The Gift of Tears (Casa Fuego Series #2)

Chapter 19

Life and Death

Malaki ang aking ngisi sa tapat ng pintuan ng kwarto ni Cullen. Halos tanghali na at hindi parin siya lumalabas. Maybe he slept late last night so he didn't wake up early.

Isang beses akong kumatok at naghintay ngunit walang tumugon. Kunot-noo akong kumatok muli ngunit wala paring nagbubukas ng pinto. Bumuntong-hininga ako at kinuha ang susi na kapareha ng akin at binuksan na agad ang pintuan. Cullen wakes up early so this is really alarming.

"Cullen?"

I wandered my eyes around and my eyes widened when I saw Cullen shivering on his bed. Nakataklob siya ng kumot ay nakapulupot sa kanyang kama, nanginginig. Tumakbo ako agad at natataranta siyang tinignan.

"Oh my God! W-What's wrong? You're having chills again?! Akala ko ba gumaling ka na?"

Nagmulat si Cullen, nanghihinang umawang ang labi. He swallowed hard and painfully closed his eyes. His lips cracked and he was so pale. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko siya hahawakan.

"Avy..." he called.

"Yes? Do you need anything?" natataranta kong sagot.

"Why are you here? Y-You shouldn't be here..."

Kumunot ang noo ko at umiling. Kumuha ako ng isa pang kumot at muling tinaklob sa kanya iyon. I am too oblivious of things that I do not know what to do on situations like this.

Mumunting butil ng pawis ang tumutulo mula sa kanyang noo pababa. Even his shirt is a bit damp. However, he was shivering.

"C-Cullen, what should I do? natataranta kong sinabi.

"Please, just leave me alone," nanginginig niyang sinabi.

"Maybe you still have fever or something," I said, panicking.

Hinawakan ko ang kanyang noo upang maramdaman ang temperatura niya ngunit agad niyang hinuli ang aking kamay. Nanghihina niyang nilayo ang aking kamay sa kanyang noo.

"Just leave, Avy!" but he did not let go of my hand.

"I won't leave," I soothed him. "I won't leave you, okay?" alu ko sa kanya at niyakap siya.

Nakapilipit ang kanyang katawan at tatlong patong na ng kumot ang nakatabon sa kanya. He is still sweating so bad and he was shaking from the cold. Nakapikit ang kanyang mga mata. Nakakunot ang noo na parang nahihirapan. Nakaawang ang labi at pakiramdam ko'y makakatulog na, hindi kalaunan.

Bumagsak ang mga mata ko sa kamay niyang marahan na nakahawak parin sa akin. I intertwined our fingers and kissed the back of his palm, worry and fear gripping in my system uncontrollably.

"I should call Manang Susan so we can bring you to the nearest hospital-"

"Huwag na, Avy..." iritado niyang sinabi at hinawakan ang kamay ko.

"But you are shivering so bad! Hintayin mo ako at tatawagin ko si Manang Susan!"

I was about to stand up but my eyes widened when I saw blood coming out from his nose. Natataranta ko siyang dinaluhan at hindi na malaman kung ano ang gagawin ko. Hindi ko alam kung dapat bang manatili ako sa tabi niya o tumakbo papuntang main house at humingi ng tulong. But what if something bad happens while I am away?!

"Oh my God! Lagnat pa ba ito?!"

Kumuha ako ng towel at pinahid ang dugo sa kanyang ilong. He was closing his eyes tightly while my hand was shaking out of fear. Tears formed in my eyes because of the overwhelming fear.