Everything seemed to be fine as Charissa and I walked along Manila Bay. However, the disgusting odor of the water became completely overwhelming for the two of us.
"What's with the water right now?" I wondered to Charissa after witnessing Manila Bay's horrific condition. "Someone should take a look at this and restore the bay to its former glory. It's so sickening."
We walked back to Star City and waited for the gate to open. But just as it opened, I suddenly felt dizzy and disoriented, the heat of the sun already taking its toll.
Charissa swiftly carried me back to the car and provided some medicine. Unfortunately, I was still not well enough and eventually passed out.
Desperate for help, Charissa opened my bag and retrieved a cellphone inside. She called Michelle's number and waited with bated breath to hear her voice.
Michelle: "Hello? Is that you, Christine?"
Charissa: "No, this is Charissa, Christine's daughter. We're at Star City right now. I called you because your dear friend is not feeling well. She just passed out in my car."
Michelle: "We're on our way to Star City so kindly stay put, okay?"
Charissa: "Hurry Michelle. Christine's life depends on you."
Michelle: "I will."
Charissa carried me to a nearby clinic where doctors placed my body on a stretcher and administered some oxygen. As she sat down to be at my side, Charissa began to feel worried.
Her thoughts were on last week's bittersweet reunion when she saw me unconscious in the hospital. Such is cruel fate for a loving mother like Charissa.
Almost immediately, Michelle and Ella arrived and hugged Charissa. As they saw me lying in the stretcher with a tank of oxygen beside it, my mother and friends also showed some concern.
"Christine. If you're listening, your friends are all here," Michelle spoke softly as she grabbed my right hand and slowly rubbed it.
Moments later, I woke up and took off the oxygen mask from my face. Charissa, Michelle and Ella felt a sense of relief upon seeing me return to consciousness.
"You're alive and okay," Ella exclaimed before hugging me.
After a few more hugs from Charissa and my friends, I explained to Michelle and Ella about the incident at Star City in fourth grade. As soon as I ended the story, they began showing some remorse over the incident.
"We should've not allowed you to ride the ferris wheel," Michelle begrudgingly spoke, her face full of guilt. "It's all our fault. We didn't take your fear of heights seriously. We're sorry for putting you in this precarious situation."
"No, you shouldn't blame and feel distressed for yourselves," I reassured Michelle and Ella. "It's all on me. I'm a coward for not overcoming my fear of heights. All this time I naturally wanted to have a good time but instead the fun went away when the top of the ferris wheel frightened me. It is me who should apologize."
"Well, it's does not matter on who's to blame," Ella responded. "It was in the past already. We must move on and let bygones be bygones."
"Ella is right," Michelle approved. "Well, we decided to call off this adventure for now and take you home. Then we can come back here once your health is back in good condition."
"Ok then," I cordially approved of Ella's proposal. "See you when I'm fine."
Just then, the doctor arrived and he announced I suffered from a minor heatstroke. My fainting spell had nothing to do with last night's anxiety attack, and my body was in good condition when I collapsed.
After they drove me home, I went back to my bed to recuperate. In the meantime, Charissa prepared some chicken mushroom noodle soup for dinner.
As soon as Charissa finished cooking, she carried the table containing the bowl of soup to the bedroom and promptly fed me. After dinner, I took my medicine and promptly went to sleep for the night.
While I slept peacefully inside the bedroom, my mother called Michelle to assure her that my health is fine.
Charissa: "Michelle, this is Charissa. I have some good news. Your dear friend Christine is now resting back home and she is doing fine. You should have nothing to worry about."
Michelle: "That's pleasant to hear, Miss Charissa. When she wakes up, promptly tell her that I said hello."
Charissa: "Sure thing Michelle. I'll inform my daughter later. See you later."
After finishing the call, Charissa whispered gently to my ear and gleefully told me that Michelle called out on the phone to say hello. Upon hearing Charissa's kind words of encouragement, I quietly flashed a radiant smile on her face.
Sunday morning, Clark arrived for his day off and the first thing he did was to go to my bedroom and check on me.
"Christine, how are you feeling right now?" Clark asked about my condition.
"Still not 100% but I'm slowly getting there," I affirmed back smiling.
Breakfast was ready, but my legs could not stand up. So Clark gently helped me walk downstairs to the dining table where I joined my parents for a plate of pancakes and a pitcher of orange juice.
Gradually regaining some range of motion, I returned to my typical activities, one of which was to check out on my blog. Suffice to say, I was favourably impressed by the thousands of views the blog received this week.
I also saw some encouraging comments from a few loyal readers. Whether it was a sincere greeting or words of motivation, their love and support inspired me so much.
Monday morning, I joined Michelle and Ella for gym class. Another morning of intense workouts awaits.