Paradox [BoybandPH]

t h i r t y - s i x

"Daaaad."

Yes, I'm aware I'm whining but I don't even care.

"Stephanie."

"I can't believe you're leaving me like this."

"Oh please, such a drama queen, iha. It's only for a week. You're all grown up and andyan naman si Manang. You'll take care of her Manang, diba?"

"Ay nako. Malaki na 'yan si Steph."

I whined, again. I'm really, really sick. And maybe, just maybe, I just want my Dad to take care of me right now.

Siguro dahil sa pagod ko for a week straight of photoshoot at dahil na din sa naambunan siya because it was done outdoors.

Sa ngayon, ang kaliwa't kanang proyekto ang pinagkakaabalahan ko. And yes, sadly, it has been over a few months since my last day at Café '94. But I have been visiting every now and then pa rin naman or whenever they need some people over there, I'd gladly help them out.

"Anak, it's either an overfatigue or flu. I can drive you to the hospital right now before we fly to Cebu kung gusto mo." Dad offers as he finished packing.

I know I can totally handle myself. Konting bed rest or medications lang, I'll be fine in no time. If really needed to have a check-up, I can just ask one of my friends to drive me there. Siguro nga nag-iinarte lang ako because I wasn't feeling good, but I don't wanna bother him dahil I heard it's a big corporate event and I wouldn't want him to risk his time.

I sighed defeatedly, "Okay, I give up. Please bring me pasalubong."

"Yes, I will, anak." He stood up and hugged me, kissing the top of my head. "Take care of yourself, okay? You're a big girl now."

Limang oras na ang nakalipas nang umalis si Daddy and he sent me a message letting me know he already arrived before I doze off.

I slept away most of the day.

Bumangon lang ako kanina para magpunas nang sarili at manuod, pero di din nagtagal nang antukin ako ulit. Alam mo yung pakiramdam na tila milya ang nilakad mo kahit ang totoo'y di ka naman masyadong gumalaw? Ganon. And I really hated it.

My mind tells me to do something productive today but my body just screams, "Nah bitch, sit down."

I didn't realize I doze off for the fifth time today, when I suddenly jolted awake with the sound of her bedroom door. Someone's knocking but I just burrowed myself further the duvet.

I barely remembered Manang telling me earlier na may bibilhin siya sa bayan, so I'm sure it's not her.

I'm too tired to talk to people right now. So I just pretended I didn't hear anything and ignored whoever was knocking.

Nakaidlip ako ulit, and this time I woke up when I felt a weight on my bed. Someone touched my forehead and I winced because it's cold. I tried opening up my eye and I groaned when I saw who it was.

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Whoa. Extra grumpy when you're sick, Sefi."

I groaned again, not really in the mood to talk, but muttered "Go away."

I don't have to open my eyes to see that he's grinning now at my grumpiness. I slowly realized how I probably looked right now.

There's probably drools or marks on my face for lying on my bed for so long, or my prominent eyebags, and my hopelessly messy hair. So I frantically covered my face with the duvet.

"Nagdala ako ng soup and some fruits."

Still not in the mood for talking, so I just grunted in acknowledgement.