Secrets and Dreams

Chapter 6 - Caring

Sicheng shuddered from the chill of the early evening and he wrapped his arms around himself, rubbing his hands on his body trying to generate heat through his wet shirt. Taeyong looked at him as they sat together on the bench.

"I'm sorry, this is my all fault," he said with a small pout.

Sicheng found it adorable but held himself in check. "How could this be your fault, you can't control the rain," he retorted, followed by another shiver.

Taeyong noticed it. He inched closer putting his arm around Sicheng and briskly rubbed his body. Sicheng would have felt something other than the chill, but not this time. He was freezing and all of a sudden he sneezed.

"I'll feel very awful if you catch a cold or get sick," Taeyong declared with a taint of guilt in his voice, his brows creasing with worry.

Just then the bus finally arrived and the two hopped on. At least the bus felt warmer than outside. All the way home Taeyong kept fussing over Sicheng, wiping wherever he felt was the most wet with his already damp hanky. Sicheng on the other hand was constantly telling Taeyong he was alright, which the latter ignored.

Their stop came and they alighted the bus, rushing to the condo. Sicheng by this time was already feeling the cold seep in through his body, giving him short uncontrollable chills. Taeyong put his arm around him once more, briskly rubbing wherever he can. If not for the condition Sicheng was in that moment, he would have felt giddy with all the attention Taeyong was giving him. But all he felt was the cold and the beginnings of a gigantic headache.

They finally entered the condo and Sicheng saw the small suitcases already packed and his mother was going to and fro, checking if she left something behind. She didn't seem to notice the two come in.

"Mama," Sicheng called out to his mother. "We're here."

Mrs. Dong Xia looked up and gasped at the sight before her eyes. "Sicheng, what on earth..."

"It rained," was all Sicheng could say, trying to control himself from shivering so his mother won't notice.

"I know that," Mrs. Dong said flatly. "Go quickly and change."

"After I see Taeyong off, I'll go change right away," Sicheng promised. He glanced at Taeyong who was trying to avoid everyone's eyes.

Mrs. Dong's gaze then fell on Taeyong who was looking sheepish with his hands in his pockets. She gave him a shrewd look from head to toe. There was something in her eyes that bothered Sicheng but he was too distracted with controlling his chills to focus.

"You're Sicheng's friend?" Mrs. Dong blinked at Taeyong. A strange expression on her pretty face. Sicheng couldn't help but notice the emphasis on 'you're' and flinched.

"Good evening, Ma'm," Taeyong said as he reached out his hand to Mrs. Dong. "I'm Lee Taeyong, Sicheng's friend. We live down the hall."

Mrs. Dong took Taeyong's hand and gave a hiss. "You're cold as ice. You too young man. You need to change into dry clothes."

Mrs. Dong's gaze shifted from one to the other, lingering on Taeyong. There was a curious glint in her eye again that caught Sicheng's attention. What could she be thinking?