A knock was heard from the door. Jin opened the door and was greeted by a sad image.
Alex's eyes were red and puffy, his nose was pink and hair was a mess. He looked like he was from crying.
"Alex ! "Jin's brows furrowed from what he was seeing when he called out to him."What happened ?" he asked.
"I,I....we.." Alex pursed his lips,not wanting to speak his mind out. All he felt was his racing pulse.
Jin raised his arm and gently caressed his cheek with his hand.
The warmth of Alex's skin under his palm gave him a sence of euphoria .
And what made the atmosphere more calming, was how Alex didn't withdraw but stood in that moment .
Then Alex pushed his hand away from his face when he came back to reality and realized the closing distance between them. He stepped aside and left.
Entering his room and shutting the door behind him. A feeling stirred in his chest,it felt overwhelming .
His face flushed." Did he just touch me like that ?"Alex shyly wondered.
A knock was heard from the door. "Uhm,Alex,the food is ready." Jin said.
"I'm not hungry,just eat without me. "he replied.
"Please....let's eat in peace then vent out our frustrations with filled tummies ."Jin softly said. Alex was about to refuse but decided to listen just for the food's sake.
"He opened the door and found Jin crouching at the doorway. "What's all this depression about?"he asked.
"It's nothing, let's go."he said while smiling.
Alex felt guilty about his actions, judging from his friend's expressions.
Quietly eating, the slient atmosphere made Alex feel uncomfortable, and his food tasting bland. After their silent meal, Jin took the plates,then cleaned up the place .
"Good night,Alex."he said, leaving for his room without waiting for a reply.
"Jin,wait !" he held his hand.
"I'm sorry, please forgive me for my awful attitude. " he apologized.
"It's fine. Maybe I misunderstood your intentions and got angry, but you shouldn't feel bad ,okay ?" Jin assured him with a gentle smile .
That night,Jin slept in the softness of the night while Alex was in the frustration and restlessness of the night.
The morning hugged Jin's heart while Alex was reminded of his talkative patient.
"Is this what being a doctor of an amateur, means ?"he asked himself.
Alex prepared himself to check on his patient.Dressed his best, but expressed his worst mood. He made his way out of the house and left for work.
Jin did his daily routine, cleaning, cooking, and working at his small restaurant of his foster parent.
Estadey was helping to cook breakfast for the children when a child rushed towards her.
She was smiling mischievously, then gestured to Estadey to whisper in her ear.
"Guess what, Granny Mina is quarreling with a young man in the guest room. Maybe he wants to adopt you because you're the main topic in their quarrel."the little girl giggled.
She pointed at the hallway, showing Estadey and gesturing her to go. Estadey didn't wait and hurriedly left.
"I thought that doctor disliked my presence, but I'm certain his friend truly meant how unreasonable he acts."she said to herself.
She walked through the hallway and reached a door at the end. When she opened the door, the scene before her was disturbing.
Granny Mina was shouting and pointing her finger at Alex while crying.
"I said I don't want anything to do with you."he shouted back.
"But Estadey, "she pleaded. Then Alex slapped her hard to the point where Granny Mina fell to the ground. "Granny Mina !" Estadey rushed to her.
But when she held on to her ,it felt like her hand touched in hot boiling water.
And she immediately drew away from the old woman.