Only One

CXIX.

EXT. ARIADNE'S UNIT — EVENING

Ariadne shyly opens her door. She sees Dionysus awkwardly standing outside with two white plastic bags on both of his hands.

ARIADNE
Pasok ka.

DIONYSUS
Okay.

Dionysus clears his throat. He is still holding the bags on his hands, looking clueless. Ariadne looks at him as she limps to keep her balance.

ARIADNE
Ano ba 'yan?

DIONYSUS
Grocery?

ARIADNE
Para kanino?

DIONYSUS
Sa mama ko.

Dionysus chuckles before setting the plastic bags on her counter. He takes a small bag inside with a logo of a drug store.

DIONYSUS
Sa'yo 'yan.

Ariadne smiles as she tries to limp towards the grocery bags. She sees all of her favorite instant food and snacks inside.

DIONYSUS
I asked Violet for your favorite foods.

ARIADNE
Thank you. Para saan 'to?

DIONYSUS
To make you feel better.

ARIADNE
Okay lang naman ako.

DIONYSUS
Okay 'yan? 'Di ka nga makalakad nang diretso.

Sisimangot si Dionysus nang makita ang namamaga niyang paa. He unconsciously holds her hand and pulls her to the couch.

ARIADNE
What are you doing?

DIONYSUS
Ayaw mo raw patignan 'to sa ospital kaya ako na lang.
I know a little first aid.

Inupo siya ni Dionysus sa couch. Nasa tabi nya ang maliit na plastic galing sa drug store habang kinukuha ni Dionysus sa isa pang plastic ang ice tubes na dala niya. Nanunuod lang si Ariadne habang naghahanap ng kung anu-anong gamit sa counter niya si Dionysus. He gets her towelette and small basin before he returns to her.

Inilagay ni Dionysus ang ice tubes sa basin na may kauting tubig. He carefully removes one of her fluffy slippers and dips her left foot in the basin.

DIONYSUS
This is an ice slush bath. Yelo kasi dapat 'yung ginawa nina Pan sa'yo kanina, not hot compress. This will help ease the swelling.

ARIADNE
Thank you.

DIONYSUS
D'yan muna 'yan for five to ten minutes then I'll wrap your foot with an elastic bandage.

ARIADNE
So... you'll stay?

DIONYSUS
May magagalit ba?

ARIADNE
Oo. Mama ko.

They both try to suppress their smiles at her reply. Bahagya pa ring nakahuluhod sa harap niya si Dionysus kaya tinapik niya ang espasyo sa tabi niya.