Chapter 24

El"s pov
My eyes hurt a lot earlier when I woke up. The light was so dazzling that I almost went to the kitchen to brush my teeth while my eyes are close. When I got to the kitchen, I was very surprised by Ivan"s presence. And I realized hat's why all the lights are on because he's still here. I"m not used to having someone else at home every time I wake up so I was literally shocked and screamed because of him. He stated that I may appear to be well now, which is correct because I no longer have a fever. I was grateful and my fever immediately lost because Ivan could not always be here to watch over me.I also had no idea what would happen if no one came in to help me because I couldn't stand those hours. I will definitely be very weak because I can no longer prepare what I can eat.
I'm not sure why I haven't learned to calm with Ivan. When I had a fever, I merely calmed down with him, but now I'm yelling at him again. I was worried that Jas would appear out of nowhere and see Ivan. Because of Ivan's look and the clothes he was wearing, Jas will undoubtedly notice that he slept here. It's a shame, because Jas wasn't the first person to use the extra pillow and blanket I purchased. Ivan was really privileged in that he was the first to use it, and he much appreciated and slept comfortably as a result of the wonderful scent of the blanket and pillow. I used a lot of fabric conditioner and then added my perfume once it dried. It irritates me that Ivan benefited from the blanket and pillow I worked so hard on. It was all due to his obstinacy; I had told him he needed to go home last night, but he refused, so I just lent him the blanket and pillow I had prepared for Jas.
He couldn't stand the cold and bug bites in the living room any longer. His wealthy parents will blame me if he gets dengue fever. I also know he isn't accustomed to sleeping on the couch. The room was cramped, and I could tell his back pained. I'm sure his room is as large as my entire apartment, but it's his fault for putting up with it when I told him to go home and he didn't.
He remarked something that caused me to raise an eyebrow at him: "Your voice is too high; you are no longer ashamed of your visitor."
"Who is my guest? You? Why should I be embarrassed by you? Are you a celebrity? Are you an artist?" I asked.
I was annoyed with him because he thought so highly of himself. Why should I be ashamed of him? But the annoyance I feel is not the same as before. Thanks to his help, I was relieved. I just acted like this but I'm comfortable with him.
I frowned even more after hearing ivan laugh. He was laughing so hard that he was already gripping his stomach.
"Are you already insane? What are you laughing at?" I asked, irritated.
"HAHAHAHAHA how about you?" He also asked while pointing me by his index finger. "Are you blind? Didn't you see that you had a guest in the living room?"
I was even more surprised and I couldn"t understand what he meant.
"HAHAHAHA you're so excited to see me so you didn't notice him," he added. When I looked away from him, his laughter continued.
When I walked into the living room, I noticed a man sitting and kneeling slightly. I approached him right away, and when I called his name, he promptly raised his head.
"Are you here for too long, Jas?" I inquired as I took a seat beside him. I didn't even hear Ivan's laughter so silence enveloped the whole apartment. He did not answer my question and he asked me.
"Are you feeling okay?" He asked and I nodded.
"I'm sorry, I didn't notice you, I was so dazzled by the light earlier that I almost went to the kitchen while my eyes were closed," I said and Ivan shouted from the kitchen.
"Jas, don't believe El's explanation! She"s just lying! He is really excited to see me!" I let out a gasp before turning to face the kitchen.
"Shut up! I don't care what you think!"
When I returned my gaze to Jas, he handed me a paper bag. "What is this?" I asked as I opened the package he had given me, and I couldn't help but smile when I saw it.
I nodded as he said, "The hot chocolate is cold; just repeat it on the water heater."
"Thanks, Jas!" I said, giggling. "You really know my favorite, and I appreciate your going out of your way to get it for me; you really came to the city to buy it from Nanay Lao."
I was delighted, and his behavior toward me had reverted to normal. I'm still not sure why he did what he did yesterday, but I'm fine with not knowing if he can't tell me right now. The crucial thing is that we return to our previous state.
We heard a hem and turned in the direction we heard it. Ivan was standing there, serious looking at us, and I could see him gulping at the same time.
"I have to come back home, El," he explained.
I rose up to approach Ivan after looking at Jas and receiving his nod.
He began walking and stood outside the door, waiting for me. When I arrived to his position, he shut the door and gave me a serious look.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" I asked. I'm not used to him not having an expression, and when he does, I feel as though I've done something wrong and have badly hurt him. "Are you really going home? Why don't you join me for the breakfast you prepared?"
With a shake of his head, he expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation. He forced a smile as he answered, "No, I'll just have breakfast at home."
"Do you have a problem with me?" I asked him.
"Why? Are you concerned about me?"
I rolled my eyes at him and said, "assuming, I'm just not used to you looking like that."
He smiled and touched the top of my head. As he drew his face closer to mine, I was taken aback. "Hug me," he added, smiling, "so that my expression returns to my natural face." I pushed him away because I understood his smile was no longer a ruse.
He said, "I'm leaving," and I nodded. He said, pouting, "Is it final? I really can't take a hug from you?" I was ready to respond to him when he spoke first. "It's only a joke, El. Goodbye."
"Your umbrella? You won't take it yet?" Even though there is only mist, he should still use the umbrella.
He looked around and observed how strong the mist was. "It's just mist. Fever is scared to me, so just give me my umbrella in another day. Give it back to me when we're at school."
He turned around and began walking after I nodded. When I called his name, he quickly came to a halt and turned back to face me. He was smiling, but his brows were lifted, as if he was wondering why I had called him.
"Confirm me on facebook," he said before turning his back on me and start to walk again.
When he disappeared from my sight, I entered the apartment and approached Jas.
"Did he leave already?" Jas' asked.
I nodded in response. "I"ll leave you here, Jas. I"ll just need to fix myself."
I've already spoken with them, but my hair is still a mess, and I haven't cleansed my face or brushed my teeth. I'm not sure how I appear right now, and I'm hoping I don't have solidified saliva on my cheek from a morning start.
He smiled and replied, "Go ahead, I'll wait for you here."
I turned away from him and went to my room. I'm not sure why, but I'm relieved. I'm not sure where my happiness comes from, but I'm grateful for everything.
Ivan"s pov
I awoke early and immediately began preparing the ingredients for what I planned to make for breakfast. I am just as delighted when I go to sleep as I am when I get up. It's only 3 a.m., and if I'm at home, I'm sure I'm still sleeping. I'm not sure what happened that I couldn't fall asleep despite not sleeping for eight hours. My sleep was definitely worth it, and I'll never forget the scent of the blankets and pillows that El gave me. In fact, I'd like to take it home, but that seems excessive.
Time passed quickly so I was close to finishing what I was cooking. I was excited to wake up El and we would eat the breakfast I had prepared together. I hope she is well and enjoys my food. I'm not very good at cooking; I can do it, but I'm not very good at it. I don't cook at home, and our helper is responsible for all of our chores. Even yet, my parents did not spoil me as a child. My parents only give me once when it comes to my luxuries in life, so I had to work hard to achieve what I wanted.
When I heard a knock at the door, I was astonished but didn't open it. I approached the door with the spoon I was using for cooking when the knock came again, and I was not shocked to see Jas. Other than him, I don't expect anyone else to show up.
"You're too early, Jas," I said, smiling. "El is still sleeping." I'm not going to let him ruin my happiness today.
I ushered him inside because he didn't speak. He didn't say anything as he came in, and he seemed like a bad trip to me. I didn't understand what he was saying, so when he turned to face me, I told him I'd just keep cooking.
I returned to the kitchen and waited for the breakfast I had been making to finish. El's unexpected appearance as if numerous ladies were conspiring to deceive her due to the appearance of her hair caught me off guard. She was also astonished to see me, and the first time she yelled at me, I realized she wasn't sick anymore since she was treating me the same way she had before. I smiled and couldn't help but laugh because she didn't seem to see Jas when she walked past the living room.
She didn't say anything as she walked out of the kitchen, and I could see she was terrified. My laughter died down, and I couldn't help but be affected by her reaction.
I've finished what I'm cooking and have everything ready for the table. I exited the kitchen and walked to the living room to inform them that breakfast was ready, but the happiness I had built up dissipated when I saw them both. Jas was carrying breakfast, and El's gladness could be seen on her face. I've only seen her smile once, and I know I can't afford to give her that smile . Jas had just purchased the breakfast he had brought for El, whereas I had made an effort to cook but was not appreciative of my endeavors. It seems to be questioning why I did that because there was nothing ordered me to prepared the breakfast.
It's disheartening. I assumed I'd be able to carry the euphoria I'd accumulated since last night until I woke up, but I was mistaken. Expecting something hurts as everything in the world might change. Maybe I should go home this time because she doesn't seem to care about me when the person she wants is nearby. I"m not numb and I can"t fool myself. I could tell the difference between how she looked at Jas and how she looked at me with my two eyes. Her eyes light up when she talks to Jas, just like mine do when I talk to her, so I understand how she feels.
"I'm leaving, El," I stated calmly as they both blinked at me as I hemmed.
I turned away from them, thinking El would not follow. I waited for her outside the door when I reached. When she approached closer, I shut the door, and she seemed to notice the shift in my expression. I asked her if she was concerned with me and now that she is so close to me, my heart is having fun again. Maybe it"s like this when you love someone; even if you"ve been hurt, you still can"t stop yourself from feeling a little hopeful.
I was about to leave but she called me again. When I turned to her and heard her gratitude, I could feel it coming from her heart. I turned around again and whispered to myself, "trust the process, Ivan. Don't give up too soon if you love someone."