Through The Pain

31 | Habit

Nate

It has been two days now since Catherine rejected me. Before I could ask her why she had already left asking for a day off. Since then, she hasn't returned to work and I am starting to get afraid that she might not return forever.

But more than that, I am more worried about her. She is not answering her phone and I am afraid that she might have another flare-up again. Her doctor said that her flare-ups were mostly triggered by fatigue and emotional and psychological stress. And I am sure as hell that I gave her emotional stress a couple of days ago. So, I left my office for her apartment.

I cursed myself internally and regretted that I mentioned my intention to have her as my girlfriend. I shouldn't have said that without giving her a warning. I might have shocked her. I should have waited. I know she feels the same way towards me, or maybe not as much as what I feel for her but I know that there is something. And I thought that she would say yes when I told her that I wanted to date her. But was I wrong?

I could see that she feels something. I am certain that it is there. The way she looks and smiles at me. But what's stopping her?

I could still remember the look on her face when I said that I want her to be my girlfriend. Hell, I want more than that. But she was confused and conflicted. I saw her hands and lips start to tremble before she left the office. I didn't follow her because I wanted to give her space and time to think.

But it has already been two days. I should've checked on her yesterday. I shook my head as my grip on my wheel tightened.

What if something happened to her because of me? Because of what I said. Though I am certain that she is not in the hospital because I already checked the hospital. But it only made me more anxious because what if she is having a flare and she is alone in her apartment.

As soon as I parked my car in front of her apartment building, I immediately rushed towards her apartment. A couple of knocks but I don't hear anyone.

"Catherine, are you there?" I knocked again this time calling her name. Fear is already gripping my heart when I don't hear a response.

I took out my phone from my inner pocket and dialed her number. I heard her phone ring inside her apartment making me certain that she is inside. She is inside but why is she not answering her phone?

"Damn it! Catherine, I'm coming in!" Something is wrong if she is inside yet I can't hear any movement inside and she is not even answering her phone. I stepped back from her door and forcefully kicked it. With just one kick, the door flew open. Damn! I should replace that door with a more durable one.

I searched around her apartment but saw nothing. The living room is empty. Her satchel bag, the one that she always carries with her, is on the dining table. Besides it, is her phone. She's not in the kitchen as well so that makes me think that she is in her bedroom.

I walked towards her bedroom that has its doors closed. "Catherine?" I knocked and leaned closer to listen. I put my ear on the door to see if I could hear something before I opened her bedroom door.

Then I heard a faint whimper. Without thinking, I opened the door and found her, my Catherine, curled up on her bed wearing pajama shorts and a white shirt that was soaked with sweat.

"Damn! Catherine!" Panic takes over me as I see her condition. Her face is facing me but I could not tell if she is conscious or not. But as soon as I got close to her bed, she opened her eyes.

Thank God! Though she is in the same state when I saw her unconscious in her office, at least she is awake.

"W-what...are you d-doing...here?" She asked when she saw me before her eyes closed again, though I knew that she was awake.