Chapter 15

"Cein," Orlyn woke Cein quietly.

Cein opened her eyes quickly and looked at Orlyn. Cein smiled slightly and forced herself to sit up.

"You're home?" asked Cein, then leaned her body against the back of the bed.

"Already? Why haven't you eaten? Does that mean you haven't taken your medicine?" asked Orlyn, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I'm not hungry," Cein replied.

"But you have to eat so you can take your medicine. Papa had to buy all the food the people sold in front of you so you could eat."

Orlyn continued to chatter as she pressed her hand to Cein's forehead.

"How long has it been hot? Why didn't you call me?" Orlyn asked again, looking closely at Cein.

Cein did not answer right away and looked at Orlyn instead.

"Cein, answer me. Why the hell? Now eat, huh? Dad bought Cein meatballs earlier, but I know you can only eat soft things when you have such a fever. Since I just got home from work, I can't make porridge right away," Orlyn explained as she picked up the bowl Orlyn had brought into her room.

"So what is this? I'm bothering dad, right?" said Cein.

"Yes, you should be sick on your own. Stay in our own house, so it's only me who's bothered," Orlyn said lightly and took a spoonful of food that looked like porridge.

"You're right," Cein said with a deep sigh.

Orlyn frowned and looked at Cein.

"Why did she say that?" Orlyn wondered.

"Let's eat first! Then you can drink some medicine to reduce the heat," Orlyn said and pushed a spoonful of food into Cein's mouth.

Cein ate it obediently, then Cein's forehead wrinkled in confusion at the taste of the food Orlyn gave her.

"What is it?" Cein asked after swallowing her food.

"Fresh bread I soaked in hot chocolate milk. I didn't have time to make porridge, so it's okay, right?" asked Orlyn, still looking at her husband.

Cein did not immediately answer Orlyn's words. In fact, Cein looked at Orlyn with tearful eyes. Cein turned her face away and wiped away her tears.

"What's wrong with you, Cein?" asked Orlyn, surprised that Cein was crying.

"It's okay, I eat here alone. You, take a shower first! You must be tired from working all day," Cein said, taking the bowl Orlyn was holding.

Orlyn was a little surprised by what Cein was doing, but as usual, Orlyn just followed Cein's wishes.

The night was very late. Orlyn ended up staying at her parents' house because Cein's fever did not go down. Orlyn slept across from Cein. At first, Orlyn couldn't fall asleep because Cein was still delirious. After Cein fell asleep, Orlyn fell asleep as well.

Cein slowly opened her eyes and looked at Orlyn, who was sleeping right in front of her. Cein smiled slightly and then rubbed Orlyn's hair lightly.

"You're right, I have to get sick in secret so as not to disturb anyone," Cein whispered.

***

Orlyn woke up early. He wanted to take Cein to the doctor this morning. Orlyn was ready and approached Cein, who was lying in bed. Orlyn's steps stopped because his cell phone rang. Then Orlyn saw Kozie's name on the screen.

"Kozie?" Orlyn said quietly and quickly answered the call.

Zie sat up to see his wife answer the phone.

"What is it Zie? I'm still at home," Orlyn said.

"Huh? Today is my WFH. Can't we just have the meeting the day after tomorrow?"

Orlyn looked confused as she listened to Kozie's explanation. Then Orlyn looked at Cein, who looked pale.

"Ok then," Orlyn said and ended her conversation with Kozie.

Cein had guessed that his wife hadn't been able to take him to the doctor this morning. Cein smiled and tapped lightly on the bed to tell Orlyn to sit down.

"Here!"

Orlyn obeyed and walked over to Cein. Orlyn sat on the edge of the bed and looked at Cein guiltily.

"Cein, sorry? I have to go to the cafe. How about we go to the doctor in the afternoon?" Orlyn offered.

Cein smiled and took Orlyn's hand.

"It's okay, Lyn. That's your job. I'd rather not go to the doctor. If you really have to go, I can ask Papa to take you," Cein said, not wanting his wife to feel uncomfortable.

"How is it better? You still have a fever, so just ask Papa to take you?"

Cein nodded his head in agreement with Orlyn's request.

"Really?" forced Orlyn again.

"Yes, Orlyn," Cein said with a smile.

Orlyn smiled as well and sighed deeply. Then Orlyn looked at her watch and looked back at Cein.

"I'm going to the cafe now, okay?" Orlyn said.

"Um, take care? Bring my car, okay?" said Cein, who then took his car keys.

Orlyn took the car keys and looked thoughtful. Then Orlyn nodded and got up. Before actually leaving, Cein quickly held Orlyn's hand. Orlyn looked at Cein with a puzzled frown.

"Can I hold you for a moment?" Cein asked.

"Ha?" Orlyn was confused by Cein's question.

Without waiting for Orlyn's permission, Cein pulled Orlyn close again and hugged her tightly.

"I'm sorry, Lyn," Cein pleaded softly.

"Yes, I've really forgotten everything. I also apologize for saying nonsense to you."

Cein nodded and tightened her hug around Orlyn. Cein was worried and did not know what decision to make regarding the recommendation of heart surgery for her again.

***

Kozie gave some instructions for new innovations in her cafe. All of his employees who attended the meeting nodded their heads in understanding. Orlyn himself was not at ease after this meeting. His mind had been on Cein since this morning. Usually, Orlyn didn't think about Cein the whole day.

"Is it because Cein is sick again? That's why I'm so worried and think about her all the time," Orlyn thought as he continued to look straight ahead, but his mind was everywhere now.

Orlyn's hand didn't stop tapping lightly on the table. Until Kozie finally ended the meeting and everyone stood up. Orlyn gasped slightly and then stood up as well. Orlyn was like a dazed person and walked out of the meeting room.

Orlyn took a deep breath and sat down in his chair. Orlyn wiped his face and picked up his cell phone from the table. Orlyn dialed Cein's number and put the phone to his ear.

"Hello Cein, how's the fever?" asked Orlyn when Cein answered the call.

"Did you finish the meeting?" asked Cein on the other end.

"Why are you calling me back? How are you? I, from earlier, was not calm in the meeting. Did you see a doctor?"

Orlyn bombarded Cein with many questions. Cein could be heard giggling on the other side.

"Cein, don't laugh!"

"Yes, yes, yes, sorry. I, it's okay, but I have to go to the hospital. My platelets are low and I am dehydrated. You finish the job first. I'm here with Mom and Dad. So don't worry!"

Tut... tut... tut.

Cein and Orlyn's conversation was interrupted just like that. Cein looked down at her cell phone in confusion.

Orlyn scurried off with her bag and car keys. Then Orlyn ran over to Kozie, who seemed to check today's menu.

"Zie," Orlyn called.

Kozie looked at Orlyn and frowned in confusion when Orlyn seemed to panic.

"Why, Lyn?" he asked later.

"I may go home, right? Even if I'm not allowed to go home yet, I have to go home by force. I have to go to the hospital," Orlyn said, unable to hide his panic.

"Hospital? Who is in the hospital?"

"Cein, I'm sorry, Zie. I really have to go."

With that, Orlyn left without waiting for Kozie's permission. Kozie's brow furrowed in surprise.

"Cein? Who the hell is that guy?"

***