, England

I pulled my jacket as I walked through the veranda. I'm cold not because of the weather but because of flu I've caught three days ago. She handed me a hot cup of Earl Grey tea, the aroma somehow eased my uncomfortable feeling.

"I told you, you don't have to do these things." I whispered as I took a sip from what she gave me.

"I want to do it. I've told you before that I care for you, haven't I?" She simply replied and offered me another cup, I shook my head as I refused "Did you call her?" she asked again.

"It's none of your bus-" I immediately looked at her as she shouted in shock.

"BLOODY HELL!" I saw her wiping her hand after accidently pouring the hot tea on it.

"You should be more careful!" I hissed and handed her a napkin.

"You should worry more." She teased; I didn't reply "Anyway, I think you should call her. Leaving someone hanging is a hard thing, you know. I'll be back later, I'll cook for you, okay?" and with that she left my flat.

I was sneezing and I feel that the heat in my body rises as I exposed myself outside. Naglakad ako pabalik ng kwarto saka sinara ang pinto sa may veranda. I took the liberty to call Noreen as I rested my head on my headboard.

Agad niyang sinagot ang tawag ko, as expected from her.

"CLOUD!" rinig kong sabi niya "Cloud, Cloud I miss you so much!" sunod-sunod niyang sabi and I can hear from her voice that she was about to cry.

"I miss you too, terribly..." sagot ko saka pumikit "I'm sorry for not calling you early." I added.

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Noreen
Manila, Philippines

Hindi ko na namalayan ang sunod-sunod na pagtulo ng mga luha ko. Ninamnam ko ang mga sandali na naririnig ko ulit ang boses niya "H-Hey, still there?" tanong niya and I nodded na akala mo nasa harap ko lang siya. "H-Hey!"

"Yap, still here." Sagot ko saka ngumiti pagkatapos kong punasan ang mga luha ko.

"How are you?" he asked.

"Surviving?" hindi sure na sagot ko.

"N-Noreen..."

"A-Ah but don't worry. I'm fine and I know kahit wala na si Dad, he will still watch over us."

"I'm sorry for not making it." Hingi niya ulit ng tawad "I was busy."

"I know." Sagot ko saka sinandal ang sarili sa headboard saka tumingin sa ceiling "It's been hard but I managed to survive until now." I was waiting for him to speak pero narinig ko lang ang pag-ubo niya "Are you okay?" I asked him.

"Flu." Maikli niyang sagot.

"Have you taken your meds?" I asked him again, much worried.

"Don't worry about me." Sagot niya agad.

"How can't I? Wala kang kasama diyan na pwedeng mag-alaga sa iyo!" And there was a sudden awkward silence between us. I don't know why kaya nagsalita ulit ako "Do you want me to go there? Since Dad is not around anymore-"

"No." agad niyang putol sa pagsasalita ko "N-No, I think you should think about yourself first. You have to rest; I know it's been hard for you. I wished I was there." Napayuko ako matapos marinig ang mga sinabi niya  "I can manage somehow. You don't h-have to worry." And he coughed again.

Gusto ko pa siyang kausapin ng matagal pero halata sa boses niya na nahihirapan na siya. I want to talk longer, I want to ask him na mag-usap kami via video call because I really want to see his face pero alam kong it was too bothersome at the moment. Pagod siya at may sakit, siguro sa sobrang pagod sa pag-aaral.