I waited for him outside the room. He came out with a plastic bag filled with food. He then held on to my wheelchair and started to push me.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
He stared at me with an innocent question mark look on his face.
"Uhh.. I'm helping push your wheelchair so you won't feel exhausted." He said while looking down at me.
He's cute when he's shy. Ok fine. He's gorgeous. Come on. That’s Jonathan Rodrigo, the youngest member of The Wildes. They’re all gorgeous anyway. But I have to keep my composure. I can't be a softie just because he's a celebrity. He's still the reason why I'm here and I haven't forgiven him fully even though he apologized sincerely.
"You don't have to push me. I want to enjoy this ride. It's not everyday that I get to ride an automatic wheelchair." I grinned at him as I pushed the button happily and the wheelchair started to move. I went to the elevator and looked behind me and saw Jonathan standing where I left him, staring at me.
"What are you doing? The elevator’s gonna be here soon." Then he walked briskly towards me just in time as the elevator opened and we went in. There are two nurses inside and I saw him wear his mask and lower his head. I tapped my fingers impatiently. I feel like the elevator ride is getting longer than usual. We arrived at the 10th floor and more people came in the elevator. I felt my wheelchair being pulled back. I was surprised with the sudden movement and I looked behind me and saw Jonathan's hands holding onto my wheelchair.
Finally we arrived! I pushed the button and geared in a straight direction. Fresh air and green plants welcomed us. This rooftop garden is amazing. It’s a really good thing that hospitals have this. They really do exist. I've never been to any hospital rooftops before. This is indeed relaxing. I looked around and geared to the right and went towards the railings. I heard Jonathan shout at me.
"Ciara! where are you going?"
"Ahead!" I shouted back as I went straight towards the end of the rooftop overlooking the view of New York. I can see the Empire State Building up here. I heard someone panting behind my back and I saw Jonathan with his hands on his thighs trying to catch his breath.
"Why were you running?" I asked him.
"You were going too fast. I thought you were going to jump off the roof!"
I laughed out loud. How stupid can he possibly be? He looked at me with his brows furrowed. I'm guessing he's annoyed. I held my stomach and held both sides of my face together to stop myself from laughing.
"I'm sorry." I said in between my laughter. "You're just funny. I'm sane, okay? If I ever thought of killing myself, I would've done it already last night while no one was watching." He let out a deep sigh and became more serious. “Relax, I’m not gonna die.”
I beheld the view in front of me. This is beautiful. I love overlooking cities and views. It's relieving especially when life throws lemons at me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. I opened my eyes and looked at Jonathan who was also looking at the view.
"Help me." I said and he looked at me.
"Help you with what?" He asked.
"Help me stand up please. I can't see the view properly while sitting down."
"Can you do it?" He asked with uncertainty on his face. I rolled my eyes.
"I can do it if you help me, Mr. Jonathan."
He sighed. "Okay."
He took my hands as I slowly took my feet off the wheelchair. I placed my weight on him and I can feel him tightening his grip on my hands as I did the same. You can do this Eunice! I slowly lifted myself off the chair as he slowly pulled me to him. I suddenly felt my feet ache.
"Ah! Wait wait!" I said as I looked down at my feet.
"Are you okay? Can you really do it?" He panicked as he checked on my feet and looked at my face as if searching it for any reactions to pain.
"I'm fine, I'm fine." I assured him. I gripped his hand and willed myself to stand up. I gritted my teeth and made a sound.
I heard Jonathan laugh. "Don't laugh." I threathingly told him. He immediately stopped.
"Sorry." He said as he cleared his throat. He suddenly held my waist and carried me slightly and pulled me out of the wheelchair completely. My whole body is now leaning to him for support. I tried to hold onto his shoulder but he was just too tall for me so I held onto his chest and arms instead as I started to grip his shirt. His hands were on my waist and he slowly let go to pull the wheelchair closer to us since my dextrose is hanging in there
.
"Can you see it now?" He asked. His facing me while I’m facing the view of the city.
"No. All I can see is your chest." I said. Truth is I can't see the view fully because his body is blocking it.
"Oh sorry." He slowly moved to the side as I held onto his arms. His right arm supported my back as my left arm held onto his left arm. Now I can see the full view. I can see the cars that looked like little moving legos from up here, people who're moving like ants in my point of view. I smiled. At least something good and relaxing for such a disastrous week.
I stood there for about five minutes, then I felt my knees weaken and I faltered. Good thing Jonathan was there behind me to support my weight.
"I think you should sit down now." His voice sent chills down my spine as I felt his breath near my ear. I just nodded my head as I couldn't find my voice. He slowly sitted me in the wheelchair then he sat by the bench beside me and we both stared at the view in silence.
The weather today is especially chilly besides the fact that it's almost spring. The wind blew, and I felt its chilling breeze in my skin. I shivered. A hand appeared in front of me holding a blanket. I looked to my side to see the owner of the hand. Then he stood up and placed the blanket around my shoulders. I took it and wrapped it around me.
"Thank you." I said but he didn't reply. Neither could I see his expression since he's behind me. He then went back to his seat. I didn't know that he brought a blanket. I didn't see it earlier when he came out of the room.
Silence.
And then I heard a rumble. No it wasn't from the skies nor a sign of thunder coming. It was my tummy. I cleared my throat and looked down in embarrassment. This stupid stomach only knows how to be hungry. I heard Jonathan chuckled as he turned my wheelchair towards the chair he's sitting on. Then he took out the food he brought earlier. It was chicken tenders, ravioli with beef and tomato soup, and rice.
"Am I allowed to eat these?" I asked because as far as i can remember, there's a list of food that patients can eat. He nodded at me.
"I asked your doctor yesterday. He said you can eat anything that is less salty and without preservatives. Anunt Anna made these especially for you."
"Miss Davis did?" I asked and he nodded as he started to open the lid of the container. That's why she was so eager to go home this morning.
"She told me that you take very specific spicy food but she had to tone it down." I nodded.
“It’s boring if it’s not spicy.” I said and he smiled a bit.
I have a special liking for spicy food. I always bring hot sauce with me. Spicy food spices up my appetite. I tasted the soup. Wow. This is perfect. I felt my eyes starting to water a little. I am touched by this. It made me miss my family more. I smiled as I ate, but it was weird. I'm laughing while eating and crying at the same time.
"The cold air makes me teary-eyed, and this is so delicious. Anna is a really great cook" I said as I continued eating and stuffed some chicken tenders and rice in my mouth.
"Eat slowly" I heard him say and I nodded my head and tried to chew more slowly. I glanced at him and realized that I’m the only one who's eating. He’s just looking at the view.
“You should eat too.”
He turned his head towards me and smiled.
“It’s okay. I already ate.” He answered.
There’s a long silence between us and it’s getting more awkward the longer I hear myself chew the food.
“Did you come from work?” I asked him, trying to make it less awkward, but he just nodded.
I finished eating and we decided to go back to the room. We've been out here for almost two hours and it's not gonna be good for me.I might strain my body and I can end up recovering slowly.
Jonathan opened the door to my room and I went in. He followed after me. He helped me get on my bed and placed the wheelchair beside my bed so I could reach it easily. He then began to recline the bed.
"Please don't recline too much. I want to watch TV." He nodded and stopped reclining when I told him that I'm comfortable with that position.
As I watched TV, I gave him a glance from time to time and saw that he started to fix the things he bought earlier. He bought fruits, snacks, water and juices. He also bought other toiletries. Am I in a hotel?
After finishing, he sat by the couch and played with his phone. Wow, Eunice. I thought you were watching TV? You were watching Jonathan move and not paying any attention to the tv program. But how can I not stare at him? He's cute. Okay. Handsome. Okay I have to admit. He’s gorgeous. He’s Jonathan Rodrigo of The Wildes, how can he not be? He's quiet too and a little bit shy. According to the internet, he’s an introvert. He sometimes looks flustered when I ask him questions as if it is impossible for me to talk to him.
I smiled. Stop. Stop. Stop this daydreaming. Focus on the TV.
It's been around two hours and he's not leaving yet.
"Mr. Jonathan, aren't you going home?" I asked him as I looked at the clock. It's 6 pm now. He's been with me for almost the whole day.
"I'm going to stay here until the visiting hours are over."
Before I could answer him, my attention was turned to the voice on the tv, and so was his.
"The Wildes' youngest member, Jonathan Rodrigo, got into a car accident last Saturday morning. The victim, whose personal information was not disclosed, is now recovering at a private hospital in New York. As for The Wildes member, everyone had been waiting for his verdict with a lot of people believing that he is totally at fault and would probably have to spend some time in jail, however, just this evening, the investigation report about the incident came out."
I gripped my blanket tightly as I waited for the report. I know that someone beside me is more tense than I am at the moment. A police officer came up on the screen.
"After the accident took place, Mr. Jonathan Chase Rodrigo’s car was immediately taken to our custody for investigation. Yesterday morning, a few of our police officers went for a test drive in that same car, and here are our findings. We found out that the wirings that connect the brakes are quite loose allowing the car to move on even when hitting the brakes. It turns out that you have to hit it roughly for about five times before the car comes to a total stop. In this case, our police officers experienced the same thing when they drove the car. Also we've checked the CCTV footage and found out that Rodrigo was not overspeeding when the accident happened and is on a 65km/h speed on an 80km/h speed limit. Therefore, the police concluded that Rodrigo is not entirely at fault and the car manufacturer is to be blamed for selling a car with mechanical failures. We have also tested some of their cars and found similar problems in it. However, Mr. Rodrigo, who’s been out on bail, is set to appear before the regional court tomorrow for the final verdict.”
My mind is in circles as I try to process everything. Silence enveloped the whole room.
I didn’t know that he would have an appearance in court tomorrow. It makes me wonder more as to why he’s still here and not taking a rest. I’m pretty sure tomorrow will be a stressful day for him.