Coffee and Bliss

Since it was Saturday, Tristan has no work because it was his and Mia’s day. Weekends were their time together then the rest was for his class and work. Usually, they watched cartoon networks since it was Mia's favorite, tutoring her with her subjects, playing random games on Saturday. Then on Sunday, he would let his little bun play in the park near their dorm or it would be his rest day and Mia would just stay inside with her coloring books and barbies.

But since Harris happened to live in their dorm now—he was thinking that they could tag him along. So he waited for him to come outside and asked him but no Harris came out in the past days.

One week has passed since Harris became his roommate. For one week, he hardly saw him outside his room. He just saw him when cooking, eating, or sometimes when Mia requested for him to play. He didn’t know why Harris always locked himself inside the room instead of joining him and Mia when they played monopoly or watched T.V. He didn’t bother asking him why after all because he noticed that Harris loved his personal space most of the time. He just talked when being asked. He never saw again his cockiness like the first time they met. The Harris he knew in their first meeting and the Harris he knew in his first day living with them has gone. 

“Phi, do you think P'Harris is sick or mad at us?” Mia suddenly asked. They were sitting on the couch, watching Spice Girls. “I barely saw him. Unlike his first day here, I think he’s avoiding us for a week.” Mia had a sad smile. 

He looked at her. It was already 7 p.m and he had not seen  Harris since morning. The pale man just Line him telling him that he already cooked food for them and just reheat it. They barely saw him but this day, he felt something odd about the man.

“Why do you think he’s mad?” He tapped his fingers on his thigh, thinking how off today. 

“I knocked on his door earlier, he just said he’s tired and wants to sleep. Or maybe he just wants to be alone. Phi, you should check him. I’m worried for P'Harris.” Mia might not know Harris for a long time but she was already attached to him since the first day they met.

He nodded. He knocked on Harris’ room but he didn’t answer. He knocked again three times, still got no answer. He tried to call his phone, no answer too but he could hear the ring inside. Without a second thought, he looked for the duplicate key and got inside the pale man’s room.

“Sorry for entering but why—”

He stopped in the middle, the room was only covered with dim light. But he could catch a glimpse of bulk under a thick blanket, fully covered. He heard a low panting sound coming under the blanket. 

'Shia! He’s sick and I didn’t bother to look out for him.'

He just thought that Harris was avoiding them. He hurriedly went to him and removed the cover only to saw the pale man sweating non-stop. His usually pale skin looked paler. Harris moaned hard when he touched his forehead. 'For Pete’s sake! He’s burning.' He immediately asked Mia to give him a cup of water while searching for medicine in his own room.

“W-What happened to P'Harris, Phi?” Mia looked worried.

“He has a fever. Stay outside okay? You might catch a fever too, little bun.”

“But Phi. I want to be with him. He’s sick!” Mia was about to go near Harris but he stopped her.

“Little bun, your P'Harris is sick like what you said. I can take care of him, na? He’ll be fine, I promise. So go outside for now and play or watch. I’ll be there after making sure your Phi is okay.” Mia bit her finger but nodded after.

He picked a light shirt and boxer in Harris’ closet. He then put a basin of water and a towel on the table. “Hey, wake up for now. You need to take medicine.” He slowly patted his shoulder, waking him up.

again but he removed it after. “You

and was about to smack him but failed. He snorted like he was hurting too much,

his body. He winced when he tried to get up. So he helped him and put more pillows behind his head. He could see how fluffy and red his

us that you’re sick?” He hissed. He arranged the medicine and water to

didn’t answer him only to find out that he already closed his eyes again and turned to

Wake up!” He tugged the duvet hugging

you!” Harris’ voice

that later but please take your meds first.” He didn’t mind Harris’ stubbornness. He was worried sick. His heart filled with guilt because

sick people need food first before taking a med?” Harris might have

and closed his mouth, trying to find a word. “W–Well, yeah. I need to cook some soup. Can

a hotdog, remember? How are you supposed to make soup?” Harris asked innocently. Too innocent that made him want to

for now. Only for now. Be patient, Tristan.” He whispered to

saying something?” Harris asked, then started to

“Nothing. Wait here, yeah? Don’t

terrified while thinking about what to do. Mia walked beside him. “Phi, why

eat. But I don’t know how to cook soup,” he answered.

search how to

I messed it up? What if he got

of me. You called for Gia or went outside to buy me

He was too worried that he couldn’t think properly. He shyly smiled and scratched his head. “Yeah right.

***

almost reached his ears. He had a proud smile when Harris saw the soup he served. “You cooked?” Harris was curious, he had

.” He scratched his head. “Nope. I bought

He pouted that he found

okay? Then

“Umh.” 

he always received

gave the meds to him. Harris turned around with his eyes glaring at him then