Ill Luck

    "I am deeply sorry for showing up late. It wasn't my intention to waste your time," Ciara apologized while placing the tray on the stool. 

She never for once imagined herself apologizing to Derek. Just a while ago, these two were close to exchanging punches against each other. 

After the apology, Ciara went ahead and poured some water inside the glass cup for Derek. 

To her greatest surprise, he didn't say anything nor did he make a move to drink from the glass. He kept staring at it like an art Exhibition. 

"So what now? Oh, you thought I poisoned you?" Ciara snapped her hands after struggling to find out the reason for Derek's awkwardness. 

"We never can tell. 

I mean, you never liked me. Considering how we started, you might be capable of that," Derek admitted. 

"Okay. That's enough. 

Tell me that was a joke?" Ciara fumed. She was already replicating the same bad energy they started with. 

"Of course, it was a joke," Derek burst into laughter. He couldn't maintain his straight face for too long. Aside from that, he was also trying his best not to get on Ciara's nerves. He hasn't recovered from the last heated argument they had. 

________

Kelly was seated alone in the hospital's waiting area as he reflected on the drama that happened in George's ward. 

"Did I cross the line by telling Dexter? I guess I shouldn't have done that," Kelly soliloquies as he reflected on his earlier decisions. He wished he had sealed his lips and quietly walked away from the hospital without having to cause another uproar. 

"Damn it! 

To think Dexter was getting along with his Father. Now I gotta be the reason they are yelling at each other right now inside the ward," Kelly said to himself.

"Should I go back inside there and apologize to Dexter for what I did to him? I feel terrible right now," Kelly contemplated. He wasn't sure if he was making the right decision or not. 

  "Hey," Doctor Escobar emerged from nowhere to wave at Kelly. However, the latter ignored the greeting. He wasn't even aware that someone was standing next to him. The only thing that mattered to Kelly was fixing things with Dexter even though he never for once liked Dexter. However, his conscience won't stop hurting him. 

"I'm talking to you, Kelly. Having a bad time already?" Doctor Escobar tapped Kelly on the shoulder to rejuvenate his lost mind. 

It was at that moment that Kelly knew Doctor Escobar was standing next to him. "Oh, my goodness. You startled me. How long have you been standing there watching me?" 

"Long enough to know when someone's heart is troubled," Doctor Escobar briefly responded. His response was accompanied by a smile. 

Kelly sighed. "I guess you're damn right," he paused without explaining further.

He couldn't deny the fact that he needed someone to share his problems with. At the same time, he wasn't certain if Doctor Escobar was the perfect person to speak to about it. 

"I knew it! 

I just had a feeling that something was wrong. Do you mind sharing?" Doctor Escobar indulged himself and volunteered to help. 

"Are you sure about this? Don't you have other patients to tend to? I don't wanna stand in your way," Kelly expressed his concern. He desperately needed the advice. He wanted it to come naturally without having to force it. He already made a mess with Dexter and George. He wouldn't wanna repeat the same thing with Doctor Escobar and his patients 

"I've got my nurses attending to the patients right now. Besides, most of the patients are sleeping right now, aside from your friend, George. I guess he's having some moments with his son, Dexter," Doctor Escobar disclosed. 

At the mention of George and Dexter, Kelly's face turned sour. The sad look on his face best illustrated how pathetic his situation was. 

"Oh, my goodness. 

It's about George, isn't it?" 

The Doctor guessed. He was able to figure out what the problem was immediately without having to stress his head. It's safe to say that Doctor Escobar has a very good sense of humor.

"You damn right, he is," Kelly nodded. 

The truth had been exposed. He couldn't pretend anymore.

"Ouch! I understand how you feel.

You must adore your friend so much. Don't worry, he's gonna be just fine. His heart condition is stable now. He should be discharged in the next 48 hours," doctor Escobar revealed. 

It wasn't his intention to reveal the discharge date to Kelly first without informing George about it. He did tell Kelly just to satisfy his curiosity and make his plan. It was quite unfortunate that Kelly didn't feel motivated or happy. Neither did the piece of information wipe away the oddity from his face 

For the second time, Doctor Escobar was able to figure it out again. "I guess it isn't about George anyway," 

"You are so sensitive and smart. 

You should have become a therapist instead," Kelly teased the doctor as they both laughed. 

"You got that correctly. 

Did I tell you that I multitask? 

You could hire me as your therapist. You wouldn't regret it," Doctor Escobar continued the joke after discovering how joyous Kelly was gradually becoming. 

The laughter was brief. 

It didn't take too long for Kelly to return to his sad mood again. 

"I guess the joke wasn't enough 

So now tell me, what exactly is the problem? I can see that it's not about George," 

"It's about Dexter. 

He's the reason I'm in this condition right now. I just need someone to talk to," Kelly finally disclosed after beating around the bush for a while.

"Dexter? 

No way," Doctor Escobar quickly disapproved and went away. 

Kelly followed him immediately and pulled him back. "Please wait. Don't go yet. I need your help on this. Sadly, you are not helping," 

"That's because I don't know what to do," Doctor fired back without a second thought. If he knew Dexter was the reason Kelly kept him waiting for too long, he wouldn't have made a move to ask what the problem was.