The Cure to My Scar

Change of Heart

Even if it is Saturday, my body automatically wakes up at 5 AM. And since my business meeting for today with my client was canceled, jogging for a few laps would be great. I have to jog and shake off all this residue of annoyance from last night's sudden reunion. I still couldn't believe that we have to bump into each other after all these years. She should just have ignored me instead of greeting me that way as if she doesn't feel any guilty. How shameless!

I was in the middle of my run when I receive a call from Brent. I wonder if they are just about to go home or what. I tapped on my smartwatch and pick up his call.

"Hey! How come you go home early when you arrived late last night? You made him worried instead of enjoying the rest of his birthday night." He blurted.

"Worried?! Am I an underage kid who might get lost once I lost my guardian?! Don't be ridiculous!" I said nonchalantly and he just scoffed.

"Don't tell me you just arrive home?" I added.

"Of course not. I have work today so we just decided to end the party earlier than expected. Besides, thanks to someone, the mood was suddenly ruined. But we will just let it slide this time since you paid for everything from last night's celebration." Well, that's the least I can do for Jeff. Besides, he's not in the position to waste any penny for such kind of luxury due to his family's current situation.

"So why are you calling so early? What do you need?" I asked.

"To remind you of your month-long delayed check-up. You should be thankful to have a great friend like me or else, no one could take care of you like the way I do. I feel like a nagging housewife who keeps reminding her husband to take his regular check-up." He exclaimed.

Yeah, right. I always cancel my follow-up check-up with Brent due to weekend meetings and other business matters. I'm almost running out of my medicine as well.

"Oh, the check-up. Alright." I aid nonchalantly.

"As your Doctor, I am demanding you to come and have your follow-up a check-up, or else, I won't prescribe any medicine for you anymore." He asserted.

"Alright, alright. Be there on time. Be grateful I have some spare tike before going to work." I responded.

"How dare you say that to your Doctor." I just smirked at his statement.

Then I dropped the call and continue running for a few more laps.

As soon as I came home, I received a message from the writer who passed out. I thought we already agreed that there's no need to return the favor yet she is still insisting on the same thing. A little bit more pushing from her and I might gonna think that she has a thing for me.

I mean, how can she be this consistent despite all the ignoring and unreplied messages from me. Isn't she tried doing it over and over again??

Just like any other day, I ignored her message and proceed to the bathroom to take a bath to remove the sweat that stinks all over my body. Afterward, I toast some loaf bread and have an avocado sandwich together with a cup of coffee for breakfast.

After a few hours, I took my car key then drove going to Brent or else, I won't have my medicine prescription.

=====

I was about to ask if he has a patient attending to right now but there's no one to ask for so I walk straight to his office and knocks on the door. He didn't respond so lean my right ear on the door, trying to assess what's going on inside and I can hear a woman's voice explaining things. And since he was still busy, I just sit in the waiting area while waiting for my turn.

The nurse called out for my name and I was about to come in when I suddenly bumped into this familiar lady. She smiled brightly at me and I just stared at her blankly. Sorry missy but I won't get fooled with that kind of smile any more. I know what you're doing but I won't get fooled by it twice.

"Uh! I didn't know we will gonna see each other again after you have ignored all my messages. Especially in this hospital." She blurted and I just stay still.

"Are you sick somewhere but..." She didn't finish her sentence as she realized her nonsense talking.

"I'm sorry, I might have been taking your time. You may come in now. But I just hope you'll respond to my message one of these days." She said while bidding goodbye.

Brent suddenly came out of his office and looked at me as if wondering what's taking me so long until he saw her talking to me. She jolted his head to the left as if sending a signal that I can come in anytime I'm ready.

"You look different wearing that Doctor's gown." I blurted and he just smirked at me.

"You said you were just a good samaritan who helped her when she passed out that day but why do I feel like there's something more between the two of you," Brent commented.

"Wilk you continue blurting nonsense or I'll just go home." I threatened him and he just makes a face in annoyance.

"Okay, okay! I feel like I'm being bossed out by my patient but for the sake of our friendship, I'll hold it in." He said.

He starts asking some questions about my current conditions and if there are any episodes I've been experiencing these past few months. So I told him about my various panic attacks but the medicines he prescribed me take everything under control. I don't know when did it start but I'm having these episodes every time I see something or experience some scenarios that might bring back the trauma in my mind. I also decided to tell him about last night's unwanted encounter with her.

" What? Why didn't you tell us?!" He exclaimed.

"What's the point when I already pushed her away in just one snap," I responded.

"How are you feeling when you saw her after almost two years? Did you experience something that you have never been encountered before? Now, I understand why you left without any word last night." He said.

I'm not sure if he is talking to me as my attending Doctor or as my friend. I feel like he is talking too subjectively and over-worried about something that is already done.

"Of course, I feel like there's this burning sensation in my chest, probably because of the fuming rage against her so I had to take medicine as soon as I ride my car. I also feel some shortness of breath, but I think everything's fine. I mean, there's nothing unusual about it." I explained.

"So you experienced all those symptoms after meeting the trigger," Brent noted and I nodded in response.

After a few more consultations and Brent finally set me free. I was about to leave his office when he suddenly called out for me.

"Jace."

I turned back and looked at him while raising my brows.

"I know it's hard but..."

"I know. I've been considering them but I just cannot... maybe not now. But I am trying. Believe me...Doc." I cut him up because I already knew what he's about to say.

"Thanks anyway." I blurted. I'm too shy to express how grateful I am to him for everything, as my friend, and as my Doctor.

"Did you experience some sort of external trauma in your head or are you losing your mind just because you are not working for today? Why are you suddenly thanking me? Don't do something you are not used to. Sudden change in a person is a premonition that you are about to leave this earth." And he giggled at his lame jokes.

"Whatever!" I blurted again to drop this awkwardness between us.

I was on my way to the parking lot when I saw this lady. I don't know why she is still here but I think she is having trouble in her car. She is talking with someone on the phone but she looks so frustrated after dropping the call.

I was about to start my engine but I can see that she is bout to cry. I guess things are not working for her. But I don't want to meddle with others' business so I just ignore her as if I didn't understand what's going on.

But when I pass from her parking block, I was stunned when I saw her suddenly collapsing from where she is standing while looking at the rear mirror. I stepped on the break to see if there's somebody else who could help her but there's no one around. I gripped my steering wheel as I was contemplating if should I just ignore her or not. But the inner me kept poking on my conscience so I walked out of my car and checked on her.

I walked hurriedly to check if she passed out again but all I see was a girl sobbing on her knees. I can't believe I've been panicking for something like this. I even rode off my car without even parking it properly.

I smacked my palm on my forehead in disbelief with what I am seeing right now. This is so annoying. This is why being nosy will never be a good thing.

I turned my back from her and was about to leave her that way but she kept crying as if the world turns its back from her. So I decided to help her out since she already disturbed me by her childish act. I can't believe I can be this nosy.

I pulled up the hood of her car to check what seems to be the problem.

"Have you called your insurance?" I asked, which made her stop crying. She lifted her head and looked at me with her messed-up face. Her tears were all over her face.

"Crying won't solve anything. Is there no one who could help you?" I asked again but she just stared at me.

"Will you just stare at me and let me talk by myself like a mad person?" I added.

"I-I'm sorry... I just... But, yeah. I already called Nini but she's out of town for business. My dad's not picking his phone."

"Then why are you crying when all you have to do is to grab some taxi if you have to go home," I said nonchalantly.

"I want to but I can't. I'm scared that I might bump with some other guy." I furrowed as I heard her statement. It sound s absurd yet her facial expression tells me otherwise.

"I-I'm...there's this..." She struggles to finish her statement as she forced herself of telling me the real reason behind so I throw my palm in the air to stop her.

"Stop it. Just gather yourself and stand up. I'll be done in a few minutes."

I don't know why but every time I bump with this girl, I always get involved with her troubles.