Chapter 16 - Running Out Of Excuses

Andrea took Ludwina to her physiotherapy session every Saturday in RSCM hospital. Every time they came, the therapists' strange expressions did not bother Ludwina. In fact, she couldn't care less. Andrea, who was convinced that Ludwina had not really sprained her ankle, enjoyed her acting in amusement.

His face was dying to look serious while carrying Ludwina down from the car into the therapy room. When the girl was helped by the therapist to 'treat' her legs, Andrea would sit in a corner, reading a book.

Occasionally, he would glance from behind his book and see Ludwina following the therapist's instruction. Andrea's smile while reading his book made him look even more handsome, and Ludwina could never concentrate on her therapy.

After the session, Andrea would carry her back to the car and check her progress.

"My leg still hurts .." Ludwina pouted, "Ugh, this is so annoying. I can't do anything fun. I really want to watch The Great Gatsby at the cinema ... I've been waiting for the release since forever. It's adapted from one of my favorite books!"

Andrea didn't know how he should respond to that. He guessed Ludwina was looking for an excuse for him to take her to watch a movie together.

Actually, he was happy to go with Ludwina to the cinema. She wouldn't even need to pretend to have a sprained ankle. But unfortunately, Andrea still remembered his past experience when he was in a relationship with Adeline, which ended in a broken heart for him.

He did not want to risk getting hurt one more time if he fell in love with a girl from a wealthy background.

"Let's just eat ice cream ..." Andrea finally said as if he didn't hear Ludwina's complaint. He walked to the nearest minimarket and bought two Magnum ice cream. One for Ludwina, and one for himself.

Ludwina ate the ice given to her with a frown. "Ugh .. the movie is awesome... sobs."

They returned to Ludwina's house without saying anything more.

The following Saturdays, Andrea went back to take Ludwina to the hospital for her second and third physiotherapy sessions. Ludwina had stopped complaining about the Great Gatsby movie that she couldn't watch because she couldn't walk.

She knew her actions were futile because it seemed like Andrea wasn't interested in taking her to the movie. The man only came to carry out his responsibilities to take Ludwina to physiotherapy until she was completely healed. And now, the task was almost done.

***

Today was the last physiotherapy, and Ludwina was already able to walk even though she was still had to (pretend to) do it slowly

Jeez, you have top-notch acting, Little Brat ... Andrea muttered inwardly as he looked at the pouting girl walking while holding his hand.

"Wait here, I'll buy ice cream for us," said Andrea before they got into the car.

Ludwina nodded slightly. Her eyes followed Andrea into the minimarket. Her face was despondent. A few minutes later, the young man came out with two Magnum ice cream as usual.

Their Saturday ritual was finally coming to an end, and Ludwina had no more excuse to see Andrea. Her chest felt so tight.

"Here's the ice cream." Andrea opened a packet of ice cream and handed it to Ludwina, then enjoyed his own ice cream.

"Thank you," Ludwina answered. They then ate the ice cream in silence.

Andrea opened his cellphone and explored Google while waiting for Ludwina, who was eating her ice cream very slowly, almost like a sloth. Suddenly, the man made an impulsive decision.

"Great Gatsby is still playing in 21 Cinema in Blok M. Do you still want to watch it?" he asked her quickly. Andrea showed the cinema schedule on his cellphone to Ludwina.

The girl was stunned. She did not expect that on the last day of their meeting, Andrea would finally fulfill her request. She nodded vigorously and hurriedly finished her ice cream.

"Yes ... I want it! I want it ... !!!"

"Yikes... don't eat it in a hurry. You might choke on your ice cream, and I'll be the one getting the blame," Andrea exclaimed quickly as he helped pat Ludwina's back when the girl started coughing violently. "See?"

Inwardly, Andrea felt that it was okay for him to take Ludwina to a movie. After all, they would never meet again. He could consider this his parting gift. Her legs had healed, there was no more physiotherapy scheduled, so they would have no more reason to meet.

He hoped to end their encounter with sweet memories. After this, they would continue with their own lives and move on.

Andrea had received a job interview from a UK-based IT company with a branch office in Singapore. Next Monday, he would fly to Singapore. If he aced the interview, he would move to Singapore.

Really, after this, there was no more reason to meet Ludwina.

The girl looked delighted when she entered the cinema and watched The Great Gatsby. She kept telling Andrea how The Great Gatsby novel was one of her favorites, and she was very satisfied with the movie adaptation.

She incessantly praised Leonardo Di Caprio's acting. She said that Gatsby, who was handsome, rich, and mysterious, was every woman's ideal guy.

Even though he was really annoyed when he heard it, Andrea could not be angry. No man liked hearing a girl blabbering about another man, even though he was only a fictional character. But, since this was the last day he could meet this adorable girl, Andrea could only nod from time to time.

After the movie, they returned to Ludwina's home. It was a quiet journey as they both were thinking about how it was their last meeting, and now they had run out of excuses to meet.

"Thank you for accompanying me to therapy. You have no more obligation to me whatsoever ... Also, thank you for taking me to watch The Great Gatsby ... It means a lot to me," said Ludwina softly as she got out of the car.

Andrea nodded.

"You're welcome. Good luck with your novel. I'll look for it in the bookstore," Andrea replied with a smile. "Bye, Ludwina ..."

"Bye, Andrea ..."

Andrea made sure that Ludwina entered the house safe and sound before he went out of the gate and hailed a taxi.

In the cab, Andrea wrung his fingers nervously. He knew there was no way he could meet the cute girl again. This was the end of their journey.

He sighed, and his expression turned murky.