Part 10: Love in Sickness and in Health

INTRO:

A year and two months have passed,

Four months as an official pair.

Their love flows like a gentle stream,

Yet not all days shine bright and fair.

"THE NEWS"

Kate, now in her third year,

Sat in class, her mind so clear.

But then her phone began to light,

A message stole her heart's delight.

"I'm sick, don't worry," his words displayed,

But worry struck—her heart dismayed.

She waited impatiently,

Eyes on the clock,

Counting every second

Until the bell finally rang.

Then she ran—

Hurried steps,

Heart racing,

Straight to him.

"ASLEEP"

My body—heavy.

I tried to rise,

But the headache struck.

My throat sore,

My body burning.

I have a fever.

I grabbed my phone,

Texted my girlfriend—

"Won't be able to meet today."

Just a little rest,

And I'll be fine.

"RUSHED"

Kate arrived at his house,

Greeted his parents with hurried hellos,

Then rushed to his room.

There he lay,

Wrapped tightly in blankets,

Shivering.

She placed a hand on his forehead.

Hot—too hot.

She grabbed the remote,

Lowered the AC to a moderate level.

Then she went downstairs,

Asking his mother if she could cook.

"COOKING"

"Mother, may I use the stove?"

A simple nod, her love to prove.

"Shall I help?" his mother asked,

But Kate declined and stayed her task.

With care, she stirred the warming pot,

His mother watched—a cherished spot.

Memories danced within her eyes,

Recalling love in days gone by.

"Young master has a gem," they say,

"Yes, yes, she brightens his way."

The porridge done, the bowl now filled,

A mother's wisdom, gently spilled:

"He loves his sweets, too much, I swear,

That's why he's sick—he's unaware.

Take this medicine, let him heal,

And thank you, dear, for all you feel."

Grateful hearts, a soft exchange,

Up the stairs, her steps arranged.

"SURPRISED"

Angelo stirred,

Feeling slightly better.

Then the door creaked open.

Expecting his mother,

He turned—

Only to see her.

His eyes widened.

"What are you doing here, Senior?"

Kate crossed her arms.

"What? Am I not allowed to take care of my boyfriend?"

She huffed.

He blinked.

"What about school?"

"I skipped a few subjects."

She shrugged.

"My boy is sick.

Who wouldn't want to take care of him?"

Weak from fever,

He just smiled.

Her thoughtfulness—

It made him so happy.

"PORRIDGE"

She helps him sit, sets up his plate,

A bowl of warmth to heal his state.

"Smells so good," he murmurs, pleased,

"Did you make this?" he asks with ease.

"Of course, I did," her tone so light,

"My baby needs to eat tonight."

Her words make him so lost in thought,

She cooked for him?—His heart was caught.

She lifts a spoon, she blows the heat,

Then softly tells him, "Come and eat."

Though shy, he parts his lips with glee,

For love was served so tenderly.

"BORED"

As he slept,

Kate covered him with a blanket,

Pressed a soft kiss to his forehead.

With nothing to do,

She glanced around his room.

A small smile played on her lips.

She began cleaning.

Then—thud.Her phone slipped from her hands,

Rolling beneath the bed.

She bent down to grab it—

And saw a box.

A small, old box.

Marked with one word: Senior.

"THE BOX"

Curiosity got the best of her.

She reached for it,

Pulled it out.

The lid creaked open.

Inside—letters.

Hundreds of them.

Titled:

"Coffee Date."

"Amusement Park."

"Sunset."

Her heart pounded.

She opened one.

It was about her.

She opened another.

And another.

Every letter—about her.

Her cheeks burned red.

"UNSPOKEN CONFESSIONS"

There were over a hundred letters.

Each one,

A silent confession.

Every date they had,

Every moment they shared—

He had written about it.

"Who's this boy?" she thought.

"He's good at writing...!"

She pulled out another letter, Labeled

"Aquarium Date."

Her hands trembled.

Inside was a photo.

Her breath hitched.

"THE PHOTO"

It was their kiss.

At the aquarium.

Fishes swimming behind them—

Forming a heart.

"Is this edited?!" she thought,

Her face burning.

She read the letter.

"A stranger approached me,"

"Said he was a photographer."

"He captured our kiss."

"He handed me the picture."

"I stared at it—"

"The fish behind us... a heart?"

"Even the fish agree... our love is real."

"Senior, I love you."

"LOVE, NO FEAR"

Kate grabbed another letter.

This one—

From the haunted house date.

Another photo.

A ghost lurked in the background.

At the bottom of the letter, he had written:

"I may fear horror...

But my love for her conquers it all."

"RETURNED"

Her heart swelled.

She wanted to read more.

But—

Angelo could wake up any second.

So she carefully put the letters back,

Sliding the box under the bed.

Then she continued cleaning,

Pretending nothing had happened.

"FALL"

Angelo stirred awake.

Kate—

Fast asleep beside him,

Head resting near his hand,

Fingers lightly gripping his.

His heart melted.

He grabbed his phone,

Snapped a picture.

Their intertwined hands.

Her peaceful sleeping face.

"I'll treasure this," he thought.

She woke up to his movements.

"You can keep sleeping," he whispered.

She sighed,

Checked his temperature.

Normal.

Relief washed over her.

"SERMON"

"Seriously!" she scolded.

"Limit your sweets!

You know it leads to this!"

Angelo pouted.

"I'm sorry, Senior."

"It won't work," she warned.

"I won't fall for your cute face—"

He made it cuter.

Big eyes. Soft smile."...I won't!" she insisted,

Slapping his cheek lightly,

Turning his head sideways.

"TOGETHER"

"You're better now," she said.

"Perfect timing—it's dinner. Let's go."

"Then sleep after?"

Her words made his heart race.

"We?"

"What? You want me to go home?"

She teased.

"No! No, stay!"

He grinned.

Forgetting he was ever sick.

"DINNER TIME"

As they ate,

Angelo's father spoke.

"Glad your fever's gone down."

"Yeah," Angelo replied.

His mother turned to Kate.

"Sweetie, are you staying the night?

I can clean the guest room for you."

Kate set down her spoon.

"I told my parents he was sick.

They agreed I could take care of him."

Angelo tensed.

His spoon paused mid-air.

Before he could think, words slipped out—

"Mother, she can stay with me.

My bed is large enough."

Silence.

Kate blinked.

His mother raised an eyebrow.

His father looked at him.

Then, a smirk.

"Okay, just don't go overboard."

Angelo choked on his water.

His face turned red.

"I—I didn't mean it like that!" he stammered.

Kate smirked.

"Relax, junior. It's just sleeping."

Nicole, clueless, kept eating.

"What does 'go overboard' mean?"

His mother smiled.

"You'll understand when you're older."

His father let out a small laugh.

Angelo kept his head down.

He could feel Kate's teasing gaze.

But he refused to meet her eyes.

Dinner continued.

With teasing.

With warmth.

With love.

"SLEEP"

Back in his room.

Kate sat on the bed.

She had been here many times before.

Angelo always made sure to keep clothes for her.

He handed her a fresh set.

"Here, senior. You can shower first."

She took it without a word.

A small smile played on her lips.

She disappeared into the bathroom.

Minutes passed.

The door opened.

Kate stepped out,

hair damp, smelling fresh.

"Your turn."

Angelo grabbed his clothes.

Hurried inside.

Took a cold shower.

Maybe it would calm his heart.

Now, both in bed.

Side by side.

The room silent.

A little awkward.

Angelo lay still.

Eyes closed.

Heart racing.

He told himself to sleep.

Just sleep.

A soft sigh.

Kate shifted.

Then—

A kiss on his forehead.

His eyes snapped open.

"Goodnight, junior."

She hugged him.

His ears turned red.

He swallowed.

"G-Goodnight, senior."

He hugged her back.

Minutes passed.

Neither moved.

Neither spoke.

Kate peeked at him.

His eyes shut,

but she knew—

He was wide awake.

She smiled.

He was cute.

She kissed his forehead again.

Whispered, "Sleep well."

This time,

Angelo didn't fight it.

With her in his arms,

he finally slept.

OUTRO:

A love that heals, a love so true,

A simple touch can see them through.

To care, to hold, to always stay,

A love like this won't fade away