Next To Me

9. Maine's Room

Ang bait ni mokong ah! Anong nangyari dun? Nawala yung kayabangan n'ya tapos pinakain pa ko ng dinner. And okay naman pala siya. In fairness, masarap yung adobo nya. And may dimples pala sya. Ang cute! Hihi. Ang dilim kasi kanina kaya di ko masyadong napansin tsaka ang sarap nga kasi ng pagkain. Sayang, may pakape pa sana. Ang sarap sana samantalahin ng pagiging mabait n'ya today which seldom happens kaso baka isipin n'ya abusado ako. Or is it just the rain and darkness? Baka mamaya pag maliwanag na ulit, balik nanaman yung sungay nun!

"Achoo! Ah...choo!" She grabbed some tissue to wipe her nose. She's starting to feel shivers and her sinus is aching.

Ugh! Sinisipon na ko.

She prepared to go to bed, brushed her teeth and cleaned her face.
She went under the blankets and tightly hug herself with it to fight off the cold.

Maine woke up with a searing headache. She put her palm over her forehead and felt it hot. She knew this is coming. She has fever now. The rain yesterday totally got to her. She didn't even take a medicine for her cold last night even though RJ reminded her.
She stood up and went to her pill box at the cabinet but there was nothing for fever. She only have meds for common cough and cold and stomach pain which will do nothing in her situation now. She almost slumped on the floor with the way she's feeling now. Her knees were wobbly and her vision is going in circles. She pulled some sweater and a bonnet for her head to heat up herself.

She decided once again to seek help from RJ. She managed to get to his (newly converted)friendly neighbor's door. She knocked a few times but no one's answering.

"R-RJ.. Please help..." She said weakly as she leaned on the wall. Getting up and walking to the hallway really drained her energy. She almost gave up and wanted to cry.

"Maine!" A voice from behind her.

RJ was shocked with the way she looked. Pale, weak and shivering.

Her droopy eyes were already tearful and she almost fell from her knees upon seeing him. "RJ..." She mumbled.

He immediately went to her rescue and walked her back to her room. He put his arm on her waist and her arm over his shoulder to support her then headed to her bed. He felt her shaking as he aid her.

"Higa ka muna. Ang init mo. Sabi ko sa'yo kagabi diba uminom ka ng gamot." He pushed her legs on the bed and covered her with blanket.

"Wala akong para sa fever.." Maine replied.

"Tingnan mo, mukha kang pupunta sa Baguio, naka-bonnet ka pa." He saw her yellow bonnet with a Baguio City on it and almost wanted to laugh at it.

It was really just the rain and darkness. May pagkabwisit ka pa rin. She thought, but grateful upon his rescue. Really grateful.

He got some face towel and basin and filled it with water and went to her bedside.

"Pupunasan lang kita ha, tapos I'll get you medicine and something to eat." He said as he wipes her face and arms gently.
"Dito ka lang. Babalik lang ako ng convenient store."

She tugged his arm even before he stood up.

"Thanks again. Ang dami ko nang utang sa'yo..."

"Both were emergency situations naman so wag mo na iconsider na utang yun. Tsaka di naman ako naniningil. I'm happy to help you. Higa ka lang, lalabas na ko."

"Nandyan sa ibabaw ung purse ko, get some money for my medicine."
She said pointing aimlessly somewhere above her head as she closed her eyes tightly, she must be feeling the pain drilling in her head.

RJ looked dumbly at where she's pointing because it was just walls there. She's really not feeling good for her to do a gesture like that. He went back to her bedside and tightened her blanket and fixed the towel on her forehead. He almost wanted to kiss that forehead out of pity but stopped himself. "I'm going, but I'll be back." He whispered.

When he got back, Maine is already in her slumber. She's shaking from time to time so he decided to wake her up.

"Maine, kain ka muna then inom ka ng gamot."

She opened her eyes a bit and managed to form a weakly smile. "You're back.."

"Of course. I got you ramen para mainitan ang sikmura mo and Gatorade for energy and your medicine. Here, sit up." He prepared her meal then asked "kaya mo ba?"

"Yes.." *sniffs* she sat cross-legged and reached for the spoon and fork. He reached for her face with tissues on hand. Maine immediately grabbed the tissue and wiped her nose herself. "Thanks.."

Akala ko makakalusot na. It's not hard to take care of you, you know.

He just sat there as he watched her getting her fill. He is amused with the way she take in every spoonful of food. The way she gently grabbed the spoon. The way her mouth blew first, forming an O, and her plump lips as she take in her fill.

"Gusto mo?" She said as she stopped short with the spoon.

"Ah.. No. Kumain ka lang d'yan. Here. Gatorade para magkaenergy ka. And don't forget your medicine." He said as he pushed the items in a plastic bag to her.

"Heh. Thank you again. Don't worry I won't forget my meds na." She said then continued with her ramen.

RJ stood up and head for the door.

"Saan ka pupunta?" She asked.

"Babalik lang sa kwarto ko. I'll be back in  a bit."

"Ok. Thank you again." She gave him another sweet smile.

RJ smiled back then rushed to his room. He raked his hands through his hair feeling confused than ever. She has easily wormed her way to his heart somehow. It's like he wanted to take care of her, but there's something that's stopping him from doing so. Her.

She only asked for help twice because they were emergencies. With those two instances, he got caught by her charms. Her sweet smile, and the way she always run to him like he's the only person she needed. But those were just two instances. He decided to wait in the coming days, but he'll sure hold on to his feelings. Besides, he wanted to be sure this time. He doesn't want another heartache that would take another five years to heal.

He went back to check on her. She's already sleeping. The bowl and utensils she used were beside her. He saw that she took the medicine and drank half of the energy drink.

He fixed her blanket up to her neck. Moved some stray hair on  her face and replaced the towel on her head. She really is beautiful. He thought as he took a long good look at her face. Maine shifted a bit and that pulled RJ from his thoughts.

As he looked a his surroundings, he noticed everything were in disarray. Then, he felt his obsessive-compulsive is kicking in. He moved some of her things that were strewn on the floor, arranged them properly and took away the trash. He even washed her dishes that's been on the sink probably since yesterday. He went on to cleaning her room.

When he was satisfied with the orderliness he made, he slumped on the floor, looking at Maine. She's sleeping peacefully. Her breathing steady. He went near her and fixed the towel on her forehead again. Slightly brushing her cheeks with the back of his fingers. Her warm cheeks. Her fever hasn't gone down yet.