One day in Seoul 🇰🇷

🇰🇷: 23

Francis' POV

It was one of those rare days when everything felt calm. After all the chaos in the past few days, I was grateful for this-finally, some peace. Daniel had decided to stay at home, telling me, "Kailangan ko ng pahinga, bro. Medyo pagod na ako sa mga nangyayari lately." I couldn't blame him. The recent events had taken a toll on all of us.

But for me, there was still this itch, a pull. Something told me to go to the hospital-where she is. Just the thought of seeing Katarina again was enough to make the heavy feeling in my chest ease a little. I wasn't sure if I'd even get the chance to talk to her, pero kahit makita ko lang siya, okay na.

As I was grabbing my car keys, Nathan walked over. "Bro, wala naman akong gagawin ngayon, puwede bang sumama?"

"Sige, mas okay nga may kasama," I replied with a nod. I didn't mind. Nathan and I had been through enough together for me to appreciate his company.

We got into the car, and I drove us through the quiet streets. The city felt different now, less frantic than it had been during the last few days. Nathan was leaning back in his seat, looking out the window, obviously thinking about something.

"Alam mo, after everything with Hugo, it's weird to have a quiet day like this, 'no?" Nathan remarked, breaking the silence.

I nodded. "Oo nga, parang hindi totoo, pero tahimik na ulit. Pero alam kong hindi pa tapos 'to, at iba 'yung pakiramdam."

He chuckled softly. "Sana tahimik na lang talaga, bro. Pagod na ako sa drama."

I let out a small laugh. "Ako rin. I just need a break, you know?"

We fell into a comfortable silence after that, just cruising down the road. I let my thoughts drift to Katarina-how she looked the last time I saw her, how she spoke with such strength despite everything. There was something about her that kept pulling me in, kahit na alam kong complicated ang sitwasyon.

As we neared the hospital, I started to feel that nervous energy building up inside me. I parked the car, but just as I was about to speak, Nathan suddenly winced, grabbing his head in both hands.

"Bro, anong nangyayari sa'yo?" I asked, instantly alarmed.

"Shit... ang sakit..." Nathan's voice was strained, his breathing shallow. He pressed his palms against his temples, as if trying to hold his head together.

I reached over, gripping his shoulder. "Ano bang nararamdaman mo? Masakit ba sobra?"

"Yeah... sobra, bro. Parang may mga flashbacks... pero hindi ko maintindihan," he muttered through gritted teeth. "Ang labo... but there's something... from before."

"Flashbacks?" I repeated, my mind racing. Ano'ng ibig sabihin nito? Nathan never mentioned anything about his memory problems before. "Anong klaseng flashbacks? Saan nanggagaling 'yan?"

He let out a sharp breath, his face contorted in pain. "I don't know, bro. Ang sakit talaga. May mga kung ano pero hindi ko makita nang buo... mga bagay na hindi ko rin alam, pero sobrang unclear pa."

I didn't wait any longer. Tumakbo ako palabas ng sasakyan, rushing towards the emergency entrance of the hospital. "Tulungan niyo kami!" I shouted, waving my arms to get the attention of the medical staff. "Yung kaibigan ko, he's having too much headache, hindi niya ma-explain!"

Two nurses came running, following me back to the car. The moment they saw Nathan hunched over in the seat, they hurried to get a stretcher. In a few minutes, they had him out of the car and into the hospital, all while Nathan kept muttering about the pain and the strange memories trying to break through.