It must have been for sometime that the nurse had been addressing her before she finally heard her soft but insistent voice. She looked up from the files she had been reading which she haven't really understood for her mind was somewhere else, and saw the worried expression on the nurse's face.

"Are you, alright, Dr. Waincroft?" she asked her eyes filled with concern.

"Yes, of course. I must have been deep in thought. What was it?" replied Malia, trying to shrug it off.

It took some strength not to fall into pieces, especially when one asked how you were at the exact moment you were in an emotional turmoil because things were not okay. But she wasn't one to show weakness on her face and so she faced the nurse with her usual smile and well-natured disposition.

"Dr. McPherson just phoned. He asked to see you in his room," said the nurse.

"I'll be there in a minute," said Malia.

She sighed and looked out the window. It was almost sundown. The clock indicated 5:00pm. Another day was over but she hadn't finished a single case file on her desk. She was flipping the patients' cases over and over but not a single thing went through her head. She was concerned about Chin. He had been avoiding her for days, and Kono informed her how irascible and inconsolable he was.

All Malia wanted was to embrace him and take away his pain. Let him know he wasn't alone. If only he would let her.

She arranged the files once again in alphabetical order and shut down her computer. I wonder what Dr. Mc Pherson wanted, she thought. She hoped it wasn't anything important that could not be put off to another day because god knows how much she had on her hands now that she couldn't even give enough attention to because of her personal problem.

"Edward, what is it?" she asked as she entered his private office.

The pediatrician smiled and handed her a new file.

"I would like to refer this little boy, the son of my friend. We ran a few tests and there was an indication that he might be hemophilic. I'm turning his files to you. I know you're one of the best pediatric oncologists."

"I'll study his case tomorrow. When will I expect to see him in the clinic?"

"Is your schedule free on Tues.. what's the matter, Malia? Are you alright?" asked her fellow doctor.

He saw her steady herself on the nearby table as though she was suddenly dizzy.

Malia forced a smile. "I'm fine. It was just a long day. Tues it is. Let's say around 2:00. I better go now and rest this headache."

"Would you like me to drive you home? I can take the bus after and come back for my car," offered the doctor.

"Thank you. But I can manage to drive," she insisted.

For a moment she sat on her car just thinking of Chin, composing herself, trying to fight off the dizziness that threatened to overcome her again. Before she started her car's engine, she tried Chin's cellphone for the nth time still no answer. He must be busy with a case, she surmised as she drove cautiously back home.

After she took a leisure bath and changed into her Victoria Secret pajamas. She climbed comfortably into bed without eating supper. She didn't want another nausea attack and decided to kept trying Chin's phone until he picked up. Snuggled warmly in bed, she could go on forever calling his phone. She kept trying every fifteen minutes for the next two hours but to no avail.

She found herself bursting into tears as she hugged her pillow, cellphone still in hand.

Chin, please pick up. Please don't push me away. Not now, not when I need you.

After a shallow, restless sleep of a few hours, she tried again, and again until she fell asleep crying her heart out.

She woke up at the first crack of dawn. She must try to catch Chin before he left the house. He'd been avoiding her the last few days. She knew he was going through a lot lately due to the internal affairs investigation in his case. She knew he was hurting, he was down and devastated but she had news that she knew could wipe out all the heavy burden he'd been carrying.

She was anxious, but a little excited as well. She knew how much Chin loved her, and how special things were between them. She was certain he would take her news as the light at the end of the tunnel he was going through, the silver lining behind the dark cloud he was experiencing. She could hardly wait to see his dark almond-shaped eyes light up a thousand watts in her good news.

It was a new day, a new hope. And she must push away the fears, and the sorrow that clouded her heart last night. She touched her flat stomach to caress the life she and Chin created.

Don't worry, darling. We're off to see daddy and everything will be alright.