You're Blooming the Wrong Way

Chapter Twenty

"As much as I want to join their practice today, I can't."

I raised a brow. "Why is that, Haru?"

"Grandma is temporarily staying in her province right now, so that leaves me alone with Hana." nakanguso niyang paliwanag.

"And?"

"He has a fever. I can't possibly leave him alone when he's sick. He was in a pretty bad shape when I left this morning." He grudgingly pulled his own hair. "Kuso. I'll have to postpone my membership. I need to take care of him, after all." malungkot niyang sabi.

That wimp got sick? Don't tell me it's because of the other day? Nagpaulan siya para bilhan ako ng bota at kapote (damn it, I'm still cringing every time I remember that day). I wonder if he's okay.

I pursed my lips as I glanced over my boyfriend's face. He looks dejected as hell. I don't know when it started, but whenever his dander is down, I always feel the urge to cheer him up.

I was never a caring person. When did it start to be like this?

I pinched his cheek. "I'll do it."

Tumingin siya sa akin. "Huh?"

"I'll check on Hana so you could join the practice game today." malumanay kong sabi. "I'll stay with him until you're done."

Haru blinked twice. "But, that's... You'll do that for me?"

"Of course." I smiled softly as I tousled his hair. "You were looking forward on playing today. We can't let that dork ruin your game."

A small smile dawned to my face when Haru wrapped his arms around me. Every time he hugs me, I feel safe. Maybe it's because he's so tall that he makes me feel secured when he embraces me.

"What did I do in my past life to have someone like you?" Haru squeezed me in between his arms. "I promise to be a man that you'll be proud of! I'm going to study hard, Lucy. I'll find a decent job, and then we can proceed to marrying." Masyado talagang advance mag-isip ang taong 'to. Nakakatakot.

For the nth time, I brushed his hair with my hand. I don't know why, but I'm kinda obsessed with his hair. "You make it sound so easy, Haru." I commented with an arch smile.

"Nothing's hard when it comes to the person you love."

Oh, I wonder if that's true.

"Lucy, I know that you're friends with Hana, but tell me if he does something weird. Even if he's swinging the other way, he's still a guy." Nagpigil ako ng tawa dahil pinatunog ni Haru ang kanyang mga daliri. "I shall give him a proper beating if he dares to touch you. What's mine is mine!" He clicked his tongue.

As planned, we didn't go home together. Haru stayed at school to inform the basketball team of his desire to join them, thus he was able to play in the practice game today. Ako naman, tinawagan ko si Lars at sinabi ko sa kanyang hindi ako makakabalik agad dahil may dadaanan pa ako. Mukhang wala naman siyang pakialam.

"Hana! It's me, Lucy! You there?" sigaw ko nang makarating ako sa bahay nila. I kept on pressing the doorbell but I got no response. Mabuti na lang at ibinigay sa akin ni Haru ang susi ng bahay nila.

"Excuse me for intruding." I announced as soon as I stepped inside the house. It's not my first time coming here, so I'm already familiar with the interior of their home. As soon as I found his room, I carelessly walked in as if I owned the place.

"Hana?"

I was taken aback when I found him sleeping on his bed. He was covered in his blanket, and he looked uncomfortable since he was sweating so much. Medyo namumula rin siya at mabilis din ang kanyang paghinga. I rushed to the side of his bed.