Lost and Found • mikhaiah au

21. Fevered Yearning

The morning light filtered through the window, casting a soft glow across Agnes' room. She awoke with a heavy heart, the weight of last night's disappointment still pressing on her chest.

The memory of the cold sinigang and unanswered messages lingered as she reached for her phone, her hope waning with every swipe. The screen remained empty, Maiko's silence echoing louder than ever.

With a sigh, Agnes pushed herself out of bed, each movement feeling like a struggle. She went through her morning routine in a haze, brushing her teeth and dressing for another day of training.

As she headed to the kitchen, the sight of the unwashed dishes and the cold, untouched sinigang in the refrigerator made her heart ache even more. She shook her head, trying to push away the thoughts of Maiko that clung stubbornly to her mind.

Agnes quickly washed the dishes, each splash of water feeling like a small attempt to wash away her worries. The emptiness of the apartment seemed to mock her, the silence stretching out in a way.

After hastily tidying up and leaving Lingling food and water, Agnes grabbed her things and made her way to the door.

As she drove towards the pool, the cool morning air felt refreshing against her face, a small comfort amidst the emotions she was feeling.

She hoped that perhaps the routine and the physical exertion would help clear her mind, even if just for a bit.

Agnes stepped into their gym facility, her usual greeting ready on her lips as she spotted Coach Colleen. "Morning, Coach," she called out, her voice lacking its usual energy.

But as she drew closer, she noticed something unusual—Colleen was packing up some of the training gear.

"Huh? 'Bat ka nagliligpit? Wala ba tayong training ngayon?"

Colleen glanced up with a small, somewhat sheepish smile. "Good morning, Agnes. No, no training today. Dapat i-susurprise kita with a practice match against Maiko again sana."

Agnes's confusion deepened. "Practice match? 'Eh bat ka nagliligpit?"

Colleen sighed, her expression softening, "Well, I got a call from Maiko's coach earlier. She's sick daw, so she won't be able to make it today."

"Sick?" The word hit Agnes like a ton of bricks. It was as if everything suddenly clicked into place—the unanswered messages, Maiko's absence last night. A wave of worry washed over her. "Okay lang ba siya? Ano daw sakit?"

Colleen raised an eyebrow, an amused glint in her eyes. "Oh bakit 'di mo alam? Kala ko dikit kayo?" She teased lightly, but the concern in Agnes' eyes was evident.

Agnes's patience, already thin from the emotional strain of the past day, snapped just a bit. "Seryoso nga kasi, Coach."

Colleen's smile faltered, and she quickly dropped the teasing tone. "I don't know the details, Agnes. Her coach didn't say much. But if you're really worried, I can get her address for you. That way, you can check on her yourself."

"That would be great, Ate." Agnes responded immediately, her voice more eager than she intended. The worry gnawed at her, and she knew she wouldn't be able to focus on anything until she made sure Maiko was okay.

Colleen nodded, already pulling out her phone to make the necessary call. Agnes' heart raced with a mix of fear, hoping that whatever was wrong, it wasn't serious.

And more than that, she wanted—no, needed—to see Maiko, to know she was alright, to be there for her, the way she had been there for Agnes so many times.