Phew…. I took a long and deep breath.
“What happened Cami? ” manager talked from another side of the phone.
“No… No sir ”
“Ask me if there is anything ” he said in a very kind manner.
” Actually sir.. I wanted to tell you something ” I said shaking with nervousness .
“Yah, say it then I’m listening ” he said.
“Sir that… I and Cami live together and”
“Yeah she told me before. I know that ” he cut me off before I could speak
“Sir that, I know it’s only a few days that I officially joined your hotel but… Can I ask for a leave.. I mean i really have too… We don’t have anyone else from each other. And now that she is sick, I have to take care of her… I need a leave too sir ” finally I said it to manager.
“leave? ” ..
“Yes sir… I can’t leave alone while she needs me the most. I really need to take care of her ” I said to him hoping that he’ll listen.
“Cami… You know how big our resturant Is. Right? We’re so busy every single minute. If Cami can’t came it’s okay. We can handle absence of one person but handling absence of two is so hard. You know how busy it became… Right? ” manager said no indirectly.
He was right… Everyday we have to work nonstop to cover all the customers. It’s not easy to handle one’s absence let alone be Two’s.
But it was also necessary for Mr to be with Cami. She really needed me. I can’t leave her like that .
“But sir, I can’t leave her alone” I said..
“Riley, you know everything and I dont think I need to force you . Gave her some medicine and ask her to rest…. You can came a little late of you want.
After saying so he cut the phone. I looked at the phone frozen. I now don’t know what to do.. It was really bad now. I can’t go to work and I can’t even leave her alone.
I took a sip of tea.
“tring tring ”
“tring tring ”
“tring tring ”
Cami’s phone continuously rang on the bedside table of cami. I went to the bedroom and took the phone away.
I looked at the screen ‘Ethan’. It was Ethan’s call. He was calling Cami. I don’t know if it is appropriate for pick up her phone or not.
While I was thinking this Cami’s phone stopped ringing.
I don’t know what to do now. I put the phone on the sofa and sat there. I don’t know. Shit.
“tring tring ”
“tring tring ”
The phone rang again and this time I didn’t hesitate to pick up her call.
“What are you doing babe? I have been calling you for ages. Do you know how worried i was? ” Ethan blurted out as soon as the call connected.
“hello ” I spoke and other side froze in an instant.
“Hello… Cami? ” he said in a questionere tone.
“No I’m not cami” I said.
“Isn’t this Cami’s number? ” he asked
“yes this is Cami’s phone bit…. ”
“Then why is it with you? Who are you? Where is Cami? What have you done with my Cami? Let me tell you… ” he started panicking.
“Relax Ethan… I’m Riley. Remember we met at the bar last time. ” I said.
“Riley..? I know you but why is her phone with you? ” he asked.
“She… I mean Cami is sick… She… ”
“What? What happened to her? Why didn’t she told me? Is she OK now? ” he starting panicking again and he spoke and spoke
“Will you let me speak first? ” I said to him.
“I’m sorry…. I was just worried about her. Can you tell me how is she now? ” he asked in a calm tone this time but still he was worried about Cami. I can tell from his voice.
“She is sleeping now. She had a fever but it is in control for now don’t worry ” I said.
“Thank goodness… ” he said ” and medicine? Did she take medicine? ”
” Yeah… I just fed her porridge and gave her some medicine. Don’t worry ” I said to him.
“Thank you Cami. Thanks for taking care of her ” ge suddenly said to me.
“No no she is my friend and my only relative for now. I would love to take care of her ” I said.
“OK then I’ll hang up now” he said.
“Ummm ok” I nooded my head.
“ohh and ask her to contact me if she woke up ” he said again
“OK sure. I’ll tell her you called. She maybe call you if she wake up . But now she is sleeping. ” I said.
“Yeah… I know… I was just… A little … i mean I am just scared… OK bye… Take care of her” he said.
“Yeah I’ll ” I said and take my phone away from my ear.
“one last question, one last question ” he screamed over phone when I was about to hang up.
“Yes…. What happened Ethan” I said “I’ll tell her to call you ”
“No no… Not that ” he said.
“then? ” I asked.
“Are you on leave? Are you taking care of her ” he asked.
And i don’t know what to say to him. But since he was my best friend’s boyfriend. I shoold tell him right? He must be worrying for Cami.
” I don’t know Ethan. ” I said ” I have asked for leave but they said they can’t handle two people’s absence on a single day. Since Cami is already sick she can’t go. It is more than enough to make their responsibility increased a Lot ”
” Are you going to leave her alone whole day? Alone? Sick? ” he said In a broken voice.
“No I’m not saying that. It’s just my manager asked me to came to work. If it is possible. I will look if Cami’s health condition. I won’t leave her alone if it is Vad ” I said
” otherwise you are leaving her? He asked.
“….” I didn’t have any answers to that. I don’t know what to say.
“Cami “he said ” you go to work. I’ll came there to look after her ” he said again.
“what? ” I got shocked from his statement.
“Yeah… I’m serious. I understand you and respect your work. I don’t have anything to do anyway. I am coming there ” he said.
“But ” I wanted to say something but what?
“It’s okay Riley. You have fulfilled your responsibility and it’s my turn. It’s my turn to take care of her” he said.
“Are you sure? ” I asked him.
“Okay then, you came here. I’ll show you some important things and then I can leave Cami with you ” I said to him.
“Sure ” he said and hung up the phone.
After him hanging up the phone I went back to the bed where Cami was lying. I went to her side and put my hand on her forehead …. it was still hot
I went back to the kitchen to reheat the water. Then I again cleaned her with hot towel.
After thet thing was done. I went to the living room and waited for Ethan to show up.
It took a half an hour for him to get here. I heard a car roaring downside. I looked him through the window. There was black porshche parked down there. A man in custom made track suit got out off the car and entered the building.
“Ding” after a few minutes the door of our apartment rang. I know who was outside. I went to the door and opened it.
“Where is Cami? ” Ethan asked as soon as he entered.
“Bedroom” I pointed towards the bedroom and he ran towards it.
I didn’t went to the bedroom. I really don’t want to see some cozy cuzy romance of a couple. Instead i made tea for Ethan. And went to the bedroom.
“Here your tea is. ” I said.
“Thank you. ” Ethan said “Now you can go to work if you want to ” he added.
I looked at him and then at Cami “Come with me I’ll do you guys won’t suffer hunger. ” I said.
Ethan got up off his chair and followed me. I took him to the kitchen. I showed him where all the foods, utensils and the sugar, salt things were kept.. After that I show him the medikit box too.
“This is it, I think i can entrust her to you now “