Chapter 18 - Bliss

Let me know if I'm doing this right

Let me know if my grip's too tight

Let me know if I can stay all of my life

Let me know if dreams can come true

Let me know if this one's yours too

Cause I feel you right here...

LEE DONGHAE

We arrived at the ship after an hour and half cruise onboard the catamaran.

"I need to rest. You guys need to rest too," Althea told us, me and Kevin. 

She went back to her cabin. I also went to mine. I showered to freshen up and lay on my bed. I had a short nap and when I woke up, my head started to hurt like hell. I didn't have enough sleep last night thinking of Althea and I went to that excursion under intense heat of the sun. No wonder I am starting to get sick. 

Lee Donghae, you can't get sick! You only have two days left on this ship. You can't waste your time staying in this room!

I stood up and looked at myself in the mirror. I looked fine. Althea shouldn't know that I'm not feeling well. Well, it's just a headache. 

I went out and realized it was already nightfall. I searched for her and saw her at the Mozart dining room at deck five. She was having dinner alone. I felt lucky because I first saw her instead of Kevin. It has been like a competition on who get to her first since the last excursion.

I walked towards her. She smiled when she saw me. I felt happy to see her wearing the necklace I gave her. I sat across her and ordered for my food. She continued eating her food as I waited for my order. I kept looking at her until she realized what I was doing.

"Hey, stop looking at me!" she exclaimed. I laughed at her reaction.

"I'm sorry," I said, trying to suppress my laughter.

My order arrived and started eating it. I still felt my head aching but being with her makes it less painful. After having dinner, I invited Althea to stay with me at the Imperial Lounge. There were few people in the area. There was good soft music played that helped lessen the pain that I felt. It was a good place to relax instead of just staying at my cabin. We sat on a couch and I lay on Althea's lap. She was shocked at first but didn't move.

I closed my eyes. I felt Althea's fingers brushing my hair. It felt like having a blissful moment.

I hope this could last forever.

"Althea?" I spoke.

"Hmm?"

"Let's enjoy this cruise's last excursion tomorrow. Is it okay that I'll be your partner?"

I heard her chuckle a little. "Of course."

This is truly a bliss...

^__^

ALTHEA RYZ FAJARDO

I arrived at the meeting area early. I've never been this excited. And I know why. Aside from being this trip's last excursion, this day would be spent with Donghae. I guess I was too early because I couldn't find any trace of Donghae around. 

The ship docked at the port of Funchal, Portugal. This would be the last port before we finally end the trip at it's last stop at Malaga, Spain.

A few minutes later, Kevin arrived. He still looked excited as he always is. He flashed a huge grin when he saw me. I smiled back at him.

"Hey, Althea!" he greeted. "Did you get enough rest? Well, you should be because this would be our last excursion. It shouldn't be wasted."

"Of course! I'm ready for this!" I told him.

The other guests arrived at the meeting place but still there was no Donghae. I started to worry about where he could have gone. He promised he would be here today and I trust him but this time, he could be left behind.

"Is everyone here?" the tour guide asked. I looked around but I couldn't find him him.

Where are you Donghae?

Kevin realized my uneasiness. "Are you okay, Althea?"

"Donghae is not yet here." I saw his smiling expression faded. 

"Maybe he decided not to come," he said.

"No. He promised he would," I defended.

"Just let it go, Althea. If he's not here, then he wanted it. If he gets left behind, then it's his fault!"

"I have to look for him."

As I started to leave, Kevin stopped me. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"I said, I'll find him."

"What about the tour?"

"It doesn't matter. I'm worried about him."

"Why are you always worrying about him?!" 

His voice sounded angry. His grip was already painful. I let go of my hand and looked at him in the eye.

"Because I love him!" I exclaimed.

I ran as fast as I could to get away from Kevin. I had to look for Donghae. I searched around in the dining halls, coffee shops, entertainment halls and bars. I even went up the pool area but he was not there. Then I realized, I haven't gone to his suite!

I knocked at his cabin door. There was no answer.

"Are you there? It's me Althea." 

There was still no answer. I knocked again. After a few minutes, the door slowly opened and Donghae stood at the entrance. I was shocked to see Donghae. He looked awfully sick.

"Hey, Althea. I'm so sorry," he managed to say those words before fainting towards me.

His body was so hot. He was burning with fever. I assisted him to his bed and looked for his medicine kit. I found some medicine and got some Paracetamol for him to take. I also got the thermometer and ice pack. He was half-conscious when I went back to him. His temperature reading was 38.9 degrees Celsius.

"You shouldn't be here," he said.

"Stop saying that," I scolded. "Here, take this." 

I assisted him in getting up and let him take the drug. I got the ice pack and placed it on his forehead. I realized he could have not eaten his breakfast yet so I ordered some vegetable soup for him. I fed him the soup even though he kept on telling me he didn't want it. After having the soup, he fell asleep. 

At noontime, I took his temperature again and was glad it went down to 38.4 degrees. I also changed the ice pack. When he woke up, I let him take another dose of Paracetamol and fed him with lunch. He continued to rest in the afternoon.

At six in the evening, he was already sweating, which is a sign that the fever is about to subside. I felt relieved. His temperature was already 37.6 degrees. I changed his shirt since it was already soaked with sweat. He didn't wake up so I just left his dinner food at his bedside table.

Taking care of a sick person is tiresome but if it was for him, I'm willing to do anything.

After having dinner, I lay on the couch near the door.

He should be better tomorrow. Thank God...

Then I dozed off...