Purple Romance

Paige woke up with a headache and fever. She called Carlien over and the latter came and checked her temperature.

''You have a fever, Paige'' Carlien said and sighed as she sat by the bed. Paige had covered herself with her blanket.

''It must be because I ran out of the house when it was raining''

''You're so stupid. Who runs out into the rain because a guy wants to kiss her? Couldn't you have stayed till it stopped raining?'' Carlien scolded her.

''I couldn't stay with the way Mirabel looked at me, as if she wanted to eat me up''

''So, you would rather catch a cold than stay?''

''I was nervous too. My first kiss was ruined, shouldn't you be sympathising with me?'' Paige said and Carlien chuckled.

''Do you know how worried I was when I got your call and noticed the change in your voice?''

''I didn't want my dad to get worried. You mustn't tell him that I'm sick, okay?''

''Don't worry, I won't'' Carlien said and they heard a knock on the door. Thomas Payin opened the door and entered. Paige sat up on the bed immediately.

''Paige, are you down with a fever? I heard you coughing last night''

''Dad, how did you know?''

''Silly girl. I am your father; how can I not know when It's just the two of us alone in this house? You even called Carly to come here so early''

''Uncle, nothing really escapes your eye, but don't worry. I will take care of this little sister here'' Carlien said to Thomas Payin.

''Then, I have you to thank, big sister for always taking care of this little sister'' Thomas Payin said and they all busted into laughter.

''Dad, are you going somewhere?'' Paige asked her father.

''Yes, I have a meeting with Fr. Maxwell. He said he has some contract for me. He took my resume a week ago and gave me a call today''

''That's good news''

''Yes, uncle. I pray something good comes out of it''

''Thanks girls. You take care of yourselves. I prepared breakfast for the both of you''

''Thanks dad''

''Thanks uncle''

''See you later'' Thomas Payin said to them and went out.

''I'm really happy to see uncle doing well and not depressed anymore'' Carlien said and sighed.

''I know, right? he is trying to be strong for me'' Paige said and sneezed.

''Oh, you are burning up. I will get the medicine from the pharmacy quickly and be back. Drink the warm water I brought you and wait for me, okay?'' Carlien said and stood up.

''Okay''

...

Carlien closed the gate after going out and bumped into Joel as he drove out of his apartment. He pulled over in front of her and rolled down the window glass.

''Carlien''

''Joel, hi'' Carlien said awkwardly. They haven't met again since that day of the clash between him and Jordan.

''Where are you going? You look like you are in a hurry'' Joel asked her.

''Well… I am going to the pharmacy to get some fever relief medicine for Paige. She is down with a cold'' Carlien said and cussed her mouth. She was sure Paige was going to give her an earful later on.

''Where is she? I will take her to the hospital'' Joel said and got down from the car.

''No!! It isn't that serious. She will be fine after taking some medicine. You don't have to overreact'' Carlien said to him.

''Then, I will take you to get the medicine. Is faster that way'' Joel said and opened the door for her ''get in''

''Oh''

....

A few minutes later.

Joel followed Carlien into the hall and saw Paige in the dining table drinking the soup her father prepared before leaving. When she saw the two of them coming in, she looked at Carlien who mouth an apology to her, giving a helpless sigh.

''Paige, how do you feel? Are you sure is okay to not go to the hospital?'' Joel asked and went forward to touch her forehead and Paige instinctively swung his hand away. Her actions surprised herself and both Joel and Carlien.

''I'm sorry. I just feel moody because of the fever'' Paige said apologetically.

''Is alright. Joel gave me a ride to the pharmacy. Let's go in, you can take some medication and rest for a while'' Carlien said to Paige.

''Joel, thank you for the medicine''

''You are welcome, let me help you to the room'' Joel said and held her hand. This time Paige didn't resist and allowed him to lead her into the room even though she could go herself.

Joel helped Paige into the bed and covered her up. he removed his phone and dialled a number as he said to Paige ''I have a friend who is a doctor, I will let him come and check you up''

''Joel, is really not necessary. We are medical students. She will be fine after taking the medicine'' Carlien said.

''Yes, Joel. I understand you are worried, but, I am really fine'' Paige added.

''Ok'' Joel hung up and placed the phone in his pocket.

''I will get you some warm water to take with the medicine. I will be back'' Carlien said and went out of the room leaving the two of them alone. Paige's phone buzzed on the table.

''Joel, can you pass me the phone on the table?'' Paige asked Joel and he took the phone and looked at the caller ID and asked.

''Who is 'royal prince?''

''That… that is Jordan'' Paige said and stretched her hand to take the phone from him and heard him saying.

''Don't answer it''

''Huh? Why?''

''You are not feeling well. I will answer it for you'' Joel said.

''That… isn't right'' Paige said.

''I will tell him you are sick and can't get to the phone'' Joel said and went out with the phone before Paige could protest. Paige frowned, finding his behaving annoying. She made a mental note to draw a line between them as soon as she got well. What would she do if Jordan misunderstood her?

Carlien entered with the water and saw her gloomy face and asked ''what's wrong? Did Joel do something wrong?''

''He took my phone to answer a call from Jordan''

''And you let him?''

''I didn't let him. He just took it and left''

''I will be back. What is wrong with that man?'' Carlien placed the water beside Paige and went out.

At the hall, Carlien stood at a distance watching Joel on the phone.

''Why are you calling Paige?'' Joel asked over the phone.

''Where is Paige? Why are you the one answering the phone?'' Jordan asked back.

''Stay away from Paige. Don't mess with her''

''Why? Are you threatened by my presence?'' Jordan said and chuckled. He was in his bedroom. He picked his car keys and left the room.

''I told you before. I will never allow anything to happen between you two. Paige is a nice girl and she doesn't deserve you. I will make her happy. If you want to speak to anyone, call me and stop bothering her'' Joel said and heard a sarcastic chuckle from Jordan's end.

''Give the phone back to Paige'' Jordan said as he sped through the road towards Paige's apartment.

''Never call this line again'' Joel said and hung up the call. he turned to go and saw Carlien leaning against the wall with her arms folded across her chest.

''Carlien? When did you come out?''

''I want to know. With what right do you have to take Paige's call and even stop her friends from calling her?'' Carlien dropped all sentiments and asked him straightforward.

''You heard that? Well, that man is not good for Paige'' Joel said.

''Really? Then what about you?''

''Carlien, what are you saying?''

''I want to know, Joel. What about you? Are you good for her or not?''

''What do you mean?''

''Joel, answer me honestly. The letter I kept in your bag. Did you really not see him that year? No matter how I think about it, I find it strange that you were still able to ignore Paige for so long and only begin to show concern for her recently. No matter what, I can't support your actions or feelings towards Paige simply because we grew up together. Since when did you start seeing Paige as a woman? Even if you suddenly realise you like her, I can't accept you because to me, you aren't sincere enough''

''I am sincere towards Paige. It just took me a long time to realise my feelings towards her''

''Joel, I have to be brutally honest with you. I don't like you for Paige and this has nothing to do with you realising your feelings for her now, but the fact that you pretended to not be aware of her feelings all these years makes me doubt every word that comes out of your mouth. To me, I just see it as you feeling threatened that she will no longer have the time to indulge you. You always knew she had a crush on you, didn't you?''

''I will tell Paige my true feelings. I won't tell them to you''

''No, is too late for that. I just want to make one thing clear Joel. People who won't go into a room but, also prevent others from going in; I hate them the most. If you know you won't be serious with Paige then stop now because if you hurt my friend, I will never forgive you. That is a promi Joel and turned to go when the house bell went off, ringing loudly.