To Infinity and Beyond

Deaf Ears

Mark's POV

"Where the hell have you been, Alice? Do you have any clue what I went through? What Mia went through?" As soon as Jake left, Alice burst into tears. Even though my heart twitched to see her like this, I just couldn't cave in.

"I am... I am really sorry, Mark. I know I made a blunder today. I didn't mean to leave Mia alone..."
She wailed.

"Yet, you did! Where were you all this while? Why didn't you call me?" I stepped closer to her. She was now caged between the living room's wall and me. Still, no response left her mouth.

"I am running out of patience, Alice. For God Sake, tell me what happened? Please!" My breath was fanning her face. Her jaw stiffened, and I inhaled deeply, allowing her one last chance to explain herself.

"Mark, I umm...I picked up Mia from her school at around 3. Then we went to the carnival, and we were having a great time...." Beads of sweat were forming on her forehead.

"It's fine, Alice, just tell me. What happened then?" She let out a deep sigh and nodded, "I told Mia to wait at a stall, and I went to buy tickets. I was feeling dizzy as I walked away, maybe.." She hesitated, "maybe it was the sun.. umm... like a heat stroke or something. It happened so fast. I don't remember much after that... but... I think I passed out. I fainted at the carnival." She looked at me with fearful eyes.

"What? Crap! Are you okay?" I wasn't expecting this. I scanned her from head to toe to assure myself that she was fine. I took her arm and pulled her to the couch with me.

"Just sit down and relax." I went to the kitchen and got her a glass of water.

She slowly sipped on the water, allowing both of us time to relax a bit. My mind, however, was still running in circles as I tried to assess her situation, "I am so worried for you, Alice. You fainted at the carnival and still didn't call me?"

Her expressions softened, and her eyes got welled up again, "somebody must have taken me to the ER at a nearby hospital, assuming I was alone. Bunny... my little baby, she was left behind..." A tear left the corner of her eyes, and instinctively I wiped it off using my thumb. Alice was visibly shaky, and I couldn't register if it were exhaustion, paranoia or something else that made her this edgy. Nevertheless, I nodded at her, gesturing her to continue.

"I didn't know where my phone was, Mark, not until I gained consciousness. When I opened my eyes, Chris was already present. I think... umm... he must have called my phone and someone must have informed him about my condition..." The mention of that guy irked me, and suddenly I was outraged. Without thinking, I blurted out, "who is this Chris, Alice? How and when did he become your friend?"

My eyes narrowed at her face, specially when I caught her dodging eye contact.

"Mark...umm, Chris and I..." She started fiddling her fingers. I could see she was very nervous.

"Umm.. you know I knew Chris through Catherine, but last Sunday when I met him at their residence, we got along well... and we have been in touch since then.." She held my hand before continuing, "I have been so busy lately... I just forgot to mention him to you... I am... I am sorry.." She was still sobbing and looking at her fragile state, I gave up. I just took her in my arms.

"Shh.. Calm down, Alice... you don't have to apologise for making friends.. I just... I wasn't expecting to see him here, specially in a situation like this." We stayed in each other's embrace, I tried to picture the situation and assess what went wrong.