He had his arms folded across his chest even if they were just seated on the couch. He told her he was not feeling very well. He had been sneezing and sniffling for the past couple of days. They both tried to think of possible causes for his sudden malaise.
They sat through the interview with him trying his very best to look okay. Good thing the interviewer was quick and the topic, light, so it was over in no time. She immediately stood up and thanked the interviewer and his crew and ushered them out the door. She locked the door as soon as they stepped out.
When the coast was clear, he immediately plopped down on the sofa and laid down; his hands in between his thighs. She approached him and felt his neck and forehead again. He was warmer than normal and he was shaking slightly, a sign of slight chills.
She took a jacket that was hanging on the costume rack on one side and draped it over him. Then, she cuddled him so that she could share a little body heat.
".....how do you feel?" she asked.
".....a little cold...." he replied.
She rubbed his back with her hand.
A few minutes later, a knock on the door broke their silence. She stood up and attended to it. A crew was on the other side and she asked if they were needed; they weren't, but the others were just concerned that they both had not reappeared from inside the room after the interview. She briefly explained their situation and asked for a few more minutes and some medicine for him.
The crew returned with a bottle of water and a tablet which she immediately gave him. He sat up with the jacket still draped on his back. He leaned toward her and rested his head on her shoulder when she sat beside him.
"...kaya mo ba?" she asked.
"....dito muna tayo...." he pleaded.
"Okay....pahinga ka muna...." she said as she gently patted his face.
A few more minutes and he sneezed; Hard. Then, he sneezed again, in succession this time. She handed him some tissues. She looked at him and noticed that his eyes were turning red and watery.
"...uwi na tayo..." she said.
"....may recording pa...." he remembered.
"....kaya mo?" she asked.
"....kaya pa naman...." he said.
"....magpalit ka ng damit.....then uwi na tayo after recording..." she demanded.
"....yes...." he agreed.
They finished their work and as promised,
"....see you sa bahay...." he said.
"....what do you want to eat?" she asked.
"....sabaw...." he replied.
"....okay....I'll see you at home...." she affirmed.
"Ha?" he said.
"Ha." she smiled.
She kissed him on the cheek and went home. A few minutes later, he left the studios.
"Kuya, condo....Ma, uwi na kayo after.....paki-ayos nalang nung ibang gamit ko.....text kita mamaya kung anong mangyayari bukas...."
