Ding. The elevator door opens. As I step out of the elevator, I can hear the heavy down pour of the rain outside the lobby. I checked my bag and yes I have my umbrella with me but I think it has no match with the heavy rain. I walked slowly towards the waiting area. I sat down in one of the vacant couches. I removed the bun from my hair but leave it on ponytail. I stroke the strands of my hair and it is wavy, just how I like it to be. I checked on my watch and its already 7PM. I still waited. I can see familiar faces passing by the lobby. Some supervisors are passing by. Maybe some relatives of some of the patients. Perhaps some are patients. Well, various people are passing in and out of the hospital lobby. The pianist who's playing a calming song makes the ambiance become relaxing. I checked my phone but there's no unread message nor a missed call.
Tick-tack goes the sound of my watch. Tap-tap goes my foot as I suddenly feel agitated. I felt a hand touch my shoulder, I look over and saw a tall man in white coat. He smiled at me.
"Addie, why are you still here?" he asked as he tried to move in front of me.
"Hi Dr. Walter," I replied with a smile. "I'm waiting for my friend..."
"Friend? Are you sure he's just a friend?" he teased. I chuckled. "Yes doctor, we're just friends. We've been friends since 6th grade," I justified. He laughed.
"Oh well if you said so...just make sure you're really just friends," he teased again. We both laugh. He left afterwards. My smile slowly fades away as I look at my watch.
8PM. An hour passed already. I really hate waiting. I crossed my arms over my chest. I can't even hear my phone ringing nor a tone for sms. The rain is starting to stop. I looked at the big glass wall beside me, hoping that at any moment he'll just pop out from there. Ten minutes. I told myself. If he will not arrive in 10 minutes, I will leave. I watched the hands of the clock in the lobby began to tick. I watch the people again passing by the hospital lobby. The receptionists are still active and courteous towards the people asking for queries. Some kids are running around. Some patient escorts are pushing either the wheelchair of a patient or a trolley for them.
8:15PM. Ok. That's it. I stood up, stomping my foot. I'm really pissed off. I grabbed my bag and have my umbrella ready. I was about to leave when the automatic sliding door opened, exactly as I turned on that direction. He's wearing a brown jacket that says GAP. He removed his hood and wiped his face and stroke his hair. He's not ashamed of bringing in a wet and dripping umbrella. He searched the crowd and focus his gaze on me when he found me staring at him. He smiled. He walks towards my direction. I can't hide my disappointment from him. Despite that I know that he knew that I am pissed off already, he manages to smile big, as if making a fool out of me. I didn't move from where I stand. I waited until he's in front of me. I held my bag tightly to contain my anger.
"Hi Addie...I'm sorry for being late," he apologized. I don't know if he's sincere but he's smiling like a silly man.
"Really? You're sorry for making me wait for more than hour? I arrived exactly 7PM, hoping you'll be here by the time I timed out from the unit..." I said continuously. Instead of getting angry also, he patiently waits until I finished with all my rants like a little kid.
"Finished birthday girl?" he asked. I sighed. He took my bag and we walked towards the exit. I'm still feeling bad and I am not talking. He walks quietly, trying to assess my mood. I was about to go straight ahead just like what we always do, when he took my arm and said, "This way, Addie." I followed him. I wonder. We always go straight since the bus stop is nearby that route, unless he found a short cut. But this way is going to the parking lot. He opened his umbrella and let me join him under one umbrella. Then he took something out of his pocket that made one of the parked cars began to prompt. A black Nissan car blink its tail lights and head lights. I looked at him and raised my eyebrows.
