How Deep is Your Love?

6 - Brian

I got soaked almost immediately in the rain as soon as I got out of the car but I didn’t mind and went to check the car. Opening the compartment, it was really a problem with the battery. Fortunately, it wasn’t leaking or anything and so I closed it back right away.

Geez. Why does it have to be today? I thought before I hurried back to the driver’s seat. I totally regret not having a spare battery in the car. I’d definitely make sure I have a spare one next time.

“Will we be able to do something about it? I still can’t get any signal on both phones.” Natalie said, pouting as she turned to me with both phones on her hands.

“We can jump-start it if only some other car passes this way and sees us.” I answered.

Then I saw a handkerchief in front of me. “You’re drenched. Use it.”

“Thanks.” I replied, taking it from her and began wiping my face and neck.

She looked at her watch and sighed. “It’s still a little past 10pm. Maybe we can still wait for a car to pass by and help us with the jump-start.”

“Hopefully.” I responded.

“If not, I can push it from the back.” She boldly suggested.

“Not an option. I will not allow you to do that.” I replied almost immediately. “But if needed, I would be the one to push and you’ll be starting the engine.”

“You know very well that I don’t really drive.” She reasoned and sighed.

“It’s just simple. I can instruct you how.” I contradicted and she rolled her eyes.

“I’d rather push the car.” She blurted out.

Amused as to how she’d really changed from the demure girl I once knew before. she’d always look nervous around me, and mostly will do everything that I say without questions but now she’s different. I couldn’t help but slightly chuckle at myself for suddenly remembering the old times.

“What’s funny?” She asked, her eyes curious as she looked at me.

“Nothing. I just remembered something.” I replied and she frowned cutely.

I didn’t know that I actually find her cute.

“So what do we do now? I don’t think the storm will stop anytime soon.” Natalie said and sighed, giving me back my phone. “There’s still no service. I’m sure Tita Lorie and Uncle Philip are already worried to death.”

“Mom knows that you’re with me. So she wouldn’t be that worried. Besides, we’ll be fine. Let’s just wait for a while and see if any car would pass by this area. If not, then there are two options left, we wait here till morning or we try to manually push the car and see if we can start it.” I replied and looked at her. “Don’t worry okay. We’ll be fine.”

“Okay.” She answered shortly.

***

I suddenly woke up because of the sound of the car door being closed quite hastily creating a loud noise. I blinked my eyes immediately and all the sleepiness left me when I saw Natalie is now soaking wet on her seat.

“Sorry to wake you up.” She said as soon as she saw me move.

“Geez. What happened to you? Why are you so wet?” I asked loudly as I straightened up on my seat.

“Oh, those car jerks just drove off and didn’t even bother to stop even when I tried to yell for help.” She answered, absolute frustration is seen in her face.

“What?” I blurted out not quite understanding.

“I finally saw a car coming and since we can’t even use the car horn now, I went out to try and stop them. But the driver was for sure a sure a jerk and didn’t stop.” She explained while trying to pat-dry herself.

“You shouldn’t have. Look at you. You look like a wet chick.” I commented and she pouted. “You should have woken me up instead since I was already wet in the first place.

“You were soundly sleeping and snoring. Besides, I know that you just came from a board meeting and so I thought that maybe you’re really too tired and dozed off to sleep.” She reasoned out.

“Still, you should have woken me up.” I insisted, annoyance is clearly evident on my voice.

“Gosh, are we going to fight or this now?” She asked.

“We’re not fighting. I was just saying.” I replied which made her roll her eyes on me.

“I was just trying to help okay? Sorry for not waking you up. Plus, it’s already done.” She responded with finality and I sighed. “It’s not like I can undo what’s already done.”

I also don’t know why I got so annoyed that I allowed her to get wet in the middle of a storm or more so, I’m frustrated with myself for dozing off to sleep. I felt irresponsible for letting her do that. Or worse, something bad could have happened to her.

“Fine. Sorry too. It’s just that, I’m the man here and you’re a woman. What if those guys were more than jerks and they decided to stop and take you, like kidnap you or something? You’re even wearing a dress, damn it! And it’s dark outside! You know what I mean? I’m responsible for you. And I just don’t want something to happen to you.” I spoke my mind which made her look at me intently, without blinking. “And now that you’re wet, what if you get cold and get sick? Geez!”

“You’re concerned about me?” She suddenly asked and I was like stunned for a moment and met her gaze.

“What?! Is that even a question? Of course, I’m concerned!” I immediately replied which made her smile widely.

“That’s the first.” She said and her face brighten as she hummed while patting her dripping hair.

“You’re crazy.” I commented and sighed as I laid my back on my inclined seat.

“I know.” She whispered which I heard.

***

We waited all the more while the rain continued to pour intensely and hours passed by while we talked bot talked to each other occasionally until she drifted to sleep. I checked the time and it’s already past 3am. For sure, mom and dad has already sent out some men to look for us and they’d find us any moment from now.

I looked at Natalie who is now softly snoring and smiled at her cute mouth which is slightly parted. I then fixed my coat that covered her and quietly chuckled at the thought her trying to fight her sleep earlier.

“Silly girl.” I said as I unconsciously reached out my hand to brush away the hairs covering her pretty face.

Looking at her, I suddenly felt my heartbeat was racing at a pace I have long forgotten. Like it was swelling with something I can’t even fathom and it threatening to burst out of my chest. I immediately gulped down and sat straightly on my chair, looking the other way. I then tried my best not to look her way and just stared at the rain from the window on my side.

What was that?

An hour or so later, I heard some honking from afar which made me sigh in relief. And I wasn’t mistaken as I saw several high cars coming our way. Recognizing the cars, I immediately turned to the sleeping girl beside me.

“Natalie.” I called out the first time but she just stirred in her seat and looked the other way. “Natz.”

I called out once more as I drew closer to her, shaking her shoulder but she still didn’t wake up. Slowly, worry began slipping in me. I then noticed that she was actually trembling.

“Natalie? What’s wrong? Wake up now. They’re here. We can finally go home now.” I said as I still tried to shake her but she was unresponsive. I got up and went closer to her and felt her forehead, then her neck. That’s when I realized that she’s actually burning with fever.

“Sh*t!” I cursed out loud before I take off her seatbelt. “Natz? Natz?”

I called out once again, worry filled my voice. I automatically pulled her over to me, wrapping my arms around her in a tight warm hug.

“It’s alright. You’ll be alright.” I said repeatedly in a rush of breath.

***

“She’ll be fine after the medicines take effect. Then she just needed a few days of rest to recover fully.” Dr. Cruz said after checking Natalie who’s now soundly sleeping in the hospital bed.

“Thank goodness.” Mom said and sighed before thanking the doctor.

I also sighed in relief upon hearing it and cursed myself once more for letting her get wet, thus, the fever.

“She just have to be more careful as usual. Her anemia’s gotten worse than what I remembered.” Dr. Cruz added which made me crease my brows.

“Anemia’s gotten worse than before?” I blurted out as I confusedly looked at Dr. Cruz who just nodded.

“Natalie has a rare kind of anemia and she’s been my patient even before. And so I’d still want to run more test on her to make sure everything fine.” Dr. Cruz answered.

“Sure, doctor. Please do so.” Mom replied and thanked the doctor again before she left.

“Why did I not know that Natalie has a rare kind of anemia?” I asked, a bit frustrated.

“Well, you never asked, iho.” Mom replied nonchalantly before going beside Natalie to check her once more.

“But still…” I said and mom looked at me and sighed.

“Natalie also didn’t want people to know. She’s just so private with everything especially when she’s hurting or in pain.” Mom replied and smiled sadly.

“Since when did you know, mom?” I asked.

“Since she came.” She answered and sighed. “Don’t make a big deal out of it, iho. Go home now and rest too. I’m sure you’re equally tired and also you’ve dried out in your wet clothes already. So go.”

“But.” I said and Mom just pushed me out of the door.

***