The night shift ended and I deliberately lingered after cleaning up my desk. The thought of returning home, held no appeal.
When I arrived, Adrian had already left for work. I took a shower and went off to sleep, but just as I began to drift off, had the tranquility was shattered by the insistent ringing of my phone. It was Adrian.
"Madeline," he sounded like he was holding back pain, "my... my stomach hurts."
I mumbled a response, but I was too tired and fell back asleep. In a dream, I seemed to hear Adrian calling my name, but the sound felt distant, so I pushed the dream away.
After some time, I was completely awakened by the sound of the door opening. Adrian stood by the bed, his face a mask of hurt.
"Madeline, why don't you care anymore? You used to be worried when I was sick and you would even make porridge and give me medicine."
That was indeed the old me. I remembered it only too clearly.
Once, Adrian had a stomachache, so I asked for leave to bring him medicine at his office. As luck had it, I got caught in the rain on my way there, leaving my hair soaked and me looking quite a mess.