Thantophobia (Joel Pimentel & Yoandri Cabrera)

Chapter 52

Mariana's POV

Yoandri was put in a coma, which was very hard for me to believe. It can happen, Yoyo's body lost enough blood to compromise his brain function. Something that would've helped Selena Quintanilla if the doctor's had done it soon enough.

Yoyo was stable. The doctors said it was just a matter of time before he woke up. He said that he would make small movements while he slept, which meant that he was making progress.

Although the doctors said that he was up to a great recovery, they also said that there was a chance of him never waking up. There was also the possibility of his heart stopping completely, resulting in immediate death.

They also told me not to worry because the chances of that happening were very slim. So it was important for me to keep the positive attitude because bringing myself down was not going to help the situation.

Yoandri himself looked paler than before. There were dark circles around his eyes, which is ironic to me because he's supposed to be asleep. He's been here for three days, 17 hours, 13 minutes. They tell me that if I keep counting, I'm just going to lose my mind. But I tell them that, that's something I lost long ago.

Johann, Richard and I had been taking turns seeing him. There was a limit to only one person allowed. I wanted to stay with him the whole visitation time, but I couldn't find it in me to be selfish. Yoyo's was their friend, family to them. They also took care of Joey while I was in there, I didn't want the kid to see Yoyo that way.

We were holding it down pretty well. Only speaking occasionally when someone asked a question. We tried our hardest to avoid eye contact. I don't know, it wasn't the same. It was odd because we were all avoiding one certain topic. A person actually and we tried our hardest to act like it didn't affect us.

Joshua was sent to the downtown jail for attempting murder. Attempting because Yoandri wasn't dead.Some say that he'll be transferred to a prison. I haven't asked around, I wasn't interested. I feel like sooner or later he'll get what he deserves.

I wasn't the type of person who went out to protest because things weren't done in her favor. I wasn't the type to go outside in a random place in this city looking for a fight. I only wanted things to be alright for once in her life. That's all I ever asked for.

"Mari, hi." I look up and it's Richard standing in front of me, handing me a cup of coffee. I really haven't been sleeping these days. Richard doesn't look any better. For the first time, Richard looks drained, tired, like he's being forced to breathe.

"Richardo." I greeted him. I really haven't spoke much either, so every time I spoke my throat would feel dry. All the crying wasn't really helping my cause. But I tried to be strong. At least i was doing that.

"Drink this, you look like hell." He lightly said as he handed me the cup. My life was basically hell at this point. A series of unfortunate events that kept adding up as time passed.

"Thanks." I simply whispered. I took a sip from the coffee, it wasn't really that hot, but I forced myself to drink it anyone. Me appetite had decreased everyday that passed.

Richard sat beside me, we were both facing the blank white wall. It always amused me that hospitals weren't as creepy looking like they are portrayed in films. The hospital halls were empty. Doctors would casually walk around here and there, but for the most part, it was empty and silent.

"How are you doing it?" Richard asked, as he leaned his head on the wall. My puzzled expression must've caused something in him because then he added, "how are you being so calm, not breaking apart here and there?" he clarified.

"I don't know." I truthfully responded.

"Come on Mari, you're the girl who cries during every movie. I remember when you cried during Guardians of The Galaxy, who does that?" Richard tried to lightly joke.

"It was one time." I lightly laughed as I remembered that evening.. Even laughing felt weird. "Richard, I cry every night. You know that." I said. After all, we were staying in the same house, walls were pretty thin.

"Yes, but I know that when you're in there with him, you talk to him like he was awake. Like he was there listening to you." he said.

"He is there listening to me. And I don't know. I feel like I owe it to Yoyo to be strong. For him and for Joey. Even for you and Johann. I can't afford to be a wreck and make matters be worse." I explained.

During these days, I had seen Johann and Richard both cry. Sometimes they would cry together, sometimes one would cry and then the other. But one thing surprised us all, I wasn't the one crying like everyone expected.

"Oh ." was all he said.

"Why did Joshua do it?" I asked. I figured that if I were to ask someone, it should be Richard or Johann.

"We all knew Joshua had a dark past." I knew that too. He once told me. "And we thought he was alright. Man, was he strong. Always smart. Always the dude you went to for advice." Richard pauses as if he doesn't know what else to say. "Mari, I don't know how to tell you."

"Tell me what?" I asked Richard. At this point I didn't care about anything else. As long as that heart monitor was still going, there was hope.

"Joshua, he wants to see you." Richard said as he looked down at his hand. His now empty cup of coffee was slowly being squashed by his strong hand.

"Why would he?" I bitterly asked? "I have no interest in seeing him. I don't want to see him Richard, and I won't." I rapidly said.

"Mari, it can help clear up your mind. He's in jail, people will be watching you. You're safe there. He can't do anything to you, just like you can't do anything to him. You know you want to know why. I know you can't sleep well because you stay up questioning why he did it. He was your bestest friend Mari." Richard explains.

My heart kind of sinks when he mentions that once upon a time, Joshua was indeed my best friend. The one who knew everything about me. And that's why I couldn't get myself to understand why. Maybe he can't do anything to hurt me physically, but his words will cut me and wound me.

Joshua was smart with his words and he as good at everything he did. Even though the person he was acting out to be was fake, I still knew that side of him pretty well. Deep inside, I knew that I had to do it someday. I just didn't want to do it now when I was so sensitive. And if I'm being honest, I don't know what I was thinking when I told Richard that I'd do it. 

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I feel like I've never given Richard the spotlight that he deserves, so here's a chapter of him and Mariana. (: 

It's one year of CNCO. My boys have accomplished so much in a year. I'm so very proud of them and I know that they're going to keep breaking records. I love Joel, for still being who he his. 

Thanks for the lovely comments. I've been updating frequently so yaaaay! Don't forget to vote. (; All the support is incredible, I love you all. <3