"Ah…."
Cindy opened her mouth and the next thing coming into her mouth was a scoop of chicken and mushroom porridge.
Oh, why do I know what porridge is? — I cooked it.
And I'm the one feeding her the food. 🥲
AI: And I'm the one providing the recipe.
…just ignore the noise, thank you. 🙄
Remember when she was not feeling well this morning in school?
She didn't get better when she got home, and the most unacceptable part is — Uncle Chang is out of town.
Yes, you got it right — I'm the one taking care of Cindy. 🥲
Well I'm not a volunteer, don't get me wrong.
The reason I know Uncle Chang just tossed me free work is this…
"Oh of course I know she had a fever."
"Come on, you need to practice, buddy."
"Cindy's is now yours, good luck."
And after that, whatever I did, either messaging or calling — not responding. 🥲
AI: You still have me, buddy. 🤓
...get lost. 🙄
I came after preparing dinner for Yumeko and my cat.
Cindy: (cough)...It's…plain.
Me: Of course, this is for the patient.
Cindy: Anyways….(cough)...it'll be better…(cough)...with some extra…(cough)...chili…(cough)...oil….
Look at her, this is what happens when you don't restrict yourself. 🙄
Me: You wanna get worse, is it?
Cindy: Hmmph—!
Good news is, she's getting better as the thermometer stated 37°C.
But as long as I was holding it, I realized the bad news is…
—I'm holding something that was just tucked under her armpit. 💀
AI: Just don't focus on that.
I'm trying. 💀
AI: And don't smell it.
WHA—WHAAAATTTT—-????
NEVER!!!!🙄
Me: Alright, take some rest.
Just when I got up after putting the thermometer on the table, Cindy pulled my hand.
Cindy: Are….(cough)...are you staying?
Me: Of course, I got work to do.
Cindy: What is it?
It's basically none of your business, I hope you know that. 🙄
And another yes — she doesn't know my part time job.
I never told her I'm part of the website development group from a Russian company.
AI: Not gonna lie, if Uncle Chang asked "how's Cindy?"Are you going to reply "Oh, I left her alone next door focusing on my job"???
Look, this is his own daughter. 🙄
I'm just a neighbour next door suffering taking care of a cousin and a cute orange cat...I prefer the cat.
AI: Buddy, trust me. No one will ask a stranger or a neighbour to take care of their own child, especially handing over to a boy next door.
...
Fine, what should I do? 🙄
AI: Get your laptop over here and stay.
What???
Is this appropriate???? I never spend my time here overnight.
AI: You're taking care of a neighbor, unless you're overthinking.
It's impossible that I don't….but fine. 😒
Me: I'll be outside, don't worry.
After hearing what I said, she finally let me go.
I washed the dishes and grabbed my laptop over here.
I turned off the light in the living room and sat before the dining room and put on my headphones before I started to create a new PHP file.
You know what?
In the beginning, it was fine.
It was totally fine.
I can go and check on her temperature and get her some water.
But then I kept receiving messages like…
"May I have my phone charger please?"
Which I then entered her bedroom to charge her phone. Yes — she said she's too tired to move, which needs me to charge it for her. 🙄
After a few minutes…
"Could you get me the novel on the rack?"
Yes — without saying 'please' or 'thank you'.
It took me a long time searching for the book until I found the book that she specialized in and sent to her room. 🥲
It's not over yet.
Minutes later…
I received another message from her, but this time — I have my 'Do Not Disturb' turned on.
AI: You sure this is good?
Hey, I'm not a slave, I'm just assigned to take care of her.
I'm not her dad or husband responsible for enduring her attitude and orders, okay??? 🙄🙄🙄
AI: Look, her dad's not around. You're the only one she had, right now.
This is why I hate living with others. Remember how I kept persuading my mom and objecting to Yumeko moving here?
I was never born to take care of people, I never got used to living with others.
I enjoyed being alone — no one else to bother you, no other things you need to take care of when you're alone.
AI: "リンはあたしにすごく優しいよ (Rin is kind to me.)"
What's these?
AI: "ここは君の新しい家だよって教えてくれた.(He told me that this is my new home.)"
Wait, don't tell me you recorded the conversation between Yumeko and aunt…
AI: I'm not trying to comfort you, but…if what you're saying is true, Yumeko wouldn't tell that to her mom.
Maybe she just doesn't want her mom to worry about her.
AI: Maybe, but why would she lie to her own mom if you treated her not well.
...
AI: Wanna take a look? 8 unread messages, unless you want more.
I picked up the phone and clicked onto the bubble of the unread messages.
"May I have my towel please?"
"I think I threw it out."
"Rin help, I'm dizzy."
...
Without any hesitation, I had no idea that I suddenly stood up and rushed towards her room.
I opened the door, the smell that instantly hit me already filled the room while Cindy already collapsed on the ground.
I have no idea how long she spent laying on the ground, I can't imagine or think about it as I might be unable to forgive myself if I knew.
I quickly picked her up and checked her temperature with my hand on her forehead — it was hotter than just now.
Me: Cindy, can you hear me.
Just when I lifted her, she suddenly held me tight and…
…..
…cried.
Cindy: You….bastard! Idiot!
She kept punching me on my shoulder, it was weak but full of resentment.
Cindy: My….head…it hurt….it hurt!!!
Me: I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
Cindy: I….I'm....
Me: Just stop talking, I'm here.
I patted her head gently while she's in my arms slowly asleep.
After putting her back onto her bed, I cleaned up what she threw up as a punishment to myself.
...
Is this the thing that I should have?
AI: You mean…
Something was pressing on my chest when I found her, it's…..I don't know.
I mean….she's annoying and stubborn, I know that.
AI: You're a human, remember?
I don't know, I never experienced this when I was alone.
...I hate how it feels.
...
I then sat at the edge of her bed, gently rubbed some essential oil on her temples and slowly massaged so that she could relieve the pain.
Cindy: Hmmph–!
Me: I'm sorry.
She glared at me.
I bet the temperature is rising, her face is getting redder.
She suddenly got up and turned around, laying her head onto my lap.
…..💀
WHAT—
AI: Hello? YooHoo? Back online, please….
I WISH I COULD!!!
WHAT HAPPENED!!!! 💀💀💀
I froze when she laid down.
Cindy: Quick…(cough)...
....
What now?
AI: Uh….I'm still processing….
Faster! You Artificial Imbecile!!!! 😭😭😭
Cindy: What…(cough)...'re you …(cough)...…(cough)...waiting for? This is your punish...(cough)...ment…
....
AI: Take it, buddy. You deserved it. 😏
I don't, this was never my job to take care of her. 😭😭😭
...wait, she's sweating.
AI: Well, good news to you. That means her body is now cooling down.
So….
.....
....Fine. 😭😭😭
I continued massaging her temple. I was actually sleepy but suddenly a finger booped on my nose which woke me up.
She's still in the dreamy look, but I guess she's getting better.
...
Cindy: You…(cough)...want it?
Me: What?
Cindy: The…
Me: Oh, got it, wait….now???
She nodded while her head got hotter on my finger tips.
Me: Just….wait 'till you're recovered.
Cindy: Okay…
Me: Just some homework, Mr Parker said it can be delayed, don't worry.
....
Cindy: Hmmph—! Idiot!
Huh???? 😐
What did I do wrong??? 😭😭😭
She closed her eyes angrily and continued to sleep.
AI: She's right.
What?
AI: ...are you a boy or….are you a human??? 🙄
Yes, and?
AI: ...I'm done with this, just…urghh—-! 😒
What?
AI: ...…
WHAT??? 💀
"Oh…."
AI: Oh boy…
I quickly looked at the door — Uncle Chang was at the gap looking at us.
I don't know what's in his mind, but looking at a girl sleeping on a neighbor's lap while the neighbour is massaging the girl doesn't feel right...at least I know that. 💀
And WHY'S HE SMILING?????
He's TAKING PICTURE!!!! 😭😭😭
I quickly crossed my hand and shook my head that contained my distorted face.
He then slowly moved away...
NO NO NO!!! COME BACK!!!
IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!!!! 😭😭😭
AI: Relax, he got it.
He did? 😃
AI: Yeah, it's just...the opposite version…
...…
Tell my cat I love him. 🥲