Episode 16: Sick

This was a story before valentines. I was woken up by the sound of an alarm on my phone. I dreamt about something dreadful, but like a usual dream, I forgot about it. But it's not the one I should be focusing on. Except, it's the fact that I can't get out of my bed.

I sat down feeling out of it. My head is spinning and not only that, I'm also hurting. My body is so heavy that standing up is a pain. As such, I decided to lie on my bed.

I went through my phone and opened a social media app. I scrolled down trying to absorb each post I saw online. Majority of it did not make sense to me which made me turn it off and look at the ceiling.

"Desmond, wake up!" my mom called out from downstairs.

"I feel sick!" I shouted using all the energy I could muster. Immediately, my mom headed to my room to check on me. Upon using a thermometer and feeling up my temperature, she quickly took out a medicine which I consumed. I continued to lay on my bed as I touched my forehead, feeling the heat.

Suddenly, a notification sound from a messaging app rang on my phone. I checked on it only to see Rita's profile. I stared at it for a second to absorb the fact that I'm currently chatting with her.

"Hey," it says. "The class is starting."

I checked the time only to see that it's three minutes before the class starts. It somehow soothed me that I'm resting on my bed while the whole class suffers from school lessons. But still, being sick is really a pain.

"I'm sick," I replied. The triple dots appeared which shows that she's typing.

"Ah, ok." was the only thing she replied. I turned it off hoping to get some rest. But right after doing that, another notification sound occured.

"Get well :>" appeared on screen. That is something I could easily absorb. Maybe it was a dream if I ever get well later but I'm pretty sure it's something she would chat about.

And so, I dozed off hoping to feel better when I wake up. The darkness welcomed me as my mind flatters. This time, please let it be a good dream...

Everything was a blur. All I could see was a woman talking to me. Is she smiling? I don't know. Probably flirtatious... Or frustrated, confused? At least. At one point, she went all through those emotions.

Then there's another woman. She's sad, mad and exhausted. She looked familiar. But I shouldn't pry anymore. It'll only hurt.

I woke up. Colors started to seep in. As I expected, my temperature's still high. But that's not all I could realize; there was someone looking at me. It's close.

It is the afternoon. The sun is about to set. Darkness would soon come. And yet, I'm still haunted by a stare.

There's no point in poking the bush. With that, I decided to face my fear. I took a gulp before turning my head. What I saw is another thing I expected.

Instead of fear being instigated to me, it was anxiety. She's there, lookin at me. Rita, who's wearing a hoodie underneath a school uniform. She looked cool as usual, though she's still quiet.

"Hey," I said.

"Yo," she replied. "Does it feel comfy enough?"

"Not without you looking." Rita pouted as a response.

"Guess you're cool now," she said. "I'll take my leave."

"Already?"

"I'm just passing by," Rita stood up.

"Yeah, I figured." I held her hand.

"Be healthy," she held tight. "Okay?"

"I will," I smiled. "Thanks for coming by."

And so, she left the room. Afterwards, mom came by. She gave me a stern look.

"Could you care to explain?"

I took a gulp. My temperature continued to rise.

"Uh, she's just a special friend."

"Yeah, a 'girl' friend?"

"Um, kinda?"

"Boy, you're lucky you are sick." She squinted her eyes and smiled. "I'll beat you up when you recover."

"Heh... Ah."

I looked up to the ceiling. Was this really what I should be doing? Am I on the right path? Will I regret this later? I hope not, future me, Desmond.