Afterglow

XXIII. You Have Me

It's been a while since I last saw her again after that terrible encounter. Even though it's almost a week since that happened, it still feels like it just happened recently to me. The picture of her being pushed by the doctors was something that I couldn't forget.

All of my worries came back after seeing her in such a condition. Like before, I couldn't start my book again anymore after having a progress for at least a month. I also can't eat well again because I don't have the appetite to eat something while the scene is still running freely in my mind. I knew that it would happen in the future, and I already tried to be prepared for something like this to happen but that was too unexpected.

I've been stuck in my house again after that incident and like before, Mom was sending me food again since she knew that I didn't have the energy to do something like cooking even for myself.

I was starting to lose all of my hope but a few more days later, Stacy started to contact me again. She said that I can now start to see her again. I'm still quite afraid even though I just said that I want to fix myself again for her because I might not still be ready to see Theresa again after that night.

Theresa didn't change even after that incident. She still looked like the Theresa who I always visited, the Theresa that carries happiness within her. Her face still has that smile as if nothing worrisome happened to her. I'm glad to see her again like that but somehow it felt wrong.

"It seems that you've seen me in a shameful way. Don't worry about me because everything works well now. See, I can still be playful despite this health of mine.", Theresa said as she stretched her arm.

"Are really sure you're okay?", I asked.

"Didn't I just say that I'm in good shape now? That one-week rest was enough for me to get back. Look at my face, is this a face of a sick person? Even those people outside can't smile like this. Hahaha.", Theresa uttered.

"But seeing you in such a condition before can't make me relax even a bit. I'm here worried about you."

"Can't you see that I'm good? Look at this. See, I can even lift this bottle."

The bottle she grabbed suddenly fell into the bed making a mess since she failed to grasp the bottle with her own hands. She was dripped in water and the whole bed was soaked. That scene caused a lot of commotion, especially for Stacy.

"Theresa! You know still can't carry heavy objects but look what you've done.", Stacy yelled.

"I didn't know it was that heavy. It's just a small water bottle.", Theresa replied. "Yael, I'll just give Theresa new clothes and fix this mess here. Can you please ask a nurse to help here? I'll call you once this is all finished. Just spend your time outside first."

That took me by surprise because what Theresa was true. It's just a small bottle and she still can't hold it properly. She's been weak for a long time, but it was my first time seeing her in that state. Theresa can still hold small items before. Am I overthinking or her body became more frail than last time?

After I told the nurse about the situation, they fixed everything more quickly than I expected, I didn't even wait for a long time outside. Wait, did it finish fast, or I'm just occupied thinking about Theresa's condition and failed to sense what time it was really?