Calming the Storm

Chapter 22

I looked at the mirror in the car and saw my puffy red eyes. Ugh! I cried so hard ata.

I'm parked in the Hospital where Theo is doing his clerkship. I don't know. I just started driving here kanina. Should I call him? But he might be busy, naka-duty kasi siya ngayon, baka mapagalitan din siya sa department kung nasaan siya ngayon. I was thinking and contemplating while gazing outside of the Hospital when I heard my phone beeped.

From: Theo ♡

bb kumakain ako ngayon. kain ka na rin, wag magpapalipas ng gutom. aylabyu 😚

I instantly smiled as I read his message. He's the one who doesn't eat on time because of his patients, eh. Most of the time kasi, wala naman talaga silang break. They don't know din kung kailan may patient na they need to attend to but as long as everything's good at wala naman utos from hospital stuff, pwede silang kumain or take a break.

To: Theo ♡

I'm just outside the Hospital, Love.

I replied para at least alam niya that I passed by here. I don't want to bothered him anymore kaya I started the engine na. I'll just comfort myself. I don't want him to be stressed pa about it. I got startled when I heard the phone ring. I answered it right away when I saw Theo's name.

"Hi!" I tried to sound cheerful. It was just an audio call so he won't be able to see my puffy eyes.

"Ba't ganyan ang boses mo, Rie? May nangyari ba?" I bit my lower lip and gulped when he asked that. Parang it made my tears become sensitive and wanting to fall again.

"Huh? No, I'm fine." 

He didn't answer kaya baka the line already got cut-off but he was still there pa rin naman when I checked my screen. I suddenly heard different sounds from the other line kaya my brows furrowed.  Is the signal not good here? I waited for a few minutes pa kung magsasalita siya but it's still static kaya I ended the call na.

I put my phone in my bag but I was shocked when he just suddenly peek in the mirror of the passenger seat of my car. My lips parted a little at nakatitig lang ako sa kaniya. He was smiling and he tried to open the door but it was locked kaya binuksan ko. He opened the door as Theo swiftly got inside of my car and stared at me intently. My eyes widened. Why is he here?

"Is it okay for you to be he-," I couldn't finish my sentence when he pulled my hand gently and hugged me tightly. He caressed my back and I just swallowed hard, wanting to prevent myself from crying.

"Mahal," he called me. 

I bit my lower lip with the way he called me. Why do he always know that I needed this hug from him? I couldn't hold back and just started crying in his arms. I buried my face in his neck and cried. I'm not okay. I thought, tapos na ang iyak ko but his presence made me release my emotions more.

I just cried in him while he hugged me tightly. He was just there for me. After a while, I gently pushed him and wiped my tears. His neck is wet and some parts of his scrub were wet na rin. Oh my God! Hindi pa siya tapos mag-duty but 'yung suot niya basa na from my cries.