I
That Guy
I felt giddy as I walk pass through the white walls and ceilings of the place that I abhorred the most -- the hospital.
I decided to pay my sick partner-in-crime a visit. Nadine was confined yesterday after our long midnight shoot for an endorsement.
That was the first time I saw her get so tired. I saw a sleep-deprived and over fatigued Naddie.
Naddie..
The nickname I gave her the first time I saw her running her way to the beach when we were in San Francisco. The Naddie who was so cheerful, you could've mistaken her for a ball of sunshine when you get to be with her.
The faint smell of rubbing alcohol and the typical hospital scent passed through my senses as I enter her room.
There I saw her lying in bed wearing a white shirt and the hospital duvet covered her up to her stomach.
She looks pale and.. vulnerable. Different from what I see everyday.
I slowly went to her and stared at her weak body. She slowly moved her face, scrunching her closed eyes but still not opening them. I think my footsteps might have disturbed her from her deep sleep.
She yawned before slowly opening her eyes and then closing it again. She must've noticed me because she quickly opened her eyes again and sat up straight.
"James!" She gasped as she tried to sport the signature wide smile of hers. But she couldn't.
"Hey.." I quietly said while giving her an assuring smile.
I wanted her to know that I care.
"Ano'ng ginagawa mo dito? 'Di ba may solo photoshoot ka dapat? Ay! Sandali lang, gusto mo ba ng maiinom-" She was talking in a quick manner with her soft but hoarse voice.
"Naddie, relax." I laughed, cutting her off and letting my hand rest on top of her shoulder.
"I came here to pay you a visit. And besides, I cancelled the photoshoot. May family dinner din kasi kami mamaya, so I figured to drop by here and see if you're doing fine."
"Ah, okay." She said, lightly nodding her head.
"So," I energetically said before I plopped down on the chair beside her bed.
"How's my partner doin'?"
"Eto, sabi ng doctor over fatigue daw. He advised me to rest for a few days para daw hindi sumama yung pakiramdam ko. Pero tatanungin ko kung pwede na ba akong makaalis kasi I have to attend the Coca Cola launch with you on Friday, 'di ba?"
"No, Naddie. Stay here and rest. I can handle myself, besides, your health is more important than that event. I'll just cover you up."
I think she was going to say something but her phone on the side table buzzed and lit up signalling a notification.
"I'll reach for it." I said as I stretched my arm to my left where the side table is.
I got her phone and before giving it to her, it busted a loud noise and an incoming call was waiting to be called back.
"Sino 'yang tumatawag?" She asked while I read the caller's name.
And there it said in big white letters,
Luis calling..
Oh yeah, Luis. That guy again.
