With All Might

Kabanata 11

Morning wake me up with a shining sunray. Pakiramdam ko'y mas sumakit ang ulo ko at mainit parin ang buong katawan and despite the hot weather and my hot temperature, nilalamig parin ako.

Dahan dahan akong bumangon at humilig sa kama. I saw a note beside my table and read it. It's from Mommy.

Dearest Zaccary,

Sweetheart, there's an emergency in the office and your Daddy needs me. I already phone your school. I also talk to Hex to take care of you for the mean time. And Doctor Alfaro was already been noted too. Your Daddy and I will be back as soon as possible. Take care sweetheart and rest. I love you.

Love,
Mommy.

Dati kapag nagkakasakit ako, si Kuya Zac ang laging nasa tabi ko. My parents would always choose the business especially if it's in urgent state. Lalo na ngayon na nagkakagulo rin sa Fuentabella Corp because of Daddy and Tito Arius bickering kaya naiintindihan ko ang reason ni Mommy. Isa pa, lagnat lang 'to. Lilipas at gagaling din ako.

But now that Kuya Zac is in Manila, si Kuya Hex ang nakatukang mag bantay sa'kin. Kahit para na siyang pamilya namin ay nakakahiya parin. I am not his responsibility. And isn't this too much to ask?

The door open kaya nag angat agad ako ng mukha. Wearing his dark gray shorts and white t-shirt, Kuya Hex entered in my room with a tray of food and medicine.

He put the tray on my bed and sitted beside me. "Good morning."

"Hindi ka ba umuwi, Kuya?" He looks fresh and all but the clothes he is wearing is from Kuya Zac so I'd wonder.

Umiling siya at kumuha ng isang spoon ng chicken and mushroom soup saka ito hinipan.

"Bakit hindi ka umuwi? Baka nag-alala na sina Tito Heu at Tita Mariella sa'yo? Baka ikaw naman ang magkasakit niyan Kuya."

Hindi ako sinagot ni Kuya bagkus ay isinubo lang nito sa'kin ang soup. Kumunot ang noo kong naka tingin sa kanya na focus sa pag-iihip.

"You're so makulit talaga. Alam mo Kuya minsan? Nasasabi kong mas Kuyang-kuya ka pa kaysa kay Kuya Zac."

Natigilan siya at napatingin sa'kin. Ngumuso ako at sinimangotan siya.

"Kuya Zac is over protective but you are more over protective than him. Halos daig mo na si Daddy."

"Zaccary... I'm just... just concerned about you." nag iwas siya ng tingin at kunot noong hinipan uli ang soup.

"Yeah.. Yeah, I get it. But I'm not a kid anymore. I can take care of myself. I'm already seventeen." sabi ko.

Nag tiim-bagang lang siya saka sinubo sa'kin ang soup. Halos maubos ko ang isang bowl dahil sa pamimilit niya. Kahit wala akong panlasa ay nagawa kong mabusog dahil pinilit ni Kuya Hex na maubos ko ang niluto niyang chicken and mushroom soup.

After eating my morning breakfast and medicine ay kinunan niya ako ng thermometer. 38.2 degrees parin ako kaya tinawagan niya si Doctor Alfaro para patingnan ako kahit sinabi ko ng huwag na. I insisted not to but he is very hard headed.

Doctor Alfaro check me and his diagnosis is still the same. It's just fever and nothing serious. Pagkatapos ma check up ni Doctor Alfaro ay naka tulog ako. Nagising ako saglit sa hapon para kumain at uminom ng gamot bago naka tulog uli. I woke up again in the middle of the night dahil sa sobrang lamig kahit naka off na ang aircon sa kwarto ko.

"Kuya... I'm very cold.." I shiver inside my blanket.

Napamura si Kuya Hex at napalakad-balik sa harapan ko. He seems very bothered and puzzled on what to do. Kaya may naisip ako. Actually, Kuya Zac do this whenever I have a high fever and it do works.

"Kuya... Just hug me..." sabi ko sa maliit at nanghihinang boses.

I already drink medicine enough at kung iinom uli ako e baka ma overdose na ako. He also made Doctor Alfaro came to our house today thrice at ako na ang nahihiya na papuntahin pa uli dito ang Doctor gayong lagnat lang naman ito.

Umawang ang bibig niyang napatingin sa'kin. Wala naman malisya kasi matagal na kaming magkaibigan isa pa, we always share one blanket whenever we watch movies though we never hug while watching. Sumisiksik lang ako sa gilid niya pero hindi kami kailan nag yayakapan.

Okay wait... why do I sound so defensive?

I call him again and in a doubtful move, Kuya Hex sit beside me. "I feel much better if I bring you to the hospital now, Zaccary."

Umiling ako. "I don't want to go there anymore... You know why right?"

Bumuntong hininga siya at tumango. He knows that after that kidnap incident and almost being rape, nagkaroon na ako ng trauma na bumalik sa hospital. That building just remind a dark past of my life I wanted to forget.

Dahan-dahan humiga si Kuya Hex saka itinalukbong sa katawan namin ang comforter. He lean closer to me as he hug me tighter.

"I think this is much better Kuya..." I whisper.

I felt his hot breath in my forehead. His body is warm which gives me more comfort now. I'm still shivering but not that too cold anymore.

"Sleep well, Zaccary. I'll be here for you, I won't leave you." he said as he kiss my forehead.

In that moment, my heartbeat beat indifferently. It is something I never, ever, feel before.