Chapter Thirty-Two

It's been a while since the Halloween Ball. Even if it was my last, it was the best among the other three times that I had attended. Good things happened at that ball. Ryan and Diane not only made up, but they also started dating again. They were much happier now. It looks like the fight only made them draw closer to each other.

Another thing that I look forward to when the Halloween Ball comes is the end of the semester. The ball is the last event of our university before it ends for the semester break. Sadly, the break only lasts for a week. After that, the second semester of the year begins.

Here comes the last semester. After this semester, I'll be graduating. I can't believe my college life is about to end. I'll be entering the workforce soon. I'll be able to start practicing my profession.

The best part of all, I only had a few classes this semester. But the worst part, this semester will also be the hardest. Damn that thesis research!

Well... Ryan and Diane aren't the only ones who made up. I and my old group of friends are now on good terms. This is something I didn't expect to happen. Maybe I should have expected it since Patrick apologized.

It must be fate that for the last semester, Sancho, Patrick, Roby, Chris, and I became classmates in all of our subjects. I remembered the first time I walked into class and saw the four of them. I was so shocked and a little terrified. A part of my brain is already thinking about how I will ask the college dean to switch class schedules.

But, what happened next really surprised me. Patrick called me to join them. They were all smiles at me. They asked me how I was and also apologized for what had happened. We talked like the fight didn't happen. To say the least, I think fate just wants us to get along before we go our separate ways. But, things couldn't go back to the way it was.

"Hey, Justin! Let's go to the mall. " Roby invited me as we walked out of the Humanities Building.

"Yeah! I heard that the Milk tea shop we used to go to is now offering Group Discount Bundles." Sancho informed us.

"Oh! Sorry, I can't go with you today." I refused.

All of them looked at me with glum faces.

"What a pity! Do you have work at that coffee shop this afternoon?" Chris asked.

"No, today's my day off," I answered with honesty.

"Oh? So what will you be doing?" Patrick inquired.

But before I could answer, I spotted the reason why I couldn't go.

"I already had plans with her." was my answer.

"Hey, loser! Get your flat ass here! We're going to be late." the evil snake bellowed.

She was in one of her stylish cars. She had her window down. Everyone in the vicinity was staring at her and her car. Honestly, who wouldn't?

"Coming!" I replied. I turned to the group and said.

"I'll see you around. Have fun at the mall. Goodbye!"

They all said their goodbyes but they still had their jaws dropping. Is it too much of a surprise? 

Well... they shouldn't, because Claire will always be around me. That is why things can't go back like before. It's not that I didn't want to be friends with Patrick and the gang. It's just I found a new friend that I cherish.

Everything has been great. But... I still feel something troubling. I don't know why but sometimes I feel giddy whenever I am with Claire. Even if she was throwing insults at me, I get offended. But when I see how much she is having fun, my irritation evaporates.

Is this a normal feeling to have with a friend? Or is it because Claire is my first female friend that I had no intention of dating? Or is it because she's my first kiss?

Maybe I should stop thinking about that too much. What's important right now is being friends with her. I bet this is going to be great from here on.

But I stand corrected...

This is the worst thing that has ever happened to me. Why?!?! How could this happen to me? I can't believe I was so careless. I felt the sharp pain within my chest as I struggled internally. I almost cried in pain. My breath started to feel labored.

"Are you okay?" a familiar woman's voice asked me.

I opened my eyes to look at her. Just the sight of her made me feel so frustrated. Her presence is a reminder of why I am in this situation.

"I can feel the pain here," I told her as I placed my hand over my chest.

"Oh? Here. Let me help you with this." she said as she assisted me. She placed a mask on my face covering my nose and mouth. Then, she turned on the device beside her.

"Now. Take a deep breath until the pain becomes tolerable." as soon as she said that, I began to feel a cool breeze from my oxygen tank mask.

This semester should have gone off without a hitch. But now, because I wasn't taking good care of myself, I'm confined in this hospital.

Damn this pneumonia!

"Are you feeling better now?" the nurse asked me.

"Yes, I'm feeling a bit better."

"That's good. I'll be leaving now. I'll return later at 4 pm for your antibiotics. Like always, if you need anything, just press this buzzer." she said as she pointed at the button beside my hospital bed.

"Okay."

The nurse smiled at me as she made her way out of the room. I continued my deep breathing exercise until the pain subsided. I can't believe I'll be here for the next seven days at a minimum. Seven days on this hospital bed, just doing deep breaths and getting medication. What a boring and expensive way to live! Thank goodness I got that health insurance.

My parents already know about my situation. But sadly, they won't be visiting me anytime soon. They just left for Cebu City three days ago. It's work-related so I convinced them not to back out.

We had a video call earlier. I told them what the doctor told me and not to worry. I said I'd be alright since Ryan and Diane would take care of me. Plus another person but I didn't mention that to my parents. They were convinced that I'd be okay. But I can tell they are still anxious. I hope this doesn't affect their work.

When I felt my breath was no longer labored, I rose from my bed to lessen the air pressure from the tank. I was about to reach for the TV remote when I heard a few knocks on the door. Afterward, it opened revealing the other person who would take care of me.

"So, how's the patient?" Claire said the moment she walked into the room. She had two bags of what appeared to be groceries and placed them on the dining table.

This is her first time visiting me at the hospital. She was busy with the company yesterday so only Ryan and Diane came to help me get settled in my confinement. Although that is the case, Claire did help with arranging a great doctor for me.

"Already sick of being in here and it's just Day 2!" I complained.

"Oh, poor you. Anyway, Dr. Marquez told me that you need a lot of Vitamin C. So, I got you some citrus fruits. You need to eat three of these every day."

"Okay. Thanks."

"Have you eaten your lunch already?"

"Not yet."

"Okay" was her reply.

She began unloading the groceries. Soon, she was working in the mini kitchen. The silence brought me thoughts that irritated me.

"Uggghhh! This is so unfair!" I said out of annoyance.

"Everything in this world is unfair. It's nothing new." She said without looking at me.

"Even so, why do I have such weak lungs? I only showered thrice while I was still sweaty. Then, this happened. But, you smoke all the time but you're perfectly fine."

Claire turned around and walked towards me with a breakfast table of food.

"Correction. I only smoke once in a while, in certain situations."

"But, it's still unfair-"

"Oh, stop. You're a patient, not a whiny baby."

I was about to retort back. But it disappeared as soon as I looked at the meal set before me. On top of the breakfast table is a medium-sized bowl of Pork Sinigang.

"Uy! Sinigang..." I said

She helped me in getting rid of the mask that was blocking my mouth and nose. When that's gone, I took a sniff of my favorite Filipino dish. The hot meal ignited my appetite.

But suddenly, she sat on the right side of my bed. Using the spoon and fork, she began scooping up some rice, pork, and soup. Then, she held the spoonful of food in front of my lips. I was in shock. Is Justine Claire Solistre going to spoon-feed me?

"Open up and eat," she said with a pretty smile that surprised me further.

She looks like a sweet angel when she smiles so sweetly. It is so adorable that my heart can't take it. For a brief moment, I missed that evil devilish smile that I'm used to. This Justine Claire might give me a heart attack with this new side of hers.

Despite the awkwardness, I opened my mouth as she fed me. It was so flavorful. Delicious! But my mind went back to the situation at hand.

"Is it too hot?" she asked as if she's talking to a baby. Wait... I know what she's doing here.

"Why are you treating me like a kid?" I accused.

"I'm not." She said.

"Yes, you are." I disagreed.

"Just shut up and eat, you big baby," she said with a teasing smile as she fed me another spoonful of Sinigang.

I knew it! But my mind was already on the delicious food.

"This is so delicious. Is this from AristoPinoy?" I asked changing the topic.

"Well, technically, it is a recipe from AristoPinoy, but I cooked it."

"You did? This is really good. I'm impressed."

"Yeah, yeah," she said dismissing the compliment.

As an idea popped into my mind, I decided to tease her.

"You know... when a girl is good at cooking, they say she is good enough to get married."

Claire raised an eyebrow at me and said.

"If you're trying to be funny, let me tell you. It's not working."

The slight irritation on her face had me giggling. Getting a reaction from someone as unbothered as Claire feels so good. I'm glad we're friends now.