Chapter 41

'Joshua is not coming anymore." James was serious when he said that, so Ria thought he might be telling the truth. But she still asked him. 'And what made you say that?" 'Because no one is there to care of Madeline," James answered. 'I told you. They still have a chance." Ria just kept quiet. She decided to avoid the discussion because she might end up saying something she shouldn't. 'You know, you should start dating yourself," James suddenly said. 'So that you don't have to bother your friends when you feel lonely." 'You talk as if you have your own love life," Ria said sarcastically. 'At least I'm busy with work," James said. 'I'm also busy," Ria said. 'And, if you're busy, why are you still here? You get back to work already." 'And leave you alone here?" James asked. 'I'll be fine. Promise," said Ria. 'Are you sure?" 'Of course," answered Ria. 'You should start looking for someone to date." 'You know, just leave." James smirked. 'You'll end up being an old maid with that attitude." Ria was thinking of something to counter what James said, when a very attractive guy went to them. 'Ria?" Ria looked at the guy. 'It's me, Des… mund. Desmund. Remember?" It didn't take long for Ria to get who the guy he's talking to is. 'Hi! Wow, uhm… By the way, this is my friend, James. James, this is Des-mund." James shook hands with Desmund. 'Hi! Nice to meet you." 'Same here," Desmund said. Ria tried so hard not to laugh. She took a sip of her iced tea again. 'So, I guess I'll be going," James said. 'I mean, I'm tending the bar." He looked at Desmund. 'What do you like? Don't worry, it's all on the house. You know, this is the first time that…" James looked at Ria teasingly. If only she's not enjoying what is just happening, she might have rolled her eyes on her friend. 'Anything," Desmund answered. 'It's up to you." 'Okay. Let me get you a drink," James said. With one last teasing glance at Ria, he left the two alone. 'That means, my drinks are free, right?" Ria looked at Desmund. 'Ah! I should have ordered a lot. I should have ordered some food." Ria completely laughed. 'D, what happened to you? Why did you suddenly become a man?" Ria asked, giggling. 'Why? Fate can also be a man," Desmund said. 'Yes, but I've always seen you on your female form… I mean, as a female. Do you even have a form?" 'That's the case," Desmund said. 'I don't have a definite form, so I can be a woman as Destiny, or a man like I am right now." Ria giggled. 'You know what? Just stay on that form. It's very inspiring." Desmund scowled. 'Very naughty!" Ria just laughed at him. 'If you continue laughing like that, your stomach will be filled with gas," Desmund said. 'Sorry… But why are you really on that form tonight?" 'I heard your conversation with James," Desmund answered. 'He said you need a date. So here I am." Ria laughed again. 'Also, if I am on my female form, your friend might hang out with us instead of leaving us alone." 'Are you saying that James might have a crush on you?" asked Ria. 'Who would not be attracted with my beauty?" Destiny answered. And again, Ria laughed. 'Stop laughing, will you?" Desmund said. 'Let's just talk about Joshua. What's up with him now?" 'So, you're here to get some updates about Joshua," Ria said. 'Can't you just read some reports or watch some videos?" 'I want to do it like this," Desmund said. 'Talking to you, having free drinks. It's not every day that I get the chance to be a human, you know." 'Point taken..." Ria said. 'So... Joshua, I asked him if he could come here. But until now, he still hasn't come. Obviously, he's still stuck with Madeline." Truth is, Ria is getting annoyed already. But what can she do? She can't control Joshua's mind, and she also cannot tell him what to do. All she can do is try to secretly persuade him, and it's something that has never been easy. ***************************************************************************** It has been ten minutes since Joshua arrived at the Emergency Room and sat at the gang chairs outside. He can't come in, and he's not even sure if he is allowed to enter. He's not even sure he can stay on that waiting area where he's seated as of the moment. Each time that the ER door opens, he looks at it so see who came out. He knows people are starting to notice him already, and for sure they are curious as to what Joshua Socorro is doing outside the ER of TGH. Good thing is that it seems like the ER staff are kind of busy right now, so as of the moment no fan has ever approached him tonight. But the busyness of the ER is what also is keeping him outside. He's actually contemplating if he should still do what he was planning. Maybe the person he wants to talk to is also busy. Joshua decided to just leave and postpone his plan. But as he stood up, the ER door opened again and the person he wanted to see suddenly came out. Carla instantly saw Joshua as she went out of the ER, stopping her from talking to the nurse she's walking with. She also stopped walking, and she just stood there staring at Joshua, who stared back to her with the same surprised expression. 'Doc…!" Carla looked at the nurse. 'Should I go ahead to the vending machine?" said the female nurse. Carla nodded. 'Yeah... Uhm..." She looked at Joshua, but immediately looked away when their eyes met. She looked back at the nurse. 'I'll just talk to someone." 'Okay then." The nurse leaves. Carla forced herself to look at Joshua. Forced, because she suddenly felt embarrassed and nervous when it was just the two of them there. 'Hi…" Joshua said. Truth is, he's more nervous compared to how Carla is feeling because he is the one who needs to fix everything between them. Carla was forced to look at him and smile, but she did not greet him back. 'Are you busy? It seems you have a lot of patients," Joshua said. 'We were about to get some coffee." Carla looked at the direction where the nurse went. 'Oh…" Joshua followed her gaze. 'I wanna talk to you." '…We can talk." Joshua looked at her. 'I'm on break now, so we can talk," Carla explained. Joshua felt relieved. But it was short lived, because upon realizing that he'll be talking to Carla, he felt nervous again. 'Let's… go?" asked Carla. 'Huh?" 'I don't think we can talk here." 'Oh, yeah." They are outside the ER, and a lot of people are passing by. Actually, some of them are already looking at them, particularly at him. 'So, where can we talk?" he asked. 'I know a place. Follow me." Joshua followed Carla to wherever she will take him.