Her Falling Health

It was 11:00 in the morning, and Anna sat on her bed with a heavy heart, her gaze fixed on the ground.

Her phone, placed nearby, continuously rang with Taylor's persistent calls for the past two hours, but Anna paid no heed. She didn't feel up to going to work and wasn't in the best frame of mind.

Reluctantly, she got up and prepared herself for the day ahead.

As she arrived at the store, Taylor, who had been managing it alone, rushed to her side and inquired, "Why didn't you pick up my calls? I was so worried."

Anna responded quietly, "I'm sorry, I was preoccupied."

Anna attempted to lighten the atmosphere with a smile, but Taylor's concern was evident as he held her and asked, "Are you alright?"

Anna gently removed his hands and assured him, "I'm feeling very good and fresh today."

Returning to work, Anna and Taylor playfully bantered and exchanged jokes, their camaraderie lightening the mood.

As they were engrossed in their tasks, a handsome guy entered the store, making a beeline for Taylor. Anna observed quietly as the interaction unfolded, and Taylor discreetly handed the guy a cigarette.

After the guy left, Taylor let out a sigh, mumbling, "Whoah, so handsome." Anna chuckled and teased, "Looks like you're into boys." Taylor playfully corrected her, saying, "Handsome boys."

They shared a laugh, the friendly banter continuing as they carried on with their tasks.

At 3 o'clock, Taylor suggested they have lunch in the store.

Anna joked about his preference for junk food, and Taylor playfully insisted on having cup noodles with her. He retrieved the cup noodles and juices from the fridge, asking Anna to wait for him outside.

As Anna stepped outside, she found herself enjoying the cloudy and windy weather, her fondness for such days evident in her content expression.

Seated on a chair, she patiently waited for Taylor to bring the noodles, her mind wandering back to memories of someone who had once cared for her in a similar way.

Battling the nostalgia, she quietly whispered to herself, "I have to forget about him."

Taylor emerged, struggling to balance the cup noodles in his hands and the juices with his chin. Anna found his appearance amusing and couldn't help but laugh at the sight.

He carefully handed her the cup noodles, but as she made to open the lid, he stopped her, advising, "Let them be for 5 minutes, so they'll be more chewy." Anna nodded, complying with his suggestion.

As they sat together for lunch, Taylor finally mustered the courage to ask Anna a question that had been lingering in his mind for a long time.

They were nearly done with their meal when Taylor fell silent, contemplating how to phrase his question.

Finally, he broke the silence with a hesitant, "Anna, where were you during my first month on the job?" Anna averted her gaze, deliberating her response before replying, "There were a few personal matters I needed to attend to." 

Taylor's curiosity seemed to grow as he continued, "Was it you with whom I spoke about this job on the phone?" Anna confirmed, "Of course, as the store owner, it was me who hired you."

Taylor nodded, accepting her explanation, and then went on to inquire, "One last thing: Who worked here before me?" Anna's smile hinted at a secret as she revealed, "No one. It was just me."

She then turned the question back to Taylor, teasingly asking, "Does this satisfy your curiosity?"

After their lunch, Taylor and Anna returned to the store, resuming their work. While Anna was in the midst of restocking items, she suddenly collapsed, catching Taylor completely off guard. Filled with panic, he quickly dialed 911 for help. 

As the ambulance rushed Anna to the hospital, she regained consciousness en route, her vision blurry as she lay on the stretcher.

With half-closed eyes, she observed Taylor, clearly distressed, keeping pace alongside the medical team. Anna knew she was on her way to the hospital, though her mind was still muddled with confusion and fear.

Taylor anxiously waited outside the hospital room for 30 minutes until the doctor emerged with an update.

The doctor somberly informed him that Anna was suffering from PTSD. ( Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary or dangerous event.)

With a heavy heart, the doctor expressed, "I hope it doesn't worsen, but she's not in a good state."

After an hour, Anna finally regained consciousness, finding Taylor sitting on the couch beside her hospital bed.

He approached her, his words filled with concern, "You are such a liar." Anna gazed at him quietly as he continued, "All this time, I thought you were feeling better, but deep down, you were suffering."

Anna managed a smile, attempting to sit up with her back against the bed.

She assured Taylor, "But I am feeling much better now. Let's go." Anna added that she had to go for tutoring as well. However, Taylor's expression turned serious as he responded, "Anna, this is not a joke; it's serious.

You are not feeling very well. You should take a week off from tutoring and also don't come to the store. I'll take care of it."

He handed her the prescribed medicines, emphasizing their importance and the need for her to take them regularly.

With a nod, Anna acknowledged his instructions. Taylor assisted her in getting up from the bed, and together they proceeded to settle the hospital bill.

As they neared the hospital gate, Anna's gaze locked with the eyes of someone familiar who was entering the hospital.

Anna froze, a sudden chill spreading through her body. She couldn't move, her eyes welling up with tears at the unexpected encounter.

Anna's heart raced as the person drew closer, causing her to feel increasingly unstable. She staggered, her vision blurring as her legs threatened to give way and she was about to fall....