I don’t know what his problem is. I guess he’s just in love getting mad at everyone. There was no time he wasn’t angry. It’s also annoying sometimes that it seems like he always wants those around him to adjust. But I will not do what he says. I want to know more about my sister.
“Why would I do that? You can request anything but not that thing!” I don’t care if anyone hears us, but I don’t think it’s right for him to suddenly act like this. It would have been nice if Wayne had done something bad; then he will have a reason!
“What do you think people will say when they find out you’re laughing with another guy? Your fiance is right in front of you but you are not ashamed to flirt with others!” It was as if my ears were throbbing at what I heard. How can he say such words? Where do these words come from? Is he so deeply angry with me?
I slapped him hard and stare blankly. “Why do you only mention the word’ fiance’ when it’s convenient for you? Did you think about how I felt when you said I am just your fiance in the contract? Yes, and I want you to like me! But I won’t lower myself too much just for your whims in life! “I pushed him and ran out. I didn’t know where I was going, as long as I just wanted to get away from him.
Since this province is a mountain, I ran to where the lumberjacks were passing. Their path is narrow, as if one wrong move, you fall will fall to the cliff. When no one was passing by, I walked down the minor road. It was still muddy, so my heart was very nervous. It also getting dark so I am even more scared.
I walked slowly for fear that I might make a mistake. When I was close to the end, I didn’t notice the rock in front of me, so I was out of balance. Fortunately, there was a small branch on my side and I hold to it. My heart could not stop beating. It looks like I will follow my family immediately because of this road.
When I got past there, I felt the slightest drops of rain, but I walked. I thought the rain would not continue because it was not strong, but I was surprised when it heavily fell.
It was too dark and I could see nothing on the road. I don’t want to go back because of where I went through earlier; that road is wet and I’m sure it’s muddy. If I went through there, I might just slip. I ran to find shelter. I even took a large leaf that I saw; to somehow avoid getting wet, even though I was soaking wet. While searching, I slipped, and I almost fell off the cliff thankfully, and someone held my hand. I let go of the leaf and my eyes widened in shock at my sudden slipping.
When Hugo and I stood up, I saw he was also wet. I hugged him because I could feel the fear in my heart. My hand trembled with a mixture of fear, nervousness, and coldness of the rain. The hug didn’t last long because he pulled me somewhere.
We were soaking from the rain when we sight a hut made of palm leaves. Hugo pulled me there and as we entered, there was a small rough bed in the corner and scattered dried citronella grass.
“Take off your clothes, so you don’t get sick,” Hugo said while lifting his shirt.
I awkwardly turn back and struggles to open the small window. I don’t know how to open it when Hugo took a thick wood and raised the cover. I flushed when I see him wearing nothing on his top.
“It won’t stop raining until tomorrow. It’s cold having your clothes wet. You need to take them off or you will get sick,” Hugo warned.
“I’m fine. I don’t easily get sick, “I insist.
Hugo gathers all the dried citronella grass until he’s done. “I’ll sleep on this rough bed and can use this. It’s softer and warmer than there.”
I didn’t remove my clothes even we were sleeping. Hugo woke up to see if the rain had stopped when he saw me sitting while hugging my knees. He quickly got off the bed and approach me. The rain did not stop, but it subsided. By the time he touched me the heat encircled my palm.
“I remind you to take them off! I thought you did what I told you,” he said, irritated.
“Haaa... I’m sorry,” I said exhaustedly.
Hugo removed my shirt and arrange the dried leaves and expand it. He lifts and lays me on the leaves. I talk in the lowest voice, “W-what are you doing?”
“Ssshh.” I was startled when Hugo hug me, “This would be enough to keep you warm and lessen the cold.”
I didn’t react and remained in my position straight until I fell asleep.
After a few hours, I woke up.
“Hmmm. So warm.” I was surprised to see our position. I was holding Hugo’s chest and resting my feet on his legs. While Hugo’s one hand was wrapped around my waist and it served the other one as a pillow to me.
I tried to sit but ended up laying again because of dizziness. Hugo was alarmed, seeing me trying to move. “Don’t move yet, you’re not still okay.”
I display my hand and gesture to him I am fine, but Hugo keeps insisting and checks my temperature by placing his hand on my forehead. “We should hurry back home for you to rest,” he worriedly announced and hurriedly stand up.
The smell of petrichor emanated as we open the fragile door of the hut house. Hugo supports my step because of the slippery and muddy paths caused by rain. When we exit, we saw a lumberjack walking.
The lumberjack stop and asked, “Did the rain catch you last night? The storm was strong. Luckily, everyone is fine and safe.”
“Yes.” That is all I said. I have nothing to say.
Hugo talk suddenly, “My wife here has a fever, where can I buy medicines?”
“When you sort this out mountain, you will pass through the small house. There’s a lady who sells herbal medicine.”
Hugo said his goodbyes as we proceed.
When we returned; the worried complexions of elders greeted us. Even Chris is here.
“We don’t know where to look for you because of the intense storm,” the old man said. “Where have you been? I’m uneasy about not knowing where you both might be.”
“We went to the top of this mountain to go for a walk but suddenly the rain pour.” I reasoned.
The eyes of the old woman shifted to me. “What happened to you?”
“We got wet from the rain so she got sick.” It’s Hugo.
“What are you waiting for, Adele? Get some rest and maybe your fever will get worse.” They were genuinely worried because they even helped me into the hut.
After they lay me down on the bed, they exit. “We are leaving first so you can rest,” the woman advises. “You too Hugo, go and change your clothes. It’s hard to get sick nowadays.”
When they leave, Hugo watches me peacefully staring at the ceiling. When he was ready to leave, I stop him. He gasps. “What’s the matter?”
“Don’t go.”
“Huh? I’m not going anywhere. I was just about to cook you soup and get a wet towel for me to wipe you,” he explained.
Slowly, I let go of him and my eyelid fell until I was completely asleep.
----
I blink and seat, “Where am I?” The towel fell from my forehead.
The door opens, and it reveals Hugo carrying a mug and bowl. “AH! Are you awake? You slept for half a day. Would you like some porridge?”
“Yes. Thank you.” I couldn’t refuse his offer because my stomach is empty.
I flinched when Hugo lean and raised his hand. Hugo touched my forehead and touch his own too. “I think you still have a slight fever. I was worried because you had a fever since last night.”
“I’m fine now.”
“Next time, listen to what people are saying,” Hugo sighed and scooped the bowl.
“I can do it. What time is it now?”
“It’s already afternoon and you have eaten nothing yet,” Hugo put the bowl on my lap.
The blue sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds that drifted lazily in the gentle breeze. Muffled chatter floats as I gaze in the window.