1:30 AM TALKS

Chapter 5

"Boss, can we talk about it later?" I cleared my throat.

"It's been months."

"Then it's your right to move on. I'm not holding your back at all." I tried to smile at him.

"Ain't I good enough for you?"

"Paul I beg you, please..."

He smiled. You see. Between my sleepless night, there's a fact that my boss liked me. He asked me out a couple months ago. I always thought it's inappropriate - not because he's a bad guy or something. I just don't do romance at work. Joshua and Todd always told me about Paul and his kindness. Guess what? I know it all. He's a good guy. Solid good guy. That boyfriend material. Shireen once convinced me to give him a shot. But heart wants what it wants, huh?

"We're here." He softly awakened me from daydream.

"Let's go." I unbuckled my seat belt and ran to the lobby. "I need to go find Shireen Olson's room, please."

"You're adult?" The nurse asked.

"I am." Paul showed up from behind me. "I'm 24."

"Alright. Go straight this way, you'll find elevator, up to level 3, fourth room on your left."

"Thank you."

I sprinted to the elevator. It took us both up in a second. We're here at the level 3. Fourth room on my left... Oh wait.

"Paul, we probably mistaken the floor." I stepped back.

"No. No it's level 3. Fourth room, right? This is it." Paul noticed my expression. "Uh... Whoa, guys? What you doing here?"

"Hey Paul."

"Hi."

"Waiting for anybody?" Paul grabbed my hand, just a second I thought about running away.

"We drove off this girl, Shireen. She's one of your baristas, right?" Connor replied.

"What happened to her?" I couldn't hold myself. Shireen first, fear later.

"She got a car accident by the traffic light nearby our hotel. I think it's a mini bus. I first saw it so we brought her here right away." He, the one I hard to stare at, explained.

"Is she okay? Can I come in?" I asked no one in particular. "Nurse! Can I come in? How bad it is?"

"She's still unconscious. But you can go by pair, 10 minutes for each. Her mother's inside." The nice lady suggested. "In pair."

"In  pair. I got it." I looked at Paul. "I want to go."

"Okay. I'll be right here." He nodded.

"I'm coming with you." 

He, the one that caused me nightmare, walked up without permission and opened the door for me. What date is today, God's sake.

"Mrs. Olson." I immediately hugged her mom who lied down on the couch. She looked exhausted.

"Minerva?" 

"Yes it's me. Are you alright? Need anything?" I whispered.

"She's not awake yet..." She cried in my hug.

"Ssh...nurse says she's doing stable. Shireen is a tough girl." 

I glared at myself in that window reflection. Red eyes from crying. Anxiety at its maximum level. Then I stared at my best friend. She got many bruises on her face, arms, even wrapped legs that I bet were in bad condition. I saw her face. She slept peacefully. These complicated tools around her which supported her pulse and lungs made it horrible. 

"I was too slow, wasn't I?" He spoke from my side.

"No you're not. Thank you for saving my best friend's life." I replied slowly.

"Always." 

"Thank you."

"Hey I never know your name." He turned his face on me. "I'm Riley, what's your name?"

'I'm Riley, what's your name?' - the same exact line that always echoed in my dream. Either this was déjà vu or  unreal - that this happened exactly as I had in my dreams.

"Minerva."

"I like your name." He released a sigh. 

Twice in a row, it happened just the same as last night's 1:30 talk.

"Hope she's doing fine." I whispered. "Shir, it's me..."

I held her hand trying to make a conversation. That car must have hit her the worse way it could. I'm afraid it would take her too long to recovery, or so, she would never have a life she once had. God, please save my Shireen.

And save me too.