Borrowed Time (completed)

20. dynamics

Rj scrambled to get off of Meng who stuck out her tongue at him. Sam just raised his eyebrow at them and picked up Meng's purse and shoes from the floor and moved it to the chair on the side. He also picked up the shirt and shorts Meng wore after being given a sponge bath. Sam approached the bed as Rj fixed the comforter to cover Meng properly. Sam felt Meng's forehead and neck.

"Mainit ka pa. Let's take your temperature muna." Sam said as he picked up the thermometer from the side table and disinfected it with an alcohol swab that was in the small tray where the thermometer and a few tablets were. He put the thermometer under Meng's tongue and waited. "...nag-message na ako sa Nanay mo. Sinabi kong may lagnat ka at dito ka muna sa hacienda hanggang gumaling ka. Ihahatid kami ni Manding mamaya so ipapadala nalang nya yung bag mo pabalik..." Sam said while waiting for Meng's temperature to register. "...38.3°...tumaas ng konti...Rj, ask Yaya Beth for a fever patch. Ikaw, change back muna into these para mas komportable ka at pwede bang wag kayong masyadong maharot?" Sam said.

Rj left the room as instructed. Meng got up from the bed and walked into the bathroom to change. Sam fluffed the pillows and readied the bed for Meng. He tucked Meng in as soon as she returned. He gave her some medicine to drink also. Rj laid down in bed beside Meng while Sam sat on the edge.

"...wala na daw nung fever patch...ubos na..." Rj said when he came back to the room. "If ihahatid kayo ni Uncle Gordon sa condo, makikisabay nalang ako. I'll text Mami Nelle kung meron syang fever patches..."

"Mami Nelle?" Sam asked as Rj went on the bed and laid beside Meng, draping his arm over her shoulder.

"Friend po namin ni Meng where I got this..." Rj lifted his arm to show his heart monitor. "She sells medical supplies..."

"Ah okay...ipapadala din naman ng Nanay ni Meng yung mga damit nya. Kausapin mo na rin at i-explain kung anong nangyari..."

"Yes po...kukuha na rin ako ng damit ko sa condo." Rj said.

"...so...ano na?" Sam winked at them. He was seated facing Meng with his hand on her leg.

"...kami na po..." Meng responded, shyly bowing her head.

"Hmm..." Sam nodded and put his hands over Meng's hands which were on her lap. "...eh anong ginagawa nyo kanina nung dumating ako? Buti nalang hindi si Ate ang pumasok kung hindi baka nag-drama na naman yun..."

"...eto kasi, uuwi na daw kanina..." Rj replied, pulling Meng toward him.

"...nakakahiya na kasi. I mean, medyo masama na rin kasi yung pakiramdam ko kagabi pa pero gusto ko ring makita itong hacienda kaya sumama ako. Medyo okay naman ako nung morning e, kaso lang sumama ulit yung pakiramdam ko nung nagsimba tayo. Ang daming tao saka medyo nahilo ako sa iba-ibang amoy sa paligid..."

"...OA nga yung perfume ni Ate..." Sam whispered, patting Meng's hands. They all quietly chuckled.

"Masama na pakiramdam mo last night?" Rj looked down at Meng. "Bakit di mo sinabi agad?"