AS MUCH as Leo loves watching Vraiose being competitive, hindi rin niya maipagkakaila na nami-miss na niya ang dalaga. Ang huling matagal na pag-uusap nila ay noong ipakita niya ang mga scores kay Vraiose.

She was beaming with happiness but when she saw his papers, bigla na lang nag-iba ang ekspresyon nito sa mukha. She was pouting and her eyes were sporting with competitiveness. As if she was asking herself if her efforts were enough.

And as for him, he studied hard dahil ayaw niya na mapahiya ito kay Vraiose. She's smart and Leo was different from her. His mind was occupied with so many things that listening to their teachers was not enough for him to understand their lessons.

So he spent the whole semestral break to study, instead of going out and help in their Café.

"Leo? Hindi ka pa raw kumakain…" Pumasok sa loob ng kwarto niya ang kapatid at may dala itong tray na may lamang pagkain.

"I'll eat that later, Ate. May ginagawa lang ako," aniya.

His sister only sighed at his stubbornness. Ilang beses 'yon na naulit simula nang magsimula ang second semester nila. His daily routine changed, abruptly.

Magiging sa umaga. Mag-aayos papasok sa School. He'll study while he's in his way. Debating with Vraiose in every subject na may recitation. He'll ace the exam dahil alam niya na mas lalong gaganahan si Vraiose. Uuwi. Haharap sa computer niya para gawin ang trabaho and later on study until dawn. Repeat.

He seldom eats and drink. Kahit ang dinadala na pagkain ng kapatid niya sa kwarto niya ay hindi nagagalaw. Pisces was worried and mad at him at the same time but Leo did not heed his sister any attention.

Leo was aware of how bad his new routine. But he doesn't care.

Sa school, he always wanted to talk to her. Pinipigilan niya lang ang sarili, he was afraid that Rayos will rejected him. Isa pa, palagi rin ito na may suot na earphones.

"Leo, kumain ka naman oh!" His sister begged him. May dala itong tinapay na galing sa café nila at isang mineral bottle.

Binuksan niya ang pintuan ng sasakyan nila at tamad na pumasok bago kunin ang tinapay at tubig na binigay ng kapatid niya. Leo sighed as he felt his body weakened. Pumikit siya at isinandal ang ulo sa upuan.

"Ate, yung air-con…" reklamo niya.

"Why? Malamig ba masyado?" Kunot ang noo na tanong nito sa kanya. "Wait… Leo what the hell!" sigaw ng kapatid niya pagkatapos nitong ilapat ang likuran ng kamay sa noo at leeg niya.

Leo clutched his head and groaned. His head was throbbing badly. He could hear his sister panicking because of his loud groans. Ang kapatid na niya ang naglagay sa seatbelt niya at mabilis na pinaharurot ang sasakyan.

He just found himself lying on his bed with his sister taking care of him while nagging him. As if her, nagging him, will help her make his fever go down.

"I need to study…" Leo weakly said.

"No! Rest will you?" Pisces pushed him back to his bed. "Hindi ka mamamatay kung hindi ka mag-aaral ngayong gabi, pero pwede ka mamatay kung susubukan mo ulit na tumayo dyan!" pananakot ng kapatid niya sa kanya.

Salitan ang kapatid at Mommy nila sa pagbabantay sa kanya. When morning came, kusang gumalaw ang katawan niya at nag-ayos para pumasok sa school. His sister saw him and nagged him nonstop.

Leo turned to face her and said, "I can walk. I can manage, Ate. Kailangan ko pumasok. Don't worry, kakainin ko ang baon ko at iinom ng gamot." He assured his sister.

Walang nagawa ang kapatid niya sa kakulitan niya. Leo wore a hoodie and covered his head. He's cold. Pero hindi niya 'yon pinahalata sa kapatid niya dahil baka imbes na sa School siya nito ihatid, idiretso na lang siya bigla sa hospital.

"I'll pick you up later, okay? Susunduin kita sa mismong room niyo!"

Tumango lang siya sa kapatid at mabilis na bumaba sa sasakyan. His head was still spinning as his eyes were getting blurred. Laking pasalamat siya na nakapasok siya sa classroom nila na hindi siya natumba sa daan.

His seatmate was asking him from time to time if he's good. Panay lang ang tango niya rito.

"We're having a quiz later, kaya mo ba?" he asked him.

"Kaya ko." Mariin na sagot niya.

Sigurado siya na kaya niya. Pero nang mag-umpisa na ang quiz nila, he only managed to answer few questions. He got the lowest score as the result. Sa punto na 'yon, wala na talaga siyang interes. His head was pounding harshly. Parang sasabog ang ulo niya. He doesn't even mind if they'll talking bad about him for having a low score.

Because of that, Rayos talked to him. He missed her voice. Thinking baka mahawa ito sa lagnat niya, agad siyang nagpaalam dito at lumabas sa classroom nila. He'll talk to her once his fever gone.

He was hugging himself as he walked towards the parking space. Ang init ng katawan niya pero heto siya ngayon at nilalamig.

"Leo!"

Napalingon siya nang marinig ang boses ni Vraiose na umalingawngaw. Kumunot ang noo niya nang makita na hinihingal ito.

He stay rooted from where he's standing and waited for her. Kahit na kaunti na lang ay matutumba na siya sa panghihina. His ears were ringing that the only words he heard from her was 'sorry'. Alam kaagad niya kung bakit at para saan 'yon.

Parang may sariling utak ang mga kamay niya at niyakap si Vraiose. Leo smiled as he felt her warmth. He missed her.

"It's okay, Vraiose. You can be competitive as long as you like, you can treat me as your rival and I'll pay no mind." Leo weakly whispered to her.

The next thing Leo knew, Vraiose was already crying as she hugged him back. Hindi niya alam kung paano ito papatahanin, lalo na at napapansin na niya na pinagtitinginan sila.

"Goodness!" Mabilis na humiwalay sa kanya si Vraiose at pinunasan ang magkabilang pisngi nito. "You're hot! Literally!"

Hindi siya agad nakasagot. He forced himself to attend school. Uminom lang siya ng gamot kanina ang now, his head was aching again.

Napansin niya na panay ang linga nito sa parking space. Pasimple siyang napahilot sa sentido at ngumiwi sa biglaang pagsigid ng kirot sa ulo niya. He wants to rest.

"Leo!" He heard Pisces' voice.

Agad siyang hinawakan ni Vraiose sa kamay at hinila papunta sa sasakyan nila. Leo's gaze went down to their hands. She's warm.

VRAIOSE SIGHED in relief when she saw Leo's sister, Pisces. Kumunot ang noo niya nang ngumiti ito sa kanya and at the same time, ay para itong nakahinga ng maluwag.

"Get in." Utos niya kay Leo na agad naman siyang sinunod.

"I'm glad you're with him. Again." Pisces smiled at her, and later on, her smile faded. Napalitan 'yon ng pag-aalala kay Leo. "Are you free? I can't leave him alone, baka hindi 'yan magpahinga habang wala kami. Aalis pa kasi ako… I have s meeting and I can't cancel this one. Wala rin sina Mama so… walang magbabantay kay Leo."

Vraiose bit her lower lip and glanced at their car's door. Kung saan pumasok si Leo.

She gulped hardly before saying, "Sure, ako na muna ang magbabantay habang wala ka pa Ate."

Mamaya na lang siya magpapaalam sa Daddy at Kuya niya. Actually, in her head. Sa Kuya niya na lang siya magpapaalam. Gusto naman ng kapatid niya si Leo. She's sure he'll let her slide for this one.

"I'll message your brother. Ihahatid na lang kita sa inyo." Leo's sister said.

Vraiose nodded her head and smiled. It was a good idea, pero para safe, ime-message niya pa rin ito. She slid herself inside their car and saw how Leo's eyes widened upon seeing her.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

Kung hindi niya lang ito kaibigan at kung hindi niya narinig na pinapatawad na siya nito kanina. Well, that's not what exactly what he said. But still! Iisipin niya na may sama pa ito ng loob sa kanya at ayaw na rin siya nitong makita.

"Wala ka bang sundo? Where's your brother?" he asked again. "Ate? Ihahatid ba natin siya?" Leo asked his sister when she didn't answer immediately.

Rayos warmly smiled at her gaze caught his sister looking at them in the rearview mirror. Smiling and enjoying her brother's confusion.

"I'll nurse you for the meantime. That's why I'm here, Leo."

☕