After the rain stopped and a taxi was called, "ding," Adrian pushed Elsa's wheelchair out of the elevator. His steps immediately halted because he saw a high school student standing in front of Elsa's apartment unit with Yuni, their classmate. Both of their uniforms looked wet, and their hair gleamed from the rain. Adrian could see two screens above their heads. He squinted to read the text from a distance.
[I genuinely like Elsa, and I'm serious about being with her. But if Elsa has already chosen the guy Yuni told me about, her supposed husband, I'm willing to let go of Elsa, and I'll move on. That's why I'm here to confirm.] - The male student's thoughts.
[Oh, why did Erik insist on coming here? I feel bad for Elsa. I hope she's not mad and still wants to be friends with me. So sorry, Sa.] - Yuni's thoughts.
"Let's go say hi," Elsa suggested.
"Y-yes, but are you okay?" Adrian asked, unsure what to say to Elsa, as he already knew the intentions of the student named Erik in front of them.
Adrian pushed Elsa down the corridor. Yuni and Erik turned to see Elsa approaching, pushed by Adrian. Erik immediately approached Elsa and looked at Adrian, who was pushing her wheelchair.
"What's up, Rik?" Elsa asked casually.
"Look, I just want to ask, I don't want anything else. Are you really serious about him?" Erik asked, pointing at Adrian.
Adrian, of course, felt awkward, knowing that Erik genuinely liked Elsa and was serious about becoming her boyfriend. Adrian opened his mouth to clarify the truth, but before he could speak,
"Yes, I'm serious. He's my future husband," Elsa replied.
"Huh?" Adrian asked.
Elsa turned to look at Adrian and winked, signaling Adrian to stay quiet and not say anything. Adrian finally remained silent, though his face turned red.
"Finally admitting it," Yuni said from behind Erik, smiling and looking very relieved.
[Sorry, Sa, Dri, I'm really sorry. Erik forced me.] Adrian read Yuni's thoughts.
[Alright then, I understand. It's sad, but what can I do? Smile, Rik, smile.] - Erik's thoughts.
"Ah, so..."
"So, what are you two doing here?" Elsa immediately cut Adrian off.
"Nothing, I just wanted to make sure you're really (turned to look at Adrian). Please take care of Elsa. I'm Erik. I've known Elsa since 9th grade junior high. Now it's your turn to take care of her, hehe," Erik said, smiling and extending his hand to Adrian.
"Yes, I'm Adrian. Want to come in first?" Adrian asked politely, shaking Erik's hand.
"Ah, no need. Yuni and I will just head back. Besides, we're all drenched like this, it's not comfortable. I'll come visit again tomorrow. Alright, I'm heading back," Erik said.
"Sounds good then," Adrian replied.
"Hehe, see you tomorrow, millennial couple, hehe," Yuni teased.
"You watch it, Yuni," Elsa replied with a smile.
Erik and Yuni immediately said goodbye, then they walked towards the elevator to go downstairs. After they left,
"Sorry, Adrian, I said that earlier," Elsa said regretfully.
"It's okay, but he's serious about you, you know," Adrian replied.
"How do you know?" Elsa asked.
"I just know. Why did you reject him?" Adrian asked.
"He lies a lot, and he likes to make big promises and give hope that he might not be able to keep. I don't like that kind of person, even if they're handsome," Elsa said.
"I see. Well, that's fine too," Adrian replied.
"Sorry for involving you," Elsa replied.
"I told you it's okay. Sorry if I'm a bit stiff too; I rarely talk to people," Adrian said.
"Yeah, I know, I understand, relax," Elsa replied.
"Give me the key, I'll open it," Adrian said.
"Here,"
Elsa gave him the key, and Adrian opened the door, then he pushed Elsa inside. Once inside,
"Alright, I'm going home," Adrian said.
"Okay, be careful," Elsa replied.
"Going next door, how can I be careful, haha," Adrian replied.
"Oh, that's true, hehe," Elsa replied.
"Alright, see you tomorrow," Adrian replied.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow," Elsa replied.
Adrian left Elsa's apartment unit. "Thump... thump," he held his chest. His heartbeat was audible, yet comfortable and rhythmic. He leaned against Elsa's door, unaware that Elsa was also leaning on her side of the door after getting out of her wheelchair.
"Why is it... why do I feel a little sad seeing him leave (Elsa) / leave his unit (Adrian)?" both thought simultaneously.
******
That night, Adrian lay on his bed, lost in thought. He stared blankly at the ceiling.
"What do I do now? I want to keep being angry with my uncle, but I don't feel resentment towards him anymore. Uncle Jimmy has met his wife, Auntie Irene, so my task is complete. So what do I do now? What do I want to do in the future? Why do I feel so empty? I've always depended on Mom and Dad. Besides, I never thought about the future before because I had resigned myself and knew when I would die. But now it's different. What about Elsa?" Adrian wondered.
Meanwhile, Elsa, in her room, was sitting on the edge of her bed, wearing her watch and legs, holding the photo album she had taken from Adrian's secret apartment unit.
"Auntie is with Uncle again. My purpose is fulfilled and complete. What do I do now? This is the first time I've ever thought about what I want in my life. Before, I never thought because I had Dad, Mom, Grandpa, and Grandma. When I was alone, I had a mission, so I never thought about myself or my future because I had given up. But now it's different. I feel empty. What about Adrian?" Elsa wondered.
Both were lost in their respective thoughts. They had never once thought about their future due to their conditions and circumstances. But after meeting each other, unknowingly, their desire to live began to emerge, confusing them because they didn't know what they should do with their lives moving forward.
"Oh yeah, I'll just ask," both thought to themselves.
They picked up their smartphones, their fingers dancing deftly across the screens. Meanwhile, at a hospital, "ding," Kelvin picked up his smartphone. When he saw the screen, he furrowed his brow; two messages had arrived on his smartphone simultaneously. He opened both messages.
"Doc, what should I do now?" Adrian asked.
"My task is complete, Doc, so what else should I do, Doc?" Elsa asked.
"These two... what's wrong with them?" Kelvin wondered, confused, finally closing his messages and putting down his smartphone without answering either of them.