Secrets, Lies, and Deception

Chapter 12: The Question

Two days have passed since I was admitted to the hospital. The doctor has frequently been visiting me to check if I show any sign of symptoms that I might have damaged my brain or whatsoever.

"Everything has been good for the past two days. You can discharge by tomorrow, but you'll have to be careful still, okay? You cannot engage in activities that might put you in danger again. At least for a few months," the doctor explained.

"Finally!" I said in relief. I've wanted to get out of the hospital. I really don't like the smell of it.

I guess I'll have to head back to the cafe and work. I've been MIA ever since the party. Ms. Ava might have been looking for me already, or worst, I've already lost the job. I hope not.

The doctor went out, and so was Ms. Gibbs. She told me that she has to process the papers for discharge. I was also told that Grandfather took care of the bill, but I will surely get yet another visit from him soon.

I was reading a book when I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in," I said. I put down the book I held by the bedside table and sat properly to greet whoever the guest was.

It revealed a man who is wearing a black shirt paired with tattered jeans and black leather ankle boots. His jeans were slightly loose and tattered by his knees. The black leather belt with a gold accent gives it pop for his fashion sense. His hair looks like it just got out of bed that gives him a sexier appeal.

"Nate, what brings you here?" I asked, clearing my throat before I ended up choking just by looking at him. He came up to me, and he revealed a single red rose that he was keeping behind him.

"What's this for?" I asked in confusion, but I felt that my cheeks were flustered. I smelled the rose, trying to cover my burning cheeks. He slid the chair beside my bed and sat.

"How are you feeling? What did the doctor say?" he asked with a concerning voice. It felt warm and comforting.

"The doctor said I can be discharged by tomorrow," I said while putting down the flower he gave beside the book I put away earlier.

"That's great to hear," he said.

After that, there was an awkward silence between us. I fidgeted my fingers while looking around the room because I was trying to think of something to talk about.

"How was school?"

"I have to tell you--"

We talked both at the same time, but I insisted to him that he say something first. Strangely, he looked like he was hesitating over it, so I repeated my question.

"School is fine. You got a lot of things to catch up with, especially that exams are just right around the corner..." he said. Shoot! Right, exams. Ugh! I'm terrible at studying, how can I ever catch up?

"But it just feels different without you," he said in a whispering voice, but I clearly heard it since there is no one else besides us really in the room.

It left me in silence but to avoid another unsettling ambiance, I tried to joke it off.

"You know, you are really a mischievous person. With that attitude of yours, you can snatch Chase's title from him," I awkwardly laugh, but he wasn't smiling even a bit.

I froze when he suddenly held my hand and rested his face on it. I felt a tear slid from his eye. I looked at him, shocked to see that he's in pain.

"I thought I lost you, again," he said. The word "again" rang in my head. What does he mean by that? I don't remember ever knowing him. It was only during the first day that I got acquainted with him, but here he is acting as if he has known me before.

"What do you mean by again?" I asked with a confused look.

"What?" he said in shock when he heard my question. I think he meant to only think about those words in his head.

"Do you want to go outside?" Nate asked. This painted a smile on my face because I am sick of only looking at the four corners of my room.

It is not as fashionable as I think it would be to wear a hospital gown while walking with a gorgeous guy beside me by the hospital's garden. We were both silents while walking. I was too busy observing and breathing in the fresh air that I never had for the past couple of days.

I keep on glancing back and forth at Nate's face. He seems distant but at the same time near. I guess a lot of things are in his mind right now. Somehow a part of me wants to lessen that burden on him.

He then caught me looking at him.

"Are you tired? We can sit by the bench over there," he said. I nod as a response.

We both sat by the bench. He was just a few inches away from me. I rest my one hand by the bench where his other hand is also. A part of me wants to hold him again and feel his warmth.

The afternoon wasn't as hot as it was during the usual days. The touch of sunlight in our skin was just right, and thanks to the trees as they dance with the wind, it makes the flowers in the garden sparkle like gems. It was truly relaxing to be sitting here.

Then I remembered, I really wanted to know what happened during the accident and there's no other person I could ask better than the one I am with now.

"Nate, I wanted to ask..."

"Hmm?" he said, turning his attention to me. I wanted to look directly into his eyes, but I looked away and focused on the flowers in front of me.

"During the relay, what happened to me? I really don't remember. The last thing I can picture is that I was about to cross the finish line," I explained.

He let out a sigh before answering my question.

"Remember when I told you to check your laces?" he asked, and then again, I nod as a reply.

"Well, did you?" he asked with one brow up.

"I d..did?" I answered, but at the same time was recalling everything if I ever did.

I remember that he told me and that I looked at my shoes. I remember that there was

"Yeah, I did look at my laces. Everything was fine. Why are you asking me that?" I said, still confused with where our conversation is going.

"Well, you didn't check it properly because it was the cause of your fall. You were so intent on winning the relay that you couldn't hear me or anyone from our team shouting to be careful because your laces were untied," he explained.

My jaw dropped with his explanation. Wait, what?! I got into this accident because of my clumsiness? How stupid can I be?

"I rushed to you immediately after your fall. It was a good thing that you instinctively brace yourself with your arm, but you still hit your head. I turned cold when I held you by my arms and felt blood on my hands. I then called the ambulance and rushed you to the hospital," he continued.

I looked at Nate, who was telling me what happened that day. I looked into his eyes, and it was full of worry. He clasped his hands and rested them by his thighs. He turned to look at me, and I stared back.

"Don't you ever scare me like that again, okay?" he said.

"Why?" my lips moved on their own, asking the question that has been bothering me for quite some time now.

"What do you mean 'why'?" he asked, breaking eye contact by looking away.

"Why do you concern yourself with me? You don't really know anything about me. Yes, we play the push and pull. It was fun, but you have always been involving yourself with my own business. Is it because you feel pity for me because you know my secret?" I asked. I try to understand, but it's too much. From the first day till now, it has been bugging me.

He was silent, but I didn't look away from him. I was still waiting for an answer. Then he held my hand that was resting on the bench. Our fingers intertwined. He turned to face me slowly.

"Would you like to go out on a date with me?"