Unwritten (Summer Of Taking Chances Sequel)

Sick

26
DOMINIQUE

Dominique didn’t have time to change. She grabbed a waterfall cardigan from her closet and put it on. She took the keys and drove the car herself back to Pris’ condo. Medyo nag-aalangan pa rin syang magmaneho pero mas nangibabaw ang pag-aalala nya kay Pris. It was her first time driving after her accident. To her relief, she got there safely.

Pinagbuksan sya ng pinto ni Vanessa, who looked relieved when she saw Dominique. “Salamat at dumating ka. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang tatawagan. Sa taranta ko, ginamit ko ang speed dial ng cellphone nya.”

Saglit na natigilan si Dominique. “I’m on her speed dial?” She couldn’t help but feel glad. “I’m glad you called me.”

“Nag-init na ako ng tubig,” sabi nito.

“Ako na ang bahala.” Dominique gave Vanessa a reassuring smile. “Tulungan mo na lang akong magsalin ng maligamgam na tubig.”

After placing a lukewarm water on a basin, she went in Pris’ room and locked the door. Ang malaking painting ng meadow na nakasabit sa ulunan ng kama ni Pris ang una nyang nakita. She saw her own signature on it. “So, I painted two,” Dominique thought. Medyo napangiti sya nang makita ang isang picture frame na nasa bedside table ni Pris. It was a picture of her embracing Pris. They looked so happy and inlove.

Napatingin sya kay Pris. Balot ito ng kumot. She was shivering. Hininaan ni Dominique ang aircon. Dinama nya ang noo nito. Inaapoy ito ng lagnat.

“D-Dom?” Pris tried to open her eyes.

“I’m here,” she whispered. “Tanggalin ko muna ang kumot saglit ha.” She gently removed the thick blanket. Pris was on her silky dark blue pajama. She started unbuttoning her pajama when Pris held her hands to stop her.

“W-What are you doing?” Nanghihinang tanong nito. Sinubukan nitong takpan ang sarili nito ng kumot pero hindi ito hinayaan ni Dominique.

“Just let me take care of you,” marahang sabi ni Dominique at hinaplos ang mukha nito. Hindi na ito nagsalita. Marahil wala na itong lakas para pigilan sya. She unbuttoned her pajama. Lumantad sa kanya ang napakagandang katawan nito. Hindi nya mapigilang humanga.

Pris’ scar on the left side of her stomach loomed in her memory. Hinanap ito ng mga mata nya. But instead of scar, she saw a tattoo identical to hers. Dominique gently touched it. She felt the scar underneath. Pris had the Ouroboros tattoed over her scar. It brought smile on her lips.

Dominique sponge bathed her with lukewarm water. She did it quickly since Pris was trembling with cold. Pinainom muna nya ito ng gamot saka kinumutan but she was still quivering. Hindi ito makatulog. Pris looked so vulnerable. Hindi sanay si Dominique na makita itong ganito.

“Bahala na,” usal ni Dominique saka nya tinanggal ang cardigan. She joined Pris on the bed. Medyo nanlaki ang mga mata nito sa ginawa nya pero hindi na ito nakapagprotesta nang niyakap nya ito nang mahigpit. Nagtatanong ang mga matang tinignan sya ni Pris. “Matulog ka na. Dito lang ako sa tabi mo,” she told her gently.

Dominique shuddered when Pris snuggled to her. Tila may kuryenteng dumaloy dahan-dahan sa buong katawan ni Dominique. Ang lakas ng tibok ng puso nya. Baka sya ang maisugod sa hospital because she might have a heart attack.

Maya-maya naramdaman nyang nakatulog na ito nang mahimbing. Dominique fell asleep too. She woke up after 3 hrs. Tumingin sya sa wall clock. Almost 4AM na. Magkayakap pa rin sila ni Pris pero dahan-dahan syang bumangon para hindi ito magising. She checked Pris’ temperature using the thermometer. Normal na. Dominique smiled. Hinaplos muna nya ang pisngi nito saka lumabas ng kwarto.