My Only Exception

Chapter 15

She saw someone from afar watching them who looked familiar but didn't give it much attention when the person hid behind the post.

Thanks to you I'm finally thinking about me. You know in the end, the day you left was just my beginning...

She couldn't take it anymore. She took a seat on the sidewalk and cried her heart out while hiding her face on her hands. She remained that way for almost thirty minutes and when she felt she could cry no more, she stood up.

"Better?" he asked her.

She nodded and forced a smile.

••

She woke up with her head throbbing. She got home past 3 in the morning and Seff offered to stay to look after her but she pushed him away. It was a weekend and she needed to do her daily chores, buy some items from the grocery and get her clothes from the laundry shop. Despite feeling bad, Raffy took a quick shower before heading out of her house.

She would be taking the train instead of driving her car since she knew she'd attract accident if she pushes herself to drive. She had her music player on at its maximum volume as she got inside the train to first go to the grocery store. It took her an hour to finish buying her items and when she was done paying, one of the sales ladies approached her and told her she happened to be one of the lucky shoppers who won a freebie that day. They went to the customer service counter who handed her a pair of winter gloves. She thanked them and left.

She headed straight to the laundry shop to pick up her clothes and Miss Sanders, the owner of the laundry shop, was there. They had a short talk and before she left, she handed her a pair of winter socks. She was surprised to get one from her but gave her thanks. She had been a customer since she saw her laundry shop.

She was too tired when she got home. It had been a tough day but she was glad that she already had something in preparation for the upcoming winter.

••

Weeks passed and she was able to adjust. Seff became a company to her while she was trying to know the place better. They went to different spots during their free time and would go out to try some restaurants. His place was an hour drive away and so Seff spent days checking on her on a daily basis.

They were dining on a Spanish restaurant that weekend after work. She was feeling nauseated for the past three days and hasn't had much appetite. She avoided drinking alcohol after the last time that she got drunk and cried on the streets.

Seff ordered food for them and when it was served, she didn't like the spicy smell. She felt like throwing up and excused herself to go the comfort room.

"You're too pale," Seff commented when she got back from the restroom.

"Am I?"

"Yes," he answered. "Are you okay? Are you having a hard time with your work?"

"No. I'm okay. Work's okay. I'm just feeling tired and heavy for the past three days," she admitted.

"Let's go see a doctor after this," he said.

"No need. I'm okay. I just need to rest and spend some quality sleep," she said.

"No, we'll see a doctor after this. Let's postpone the trip some other day," he said.

They were on a hospital the next hour. She was attended to by a nurse who took her vital signs and asked for her chief complaint.

"When was the last time that you had your period?" the nurse asked her.