It felt weird being on the opposite side of the bed - to be the one lying down with an IV feed and some choice wires connected to my body. It felt weird watching people sleep in the most awkward positions from a decent bed. It felt weird that it was her with the view of the top of his head as he napped at her bedside holding her hand.
Na'ko ka, Nicomaine. Be ready for a week's worth of Homily. Panigurado tadtad ka ng sermon.
She tried to extract herself from his hold, carefully pulling her hand, stopping once in a while to check if she woke him up. Just as her bladder was ready to sing in a chorus of joy, his hand tightened around hers.
Tsk. Sayang effort. Just when I thought I could delay ginisang Maine Mendoza...
"You're awake." He said as he tried to blink off the stuppor of a two-hour nap. "Kamusta pakiramdam mo?"
"Ah... Alden ano eh..." She said, fidgeting with the yellow hospital blanket. "Naiihi ako. Can you let go for a bit please?"
He shot up from his seat, quickly making his way to the other side of the bed where the IV drip is and lowered the grills of the bed.
"Let's go. Alalayan na kita." he said, his hand wrapping around her waist.
"A-ano... kaya ko naman?" she gave him a tentative smile.
"Don't push it. May kasalanan ka pa sakin."
Walang lusot, Nicomaine. Simulan mo nang maglambing.
"Sabi ko nga kailangan ko tulong mo eh." She draped an arm across his shoulders as he practically lifted her off the bed. "Aba, Faulkerson. Nakakapag gym ka na ulit? Hindi ka man lang nahirapan buhatin ako sa isang kamay."
"Flattery is not going to help you right now, Nicomaine." he said. "We'll talk later."
Ayay. Ayan na. Umenglish na. May pa 'We'll talk later' na. Dead Nicomaine walking? Any takers? No?
"Galit ka?" she asked quietly. Honestly speaking, she was scared of him when he's mad - everybody is. So, as much as she likes pushing and poking, she's carefull not to cross his lines. This - fainting and getting hospitalized when he's away - is a looooooong way across the line.
She did not get a response so she was left to stare at the side of his face - his tight jaw, straight lips, hard eyes and his stubble.
She missed him. It has been a week and she missed him. They had so much on their plate: teleserye shoots, EB, TVC Shoots, Print Shoots, his mall shows and provincial shows, her fan events and libray tours. They barely had time to text eachother 'good morning' or 'good night' before they were whisked to god knows where. And now this.
Hindi ko rin naman siya masisisi kung galit siya. The last time he saw me was EB Saturday tapos after four days of both of us being busy and him being away for three days, madadatnan niya ko sa ospital. I'd be mad at myself.
"What do you want to eat?" He asked as he helped her up the hospital bed before setting it up so she could sit comfortably. "Bawal ka pa daw sa solids baka isuka mo."
"Can I please have Ramen?" she said meekly.
"Sige I'll go ask Mama Ten."
"RJ." She gripped on the sleeve of his hoodie when he made a move to stand and leave. "Dito ka lang please."
"Andiyan lang si Mama Ten sa labas. Papakiusapan ko lang."
"RJ..."
He sighed. "Sige itetext ko na lang. Ramen lang ba?"
She nodded.
"Sorry na."
"What are you sorry for?" he asked, not looking up from his phone.
"For not taking care of myself when you were away. Sorry na. Masyado lang kasi busy talaga so much that I forgot to grab a bite the whole day."
"Hindi naman ako galit. Disappointed lang. Because you know better. Mas kilala mo ang katawan mo kesa sa kahit kanino. You know you have the tendency to faint and yet hindi ka man lang nagsabi kila Patchy at Oreo na paalalahanan ka kumain. Wait no, erase. Because they did remind you pero ang lagi mong sagot mamaya na hanggang sa ayan nahimatay ka. Dehydrated na over fatigued pa."
"Sorry na..." She scooted to the side of the bed and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Bawi na lang ako. Don't be mad na."
He exhaled, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, his free hand cradling her head. "Pinagalala mo ko, Menggay. Akala ko ano na nangyari sa'yo. Isang linggo tapos magkikita tayo sa ospital pa."
She buried her face further into his chest mumbling her apology.
"Alam mo talaga hindi lang kita kayang tiisin eh." He ran his hand through her hair. "Hay, baby girl. What am I going to do with you?"
She looked up at him with a big smile. "Mahalin."
"That goes without saying, Ma." he chuckled. "Ang keso mo."
"Huwaw. Coming from you."
"I love cheese."
A/N:
Number four na!
Gulat ba kayo? Ako kasi nagugulat sa sarili ko na napapanindigan ko 'to eh.
Hahahahahahuhu.
So far naeenjoy ko naman siya - hapoy to be able to write again :)
