"I don't need anything. I need you!" He said, covering his face with his arms. I blushed when he said that,
"Desmond... what should I do for you?" I said sitting beside him. He removed his hands and looked at me. He held out his arms,
"Come," He said. I gulped. His behavior is completely new to me. I just don't know how to handle him.
"Desmond, Please eat something and take some medicines..." I spoke softly.
"Then, will you come?" He asked with a frown. I smiled,
"I will..."
"Fine," He said grumpily and turned his face away from me. I hesitantly put my hand over his shoulder and rubbed it gently,
"I'll be back..." He scoffed as I stood up. I was about to leave but, then Desmond called me,
"Ester!"
"Yes?" I asked with a soft smile.
"Can you cook?" He asked.
"I can."
"Cook for me," He said, covering him with the blanket.
"Okay," I said as I left.
I sighed deeply when I went to the kitchen. He is so different, right now. How should I deal with this? I am not used to his demeanor. This is so new to me, I don't know how to take care of Desmond. I decided to call Mrs Corte,
" Hello?" I said.
" Hello Sweetie, How are you?" I heard Mrs Corte's voice.
" I am fine. But, your son is not"
"What happened!?" She panicked.
"Well, He is sick and acting rather....different." I don't know what to call his behavior.
"Childish." Mrs Corte corrected me.
"Yes, It's really strange. Can you come and see him?" I asked.
"Oh Dear, He rarely gets sick. But, when he does, you need to take care of him like a child. All your affection and attention should be towards him." She explained as I nodded my head in understanding.
" As for coming, We are out of the country. Our flight is in a few hours. I'll come and see him tomorrow, okay?" She asked. A hint of shame for not being able to come for his son is visible in her voice.
"It's alright. Don't worry about it. I'll take great care of Desmond." I reassured her.
"Thank you, Sweetie. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodbye."
"Have a nice day" I smiled as I cut the call.
All of my affection and attention is always for him. I cooked food for him. I opened the door, with a creaking sound.
"Desmond.." I called him. He was panting heavily. I put the food aside. He coughed badly. I helped him to sit and patted his back. His breath is so heavy. I sat beside him as he began to eat his food. He ate his food, then I gave him some medicine. He laid back. He looked at me.
"Ester..." He called my name as I hummed in response.
"My head aches." He said nuzzling close to me. I tentatively put my hand on his head. My heart began to beat faster. This is the first time I am touching his facial features. I gently pressed my fingers and began to massage his head.
I felt so hesitant to do anything. With every action, I feel like, He's gonna be angry.
A part of me wishes that he won't recover. I shook my head to let that unbelievable thought out. How could I think like that? But, this is what I strive for all these months. I don't want this to end. He'll be back to his cold and cruel nature when he'll recover. After this short-lived passion filled with care and love, I don't want to go back.
"Ester.." He called me again. "Yes?"
"What is that song you usually hum to yourself?". He asked.
"Why?", "I want you to sing that to me. Not the full song but those lyrics you usually sing." He said snuggling closer. I blushed a little and gulped. "Okay.." I trailed off. I took a deep breath and began to sing,
Doesn’t Matter you exist or not…
You dwell in my soul…
It’s fine if you are not mine..
But, I am yours…
Your words are a deception
But, I love straying in them.
I love your pain..
Even If it breaks my heart..
Desmond smiled and said, "You sing it referring to me and yourself, don't you?" I averted my gaze as my smile faded, "Yes.." I whispered. He held my hand and kissed it slightly, startling me.
"Those dreams in your eyes are precious, treasure them. Maybe not all the talks we shared are a lie. I know life is cruel, I know it, but If you are here, It makes a lot of difference to me.." He spoke in a reassuring tone. I chuckle nervously because whatever he was saying is beyond my understanding. Maybe he is sick, that's why he is talking like that.
After a while, he pulled me closed in his arms. I climbed under the covers and felt his warmth, I crave from the depths of my heart. His arms are pulling me close to him. I felt his hot breath on my face. He was panting. His forehead is pressed against mine. That feeling of the tenderness of his touch is embedding a desire for a new tomorrow filled with his love and fondness within my soul. I closed my eyes and let myself fall into the feeling I longed for.
I hope he does this when he is himself. But, it's alright. That day will come too. I smiled as I remember him comforting me last night. I effusively welcomed his warmth and drifted to sleep with the feeling I tried so hard to get... Maybe... the talks of the heart are not misleading words...