The Brainy Rebel

TBR 6

Maxine Valdez

After kong maka-recover dahil sa kalagayan ni Nate, I knelt down para pantay kami at tinapik tapik ko ang pisngi niya.

"Nathaniel. Damn you, why did you let yourself wait here for too long?"

I was cursing unstoppable in my mind.

"Nathaniel, gumising ka nga. May pagkatanga ka rin pala."

Basang basa na kami ng ulan but the hell I care! I can't bear seeing people being left alone. Hinding hindi ko iiwan 'to dito.

"Ano ba kasing ginagawa mo rito? You're an idiot."

After some more cursing at his face, he finally groaned. "S-si... M-max—"

"Hey, get up at the count of three." I held his hand tight. "One, two, three!" I let him put his arm around my shoulder while I'm supporting him on his waist.

I opened the gate with my key. Inalalayan ko si Nathaniel hanggang sa kwarto ko.

Nilatagan ko muna ng towel yung kama, bago ko siya pinahiga para hindi siya mabasa mamaya pag bihis na siya at bumaba muna ako para kumuha ng planggana. I filled it with warm water at bumalik na ko sa room ko. Pagtingin ko kay Nathaniel, nakabalot na siya sa kumot, still, he's chilling.

Pinatong ko muna 'yong basin na dala ko sa bedside table saka ako pumunta sa closet. Kumuha ako ng shirt and boxers. Meron akong boys' wear kasi I feel more comfy wearing those. Kumuha rin ako ng face towel at nilagay 'yon sa basin.

I went to my bed where Nate is and forcedly yet gently removed his wet shirt.

"M-malamig..."

"I know. Pero h'wag ka nang mag-inarte kung ayaw mong magkasakit." I carefully wiped his exposed body with the face towel.

Pagkatapos nun, I let him wear my shirt.

"Nathaniel, palit ka muna ng boxers."

He groaned as if saying he's disagreeing.

"Hindi pwedeng hindi. You can't expect me to change that for you. Gross."

Tumalikod na ako at hinayaan siyang magbihis. Kung ayaw niya pa ring magpalit, wala na akong pakielam. It'll be his fault if ever na lumala pa ang lagnat niya.

"D-done..." He said, voice almost fainting.