"Oh my god, Aaron! Are you okay?"
I heard Bella gasp and looming over me, looking concerned as I was lying on the ground, gasping for breath.
"I...can't...brea..." I tried to speak, but everything hurt. My throat was itchy, and I can feel rashes form on my skin. I was having an allergic reaction.
I heard more footsteps, and then someone lifted me up after a few moments. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my neck as if someone jabbed me with a needle.
I felt air coming back into my lungs. Slowly but surely. I could breathe again! My vision started to clear, and I saw many faces staring at me.
"What..."
"Shh...don't try to speak yet, son, you had a severe allergic reaction. I injected you with an EpiPen, but it'll take a few more minutes before the swelling of your tongue goes down. So just rest, okay?" he said, so I nodded.
"I will take you home, Aaron. You poor baby!" Bella cooed, and put my arm around her.
I rested my head on her chest. She smelled so good.
Someone helped me up, and I managed to get into my car. "I'll drive," Bella said. I nodded in agreement. I was still swollen and itchy, so there was no way I could drive.
"Anything I can do for you?" Bella asked when I settled into bed.
"No. Thank you for being here," I said quietly. I suddenly became thoughtful. What was up with this sudden attack? It had been years since I had an allergy attack, so why now?
"I wonder what the hell happened. I made sure to order a plain cheesecake. How did I get an allergic reaction?" I stared into space and asked.
"I don't know. Maybe there was something in your meal?" Bella suggested.
"I don't think so. The only thing I am allergic to is...."
STRAWBERRIES!
I paused at the realization.
"You ordered strawberry parfait, didn't you?" I asked Bella.
"Yeah...so?" she countered, suddenly looking nervous.
"I ordered chocolate cheesecake, so what if one of your strawberries got into my cake?" I said.
"WHAT! What are you saying? Why would I do such a thing?" Bella squealed.
Huh? What's with that reaction?
"Um, I wasn't saying you did anything silly. I meant, what if they accidentally dropped a piece of strawberries inside my cake. Why would you think I was accusing you?" I narrowed my eyes.
"Oh," she sighed. "Nevermind that. They must've done it by mistake. Are you going to sue them? I say you should sue them!" she suggested.
"Nah, it must've been an accident. I won't sue them for that," I said dismissively.
"Okay, good. I think I am gonna go now. I hope you are better in the morning. Bye Aaron!" she said quickly and started to get up, but I grabbed her arm.
"Wait! Don't go. Stay with me more. Please?" I said. I was still in pain and was in desperate need of comfort.
She looked at me intently then sat back down. She reached out and grazed my cheeks. Her cool hands felt amazing against my burning skin.
"You do love me, don't you?" she said quietly.
"Of course I do. Do you think I just carelessly throw that word around? I am not that kind of guy, Freckles," I said and kissed her hand.
She laid down next to me. "What if I am not who you thought I was. Would you still love me then?" she asked.
What kind of question is that?
"I am sure I will still love you. Why are you asking me weird questions?" I asked.
"It's not weird...just asking hypothetically," she said and trailed her finger on my chest.
"Anyway...the medication they gave me is making me sleepy, so I am going to shut my eyes. Will you stay until I fall asleep?" I asked.
"Yes. I am not going anywhere," she said.
I closed my eyes and eventually drifted into sleep.
I woke up in my bed alone. Bella was already gone. My rashes were already fading, and my swelling went down. I guess the allergy wasn't too severe. I decided to call the restaurant and give them a piece of my mind.
"Sir, there was no way a strawberry could've gotten inside your cake. We were very careful about that," the restaurant manager told me on the other line.
"Well, clearly you were not careful enough, or I wouldn't have had a medical emergency," I said irritably.
"Our staff handle food very carefully. Besides, you told us about your allergy, so we were extra cautious," he insisted.
True. Restaurants aren't usually this careless, especially when they are informed about an allergic customer.
I hung up the phone. There was no point in arguing with that guy. A thought occurred to me. What if Bella somehow put a piece of strawberry in my cake when I wasn't looking?
I immediately laughed at my own ridiculous thought. Why would she do that? She is my girlfriend, not my enemy.
The doorbell rang before I could ponder any farther.
"AARON! You poor baby! Are you okay?" Jane yelled as soon as I opened the door and threw her arms around me. Jake stood behind her with a worried expression on his face.
"Damn, the news travels fast around here," I laughed.
"Bella called us and told us. How are you?" Jake asked.
"I lived. Nice of you guys to worry," I said genuinely. I truly appreciate them.
"Thank god," Jane exhaled.
The three of us hung out for a while. Then it was time for them to leave. "Oh, by the way, Jake and I decided to have a wedding next month."
"And I want you to be my Best man," Jake said.
"That's great! Congratulations," I hugged him.
"I asked Bella to be one of my Bridesmaids, so it'll be a lot of fun!" Jane said excitedly.
"I will be looking forward to it," I said.
It was about time these two get married, I thought. Maybe one day Bella and I...
"We are heading out now. Bye Aaron!" Jane spoke suddenly, interrupting my thought.