Two days later.
“Dr Dylan said you can be discharged today. Did you want me to help you with the procedure?” Ria’s excited voice cut through the silence, accompanied by the soft beeping of the hospital machines. She sat on a sofa, a distance away from Lina with her legs crossed, as she peeled a red apple for Lina.
Lina, who was sitting quietly at the edge of the bed, still in her hospital gown smiled at Ria lovingly, her eyes almost boring a hole in her.
“What…What’s that look all about?” Ria asked suspiciously. She understands that cunning smile of Lina’s too well.
“Hum, it’s nothing. I just feel like your skin is glowing differently these few days.” Lina shifted her butts as she swung her legs over the side of the bed, putting on a pair of white slippers. By now, almost all her injuries had been healed. “Tell me, am I missing anything, dear bestie,” Lina whispered, her voice quite teasing.
Ria, who had been hiding something from Lina recently, felt guilty. Her hands that were peeling the apple paused for a few seconds before she continued her actions. She couldn’t hide anything from Lina.
“Actually babe, it’s not that I don’t want to tell you, but with your conditions lately, I don’t want you to be too excited, disturbing your recovery.” Ria cut the apple into small pieces as she spoke.
“That’s true. Now that I’ve almost recovered, will you spill the beans already? Lina had noticed the sneaky and loving gaze Ria and Jayden were throwing at each other yesterday when they came to visit her. She immediately remembered Jayden was the guy that stopped her at Ria’s apartment the other day she went to drop the drunk Ria.
He had told her that they would meet soon. Who knew he wasn’t lying? He was even one of Raymond’s buddies. That night, she had thought he was a stalker or something. She sighed softly at the turn of events.
“Umm…actually,” Ria stammered, her ears all red. “I’m in a relationship with Jayden. It just happened suddenly.” Ria said, not daring to look at Lina’s face as she was shy. She was behaving like a high school teenager, who was caught having a crush on someone.
Lina’s mind went blank for a few seconds before she sprung up in excitement. She didn’t seem to feel the dull pain that stung her in her abdomen. “What? Are you serious Ria?” She asked excitedly, looking like a happy mother that just discovered her daughter was dating a guy next door.
“Huh-huh, it’s official.” Ria finally dared to face Lina who was standing on her feet. She placed the plate of sliced apples on the small table beside Lina’s bed.
“Wow, I’m so happy for you my love. Say, are you dating for fun or with marriage in mind?” Lina asked, half teasing and half serious.
Ria blushed, not knowing how to answer Lina. They just started dating two weeks ago. To say anything about having a plan with Jayden was too early.
“What the heck Lina, I just started dating two weeks ago, and you are talking about marriage so quickly? Nah, that’s too fast.” Ria said, her blush spreading all over her face. Ria thought of something and looked at Lina meaningfully. She stood up and took a small step towards Lina, a cunning smile etched on her lips.
“Tell me, baby, is it that you have fallen for your contracted husband, and now, you want me too to get married quickly, and be happy just like you?” Ria’s voice was sharp, her demeanor filled with gossip.
“What nonsense are you spouting? How can I fall in love with Raymond in just three months of marriage? I haven’t fallen for him yet.” Lina immediately denied it, her gaze avoiding Ria’s. She looked everywhere in the room, except Ria.
“I haven’t fallen for him yet.” Ria mimicked Lina’s tone by saying that. Her gaze was also around the room, just exactly like Lina, playing the scene Lina had just done earlier.
“Does that mean you have plans to fall in love with him in the future?” Ria asked, looking serious.
“Well, who wouldn’t fall for a sweet, loving, and caring man like Raymond? Lina’s words tumbled out without thinking, making her blush.
“Wow, you finally accepted that you like him, Lina. I’m so happy for you baby. Ria hugged Lina with love, showing how happy she was with her decision to give Raymond a chance and fall in love with him, after her past relationship. Lina’s face went pale as Ria hugged her. She was pulling at her injury.
“I told you from the beginning that no woman wouldn’t fall for Raymond. I’m happy that my bestie was the one that finally got the devil’s heart. Ria happily said, remembering the scene of Raymond almost kicking his friend’s ass just because of Lina, who was in a coma for two weeks. She wasn’t blind, so she could see how much he cared for her friend.
Ria finally noticed Lina’s stiff body. Her actions finally registered in her brain. She immediately pulled away from Lina. “I’m sorry, did I pull at your wounds?” Ria was asking the obvious, while Lina winced in pain as Ria pulled away. Her face was ghostly white at how intense the pain was.
“I’m…I’m fine.” Lina took in a sharp breath as her hand found something in the room to rest her weight on.
“Are…are you sure you are…” Ria’s words were cut off by the creak of the door. Lina and Ria’s gaze snapped towards the door. Raymond was the first to enter, followed by Jayden.
They both study their woman, taking in their expression. Seeing Lina’s pale face, Raymond’s brows furrowed. He immediately sprinted towards her, pushing Ria out of the way.
“What’s wrong? Babe, are you okay?” Raymond asked with concern, not noticing the hard glare Jayden was throwing at his back for pushing his girlfriend that way.