Moon and Flowers

Chapter Twenty-four

I am sweating cold bits while the phone is ringing as I've decided to call Spade. But the indecisiveness in my guts ended the call before he could even accept it. I'm doomed. What if I won't be able to get out of here tomorrow? 

I almost threw my phone when it rang, revealing Spade calling me back. 

I took a deep sigh before accepting the call. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt--"

"It's okay, Diana," he said softly. "How are you feeling?"

Napalunok ako sa bigla-bigla niyang tanong. Does he know I'm in the hospital? Oh, god. 

"H-Ha?" I stuttered. 

"I asked Ate Sally to prepare you a nice lunch. You were quite tired yesterday."

"Ah, yes. I'm feeling better now. Thank you." 

"Are you sure? Your voice doesn't sound good."

I had a few rounds of coughing. It was really bad. I'm just trying not to choke on my own oxygen.

"I'm okay. Nothing serious. I think I drank the water too cold," I explained.

"Anyway, you called me first," he said. "Is something wrong?"

"Ah... ano. It's not that important. Forget it. You can go on with your day."

"I'll be thinking of that 'not important' matter the whole day, Diana. Just tell me. I'm not that busy."

No. I couldn't lie to him like this. I couldn't tell him the truth, not even an excuse. This is so hard.

"You drove all day yesterday and now you went to work early. I'm just worried you might feel a little fatigued at work. You should take a little break if you can." That's not a lie. I've been guilty about this since I woke up. 

"You're worried." He spoke after a long pause. 

"Ah, yes. It's not important. Just take care of yourself." I bit my lip in embarrassment. I'm wasting his time. 

"I'll take care of myself if you're worried," he said over a quiet chuckle.

"You sound... happy," I muttered. 

He cleared his throat. "I'll go home early if I can. We'll see."

"H-Ha?" My heartbeat heightened. "Mga anong oras?"

"I don't know yet. I have to go now. I'll message you later." He ended the call. 

Only one thing kept me occupied the most. Buong araw kong pinag-iisipan kung anong idadahilan kay Spade. It's not like I'm expecting him to look for me but I need at least a reasonable excuse to be out for almost two days.

I was waiting for Spade to message me when my phone rang. My heart fluttered in distress with the thought of Spade calling me back but when I peeked at it with one eye, the name of the glorious Nick flashed in the caller ID. Agad akong napabuga ng hangin. 

"What is it?" I asked him.

"Pabalik na ako."

My face lit up. "That's nice. Boredom has been my enemy."

"May gusto ka ba? Si Ate Sally?" tanong niya. 

"Wala naman. Kumakain na si Ate Sally. Bilisan mo na dito."

"Fine. Malapit na ako. Miss mo na ako e." Humalakhak siya. 

I kept sending him messages and images earlier. I'm trying to entertain myself in any possible way. I really hate this place. Lying in bed is just making me sicker.