His Slave

Chapter 17

I'm already standing at his doorstep as I was nervously taping my feet on the floor. Iwan ko na lang kaya 'to dito sa labas ng pintuan niya. Pero parang bastos ko naman kung ganon. At kailangan ko ring siguraduhin na matatanggap niya 'to. Tawagan ko na lang kaya? Agad kong kinuha ang cellphone ko sa aking bag. "Batt empty. Nice one Aiah."

So, no other option then. I breathe deeply as I pressed the doorbell.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

As I hit the doorbell again. And I counted again, five seconds have passed. Still no answer. Wala bang tao?

I was about to pressed the button when the door opened. "Gin--"

"A-Aiah?" malumanay niyang sagot. He was only wearing his boxer short, again.

"Ah ano kasi, may pinapabigay si Sir Cabral. Eto, oh." sabay abot ko sa kanya ng folder.

"Hindi ka kasi pumasok. Kailangan mo 'yan for the upcoming tests. S-Sige ha. Alis na 'ko."

Nang bigla nlng siyang bumagsak sa sahig. "Gin!" nilapitan ko siya. "Ok ka lang?" sabay alalay ko sa kanya para makatayo. At ramdam kong init ng katawan niya. I immediately touched his forehead. "Ang init mo."

"I'm fine."

"Fine? E, ang init init mo." Habang pasan pasan ko siya sa aking balikat ay lumakad kami patungo sa kanyang silid. Marahan ko siyang pinahiga sa kanyang kama. "Nasa tama ka pa bang pag-iisip? Alam mo namang inaapoy ka na ng lagnat tapos nakaboxer shorts ka pa rin." Agad akong naghanap ng damit niya sa dresser. "Suotin mo."

Agad din naman siyang bumangon at sinuot 'to. Pinahiga ko siya ulit at hinila ang comforter upto his chest. "I'm ok now." as he cough between the lines. "You can go."

"At para ano? Para mamatay ka?" as I scanned the room. "Hindi ka pa ba umiinom ng gamot?"

He lightly shook his head. As I irritably sighed. I opened my bag and grab my kit to look for a medicine.

I helped him to sit up. I handed him the pill and grab the glass of water in the night table. Nang matapos na siyang uminom ay sumandal siya sa headboard. "Anong masakit sa'yo?"

"My head's pounding." Kinuha ko agad ang ointment sa kit. "This will help." as I dab some of it in my finger and rubbed it into his forehead.

As he was intently staring at me. When I realized what the hell I was doing. I immediately removed my finger and gave him the ointment. What are you doing Aiah? He can do it own his own.

He smiled and I cleared my throat. "Kumain ka na ba?"

Umiling siya at napabuntong hininga ako. Buti nlng at pwedeng inumin ang gamot na 'yun kahit wala pang laman ang sikmura.

"Anong gusto mo? Order tayo?"

"No need." he replied and I rolled my eyes at him.

"Matulog ka nlng muna at gigisingin nlng kita 'pag okay na ang pagkain mo." I said and went outside his room.

I went to his kitchen and look for something to feed him. Chips, soda, beer? Does he have something decent to eat. He do have a lot of rice. I grab the ingredients that I've remembered in making a porridge. Hindi naman talaga kasi ako marunong magluto. Ay bahala na! Ginaya ko lang ang naaalala kong ginagawa ni mama kapag nagluluto siya ng lugaw. Nang matapos na akong magluto ay bumalik na ako sa kanyang silid.