What if?

"Are you hungry?" Due to Nickel's long silence while chatting Leo over the phone, Zoey thought that it was all because of his hunger. She has been peeking to the living room, but she couldn't see what he is doing.

"No, I'm okay." He blankly replied.

Message: You're lying. You should be warned before sending her here. I haven't taken a bath. I may smell awful.

The two men continue talking while Zoey is preparing her dish and when she is about to cook rice but when she opened his rice cooker a foul odor that stings her nose and turned her stomach upside down.

"Argggh" she exclaimed. Nickel heard her and went to her to see what happen. "Jesus! What is that?" He asked. He even forgot that it was his kitchen all along and ask his guest.

"You should know. We are in your kitchen."

"Fuck! Was that from the rice cooker? I'm sorry, Zoey. Let me clean it first. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Nickel is so embarrassed, it wasn't what he expected.

"No, I can handle this. Go back and rest while I'm cooking."

Nickel didn't rebut anymore and went to his bedroom. After all his thinking, he decided to take a hot shower to refresh and clean himself. It would be more embarrassing is Zoey will learn that he haven't taken a bath for ages.

And because his bedroom is sound proof, Zoey was not aware that the sick man she was taking care of was currently taking a bath. Base from her knowledge, those who have fevers should only take sponge baths not a full body showers. That is what she knew because that was also what she was doing ever since.

With Nickel's current condition it is hard from him to keep his balance while under the shower and washing himself. Keeping his focus doubles his hardship because she constantly feels dizzy from standing too long and from the hot water pouting onto his body.

Zoey, who is oblivious of what her patient is doing, was busy cooking and watching the utensils she used. It was appropriate for her to clean as she used. Other than cleaning his kitchen, Zoey started cleaning the whole unit other than his bedroom. It was really messy. It wasn't like what he was telling him whenever he complains that her unit is like a chicken coop.

"Jesus! I thought that I entered a wrong room when I opened your door. I thought it was a chicken coop instead of a house of a lady like you. You should learn from me, my house is as clean as a luxury suite in a luxury hotel. Everything is in order. Not like how you organize your things."

Maybe with this, she will now have something to rebut his criticisms about her unit.

Zoey swept the floor, dust off all the surrounding furniture. Piled up all the scattered shirts, towels, and coats around. She even lined up all the shoes in his entrance hall and throw out his garbage to the garbage tunnel in their floor.

When she finishes everything, from cleaning his unit to preparing their dinner. Zoey started knocking his door, "Nickel, are you sleeping?" she asked.

No one is answering her, so she thought that he was already sleeping. In case is does, Zoey thinks that it would be better if her eat and drink his medicine better going to bed. Zoey turned the knob and opened the door. She entered his room and didn't see anyone inside. "Where did he go?" she asked herself.

Zoey examined his room and it was dirtier compared to his living room, kitchen, and entrance hall. It was actually your typical man's room. Wherein you'll see a mountain of clothes on his desk chair, his side table is full of trashes and books are all scattered everywhere.

Zoey looked around including his wardrobe, but she didn't see the man he was looking for. The only place available to search on was his bathroom. To be courteous to the man of the house, Zoey once again knock the door and informing him that she was there looking for him.

Zoey put her ears close to the door to hear any movement inside. Aside from the running water there is no other noise created.

"Nickel? Are you alright?" Zoey slightly opened the door enough for her let him hear her words. "Are you alright?" she asked again. With the slight opening of the door, the steam from the hot shower escaped room.

"Oh!" Zoey was startled with the hot steamed on her face. "Was he taking a bath?" She asked herself.

"Nickel, are you alright?" this time Zoey is already shouting her words but at like before she receives no answers.

Panic starts building within her. What if he got unconscious then hit his head somewhere. Should she enter the room with his permission?

What if he was just having a hot steam therapy while taking a dump with earphones in his ears.

What if he is okay?

What if? What if? What if?

There are a lot of what ifs running into her head. What if one of her thoughts came true? What will she do.