01: SYMPTOMS

Keisha

"THANK you for coming ma'am and sir, hope to see you again!" I gave a sweet smile to my customer. I often see the couple Felidad here in my coffee shop, they're regulars. Sometimes they even bring their employees. I can say that my shop is doing well financially. I hope it continues to grow.

"It's okay, Karyll." I left the counter and went to my office to rest. I've been running this business for over three years now. I graduated with a degree in BSBA. I hope my business continues to prosper. I also do online selling for extra income. I'm happy with what I do, and this is my passion. Ever since I was a child, I could see myself managing a business. So even though my parents wanted me to become a teacher, I didn't listen.

Even though I'm only 24 years old, I chose to stay at home instead of renting. I'm happy when I'm with my family. I'm the youngest sibling with two older brothers. They never allowed me to move out, fearing I might be led astray. Sometimes they're overly protective.

As I stepped out, I caught sight of a couple of students almost merging faces due to their closeness. In all my life, I've never been in a relationship. I'm always told by guys that I'm clueless. What do I know? They call me innocent.

Once, I thought of watching a rated adult movie. But as soon as I saw them lock lips, I turned it off immediately. Especially when I caught my brother watching it. I almost vomited at what I saw. The girl was on top of the guy, and I vividly remembered how the guy touched her breasts. It was really intense, I'll never forget it.

"Oh ma'am, you should get yourself a boyfriend! It feels good to have someone to text, someone to pick you up and rely on. It's scary to love, but if you're strong, you won't regret it."

"It's not that easy."

"Even just flings, ma'am, don't you have any? Haven't you experienced that?"

I immediately turned and glanced at her. Maybe this is my fate, to live alone all my life. I am a girl NEVER BEEN TOUCHED, NEVER BEEN KISSED. I have NO BOYFRIEND SINCE BIRTH, YEAH I EXIST, WE EXIST.

I am comfortable being single.

"I assure you ma'am, the right time will come for what's meant for you," she said. But surely, if I wait for that right time, it will just be wishful thinking. I focused my attention on my staff instead, occasionally helping out, especially when there's a rush of customers in her shop.

"I'll handle it, Karyll. You can go back now," I said.

"Are you sure, ma'am? That table ten is waiting," Karyll asked, but I just nodded and headed straight to table ten. There were four handsome men sitting there, and I couldn't help but notice them as I approached.

"Here's your order, sirs," I smiled at them and began placing their orders one by one. As I was about to set down one of the orders, I got distracted by a man who was staring intently at me.

"Ouch, damn!" My eyes widened as I saw the coffee spill on his clean, white formal attire! I could clearly see the stain it left. In my panic, I grabbed a napkin and hurried over to him. I didn't know what I was doing. My hands trembled as I unbuttoned his shirt and without hesitation, I began wiping the stain off his chest.

My hand moved down to his stomach, which was well-defined, and there was silence all around me. I couldn't hear anything. Suddenly, I realized my hand was empty, and it was actually my own hand that was now touching his firm abdomen. As soon as I heard his stifled groan, I quickly withdrew my hand and apologized profusely. What did I do? How embarrassing!

"I-I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to," I averted my gaze, but I could see him buttoning up his shirt. I felt the shock in the faces of the people around, even I was shocked by what I had done! Why did I touch his hard stomach? Yes, I've seen bodies like that before, similar to Cannon's, but it's the first time I've touched one like that.

I felt my face burning with embarrassment as I remembered it! It felt like I was being engulfed in flames, and any moment now, I would start sweating profusely.

"I-it's okay. NEXT TIME BE CAREFUL, MISS WAITRESS. Let's go!" I couldn't speak as they dispersed, leaving the payment on the table. This incident would surely affect the shop's image, what should I do!

"Ma'am, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Cara. You go back to work."

Oh my! I didn't even notice the strength of the air conditioning in the office because every time I remembered the embarrassment I caused, I would break out in a cold sweat!

I held onto my senses as a slight dizziness hit me. I stood up, but my knees weakened due to fatigue. I had to cling to my office table to regain my strength, but the dizziness was overwhelming, and my vision darkened.

grasped my head as I felt a sharp pain there. I gently massaged my temples to alleviate the pain, but it still hurt.

"You're awake," he said.

"W-what happened, Kuya?" I was in the hospital now, and I couldn't remember why.

"Let's wait for the results. This is what happens when you work yourself too hard! This better not happen again, Keisha, or I won't let you work anymore!"

"I'm sorry, Kuya, it won't happen again, don't worry." Kuya waited for hours before the doctor entered my room.

"Sir, the patient has dengue fever."

Dengue? How did she get dengue? She had dengue, but she was even stronger than the guys. Where did she get it? Until now, I still wonder about that guy, but I quickly push the thought away.

"K-Kuya."

"Let's talk tomorrow morning." I couldn't do anything as he left before giving me a kiss on the forehead. I was left alone in the hospital, so I decided to just sleep.

Days passed, but I was still lying in the hospital bed, eating. I wondered who opened the door. It was just one doctor holding a syringe.

"W-what are you doing?"

"I'm just going to inject this into you. It will surely cure you of dengue." Despite my hesitation, I agreed to the injection. I was surprised because he injected me in a sensitive area.

"Why are you injecting it there?"

"Just trust me, I know what I'm doing." I didn't speak until it was over.

"Did the doctor already give you the medicine?" The doctor from earlier was right, and his guess was correct.

"Yes, Kuya," he smiled at me before peeling an apple for me. This was our routine, Mama and Papa would watch over me in the morning, and Kuya would often come by suddenly. I just wanted to get out of the hospital already!

"You can leave now, Miss."

I felt immense joy hearing the doctor's words. I had been there for over two weeks.

"Take care next time, Keisha."

"Yes, Kuya, sorry." Kuya was always teasing me.

"Let's eat!" I heard Mama shout from the dining table, so I quickly went there to scoop some food. I was hungry.

"What's that smell? Why does it stink?" I utter all of the sudden.5

"Nothing, Mom" I replied, feeling sick. I felt my stomach turning, so I ran to the sink.

Why does that garlic smell so bad?

"Keisha, tell me the truth! Who's the guy you're dating?"

"Mom, there's no one!"

"What do you mean, no one? Answer me properly, who's the father of the child you're carrying?"

I'm pregnant, how did that happen?

Impossible?

I'm still a virgin, how could I be pregnant?

And who is the father?