Jason..
It’s been a week since Eve became unconscious and the doctor said she is in a coma.
Although, I’m still believing that she’ll wake up soon and she’ll remember us all.
I was currently at the hospital once again. That’s all I do these days, I go to the hospital in the morning then head to work from there before returning back to the hospital in the evening and then going home to rest because if I don’t know, my mom would probably skin me alive.
“Oh Ethan, you’re here.” I said the moment I saw him walking over to where I sat.
“Yeah..” he answered in a bored tone and I frowned.
“Are you alright?” I asked in concern.
“Yeah, it’s just Max, he’s been skipping meals for days.” He said and sighed deeply.
“We went to get lunch before coming here and he was just picking at his food, so I snapped at him.” Ethan said with a huff as he sat down on the chair beside me.
“So where is he now?” I asked with a raised brow.
“I have no idea.” He said and sighed.
“I’m sure he’s around here somewhere.” I said quietly.
“Yeah, the restaurant we visited is opposite the hospital so he should be around here.” Ethan said and I nodded.
“Should I go and look for him?” I asked, seeing the look of concern on his face.
“How will you find him in this big building?” Ethan scoffed and I smiled smugly.
“Cell Phone ofcourse.” I said chuckling.
“Max may be avoiding you but he’s not avoiding me.” I reminded him and he chuckled before nodding his head.
“Good point.” He said, chuckling.
“I’ll go check up on him.” I said.
“Jade is in there with my mom, I don’t know what they’re talking about but I’m not interested.” I said pointing at the room where Eve was.
“Okay, see you later then.” He said and I nodded.
I got up from my seat and walked away dialling Max’s number.
“Hello.” He picked up after the third ring.
“Where are you?” I asked, saving the pleasantries.
“The hospital has a rooftop garden, that’s where I am.” He said and I hummed in response before hanging up and taking the elevator to the rooftop.
I exited the elevator and went straight to the rooftop and I was marvelled by the sight I saw.
“Wow, this view is a killer!” I said the moment I got there.
I walked around to look for Max and I soon saw him sulking in one corner. Well, it was easy to spot him especially with the bright yellow top that he was putting on.
I walked towards him and when I got there, I sat down right in front of him making him look up from whatever he was looking at.
“Howdy mate!” I said in a teasing voice which made him smile.
“You sound like a cowboy.” He said, making me laugh loud.
“Are you alright?” I asked after we both stopped laughing.
“I don’t know.” He said quietly and I sighed.
“I’m not alright.” I said and he raised his brows.
“I’m not alright.” I repeated making me look at me with an expression that said – have you gone bonkers?
“I’m not okay.” I said again and he chuckled.
“Is that some kind of recitation?” He asked and I smirked.
“It’s okay not to be okay.” I said.
“If you are not okay, it’s okay to say so.” I explained.
“I’m not okay, I’m not alright.” I said.
“No one would know what’s wrong with you if you don’t tell us.”
“I’m sure Ethan was just worried about you.”
“You’ve not been eating properly for days and you’re keeping to yourself too.” I said and smiled.
“You’re one to talk, aren’t you doing the exact same thing as me?” He scoffed and I laughed.
“I know I’m not in the right position to tell you but since we’re both in the same situation, I have to tell you this.” I said with a frown so he would know that I’m not kidding.
“I know you don’t understand why Eve means so much to me but I can tell you this, Eve was the one who looked out for me when the people I called family looked away.” Max said with a lot of emotions.
“Eve stood by me when I came out as gay and that is one thing I have sworn not to ever forget.” He said in a broken voice and I could feel his emotions.
“The truth is, my family looked away from me, they didn’t even spare me a glance the moment I told them about my sexuality.”
“A straight person like you wouldn’t understand what it’s like to come out.”
“And neither would you ever experience what it’s like to be closeted either.”
“It was really had to be Mexican and Catholic at the same time. You can’t be Mexican and be gay and don’t even get me started on the religious part.” Max explained with tears trickling down his face now.
“However, Eve told me to just be me.”
“I don’t have to be a religious Mexican or whatever label they’ve put on me.”
“She said I could just be me, I could be Max and that’s okay.” Max said and I felt tears pool to my own eyes.
“And that’s the reason why I’m this hurt that she’s lying down there because she did so much for me when she was able to and yet I can barely do anything now.” Max said, wiping his tears.
I wiped my tears as well and I sighed heavily.
Silence took over and we sat there, lost in thoughts.
“You know, You’re not that bad.” He said after a while.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, surprised by his strange compliment.
“I’ve always thought you were an ass but it turns out, you’re a smart ass.” He said and I laughed.
“Is that supposed to be a compliment?” I asked amidst the laughter.
“Yeah.” He said laughing too.
“I’m glad Eve has someone like you by her side.” He said when we stopped laughing.
“You see, she has always had it tough and she didn’t really date a lot of responsible men but you’re a lot better.” He said, making me smile.
“Thankyou.” I said quietly.
“Ethan is lucky to have you too.” I said and he rolled his eyes playfully.
“Of course he is, I’m such a snack.” He said, gesturing to his body.
“You’re hilarious.” I said laughing.
And for the next hour, all Max could talk about was the things that he and Eve have always done together.
Turns out there are tons of things I don’t know about Eve.
I was glad to be talking to Max anyway because in the past few days, he hadn’t said a word except for his outburst at Eve’s parents the other day.
After seeing his outburst that day, I swore to never cross him. I’m sure Eve’s father must have gone home to reconsider the way he’s living his life, especially with all the insultive words Max said to him.
“And then, she fell into the water, it was so hilarious.” Max explained laughing and I simply smiled. I wasn’t listening to whatever he was talking about anyways.
I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and I brought it out. It was a message from jade.
“Where are you?”
“You need to come here now.” The messages read.
Did something happen?
What’s going on?
“We have to go to the ward.” I said as I got up from my chair.
“What?, Did something happen to Eve?” Max asked but I ignored him as I dialled jade’s number which he picked up immediately.
“What’s going on?” I asked worriedly as I walked towards the exit from whence I came with Max behind me.
“It’s good news actually.” Jade sounded chirpy.
“Good news?” I asked, pausing my in track.
“Yeah, I felt her hands move.” Jade said happily and I didn’t know what to feel.
“Is she awake?” I asked quietly.