STAY , Don't Go! (COMPLETED) ✔

CHAPTER ONE

As I stood in front of the class, I straightened my posture and adjusted my folder. Opening it, I began to read the report I had prepared for our presentation at the upcoming Nursing Conference next month. I bowed my head slightly, feeling a surge of relief and gratitude as my classmates applauded the conclusion of my report.

"Very good presentation, Ms. Sanchez. Now, I'm going to choose your report for the upcoming nursing conference. Be prepared, Ms. Sanchez. Class dismissed." I still can't believe what my professor said. My report will be presented at the upcoming nursing conference. "Wow, congrats, Aesh," Stella said as she stood up. "Let's go, I'm hungry." I smiled and tidied up the items on my desk. I put them in my bag and followed Stella. We're walking down the corridor toward the cafeteria.

"Have you finished your thesis, Aesh?"

"I'm just about to finish. How about you?"

"I haven't started yet."

"Seriously? We're supposed to submit our thesis in a week."

"I know. Can you help me?"

"Hmm... what topic are you going to put in your thesis?"

"Research methods in nursing and midwifery pathways to evidence-based practice." She explained, "I'll pay for your time, help me." I laughed at what she said. That's how she is whenever she asks for my help. "I'll pay for your time," she said, knowing that my schedule is always full. But because she's my friend, I help her without expecting anything in return. Plus, she helps me a lot. Stella is wealthy and the only daughter, so she tends to indulge. She recently moved into the apartment I'm renting, so now we're roommates. Her parents are in another country, so she chose to live with me to have company.

"Oh, don't worry about it. I'll be able to squeeze in helping you with your thesis once I finish mine," I replied.

"Come on, Aesh, don't be like that. But okay, I'll just treat you instead." I nodded and smiled. "Are you going to ride with me later?" She asked.

"No, I'm heading straight to Andromeda." Andromeda, the name of the bar where I work.

"Your duty isn't until tomorrow, right? Saturday and Sunday?"

"Yeah, but I also took the offer from the manager for Friday night,"

"Does that mean you'll be coming home in the early hours of the morning? Aren't you tired, Aesh?"

"No, you know I'm tough when it comes to hardships," I replied, smiling.

"Hmm, just make sure you take care of yourself. I wanted to go to Andromeda, but I'm meeting Aries," she said. Aries is Stella's boyfriend for a month. Stella is the liberated type; no man lasts long with her because she easily gets bored, but believe it or not, she's a virgin. She's never had sex."Of course, you take care of that, Aries," I replied. I've only seen Aries once, and I'll admit I don't like him, but I have no right to tell Stella because I'm just her friend.

"Yeah, of course," she said, taking a bite of her burger. We continued eating and chatting.

***

"Be careful driving, okay?" I said, standing outside the window of her car. 

"You too, text me when you get home," she replied.

"Yeah, sure, bye," I smiled at her. She smiled back. She started the engine and drove off. I watched her car until it disappeared. I was still outside the campus, it was only four o'clock. I started walking towards the jeepney stop. It wasn't too far from the school. I held onto the straps of my bag as a drop of water fell from the sky. I looked up at the dark sky. It seemed like it was going to rain heavily. I hurried towards an empty waiting shed as the rain suddenly poured down heavily. "Ugh! Why did I forget my umbrella now?" I muttered to myself as I closed my bag and checked the time. It's usually heavy traffic at this time. I looked around, not many people were out. I put my bag in front of me and ran towards the jaywalking lane when suddenly -