Albert went home that same day. They just waited for his dextrose to be emptied. His mother went to pay his hospital bill. His father fixed their things in the room.
“Are you sure you’re okay now son? We can extend if you still can’t.” his father said.
“I’m fine now pa. I will feel sicklier if I stay here a little longer.” He replied.
“I hope you don’t mind me asking, son, but, what is your real relationship with Diana?” his father asked.
He didn’t answer his father immediately because it just finally sunk into him that he and Diana were just friends, nothing more, nothing less. A friend, that’s his standing on her. And he should not ask for more than that. He should be thankful that she didn’t cut her ties with him after learning what he really felt for her.
“Son?” his father asked.
He came back to his senses. He sighed and smiled.
“We’re just friends, pa. That’s all.” He replied.
“What’s with the sigh, then?” his father asked again.
He shook his head and smiled.
“Just a breather, pa. Should I file a leave, pa? You know, just to take a rest for a bit and to breathe.” He said.
“Do whatever it is that you think is good for you, son. We won’t intervene. Besides, you really need to take a break after this attack. You’ve probably burned your body out. It needs to rest.”
He nodded. His mother went in.
“Are you two good? Let’s go home so Albert could take a rest.” His mother said, more to his father.
“Let’s go then.” His father said and they all went out of the hospital and went home.
When they arrive home, Albert went straight to his room to take a rest and to think. He laid down on his bed, his right arm arched on top of his head, and his left hand was on top of his chest.
‘I will talk to her tomorrow. I need to say goodbye for a while. It’s probably for the best so I won’t hurt myself even more and so I could move on from her. I will take a rest from everything. I will file my leave of absence tomorrow.’ he said to himself.
He inhaled and exhaled deeply. He took his seat and after a few seconds, he stood and went to get his laptop to encode his letter. When he was done, he printed a copy of it on his mother’s printer. He went back to his room and tried to get some sleep.
He woke up early the next morning. He did his daily routine before going to the bathroom. When he came out of his room, he was all groomed up. He went to the kitchen to eat some breakfast and drink some coffee.
“Hey, why are you all dressed up? Are you going to work now?” his mother asked when she saw him.
“I am going to ask for a leave of absence, ma. I think I need to rest for a while, you know, take a break from work.” he replied and went to kiss his mother on the cheeks.
“Oh, okay. I thought you’re already going to work. Eat some breakfast then before you go.” His mother said.
“Yes ma.” He nodded and served himself some fried rice, egg and hotdogs. After eating and drinking his coffee, he put his plate on the sink. “I’ll go now, ma.” He said and kissed his mother on the cheeks before he went out.
When he arrived at the municipal hall, he went to the Mayor’s office.
“He’s not here yet. Why, is there something wrong?” Beth asked.
He turned around and smiled at Beth. He walked towards her.
“I will just file a leave of absence.” He replied.
She frowned.
“Leave of absence? Why?” she asked.
He showed her his medical certificate. She took the paper out of his hand and read it.
“You were confined yesterday? So that’s why you were out. I’m so sorry, I didn’t know Albert. How are you feeling now?” she asked.
“Never better.” He replied.
“Go rest on your cubicle for now. I will just signal you if the Mayor’s already here, okay?” she said and hugged him. He was startled.
“Thanks, Beth.” He said and hugged her back.
They pulled away from each other.
“That’s what friends do, they comfort each other. Go now. Don’t bother with the paper works. Just rest there. Stay still and wait for me, okay.” She said.
He nodded and he went back to his cubicle. While waiting for the Mayor, he fixed his things on the table. He arranged everything so that it won’t be a mess when he returned after his long vacation. When he was done, he saw Beth waving at him and when he looked at her, she was pointing at the Mayor’s office door. He picked his letter and his medical certificate before going there.
‘Thank you.’ he mouthed at Beth. She just winked and showed a thumbs up.
He knocked in the office before going inside. When he went out, Beth was smiling widely.
“So, how did it go?” she asked.
“He approved it. No questions asked.” He said.
“Great! So how long will you be gone?” she asked again.
“2 weeks.” He replied.
“Wow, that’s a very long rest. I hope you get better when you come back. I’m going to miss you buddy.” She said and smiled sadly.
“Don’t worry, I will bring you some takeaways from my travel.” He said and went to hug Beth.
She hugged him back and tapped his back softly.
“Be safe on your trip, bud.” She said.
They pulled away from each other. Albert waved goodbye to her and went straight out of the hall. He went to his favorite flower shop. Upon entering, the florist smiled at him.
“Mr. Esguerra! It’s good to see you again.” The florist greeted him.
“It’s good to see you, too. I will get my usual.” He said and smiled.
“In a minute, sir.” The florist said and went to fix his bouquet.
When the florist handed him the bouquet, he paid for it and went out. He picked his phone on his pocket and called Diana. He will ask her to have a lunch with him.
“Hey, Albert. You called.” It was Diana from the other line.
“I was wondering if I could invite you to lunch today.”
“Lunch? Hmn… sure. I don’t have anything to do during lunch.”
“Cool. So, meet you at Resturante Lila?” he asked.
“Okay, meet you there at lunch.” She said and hang up.
He smiled and went to the chocolates store before going to the restaurant. He will just wait for her there. He ordered for their food. He checked his wristwatch: it’s already 10 minutes past 11. He’ll have to wait for 20 minutes more.
’20 minutes isn’t that long.’ He said to himself, and so he waited.
“Are you okay now?”
Albert was startled and turned around to see Diana behind her.
“You’re fast. Yes, I’m fine now, thank you for asking. Please take a seat. I already ordered, I hope you don’t mind.” He said.
Diana pulled a chair and took her seat.
“So, what’s the occasion? Why did you suddenly asked me out?” she asked.
“I just want to say thank you… and say goodbye.” He said.
She frowned but she didn’t say anything. He smiled.
“I just want to say thank you for keeping me as your friend even though you knew what I feel about you. I accepted it, that we won’t go beyond that, and I think being friends is better. I won’t bother you with any romantic feelings anymore, I promise you that, just promise me that you would be happy with him.” He said.
Her frown grew deeper on her forehead.
“H-how did you – “
“Men’s guts.” He smiled.
She nodded. Their order came and they ate quietly. He wanted to tell her about his breather trip but he kept his mouth shut. On second thought, he doesn’t want to hear her opinions because he might cancel his plans, and he doesn’t want that. He needed this trip for himself.
When they were done eating, Albert take Diana to school. When she got off, she handed her the bouquet and the small paper bag full of chocolates.
“What are these for? A goodbye present?” she asked.
“Yeah… sort of. Can I make a request?” he asked.
“O-kay… what?”
Albert hugged her and she froze.
“I will entrust you to him, but if he ever breaks your heart, expect me to get back on him for you.” he said.
He pulled away from Diana. He smiled at her and finally turned his back at her without looking back or looking over his shoulder. He got on his motorbike.
‘Leave your heart here, Albert.’ He said to himself and he put on his helmet. He sighed deeply before driving away.