One-shots

confined

"Natatakot nga ako...baka isuka ko or i might go again...." she frowned.

"But you have to try...kahit soup lang....please...for me?" Rj said as he held the spoon and bowl of soup up to Maine.

She nodded and took a few spoonfuls before turning away and holding a towel to her mouth. Rj quickly put down the soup bowl and held up the kidney dish. She vomited the soup.

"...Ma, pwede bang...?" Rj looked at his assistant, a worried look across his face. He wiped Maine's face with the washcloth and caressed her cheek.

"...hindi e...not this time..." his assistant replied.

"Kuya?" Rj looked to his handler who was nearby.

"....sinabi ko na sa kanila na una kang isalang..."

"Okay...." Rj dropped his shoulders, resigned to the thought of having to leave Maine at the hospital while he went out of town for work.

"I'll be okay...go..." Maine said, weakly. She squeezed his hand.

He nodded and with a heavy heart, he left for his out of town work.

Rj would normally fall asleep almost immediately when he rode his van. He wasn't driving so he could rest and relax in preparation for the show. He tried to sleep during the 5-6+ hour journey to the province. He couldn't keep still. His thoughts wandered. His heart pounded. He was anxious and exhausted that it could be seen in his eyebags. He had been awake for almost 24 hours...his mind kept racing to the time he found Maine lethargic and pale on their bed, the day before...

He entered the room and saw that the bathroom door was closed. He went about his business and went out. It was still early in the morning and he was just having coffee and preparing for his day. A few minutes later, he peeped in the room and saw Maine still lying in bed. He gently pulled the door close when Maine suddenly bolted back into the bathroom. Rj didn't see this as she moved when the door was closing behind him. An hour later, he found her still curled up in bed.

"Ma...anong susuotin ko?" He asked. She always prepared his clothes but this time, there were no clothes laid out. Rj nudged Maine and felt that her skin was cold and clammy. A certain scent also reeked. She moaned.

"Ma...are you okay?" Rj moved some stray hair away from her face. She moaned again.

"Ma...Maine...Meng...." Rj called her repeatedly.

"...I've...I've been to...to the banyo....4 times na...." She said weakly.

Rj turned his head to look at the half-closed door of the bathroom. He saw that it was slightly "messy" with a towel thrown haphazardly over the sink. Rj rushed in and the smell of vomit and faeces hit him. He flipped the exhaust switch and returned to Maine. He bent down to lift her.