In the midwest of the hospital, people are being rushed to the emergency room with high fever, fatigue, coughing, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. Several people have died, and others are near death!
This is the first time for nurses and doctors to experience such things. They were lacking rest and eat. Roaming around more than one patient. They didn't even have time to worry about themselves but keep busy and help other people.
Somewhere, outside from one of the quarters. They were shouts and two men were arguing. One of them, a man, using a loud voice and some gestures while the doctor tried to remain calm and maintain his posture, nevertheless, he looked exhausted.
"Why isn't she waking up? It's been a whole week already. How long is she waking up?" these words came from the young man.
"I'm terribly sorry sir, we did everything we can." the doctor said stiffly. If anyone would look at him closely, he didn't seem to be scared about a certain issue.
"You can't stand there and do nothing. Do fucking anything to help her. Have anyone contact her parents? Who on Earth could just leave their daughter alone, this is insane! Do they even care for her?"
There's a young girl laying lifelessly on a hospital bed. For some reason, the sudden shouts, drawing her out from her consciousness. Waves of pain distorted her whole body, making her sore from not moving too long as her chest was rising up and down with every breath she took. She seemed struggling to breathe.
She couldn't remember the last time she'd breathe could be hurt this much.
"Aria? Oh God, you're awake!"
A familiar voice ranged through her ears. She slowly fluttered her eyes open, then blinked again from the sudden brightness. After a few attempts, she saw Luke rushing in, bringing a worry in his features. And the doctor leaning on the door, looking suspicious. He somewhat doesn't look so happy when she woke up.
She was welcomed with a blaze of warmth embrace from him, making her stiff awkwardly.
It felt so good. She'd never been hugged like this before. Being bed for who knows how long she'd been, was really uncomfortable.
How long was she in a coma?
"But sir, the infection—" he wanted to notify him about social distancing which is according with their rules, but had cut off. . .
"Leave us fucking alone."
The doctor went to his leave and muttered something under his breath, seems like a profane with curses.
Her gaze locked into his, with his eyes full of worry and sadness. She could tell he was waiting for her for so long. It'd been so hard lately eh?
She smiled bitterly.
"H-hey.." her voice sounded so hoarse. Her throat burned like she was thirsty for ages. In addition, she wanted to know how long she'd been out.
Luke reached a glass of water with his hand, and gently put the glass against her mouth, as she drinks them with thirst.
"T-thank you.." she handed him the glass, as he takes it then placed it on the table.
She couldn't stop then, looked at Luke who's on the verge of tears as if he was going about to cry? Aren't guys supposed to be strong? She felt guilty by seeing them.
She pats his back gently, even her arms are still a little stiff to move.
"I thought you wouldn't wake up. This week was like hell, I wasn't able to sleep properly by watching you sleep in such a deep state. Heck, you made me so worry. . . " he clasped her hands tightly. Fuck the virus, I can't make her suffer like this.
"Hey, I'll be fine. Look I'm awake aren't I?" she stifled a laugh and gave him a wide smile.
"We'd only meet in four months and has already been this close. And of course, I don't think you would mind that apparently."
Luke chuckled and patted her head.
He really missed her this much. Glancing his fingers brushing her locks of hair.
"You see, this young man had already been attached to you. He wasn't going anywhere, nor leaving you in such a weak state. Even in the afterlife. . . " the last phrase was said softly, seeing her eyes in tears as she stared at him angrily.
She obviously heard the last statement. She doesn't want him to suffer as she did. She also wanted to make him happy even it's when without her.
He made a chuckle then briefly asked, "Aren't you hungry? I'll prepare some meal for you, would you wait for me?"
Aria nodded.
"Okay, don't go anywhere. I'll be back for a few minutes."
Something yanked at the edge of his shirt, it was Aria. He noticed her she was about to say something.
"Don't be out too long." She smiled heartily.
Seeing her in a weary state, it'd hurt him so deeply. He'll make sure she will bring her out someday.
"I won't." He pressed his lip on her forehead then, gave her a funny look, which made her laugh, giggling.
He took his leave.
When the door slammed in close, she stared at the ceiling and wondered. She had lost her parents once she was little. She didn't know where they're staying, nor they'd lived. She often wished if she'll meet them someday. But now, I don't think she will.
Her step-father divorced her current step-mom and had an affair with another woman. She doesn't think they will care for her even a bit. Ever since she graduated from college. She left and started a new life.
She doesn't care whether they still think of her or not. But she's sure that they wouldn't mind, after all, they're much focused on their own life now.
After pondering briefly, she took a rest then, as she closed her eyes. She had no idea why she felt tired once again.
When Luke left the room, he subtly glanced at the nurse who's been watching him silently, as she noticed his gaze, she turned away with her cheeks flushed in pink.
Luke ignored her, and mumbled, "Tsk, woman." as he tucked both hands on his pockets then, headed to the canteen.
Seeing him disappeared, the nurse's eyes glinted with mischievous. She remembered entirely that there was a female patient in that quarter.
She looked around and checked if anyone was around until she found nothing, she went inside to her room.
-
Meanwhile, Luke had arrived at the canteen. To his surprise, there are only a few people. Who am I kidding? It's already evening. Not all, people strolled here, walking around at night.
He looked at the food, placing the plates, and surprisingly it'd cooked. Under it, it looked like it got steamed them. From what they were staying right now, both of them admitted to a private hospital. It's lucky that they can cook the food whenever we want to.
He saw her favorite soup. She called it, "Sinigang na Bangus". It is a type of sour clear broth fish soup. A little warm meal would help her to warm up. Besides, the other meal here is filled with meat and chicken. He doesn't mean that she doesn't like it. But he rather gives something healthy from what she likes the best.
Thinking about it, he knew she would love this meal. Whenever she gets sick, he always is the one to feed her. Imagine her smiling face, he couldn't help wanted to smile as well.
After he bought it, he decided to go back to her quarters.
-
However, inside the quarters, the nurse went out the door after she had injected something into the unconscious patient. Tragically, the young girl never realized she'd been trick from the nurse by taking her medicine... It wasn't really medicine but something deadly poisonous.
The nurse bumped to the doctor while he waling past to her. Seeing the familiar face, she bowed her head in respect. His cold eyes frantically scan her face with a stern expression then asked, "Have you done what I said?"
"Yes, Doc." the female nurse retorted.
"Very good." his eyes shining with glee.
Her last breath was taken before the young man, went inside.
"Aria, guess what? I've brought something . . . that would make you ha—A-aria? Can you hear me? Oh, please stop joking around. Aria?!" the man yelled and rushed to her as he noticed her unmoved figure.
He trembled as he hugged her little figure.
The plate he was holding a while ago had fallen down onto the floor, as it shattered unto pieces.
Clank. Clank.
There's one thought crossed his mind and surely did, hate it.
He had come too late.