The Sick and The Café

"NATE!" I shouted, banging the door wide open.

"Na--" I was to shout his name again when I saw him sleeping soundly on his bed.

I suddenly remembered what his aunt told me when we bumped into one another at the pharmacy. She explained to me that she isn't really his aunt. She's like Mrs. Gibbs, the owner of the apartment building. She told me that she only visits Nate once or twice a week, so she didn't know that he has been suffering from the flu lately. She only knew about it this morning. Learning about this, I immediately rushed to his apartment. I didn't even know that I remember how to get here.

I grabbed a chair and pulled it beside his bed. I observed him as he was sleeping so peacefully. Looking at him, he doesn't seem to have the flu, but suddenly he coughed, and he woke up.

"Luna? What--" he said but didn't finish because he coughed again. I put the back of my palm at his forehead.

"Nate! You're burning up," I said. Worriedly, I went over his drawers to find a towel. Good thing I immediately found one. I went to the bathroom to soak it with cold water and ran back to him to place it on his forehead.

"Just try to relax, okay? You need to rest," I said, trying to calm him down. He was mildly shivering. I pulled the blanket to him and made sure he was tucked in.

"I'll have to turn the heater on instead, okay? Just endure the hot air for a while. I promise that it will help you get your temperature lower faster. I'll grab some water," I said, standing up, but he held my hand weakly. I looked back at him and saw that he was frail and fragile.

"Don't worry. I won't leave," I said.

I went to his kitchen and checked what I could do to ease his pain and at least give him something to eat. Suddenly, the door opened, showing his so-called aunt.

"Luna!" she called, happy to see me.

"I'm sorry dear, but I can't stay since I have to go to my son's house to take care of his grandchildren. Will you be okay here?" she asked.

"Oh no, worries, Ma'am. I'll take care of Nate for you," I said, reassuring her that she can count on me. She smiled and nodded.

"Okay, so I bought the medicine that would help him and some food because he wasn't able to go to the grocery store. I'll leave it here, and I'll leave the rest up to you to take care of it. I really have to go. Thank you, Luna!" she said and left.

I breathed in a lot of air and slapped my face.

"Okay. We can do this!" I said, reassuring myself.

I haven't had, even once, been able to take care of someone who is sick. I really don't know anything… except how my father does try to take care of me when I am sick. I remember that he makes me porridge because I was picky when I was sick. But the problem is I don't know how to cook porridge!

I grabbed my phone and searched for "how to make porridge." I sound dumb! I know. But, I have been living like a princess for the past years in my life, so even this basic bitch is I don't know how to cook.

It's a good thing that I got all the ingredients I need to make the porridge. For the rest of the things that Nate's Aunt bought, I put it in the fridge. I got the following ingredients right in front of me:

1pc. Chicken Leg

1pc. Thumb-sized Ginger

1pc. String onion

3 cloves of Garlic

1 cup of leftover rice/uncooked rice

Salt

I followed the steps as much as possible to not result in a failed porridge. After how many minutes of preparing and cooking, I was done. I poured enough porridge into a small bowl. I grabbed the bed tray and placed the small bowl, a glass of water, and medicine. I smiled, looking at the hard work I have done. It's almost lunchtime, and it was just the right time for Nate to also take his meal.

I carried the tray to his bedroom. When I saw him tossing and turning, I placed the tray first beside his bed and helped him up in a sitting position.

"Luna, you really shouldn't be here. I might--"

"Hush it, Nate. You've been taking care of me since day one. Let me do this. Besides, that virus of yours is not enough to make me ill. It should really be the powerful one because I am stubborn as fuck," I said while laying down the tray in front of him. He laughed at my remark.

"You really are stubborn, Miss Luna Harper," he said in between his coughs.

"Did you cook this?" he asked. I nodded and smiled.

"Thank you. I really appreciate you being here," he said, holding my hand. I smiled at his gesture and told him to eat it already while it is still hot. He took his first bite, and I felt uneasy for a second because he might hate the taste, yet he didn't say anything and just took another bite.

"Wait!" I said, putting my two palms right in front of him. "Just tell me if it's bad, I could just order from a restaurant and--"

"Haha! No, it's good. I didn't think you could cook, honestly," he said.

"Thank God for Google," I said. He laughed again. We both laughed, and he continued eating.

After he ate the entire bowl, he asked for a second, which I gave to him. I was happy that he appreciated my cooking. I really poured my best there. I cleaned up everything and let him have his medicine. I told him to sleep, and I will just be here when he needs me.

When I got to the kitchen, I saw that there's still enough porridge that I could eat. My tummy rumbles, telling me I'm starving. I checked the time, and it was already past 1pm. I grabbed a bowl and took a bite, but I immediately threw it up by the sink.

"Fuck, that was salty!!" I said, getting a glass of water to drink.

"Is his tongue also in peril that he can't tell how salty my food was? Idiot!" I said, staring furiously at his door, thinking that he was there standing right in front of me.

I took the cup noodles by his cupboard and ate this for lunch. After I had finished everything, I went back to his room to check on him.

He was sleeping soundly. I think it was the effect of the medicine he took. He was so peaceful, and his face looks adorably handsome. Maybe because he's burning up, his cheeks are flushed naturally. I took the towel from his forehead, soaked it again with cold water, and placed it back on it again.

Suddenly, I felt drowsy and took a nap by his side.

I woke up dreaming that Nate's flu got worse, but what greeted me was a man who was smiling and patting my head like a baby. I glanced at the clock by his bedside table and saw it was already seven o'clock.

"Good evening, my Queen," he said. I stood right up and realized I was drooling, so I immediately wiped this out of embarrassment.

"You--are you feeling better?" I asked, stammering.

"Yes. Much better!" he said smiling.

I took the thermometer and checked his temperature. He's right. His fever's already done, and he has more color to his skin that it was hours before.

"That's great. You look better but still drink your medicine. Just to make sure," I nagged.

He grabbed me by the hand and pulled me closer to him. I fell on his chest. I can hear his heart pounding loudly and fast. Although his temperature is down, I can feel his skin burning. I looked up at him and saw that he was too looking at me.

"Nate, I don't think this is the right time--"

"I missed you, Luna! I know that I said that I wouldn't rush you but seeing you here, taking care of me… I just can't help myself," he said with his whispering voice as he hugged me tightly.

I didn't know what to say to him. I can only feel my heart pounding at the same rhythm as his. My cheeks burned up, and I felt butterflies in my stomach. This is a feeling that is still unfamiliar to me. Am I getting sick now?

Nate pulled my face towards him. He leaned and was focused on my lips. I closed my eyes as I felt that he was about to kiss me, but then a thought came to mind, and I pushed him back.

He was shocked for a moment then felt sorry again. He was always transparent with his feeling that I could clearly read him by his face.

"I'm sorry, Luna. I--"

"No. I'm sorry. You're already feeling better, and that's great. Your aunt requested me to stay because she couldn't as she had family errands to do, so I subbed for her. Just… just don't forget to take medicine, okay? I-I'll have to go. Good night Nate," I said, standing up and leaving him alone by his room. I heard him called out, but I didn't even dare to look back at him.

It was already eight o'clock when I passed by a cafe near his apartment. I remembered that I was supposed to go to the library today to study, but I got so worked up hearing Nate was in trouble. I let out a big sigh, reflecting on the actions I did today. Why was I so worked upon him, by the way?

I went inside the cafe and tried to clear my head, but a familiar face caught my attention. It was Lucas!

Oh god! I feel bad for leaving him like that earlier. He must have felt embarrassed or might be angry at me for leaving him.

I walked up to his table slowly and shyly. I knocked on his table to get his attention first. I didn't even know why I did that.

"Lucas?" I said.

"Selene! Wow, what a coincidence of meeting you here. Do you live near this neighborhood?" he asked. He was surprisingly calm and energetic.

I was almost shocked when he called me out by another name. Still, I remembered that I introduced myself to him as another person, especially knowing I'm working at the cafe.

"I… Uhmmm… I was just visiting an old friend here. My friend was not feeling well, so I had to drop by," I explained vaguely.

"Oh, I see. No worries. I'm just glad that I got to meet you again. I was sad, you know, when you left me hanging earlier," he said, pouting his lips.

"I'm really sorry about that. Are you with someone else? If not, can I grab you something to eat?" He suddenly looked anxious and was looking around. I also looked around to see if he does have someone meeting here.

"Oh, uhmm. No, we're good! Take a seat," he said. I took my seat as he pulled it for me. I smiled but felt really shy because I was still guilty of my stupid act earlier this morning.

"Please, let me grab you something to eat. I insist," I said.

"Well, if you insist then," he said, calling out to the waiter.

The waiter gave us the menu, and we told him our orders. The night was still bright, so Lucas and I had much time talking about anything. He teased me about it earlier, but I told him that if we could not talk about it anymore since the food is on me. We both laughed and exchanged hilarious gossips we've heard.

"So, you're basically telling me that you are the most popular guy in your school? Are you a bit narcissist?" I teasingly asked.

"Well, I'm no narcissist, but yes. I am the most popular guy in school. So, you must feel honored," he said.

I laughed at his comment and shook my head from left to right. I checked the time and saw it was already past nine o'clock.

"Oh, I have to go. It was amusing talking with you, Lucas. I've never laughed like this before or talked so much. I had a great time," I said, reaching out to his hand.

"I'm glad that I made you feel comfortable and happy," he said.

"Truly, thank you," I said, packing my things up.

"Should I take you home?" he asked, but I rejected.

"No. It's already late, and I don't want to take more of your time, and please don't insist. Please," I said with a begging voice.

"Haha! Fine, I won't, but can I at least have your number? I would love to talk and meet with you more," he said. He is really cunning but dashing at the same time. I can't say 'no' with those puppy eyes he's showing off.

"Oh god! Enough with those eyes. Fine, give me your phone," I said, putting out my hand for him to give me his phone.

"Well, at least that worked," he said and gave me his phone.

I typed in my digits and gave it back to him. I told him to hit me with a text for me to know that it's him so that I could save his. He nodded and smiled. He walked me owut of the cafe, making sure I can get my ride home safely. I decided to just take a cab because I feel exhausted for the day.

"Looking forward to meeting you again, Selene," he said with a smile.

I smiled and hopped on the cab. I waved goodbye and mouthed the words "Thank you!"

Suddenly my phone beeped, and it was a message from an unknown sender. It says, "Good night, princess! -L." It was enough to make me think of Lucas, so I immediately saved it and closed my eyes for a short nap until I got home.