But I never imagined that the person who placed the order would be Eric.
And just like that, I bumped into him after two years apart.
As the hot water enveloped me, Eric's face wouldn't leave my mind, and neither would the fact that he was now married.
After my shower, the doorbell rang.
A hotel staff member handed me a pack of cold medicine and a cup of warm milk.
I looked at him, puzzled.
He bowed his head slightly and said it was from the hotel manager.
I placed the milk on the table and sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, knees drawn to my chest.
The sky was heavy with clouds, the rain relentless.
I remembered the years I had spent with Eric.
I had always been frail and prone to illness, and every time I got caught in the rain, I'd come down with a fever.
During the rainy season, Eric always carried an umbrella for me.
When it rained, he would personally brew warm milk for me, making sure I drank it to warm up.
I hated the taste of milk, so he'd bring loads of sickly sweet candies to make up for it.
After we broke up, I couldn't drink warm milk anymore.
The kind from outside was always too bitter, too spicy.
Just then, a message from my best friend came through.
"Hey, remember to take some cold medicine in this rain. We'll hang out tomorrow!"
I replied with a simple "okay."
For a second, I almost thought Eric had sent it.
I laughed at myself, but the sadness wouldn't go away.
Tonight, I probably won't sleep again.
With dark circles under my eyes, I arrived at the bar my best friend had reserved.
It was a pre-wedding party, and she had invited a lot of friends, most of whom I didn't know.
When she saw me, she waved excitedly.
"You look sick, are you okay?"
She asked me.
I nodded and pulled my coat tighter.
She squeezed my hand and then nodded towards someone in the distance.
Following her gaze, my heart skipped a beat.
It was Eric.
"Looks like a business party. Have you contacted him since you got back?"
She asked. I shook my head.
Sensing my lack of interest, she dropped the subject.
As the music shifted, the bar's atmosphere hit its peak.
The already dim lights grew even darker, leaving only a few beams focused on the stage.
I finally mustered the courage to glance at Eric, but once I did, I couldn't look away.
He was sitting alone in a shadowy corner, with a few flirtatious women occasionally leaning in to whisper to him.