CHAPTER 14

A WEEK passed by like a blur. And in a week that passed, it had become a routine for Terron and Eva to have dinner and a midnight snack together. They would drive around at night; visit open food markets and enjoy the night sceneries together.

Their relationship remained good and ambiguous. Terron and Eva never talked about what they were to each other, as if they had a secret agreement not to talk about it and just enjoy the moment they had together.

Living in the moment. Not forcing anything. Enjoying their time together and just letting things flow as they should.

It was peaceful.

Well... until Eva didn't receive a single message from Terron for a whole day.

Hindi man sila buong araw na magka-usap ng binata nitong nakaraang linggo dahil pareho silang busy sa mga buhay nila, hindi lumilipas ang araw na hindi sila nagkaka-usap ni Terron kahit maiksing usapan lang 'yon. Lalo na sa gabi kung kailan pareho silang hindi abala.

But a day already passed, and there was no message from Terron. Eva was worried. Nakailang tawag na siya kay Terron pero hindi sinasagot ng binata ang tawag niya. Kaya naman pumunta na siya sa café ni SM hindi para magkape kundi para magtanong kung may alam ito tungkol kay Terron.

To Eva, Terron wouldn't just disappear without telling her. So, something must've happened.

"Si Terron?" Napakurap-kurap si SM kay Eva kapagkuwan ay napangiti. "Ang alam ko may sakit yata si Terron."

Eva had always been a rational person. Straight, honest, and cold to most people. But when it comes to Terron, she never thought that she would become muddle headed. Sa sobrang pag-aalala na nararamdaman niya, naging blangko ang isip niya at ilang segundo siyang hindi makapag-isip ng maayos.

"Alam mo ba kung nasaan ang condo ni Terron?" Tanong niya kay SM. Ni minsan kasi hindi siya nagtanong kay Terron kung saan ito nakatira. "Kung alam mo, puwede ko bang malaman?"

SM was more than happy to help. "Tawagan ko si Chief para ipagmaneho ka niya. Papunta rin 'yon doon para maghatid ng pagkain at gamot."

"Hindi na kailangan." Kaagad na tanggi ni Eva sa offer ni SM. "Kaya ko namang mag-commute."

"Alam ko pero mas mabuti nang kasama mo si Chief. May spare key siya ng condo ni Terron in case of an emergency. Kung may sakit pa rin hanggang ngayon si Terron baka hindi ka mapagbuksan no'n." Katwiran ni SM kay Eva.

SM was smiling so pleasantly, and her reasoning was on point that Eva couldn't reject her the second time.

"Sige. Salamat, SM."

"You're welcome." SM responded with a sweet smile, excusing herself to call Khairro. But before she left the counter, she told Eva, "It'll probably take half an hour for Chief to drive here. Gusto mo bang maghintay dito o tawagan na lang kita?"

Eva had to prepare some personal things, so she chose the latter. "Salamat ulit, SM."

"Welcome."

Lumabas ng café ni SM si Eva saka umuwi muna sa bahay nila para mag-ayos at kunin ang sling bag niya. Hindi nagtagal ay nakatanggap siyang ng tawag mula kay SM na nasa labas na raw ng tindahan nila si Khairro Sanford at naghihintay sa kaniya.

Mabilis na lumabas si Eva ng tindahan pagkatapos magpaalam sa 'nay niya.

"Ready?" Tanong ni Khairro ng makita si Eva na naglalakad palapit dito.

Nang tumango si Eva, pinagbuksan ito ng pintuan ng sasakyan ni Khairro.

Seeing Eva's impassive expression, Khairro was really having a hard time believing Terron's words that Eva was easy to talk to and very comfortable to be with. Lalo na nang nagmamaneho na siya patungo sa condo ni Terron. Napakahirap magbukas ng mapag-uusapan dahil kung anong tanong, 'yon lang ang sagot ni Eva.

"Hindi mo ba alam na may sakit si Terron?" Khairro was trying to open a conversation.

"Hindi."

Khairro waited for a continuation, but it didn't come. Lihim na napabuntong-hininga si Khairro. "Tumawag ka na ba sa kaniya?"

"Oo."

As usual, there was no elaborate answer. Khairro sighed. "Sinagot ba niya ang tawag mo?"

Eva glanced at Khairro with a small frown. Kung sinagot ni Terron ang tawag niya, wala siya rito ngayon.

Khairro swore that he saw Eva looking at him with an 'are you an idiot' look.

Tumikhim si Khairro. "Baka hindi niya nasagot dahil masama ang pakiramdam niya. but I wonder why he didn't inform you that he's down with a cold."

"Hmm."

That's it. 'Yon lang ang sagot ni Eva na napakurap-kurap na lang si Khairro.

Nasaan dito ang easy to talk to, Dashwood?! Napailing na lang Khairro at hindi na sinubukang kausapin si Eva hanggang sa makarating sila sa condo ni Terron.

"He's on the twenty-sixth floor." Imporma ni Khairro kay Eva ng parehong makalabas ang dalawa ng sasakyan at naglalakad papasok sa condominium.

Khairro and Eva rode the elevator and soon after, they arrived at the floor where Terron's unit was located.

Using the keycard Terron gave Khairro for an emergency, Khairro opened the door. However, instead of calling out to the owner of the place, he turned to Eva and gave her the paper bag he was carrying. "There's food and medicine there. I leave it to you. Bye!"

Napatanga lang si Eva sa papalayong likod ni Khairro Sanford. Hindi talaga niya maintindihan ang pag-uugali ng mga kaibigan ni Terron.

Naiiling na isinara ni Eva ang pintuan ng condo ni Terron saka ipinalibot ang tingin.

It was a very simple condo. Very minimalist when it comes to décor, and it was easy to tell that only one person was living here.

Eva moved her feet to look for Terron. Hula niya ay nasa kuwarto nito ito kaya naman tinahak niya ang pintuan na sa tingin niya ay kuwarto ng binata.

She knocked on the door. "Your Grace?"

Nang walang sumagot, maingat na binuksan niya ang pinto at sumilip sa loob.

Tama ang hinala niya. Kuwarto nga iyon ng binata. Hindi lang narinig ni Terron ang pagkatok niya dahil tulog ito.

Eva entered the room and placed the paper bag Khairro Sanford had given her on the study table before she walked toward Terron.

Nang makalapit sa binata, kaagad na inilapat niya ang palad sa nuo nito.

He's burning up!

Kaagad na gumalaw si Eva. Binalikan niya ang paper bag na inilapag sa study table at binuksan iyon para tingnan kung mayroon doon magagamit para sa lagnat ni Terron.

Eva was relieved when she saw a Koolfever sheet for adult. Kaagad niyang binuksan iyon saka bumalik kay Terron para ilagay 'yon sa nuo nito. Kapagkuwan ay lumabas siya ng kuwarto para kumuha ng tubig kung sakaling mauhaw ang binata.

Pagkabalik niya, nabasa niya ang note na iniwan ng kung sino sa bedside table kung saan niya inilapag ang isang pitsel na tubig at baso.

Nakasulat sa note ang oras kung kailan dapat uminom ng gamot si Terron.

Napatingin si Eva sa wall clock na nasa loob ng kuwarto ni Terron. It seems she was just in time to feed him medicine.

Inihanda niya ang pagkain saka ang gamot nito bago nagsalin ng tubig sa baso. Kapagkuwan ay umupo siya sa gilid ng kama para gisingin ang binata.

"Your Grace?" Bahagyan niyang niyugyog ang balikat nito. "Your Grace, gising ka muna. Kailangan mong uminom ng gamot."

Pero nanatiling tulog si Terron.

Mas nilakasan ni Eva ang pagyugyog sa balikat nito. "Kailangan mong uminom ng gamot, Your Grace."

Fortunately, Terron finally stirred awake and his eyes slowly opened.

"E-Ev?"

"Hmm. It's me. Kain ka na muna para makainom ka na ng gamot."

Terron looked so out of it and was just staring at Eva.

"Your Grace—"

Naputol ang ibang sasabihin ni Eva ng bigla na lang gumalaw si Terron para yakapin ang beywang niya pagkatapos ay isinubsob nito ang mukha sa tiyan niya habang naka-unan sa hita niya ang ulo nito.

"Ev..."

"Kailangan mong kumain, Your Grace. Iinom ka pa ng gamot. Bumangon ka muna."

"Ev..."

Gustong kutusan ni Eva ang binata pero may sakit ito kaya naman hinaplos nalang niya ang buhok nito. "Bangon ka muna, Your Grace. Sige na. Ayaw mo bang gumaling? Kapag may sakit ka pa hanggang bukas dadalhin kita sa hospital."

Terron groaned. "Wala akong gana."

"Pilitin mo."

"Feed me?"

"Sure. Come on. Get up first."

Bumangon nga si Terron pero nakayakap pa rin ito sa kaniya at nakapatong sa balikat niya ang baba nito.

"I missed you." He whispered.

Inabot ni Eva ang pagkain na nasa bedside table. "Umayos ka ng upo. Paano kita susubuan kung nakahilig ka sakin?"

Thankfully, Terron listened and became obedient as she feeds him. But he would sometimes lean on her, hugged her, and rubbed his nose against her neck.

Hinayaan lang ito ni Eva. Hindi naman siya nakakaramdam na hindi siya komportable sa ginagawa nito.

"Here's your medicine. Take it." Inabot ni Eva ang gamot dito kasama ang isang basong tubig ng maubos nito ang pagkain. "After that, you rest."

Terron listened to everything Eva said. But when it was time to rest, he wrapped his arms around Eva and buried his face against the hallow of her neck.

Ramdam ni Eva ang init ng katawan ni Terron pero hinayaan niya lang ang binata.

"Kahapon ka ba may lagnat?"

"Hmm."

"Uminom ka ba ng gamot kahapon? Bakit hindi bumaba ang lagnat mo?"

"I did. But it flared up again this morning."

"Ano ba'ng ginawa mo na nabinat ka?"

"Missing you."

Eva rolled her eyes. "So unscientific."

Terron just smiled and tightened his embraced around Eva's waist. He didn't want to let go. He didn't want to be away from her.

"Ev...?"

"Hmm?"

"Don't leave." Terron sounded so soft and vulnerable as he asked. "Stay with me until I get better. Please...?"

This past week, Eva had learned that liking Terron as more than a friend made her tolerant, and soft that her answer at that moment didn't surprise her. "Hmm. I'll stay."

Pleased, Terron rubbed the top of his noses against Eva's neck. "You smell good."

"Syempre. Bagong ligo ako."

Napangiti si Terron. "Paano mo pala nalaman na may sakit ako? I deliberately hid it from you since it's just a cold."

"Nag-alala ako ng hindi ka nagparamdam buong araw. Kaya pumunta ako sa café ni SM para magtanong. Sa kaniya ko nalaman na may sakit ka. At dahil papunta rito si Khairro, pinasabay na ako ni SM baka raw hindi mo ako mapagbuksan."

"This was not the first time I didn't chat with you for a day, though."

"Yeah. But you've been clingy this past week, Your Grace. Nakapagtataka na bigla ka nalang hindi nagparamdam. Hindi naman ikaw ang tipo na basta na lang mawawala ng walang pasabi kaya nagtanong na ako."

"Thank you for asking." He placed a soft kiss on her neck. "And thank you for coming over."

"Hmm." Humigpit na naman ang yakap ni Terron sa kaniya kaya tinapik na niya ang braso ng binata na nakapalibot sa beywang niya. "Mapupugto ang hininga ko sa ginagawa mo, Your Grace. Magpahinga ka na lang ulit para gumaling ka na."

Terron slightly pulled away to look into her eyes. "Rest with me?"

Eva indulged Terron again and laid beside him on the bed. Terron's arm remained wrapped around Eva's waist and his face was once again buried on Eva's neck. He liked Eva's natural scent mixed with the fragrance she's using.

"Pahinga ka na." Ani Eva habang masuyong tinatapik ang braso ni Terron sa beywang niya. "I'll stay."

"Hmm." Terron closed his eyes to rest.

After he fell asleep, Eva followed suit. Her sleeping pill was lying next to her, after all. Ilang gabi na ring hindi maayos ang tulog niya kaya bumawi ang katawan niya ng tulog ngayong katabi na niya ang binata.

And because of that, she overslept.

Nang magising siya, madilim na sa labas pero tulog pa rin si Terron. Bumaba na ang lagnat nito pero hindi pa rin siya naging pabaya.

Maingat niyang inalis ang braso nitong nakayakap pa rin sa beywang niya saka dahan-dahan siyang bumangon. Pagkatapos ay kumuha siya ng bagong Koolfever sheet at pinalitan ang inilagay niya sa nuo ni Terron kanina.

After that was done, she was about to order food for dinner when the doorbell rang.

It was Thorn Calderon, delivering food for two people, because Khairro apparently informed everyone that she was in Terron's place.

Tinanggap ni Eva ang pagkain saka nagpasalamat. Kaagad namang umalis si Thorn kaya kaagad na naihanda ni Eva ang hapunan nila at dinala iyon sa kuwarto.

Tulad kanina, ginising niya si Terron at sabay silang kumain. Pagkatapos ay pina-inom niya ito ng gamot. Nang lumabas siya ng kuwarto para hugasan ang pinagkainan, pagkabalik niya, kalalabas lang ni Terron sa banyo.

Kinunotan niya ito ng nuo ng mapansing basa ang buhok nito at bago ang damit na suot nito.

Terron immediately explained. "I feel so uncomfortable. And it's a warm bath, so... I'll be okay."

Eva just rolled her eyes and dragged Terron back to bed. "Rest, Your Grace. I can stay tonight, but not tomorrow or the next. Siguradong pagagalitan na ako ni 'nay kaya kailangang gumaling ka na."

"Yes, ma'am."

Eva just looked at Terron dryly.

Terron chuckled, and his voice softened. "Yes, Ev. I will. By the way, I prepared a new toothbrush and a towel. It's in the bathroom sink. As for change of clothes," tinuro nito ang closet. "You can use mine if you want."

"Thanks, but no thanks, Your Grace. Tatawag ako kay 'nay para magpaalam na rito muna ako matutulog dahil may sakit ka. Magpapasuyo na lang din siguro ako ng damit."

"Alright." Terron lied on the bed and smiled attractively, as if he was tempting her to be his dessert. "Hurry. The patient wants to cuddle."

Eva could only sigh because she couldn't feel any rejection and discomfort from those words and action. Hindi niya akalain na ganito siya magkagusto sa lalaki. Napaka-indulhente niya.

Or maybe because it's Terron.

She'd been observing herself this past week and she could probably make a long ass Research Paper out of it.

Kinuha niya ang cellphone sa sling bag at tinawagan ang 'nay niya. Pagkatapos ng napakahabang speech at ilang ulit na paalala na 'huwag kang maging menu', pumayag din sa wakas ang 'nay niya at ipapadala na lang daw nito ang damit niya sa delivery service.

"Your Grace, pahinge ako ng buong address mo." Ibinigay ni Eva ang cellphone kay Terron pagkatapos makipag-usap sa 'nay niya. "Ipapadala na lang daw ni 'nay ang damit ko."

Terron accepted the phone, typed his full address and gave it back to Eva.

Kaagad namang i-si-nend ni Eva ang address ni Terron sa 'nay niya saka umupo sa gilid ng kama. At habang hinihintay ang damit niya, naglaro si Eva sa cellphone nito para pampalipas ng oras.

Sa pagkakataong 'yon, gumalaw si Terron para yakapin sa beywang ang dalaga at ginawang unan ang mga hita ni Eva.

Eva was playing, and Terron was resting on her lap.

It was tranquil.

Until Eva's clothes arrived.

"Your Grace, patapos naman ng level na 'to." Ani Eva sabay bigay ng cellphone nito kay Terron at nagmamadaling lumabas ng kuwarto.

Lying on the bed without Eva's lap as a pillow, Terron continued the game, finished solving the puzzle and passed the level. Only then did he realize something with a frown.

He was holding a different phone. Hindi ito ang cellphone ni Eva na nahulog at binalikan niya sa sundeck. Because it had the same case, he thought it was the same phone. But now that he was holding it, he could tell that it was different.

His thumb was faster that his brain. He exited the game and tapped the phone's contact.

There were only two contacts saved there—'Your Grace ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️' and 'Nay ❤️'.

Yes. Just two.

What happened to 'Eth❤️'?

He never knew that Eva had two phones.

But why was this Ethan's—the relative—number saved in a different device?

His eyebrows furrowed, and his face unknowingly darkened.

'Yon ang napasukan ni Eva habang dala-dala ang paper bag na may lamang damit nito.

"Your Grace?"

Terron immediately put a smile on for Eva.

"Ayos ka lang?"

Tumango si Terron. "Hurry, Ev. I want to cuddle."

Since Terron said he's okay, Eva didn't force him to come clean even though she clearly saw how dark his expression was. Pumasok siya sa banyo at nag-half bath.

And then, she was cuddled to sleep by Terron, who was getting better until his fever flared up when morning came.

Terron was dragged to the hospital by Eva early in the morning. When Terron was asked what he was doing for his fever to flare up again, he was silent.

Daldalhin niya hanggang sa libingan niya ang dahilan kung bakit siya nabinat—selos.

CECELIB | C.C.