Something More

Care

Pentecost Sunday

Imee Therese's POV:

"Thank God, you're okay."

Anthony, stricken with a slight fever, is resting on my bed.

"I thought that you have a great sickness and something. I'm so worried about you."

"Thanks for the concern, Imee. But I'm gonna be fine, don't worry." Anthony smiles to calm me down. "I just have some dizzy spells this morning..."

"Well, did you do something that makes you dizzy?" I ask him more. "I mean I didn't see you anything bad that will harm you..."

"Actually, yes. You see...remember what happened this morning...that Father Jean called me?" Anthony explains. "After the mass, I was helping him deliver some goods to the orphanage nearby. I didn't bring a umbrella so I was soaking wet when it rained hard...I was about to return back to your room when that little kid stole the handbag. I was trying to intervene with him...when you came in."

"Well, I told you that the way you're doing the talking...that's not the way you deal with kids..." I winked to my love. "But...I'm wondering...how come that you had such sickness...I know that policeman can endure some least extreme conditions, right?"

"Yes, milady. But...to tell you the truth, Imee, sometimes my body can't take much work that policemen usually do." Anthony confesses to me. "I remember back when I was doing operations to combat drug cartels...when suddenly, I felt myself weakening...there's nobody shooting me but there's a stinging feeling...as if a barrage of bullets has just hit my body. Before I knew it, I collapsed...and I was diagnosed with some random sickness...I had a slight fever...just like now...but I was warned...that if it happened again, I could be paralyzed..."

"Oh, I see." I was saddened by his story. "Sorry to hear that, Anthony."

"No, don't apologize, Imee. Perhaps, I was born somewhat weak to do all the things that I wanted to do. I mean...being a policeman is my biggest dream but...sigh..."

"Come on, don't be sad, my love." I smiled to cheer him up. "Remember what I said to you about myself...that I regard my frail body as a blessing and utilize what is left in me? Perhaps you'be already forgot about that..."

"Huh? No! No! No! I'm not forgetting anything." Anthony wave
his hands in denial. "But...I want to be stronger to take care of you and to protect you..."

"And now, you're sick?!" I pouted at him and take a deep sigh. "Please, Anthony, don't push yourself."

Immediately, Anthony sat up from my bed and hugged me...to calm me down.

"I'm sorry, Imee...I made you worry so much. You are supposed to be happy and jolly just like you've used to but...because I've became sick..."

"Huh? Wha-what are you talking about? I'm always happy...but you're my source of happiness so that's why I worry about you...."

Upon hearing this, Anthony lets go of me...so he could see me smile.

"Okay...how about we pray together...so God will give you the strength that you need."

"Yes, certainly." Anthony smiles back at me. "Thank you, Imee."

We closed our eyes and silently uttered a personal prayer...I prayed to Our Good Lord that He will give Anthony strength to fulfill all the responsibilities for me, for my friends, to Father Jean, and for the church as a part-time cathecist. It took a while to say all of our intentions to God before we resumed our talk...

"Are you feeling better now, Anthony?"

"Well, yes. Thanks for taking care of me, Imee." I saw my love's brightest smile towards me.

"Huh? Wha-what do you mean? Hehehe!" His smile make me blush and stutter my words. "I didn't make medicines, soup and stuff!"

"Oh, silly Imee. Not like that. Hehehe!" Anthony chuckles to my blushing face. "Your presence always reminds me of God, it's like He's worrying about me..."

That make my frown upside down...

"Well, God has emotions, you know? Hehehe!" I replied to him and giggled. "When you achieved great things, He will be celebrating for you; if you lost and sick, He's sad and wants to cheer you up. It's just like a human person, God will always be there and supports you, and helps you make a great plan...for He always wants you to be a stronger, better and wiser person."

"Yes, it's true."

And that's when the door of my room opened....there, I saw Catherine and Evangeline enter the room, carrying some food and medicines.

"Hello, Imee!" Catherine smiles at us. "I hear that your boyfriend is sick so we brought something to make him cured."

"Huh? How do you know about that?" Anthony and I are startled. I mean we're just the two of us when Anthony collapsed.

"Well, I kinda sense it. Hehehe!" Evangeline replies and giggled. "Didn't he tell you that I saw him working overnight earlier after putting you to bed?"

"Hmm!" I pouted Anthony, he hide something from me. "You're lying, huh? You just make another sin to God!"

"Oh...ehehehe, my bad."

Laughter filled my room, as my two friends take turns of tendering my sick love. I can't stop myself from smiling...back then, Anthony is very worried about me everytime I got sick or fainted....he's doing what is best to cure me. Now, he's being rewarded by God for his deeds...being tendered by me...and the friends that I've meet because of him.

"Imee! Anthony!"

I looked towards the door of my room and I saw Father Jean and Joshua entering to see what is happening inside.

"What are you all doing he-ooh." Father Jean saw my love lying in bed, sick. "I knew this will happen! I'm so sorry, Anthony! I shouldn't let you work for so long!"

"Hehehe! It's okay, Father. It's just an isolated case." Anthony replies with a smile to cheer Father Jean up. "Don't worry, I will make myself stronger so I could help more with you without being sick."

"Thanks, sonny." Father Jean pats Anthony's head in gratitude. "Perhaps, it's time to tell you my story..."

"Hmm? What for?"

"Just wait patiently, dear." Father Jean now patted my head. "Perhaps you could learn a lesson from my story."