"Pretty Little Promise's"

Chapter 21 Adventure

Alice Pov:

The morning light filtered through the blinds, casting gentle stripes across my face. I stirred, still feeling a bit groggy, but the familiar warmth of Ms. Risa's presence beside me was comforting.

"Good morning," she said, her voice a soft melody that broke through the haze in my mind.

"Good morning" I mumbled back, blinking at the light. Ms. Risa, ever the caretaker, was already dressed for her meetings, but her presence in my room, her concern evident in the gentle curve of her lips, told me she wouldn't leave until I was fully awake.

"Ginawan Kita kanina Ng breakfast, Check it out on the dining table," she said, her voice a blend of worry and cheer.

She reached out, her hand resting lightly on my forehead, checking my temperature.
"Hmm, you're getting better now ha Hindi kana masyadong maiinit , but still, don't work here in the condo.hindi ka pa magaling" she added, her words laced with a motherly concern.

"pwedeng Tanggalin mo Po to..?" I asked, pouting, pointing to the IV drip in my hand. The sight of it felt like a constant reminder of my illness, a reminder I wanted to put behind me.

"Ah, wait. I'll ask the doctor,if pwede" she said, immediately pulling out her phone, her movements as swift as a hummingbird's wings.

I turned to my pink piggy teddy bear, hugging it tightly as Ms. Risa made her call. It was a familiar comfort, a reminder of simpler times, a reminder of childhood innocence.

When she finished talking, she turned to me with a gentle smile. "I'll remove it, but don't forget to take your medicines, okay?"

I nodded, my head still fuzzy but my heart filled with a renewed sense of hope.

"Ouch," I winced as she began to disconnect the IV. The sudden tug felt strange, a feeling I had gotten used to over the past few days.

"Does it hurt?" she asked, her voice a soft murmur.

I shook my head, giving her a tired smile. "A little po"

Once the IV was removed, she helped me to the bathroom, guiding me as I stumbled a bit, my legs still weak from the illness. I washed my face, brushing my teeth with a renewed energy, feeling a spark of normalcy returning.

She helped me to the dining room. "Charann... I'll cook for you," she announced with a theatrical flourish, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Hmm, sunog po Yung spam" I said, pointing to the blackened piece of meat. The hotdogs and sunny-side-up egg looked okay though.

"Sorry. I forgot about it. I was checking on you, Kase kanina" she said, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.

"By the way, eat your breakfast. Here's your medicine. Don't forget to take it," she said, handing me the medication.

"Anong Oras Ka Po Uuwi? " I asked, wanting to know when I could see her again.

"Ahmm, I think around 6 pm. I have a lot of meetings today. Anyway, bye. Take your medicine,ha huwag makulit" she said, turning to leave.

I finished my breakfast, a little hesitant at first to eat the burnt spam, but grateful for Ms. Risa's care and for the renewed hope that she brought with her every morning.

The clock ticked past midnight, a lonely echo in the quiet condo. It was just me, surrounded by empty spaces and the lingering scent of disinfectant from the day's cleaning. Ms. Risa was gone, leaving me with a quiet loneliness and a growing restlessness.