8. C O N C E R N E D H E A R T


My vision was black. Just plain black. It’s like I’m falling into a deep dark room where I can’t see but the darkness and falling into nothing. It felt cold. The deep dark room was cold.
I slowly opened my eyes. All I can hear was the sound of the 심장 monitor beeping. I was in a hospital. What happened to me?
Beside me, Norah—sleeping with her head tilted down the side of the bed.
“Norah,” I heard me whisper. I felt the IV dripped into my arm.
Norah had awoken. Her arms around me and sobbed. “Thank God, you’re okay,”
I managed to rub her head slowly as I can take.
“Me and Aeyla were so much worried about you!” Her voice, as if high.
“Don’t 당신 ever do that again, do 당신 understand me young lady?” She dropped her face in her palms. I nodded in response, absorbing her words. “You could have been killed!” Now, she shouted.
“I just…I just…,” My voice, low. “I need to save Riley from…that…race,” I explained, voice still a whisper. Norah sighed. Disappointed. “Sorry for the shouting, ‘riah, it’s just that 당신 didn’t have the permission to go to Vegas and to 가입하기 a race car thing,” She kept her voice calm. I thought about what happened last night. All I remember was, I was out of control of the car then…I crashed.
“It’s alright, Norah. I was stupid and not even thinking,” I apologized, almost in tears.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door, it was Jamaica. “Oh!” she exclaimed.
“Mariah, thank goodness you’re alright. Sorry for knocking, I didn’t know 당신 guys were having a family-thing conversation or—“
“It was nothing, Jamaica. It’s fine.” I said, I managed not to 가입하기 the whispering community. “I better leave 당신 both for a while; I have an appointment with Mr. Gonzales in Hemmer St.” She looked at her watch and ran for the door.
The room was silent.
“Where’s Riley?” I broke the silence. Jamaica looked around the room. There were flowers, get-well-soon cards, balloons everywhere from my 프렌즈 and other relatives. Then I noticed one teddy 곰 holding a red balloon that says, “Get well soon”. Jamaica glanced in my way. “Oh, that,” She went up. “It’s from my brother,” She gave the teddy 곰 to me. I smiled.
“It’s cute, I liked the 디자인 on its chest,” I traced the text using my fore finger.
“Yeah it is,” She smiled. “Riley’s downstairs in the cafeteria with mom.”
My 심장 leaped. I forgot about Aunt Lourdes. I wonder what happened to her when I escaped to get Riley in Vegas. “Mom was so mad when she found out 당신 were gone. She was super worried. She almost called your mom. Then I stopped her from dialing and told where 당신 were.”
I felt bad about her. I mean, I left her worried like that and Jamaica and Angeline and Norah. God, why did I let myself go through stupid things?
I didn’t respond to Jamaica’s story.
After a few minutes, Aunt Lourdes along with Riley entered the room. Riley was wearing a black 셔츠 and jeans. He looked at me then away. “Sweetie, how are 당신 feeling? We were so worried.” Aunt Lourdes’ voice was concerned. A feeling struck to me; she acted like mom. I took a deep breath. “I feel fine. My back hurts a little. Look Aunt Lourdes, I’m so sorry about the other night. I didn’t think the right way.” I closed my eyes; I didn’t even try looking at her. It made me regret everything if I did. “Yes, 당신 have to be sorry. But the good thing is you’re alright and Riley went home.” She glanced at Riley. Riley crossed his arms in disbelief.
Wait, we’re in the Philippines already? That’s so fast!
I nodded. “Are 당신 hungry? Do 당신 want something to eat?” Aunt Lourdes asked.
Before going to Las Vegas, I didn’t take much on eating. Even in neither the hotel room nor the racing event. I felt my stomach growl. “Yes please, I could use a glass of water too.” Aunt Lourdes nodded and went to the cafeteria with Jamaica. The door slammed shut, me and Riley were alone. The room was silent.
After a few minutes, Riley went up to get a glass of water.
He walked to my 침대 from the dispenser and handed the glass to me. “Thanks,” I said. He nodded and sat beside the hospital bed. “You should’ve gone to Vegas to get me,” He broke the silence. “I mean, I can go 집 의해 myself. Too bad I don’t have enough cash for me to book a flight.” He continued, looking at me.
“Then look, 당신 ended up like this. 당신 almost killed yourself,” He let out a soft laugh. I now responded to that, “You think that’s funny?”
“Well, I didn’t know 당신 can drive like that. That was crazy out there, 당신 were crazy.” He teased. Okay, wait. It started in a serious matter then now a non-serious matter? WTH.
“I went to Vegas to save 당신 from your I-cannot-find-out-what-problem-you-have problem. I went to Vegas ‘because I was worried about you.” I said as if letting all my breath out. I leaned back.
“I was…I was…concerned.” I whispered at the last word.
Riley didn’t say anything. He went up and grab himself a 콜라 from a mini refrigerator in the left corner then went back. “Mariah,” He leaned forward.
“Thank you. 당신 did everything 당신 can but, 당신 ended up failing it. 당신 tried, but 당신 failed. I liked it.” Is this a joke? Can somebody poke his head right now?
Back to the serious thing; he liked it, that I tried then failed?
Then I realized. Oh my God. Is he kidding? Love. My 심장 skipped a bit. I can’t feel my legs right now. He leaned in and kissed my forehead.
“Get well, Mariah.” He stood 의해 the door. “See 당신 at home,” he already closed the door. I shook my head, as if it was a dream.
He cared for me.