My Handsome Uncle, Please Be Mine!

14.

“I apologize, Uncle. Mario was rude to you,” Clara whispered, holding back her sobs. Occasionally, she takes a breath, covering her mouth and nose with the back of her hand to muffle her cries.

Joe sits at the edge of Clara’s bed, attentively observing her. There’s a sense of unease in his heart, especially after hearing Mario’s story earlier. Joe truly had no idea he hurt Clara’s feelings. He thought Clara wouldn’t be hurt after he rejected her.

“Is what Mario said true?” Joe asks. Slowly, he reaches for Clara’s hand, examining the wet and reddened brown eyes. The girl does look thinner than before.

Clara doesn’t dare to answer. She bites her lower lip, trying to contain the pain in her heart. Joe rejecting her has deeply hurt her.

“Did I hurt you, or are you sad because I rejected your love?” Joe asks again, equally fragile in the current situation.

Clara remains silent, not daring to respond. Her lips were tightly sealed. Fortunately, her tears have stopped flowing.

“I apologize; let’s make amends, okay? Let’s not have any more hostility between us. Do you agree?” Joe offers. He realizes Clara has no one else but him. Where would she go if she’s arguing with him? She has no other place to go.

Clara nods, agreeing. After all, fighting with Joe stresses her out. He is the only family member she has.

Feeling pity for Clara, Joe sees the sadness enveloping her. Then, he enfolds Clara in a tight hug.

What Clara feels mirrors Joe’s own emotions. If Clara is sad because her love was rejected, he is also sad because he couldn’t hold onto his love.

The door opens. A female nurse stands in front of the door, successfully interrupting the closeness between Joe and Clara. Both Joe and Clara release the hug.

Joe stands up from his sitting position, looking at the female nurse flatly.

“This is the meal and medicine for Miss Clara, Sir,” the nurse says, walking over and placing the tray on the bedside table. Then she quickly leaves to avoid the awkwardness she feels.

Joe rubs his face roughly. Then he walks around Clara’s bed, sitting on the other side.

“You haven’t eaten, have you? Let me feed you as my apology to you, Clara!” Joe says, adjusting his sitting position. Then he reaches for the tray, ready to feed Clara.

“Yes, Uncle,” Clara replies.

Joe’s offer is like rain in the desert. Her heart still races fast from his hug, and now it beats even faster. Having to look at Uncle Joe because he wants to feed her makes this evening truly heart-pounding for Clara.

The feeling of love is still the same and maybe even deeper, in line with the pounding of her heart. It’s been a long time since she saw and missed him. Joe’s hug truly had a strong impact. Clara sometimes holds her breath, afraid Joe might hear her heartbeat.

“Are you not eating? Why are you letting your chubby cheeks become thin? I don’t like it, Clara!” Joe protests, trying to give a little attention to Clara. Honestly, he feels guilty towards her.

“I am eating, Uncle,” Clara counters, accepting each spoonful that Joe feeds her. She chews and swallows. Being fed by Joe makes her more enthusiastic. The hospital menu, not much different from the dorm’s food, still makes her eager to finish the dishes fed by Joe.

After finishing the meal, Joe feeds Clara the medicine. Only now does he realize that Clara is just an ordinary teenager who needs attention from parents.

The clock shows seven in the evening. Joe decides to call home, informing her that he won’t be coming home tonight because he will accompany Clara to the hospital. Mrs. Linn understands; after all, she is very aware that Clara has no one but Joe.

Clara reaches for her infusion bottle. She gets ready to go down because she needs to use the restroom.

“Where are you going, Clara?” Uncle Joe asks.

“Toilet, Uncle,” Clara answers, lowering her feet. However, her right leg feels painful, almost causing her to fall.

Fortunately, Joe reaches out. Clara doesn’t fall. Without much thought, Joe lifts Clara. He grabs her slender body, carrying her to the bathroom within the ward.

Clara’s body is indeed very light, thin, and petite. Joe’s muscular body doesn’t feel burdened at all while carrying Clara to the bathroom.

This moment allows Clara to observe Joe’s face up close. Still the same, he remains very handsome when he just stands and breathes. Now, he looks even more handsome because he’s carrying her.

Joe opened the toilet door. Then lowered Clara very slowly.

“Do you want me to wait for me inside or outside?” Joe asked observing Clara who was still stunned. Staring at him without blinking.

Clara, who was still fascinated by the man’s handsomeness, was silent and did not answer. She even bit his lip because she was so fascinated.

“Should I help you take off your pants Clara?” Joe offered while showing his funny face in front of Clara.

This made Clara realize. He looked down because he was embarrassed.

“Wait outside Uncle!” the girl softly held back embarrassment.

“When you’re finished, call me!” tell Joe. He turned out of the bathroom. Closed the door and waited for Clara outside.

“Yes, Uncle,” said Clara

Joe opened the door and grabbed Clara’s body again, carried her, and laid the girl on the bed.

“Does your leg hurt?” Joe asked after seeing Clara’s expression as she grimaced, holding back her pain.

“A little, Uncle,” answered Clara as if her leg had sprained when she fell from a rock climbing wall.

“Come here, let me massage!” Joe offered. Sitting on the edge of the bed prepared to hold the girl’s ankle.

“No need Uncle, I can do it myself!” Clara refused, blushing. All the man’s treatment had made her heartache. Clara was afraid that her heart would explode because of Uncle Joe’s 180° change in treatment, becoming very sweet.

“No need to be embarrassed, since the age of 7, I took care of you, so don’t be shy about me!” persuaded the man. Clara increasingly realized that there was no one else Clara could ask for help except herself. The longer he was close to Clara, he realized one thing, all this time he had forgotten Clara, made her live alone and only gave her material sufficiency without attention.

Finally, Clara invited Joe to touch her feet. Joe’s strong hands turned out to be very soft.

The man’s touch made Clara forget to breathe.

To be continued…