It has been five days since Alina last responded to any of En's messages or calls. Her phone continued to ring unanswered, with all calls going to voicemail. Concerned for her, En decided to visit Alina's place, only to find that she was nowhere to be found.
En had been staring at the same rock for some time while sitting in front of Alina's door. Suddenly, a car pulled up to the house. Alina's mother, accompanied by her driver, stepped out carrying several bags. En stood up and approached her.
"Hello ma'am! We met a few days ago. I'm En. I was wondering where Alina is?"
En greeted the woman.
The woman looked at En with a reserve expression.
"She's in the hospital and is scheduled to be discharged this afternoon."
Alina's mother said in an aloof tone.
En was flabbergasted by what the woman said. All this time, Alina had been in the hospital and had never bothered to inform her, despite the countless messages and voicemails she had left. En struggled to compose herself, searching for the right words to say.
"What happened to Alina ma'am? Please tell me."
En begged while her voice was shaking.
"She collapsed five days ago."
A short response from Alina's mom.
Just as En was about to leave, Alina's mom spoke again.
"I honestly don't approve of whatever relationship you have with Alina," her mother said. "She has neglected her health to spend time with you and didn’t even bother to tell you about her condition, risking it all for what she considered petty moments."
En stopped upon hearing what the woman said.
"Her condition? What do you mean by her condition?"
En is completely puzzled by the woman's words.
"Alina has been suffering from a serious heart condition," the woman continued. "Ever since she started spending time with you, she has neglected her doctor's appointments. The fact that she's in a relationship with a woman could only make things worse for her. Can't you see that people will judge your kind of relationship? This will only bring distress to my daughter, which we've worked hard to prevent."
En’s emotions were a whirlwind of shock, anger, and sadness. She couldn't believe that Alina had kept such a significant detail about her condition from her, despite their time together. Even amidst the flood of emotions, En was determined to see Alina, demand an explanation, and find out how she was doing.
Before leaving, En couldn't help but ask Alina's mom, "Do you consider yourself one of those people who will judge our relationship, ma'am? One of the people who might contribute to the stress she would feel?"
En stared at the woman with a serious expression and tone. Without waiting for a response, she immediately ran off to call a taxi.
Alina sat anxiously on the bed, waiting for the discharge order. For the past five days, she hadn’t been able to use her phone because her mom had taken it, citing the doctor’s advice. She was worried about what to say to En. As she waited in vain, she heard a loud bang on the door. En stormed in, panting and sweating. Alina was shocked and nervous to see her, noting the mix of anger and sadness on En's face.
"En . . ."
Alina called her name, can't find the right words to say.
"Why? How could you? Are you ever going to tell me, Alina?"
En's voice trembles as she slowly approaches the woman.
"En . . ."
The only word that came out of Alina's mouth.
How could you keep the details of your condition from me?!"
En demanded, her voice rising as her eyes got teary.
"En . . . I . . ."
Alina stammers, still unable to speak properly.
"What Alina?!?"
En couldn’t hold back her emotions and suddenly shouted, tears fell down her face as she stared at the woman in the hospital gown, with an IV in her hand, sitting on the bed.
"En, please. Don't shout."
Alina begs, she can't contain the intense emotion inside the room and starts crying too.
A nurse and doctor quickly entered the room to assess the situation, finding Alina in tears and immediately attending to her.
"Please don't stress the patient; her condition is delicate," the doctor said to En.
Feeling overwhelmed by Alina's situation, En turned and started to walk out of the room.
"Please don't leave, En. Please," Alina begged.
En paused at the door and said, "Your mom's probably right. Being with me could make your condition worse."
With that, she walked out, leaving behind a heart-wrenching statement.
YOU ARE READING
Bus 732
RomanceEn thought that moving into the new, unfamiliar place would be her biggest struggle - but she was wrong. . .
