WAITING

Chapter 25

Vince

As I walked into the office, I couldn't help but notice that Toni wasn't at her desk. I checked my phone, but there was no message or call from her. I tried calling her, but her phone was off. I started to feel uneasy.

One thing I knew about Toni was that she was never on time, but she always informed me if she couldn't make it to work. So when it was already lunchtime, and she still hadn't shown up, I knew something was wrong.

I decided to call Papi, Toni's friend, to ask if she knew anything.

"Hey Papi, have you seen or heard from Toni? She's not at work today," I asked her.

Papi's voice was filled with concern.

"Hindi, Vince, hindi ko siya narinig mula nung dumating siya sa Pilipinas. Okay lang ba lahat? May nangyari ba?" tanong niya.

"I don't know, She's not answering her phone, and she's not at work. I'm really worried," I replied, feeling more anxious by the second.

Papi reassured me that she would try to contact her and let me know if she finds anything out. I hung up and tried calling Toni again, but it was still off.

I sighed and put down my phone, realizing that I wouldn't be able to focus on work until I knew that Toni was okay. I quickly wrapped up things at the office and headed over to her apartment.

"*Knock, Knock*" I knocked on Toni's apartment door several times, but there was no answer I tried calling her phone again, but it was still off.

I started to feel a knot in my stomach, wondering what could have happened to her.

Just as I was about to leave, I heard a faint sound coming from inside the apartment. It sounded like someone was moaning in pain. I knocked harder, calling out Toni's name.

"Toni, it's me, Vince! Are you okay?" I shouted, hoping she could hear me.

After a few more tries, the door slowly creaked open, Finally, the door opened, and I saw Toni standing there, looking pale and tired.

"Toni, what happened? Why haven't you been answering your phone? Are you okay?" I asked her, concerned.

She weakly smiled...

"Anong ginagawa mo dito? Umuwi ka na," sabi ni Toni sa akin nang nakangiti.

"Kakapunta ko lang dito. Pinapaalis mo na agad ako?" biro ko sa kanya.

"Ano ba talaga gusto mong sabihin?" tanong niya, ngayon ay nagbabago na ang tono ng kanyang boses.

"Nothing, I just wanted to come here. Hindi ka kasi nagbigay ng excuse letter, hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyari sa'yo," sabi ko habang tumitig sa kanya.

"Ano ka, teacher sa school? Kailangan pa ng excuse letter?" sagot niya habang nakataas ang kilay.

I laughed at her response. But when I noticed her expression, I suddenly became serious.

"Toni, are you sick? Why didn't you come to the office?" I asked her with concern in my voice.

"Ayos lang ako, 'tol. Hindi lang ako nakapunta dahil sa lagnat ko." sagot niya sabay ngiti.

"Are you really okay? Don't you need to see a doctor?" I asked her.

"Oo, okay lang ako. May mga gamot naman ako. Nakatulong din ang pahinga." She answered with a smile.

"Sige na, umuwi ka na. Nandito yung ate ko, wag ka mag-alala," sabi ni Toni sa akin. Agad naman akong napangiti at nakampante dahil sa kanyang mga salita.