Chapter 4

Yexel's POV

Her adorable face is still visible despite the paleness on her face. She's now laying on the hospital bed and still sleeping. 

I brought her here in the hospital when I saw her laying on the ground in the park this evening. 

*Flashback*

I was walking on the street when I noticed someone in the park alone.

A girl. She was sitting on a bench and suddenly she was talking by herself. 

I walked near her then I heard,

"Heeeelp!!" as she screamed in pain.

Through the small postlight near the park, I stared at the girl. My eyes widened when I realized who she is. 

"ANNAAAA!!!" Then I hurriedly went to her and lifted her up then brought her to the nearest hospital.

*****

I really don't know what happened to her but I was so worried when I witnessed her situation. 

I also texted her mother on her phone that I was used earlier because I know that her mother will be also worried. 

Now, I'm staring at her, waiting for the doctor to come. I gently brush her soft-hair and fix her white blanket. 

"If you only know what I am feeling right now for you," I whispered. 

Few minutes later, I heard a knock on the door and the doctor came in. 

"Are you one of her relatives?" the doctor asked.

"No, Doc. But I am her boyfriend...No! I mean f-friend," I said hesitantly. 

"Alright! Her condition is serious so we need to talk to her parents," 

I raised my right eyebrow and said, "What do you mean?"

"She's experiencing a mental disorder so we badly need to talk to her parents so that we can explain clearly her condition," the doctor explained.

"I've already sent them a message, Doc. Maybe later her mom will come," I responded.

Mental disorder? How come she would have a mental illness? I deeply sighed and glanced at her. Does she know about it?

All of a sudden, 

"AHHH!!! NOOOO!!!!" 

"HEEEEELP MEEEE!!!"

She screamed out loud and her head was turning side by side then her feet were shaking. 

I can see the fear and pain on her face. 

"PLEASE!!! HEEEELP MEEE!!!"

I quickly go beside her and pat her shoulder to wake her up. 

"Anna?! Wake up!!" I demanded. I hold her arms and shake it. 

"ANNA?! WAKE UP!" then I pat her face. 

"NOOOOOO!!!!! AHHHHHHHHH!!!!" 

Then she lifted her body up. She held her face, her body and looked around. 

With fear and sorrow, tears on her eyes started to fall down.

"Anna? Are you okay? What do you feel right now?" I worriedly asked. 

But she just cried out loud. The fear on her face is still evident.

I wrapped my arms on her body, "Shhh! It's alright. I'm here. Don't worry,"

"I-I t-thought I a-am g-going to d-die," she said while running out of breath.

"Shhh! I'm here. I'm not going to leave you," then she eventually put her hands on my back. 

She is still crying in silence while my hands are still on her back. 

"It's okay. You're safe now,"

She let go her hands on my back and held her knees. 

"Why am I here? Where's my mom?" she asked. 

"She's not already here. How are you? What do you feel right now?" 

Then her tears fall down again. 

"S-someone w-wants t-to kill-l me-e," 

I hold her chin up and let her face look at me. 

"Anna? No one wants to kill you, okay? I am here. I will protect you and I will never leave you," then I smiled at her. 

She rested her body on the bed to calm herself. I know she's still in fear but I want to know why?!

Few hours later, her mother came into the room. 

"ANNA?!" Her mother worriedly said and went beside Anna.

Anna lifted her body and hugged her mother tightly.

"What happened?!" 

Fear and pain showed again on Anna's face. 

"Mom! The illusions in my mind are getting worse," she cried out loud.

Illusions? Is that even possible? Why is she experiencing it?!

"Does the doctor talk with you already? What does the doctor say about your condition?" her mom asked.

I interrupted them, "Sorry to interrupt you, Mrs. Ramirez but the doctor told me that you should talk to him because of important matters,"

She looked at me and  raised her eyebrow, "Who are you?" 

Shit! I forgot! She still does not know me! I could feel the nervousness on my body and my hands were sweating right now!

I took a deep breath, "I'm Yexel San Diego, Anna's f-friend,"

"Mom, he's the one who brought me here,"

"San Diego? I see. Thank you for bringing my daughter here. You may now go," she seriously said.

No! I promise Anna that I will never leave her. 

"Sorry Mrs. Ramirez but your daughter needs me," I bravely said.

"I am here so she does not need you," 

"MOM!" 

"No, Mrs. Ramirez. I promise your daughter that I will never leave her. So I will stay here whenever I want," I sincerely said.

"I don't care!" Her mother yelled.

"Yexel, please! Just go! Thank you. Thank you for saving me," Anna pleaded while looking at me through her eyes.

I looked down and walked. When I reached the door knob, I turned my back and said, "Anna! Wait for me. I will come back. I promised you right? I will protect you no matter what," and I formed a smile on my face. 

She's now important to me. No matter what life tries to prevent me from loving her, I will do my best for her. 

***** 

I decided to visit her in the hospital everyday. Even though her mother keeps pushing me away, I still brought her fruits and healthy foods. 

I want to make her feel how much she's important to me. Today is saturday and it's been one week since Anna was admitted to hospital. 

"Where are you going?" my Dad asked while I was wearing my shoes.

"In the hospital, I will visit my important friend," I replied.

"Who's friend?"

"Anna Ramirez," I replied.

"Ramirez? Are you courting her?"

I smiled at him, "No, Dad. Not yet,"

"I want to meet her soon, okay?" Then I saw him smirk. 

"Hmm… sure. Next time, I will bring her here,"

"By the way, it's your Mom's death anniversary today," 

I know. That is why I am going to visit the two important women in my life. My mom and Anna.

"Yah. Don't worry I will go first to her grave,"

Then I quickly went out of our house and went to my mom's grave.

The last time I went here was three months ago. It is when I bumped at Anna and saved her from falling on the ground. 

I chuckled, "It's been a while, Mom! I missed you! I wish you were here so that you can also meet her. I don't know when will be the time that I can tell her but as you said before… love will always find ways," then I felt her embrace. The soft and cold winds touch my body. 

After that I go to the hospital to visit Anna. I knock on the door to make sure if her mother is here. 

"Come in," she said.

I slowly enter the room. I wave my hand as a sign of my greeting and I put the fruits on the table that I bring for her.

"You're here again," she whispered.

"Of course! I promise, right? How are you?"

I sat beside her bed and she replied, "I'm good. The doctor recommended that I should stay here for a while," 

"Hmm. Do you already know your condition?" I asked then she shook her head.

"Why?"

"I am not yet ready to find out," then the sadness and fear showed on her face. 

"If I were you, I should face my fear because we never know what life might do,"

She stared at me, "Yexel, Thank you! I don't know how to give back all your kind-heartedness,"

"You don't need to do it, Anna. All I want right now is to be with you. You know how much you are important for me," 

Then she slowly put her hand on my hand.

"I'm still lucky that I met you despite of the condition that I am suffering,"

I gave her a smile because I could not control my feelings right now. 

"You're such a blessing in disguise, Yexel," she continued to say. 

I never say a word after she says that. She never failed to make me feel admired and happy.

Few minutes later, she fell asleep on her bed. I stay at her side. I spend my hours creating new icons and symbols for my game developing journey while she is asleep. 

She is now my inspiration to reach my dream. She is now my strength to continue to do what I want. 

Suddenly, she wakes up and slowly steps down on her bed.

"Anna! Where are you going?" I quickly went to her and held her hand. 

"In the bathroom," she answered

I accompany her in making a footstep because she has a hard time walking properly because of the dextrose that was inserted on her body.

Unexpectedly, her feet slide on the floor and she is about to make out of balance. 

"OHMYYY!!" She screamed then I quickly catched her.

Slow motion happens with the both of us. It feels like time stops for a moment. 

Her eyes are now looking directly into my eyes. I could hear the heartbeats that were racing in my chest. 

She's now shining and shimmering into my eyes. She slowly moved closely to me. 

Until our faces become closer and our nose collides with each other. I cannot control the emotions within myself that triggers me to do something.

I close my eyes and I slowly touch her lips through my lips. 

We stayed in that position for a few seconds.

When I realized what I did, SHOCKS! I quickly stood her up and looked away from her. Silence utters with the both of us. 

I gulped and tried to look at her.

"I-I am s-sorry," 

I could see that her right hand was holding her lips. She's still speechless. SHIT! YEXEL! WHAT DID YOU DO!?

~~~~~