Crumbled

Ten.

The rain has stopped after two days of an endless downpour.

The mighty sun is shining brightly at 10:00 in the morning with its heat covering the entire district of Marilog.

And yet, Richard - still tucked in under two layers of bed sheets - woke up with an itchy throat, runny nose, and throbbing pain in the between his eyes.

Even with a massive headache that has been going on for the last 48 hours, he kept himself busy with work. Despite the weather, regular customers of Rosario's made sure not to miss a night off. People sure pilled up, especially last night.

And he assumed that his headache was simply because of the busy stressful nights at work.

But obviously not.

It was because of what happened two days ago when he was left standing alone on the rooftop of the Mendoza's staring at the horizon under a heavy rain.

It took him about nearly half an hour before he decided to take a step and head home.

He felt stupid for waiting.

Again.

And he hasn't seen her since that day.

Susmaryosep, parang binibiyak ang ulo ko!

He decided to take the day off and called Kenneth to take in charge of the bar for the night.

When he realized he doesn't have any medicine and even food stored in the fridge, he knew he needed some help.

So, he called Nico.

"Hello?"

"Nyelo, Nyico. Bushy nga ba? Nashaan ka? Panyuyo naman."

Instead of a concerned response, he heard a hearty laugh from the other line.

"HOY NICO!"

"Ay, pare. Sorry! Hahahaha! Good morning! Bakit ngo-ngo ka? Hahahaha! May sakit ka noh?"

He grabbed a tissue and blew his nose before he answered back.

"Gago ka, pinagtawanan mo pa ko!"

"Sorry na! Anong ipapasuyo mo?"

"Busy ka ba? Nasaan ka?"

"Nandito lang ako sa bahay, hindi pa busy. Ano nga yon?"

"Wala pala kasi akong gamot at pagkain dito sa bahay. Hindi naman ako makalabas. Pasuyo naman, pare. Pabili ng gamot at pagkain. Kahit lugaw lang."

"Ah ganun ba? Sige sige, walang problema. Dalhin ko na lang dyan. Pahinga ka muna."

"Sige. Salamat, pare. Labyu!"

"Leche!"

He ended the call and let out a laugh. He knew he can always count on him.

He decided to went back to bed while waiting for Nico. He is feeling worst. The weather outside was beautiful and the sun looked extra hot that morning, but he felt like tucking himself under layers and layers of thick sheets.

He was coughing and sneezing simultaneously. His eyes are watery and his head felt like there's a tootache inside his brain.

He was feeling drowsy and almost half asleep when he heard the doorbell rang.

Nico. Finally.

"Nics, tuloy! Bukas yan. Dito ako sa kwarto!"

He couldn't even get up to get the door.

He was tucked under his sheets when he heard light footsteps walking in.

He expected Nico to walk straight to his room to bring him the meds and a bowl of lugaw. But instead, he heard him opening the fridge and as if he was working on the kitchen.