An Apparition

I am running. Gasping for breath. This isn't meant for me. It hasn't even been a minute and I have caught a stitch on my right side. 'Slow down, rookie' screams my mind. My legs are only too happy to obey. Jogging is even more painful. My body cannot keep up the pace. It's excruciating. Thankfully, there's an empty seat on the sidewalk. Here I come. Oh, the relief! 

How long have I been sitting on this bench? I squint up to the sunlight streaking through the canopy of leaves. Had I passed out? To my intense embarrassment, there's a guy smiling down at me and looking concerned at the same time. I could tell he had stopped as he was going on about his usual routine. 

"Are you okay?" the stranger asked.

I blinked. He was intimidatingly good looking. Tall, lanky and strong at the same time, dark curly hair and a smile enough to warm an icy blade. I try to recollect my senses and hurry to reply. 

"Yes. I think so." And please leave me alone I add mentally. To my horror he sat next to me. 

"Here, please drink some water" he said handling me his water bottle. I took it gratefully and drank to my heart's content. 

"Thank you" I said. 

"Are you sure you're okay? You looked as if you had dozed off a minute ago" he said. 

"I feel better now, thanks to you. It must have been the heat" I said getting up. My legs were wobbly and my head was light. Okay. It was a stupid idea to get some exercise before having had anything to eat. 

"Where do you live? I can give you a ride back home." he said.

"Oh no, it's okay. I can walk. It's just a matter of five minutes from this park. Thanks for the offer though."

"Okay, suit yourself. But I insist that you get something to eat before you take another step. Wait a second. I'll be right back."

I unconsciously drop down on the seat and close my eyes once more. I try hard not to whimper from the weakness. I'm all sweaty. Too sweaty. I can sense my arms trembling slightly. 

"Eat this, Noe"

I jerk my eyes open. I see Dan holding a McDonalds burger towards me. Dan? My good friend, Dan? What the hell is going on?

"What happened? Where is that guy?" I asked, a bit flustered.

"What guy, Noe? You had passed out in the middle of running. We are at the park, do you see? You okay?" Dan asked, trying his best not to sound too worried.

Oh yes. I remember now. Dan and I had come to the park for a run. 

 "I guess. I will be soon." 

"Here, eat this. It was a bad idea to try running for the first time on an empty stomach, eh? I'm sorry, Noe", Dan said.

"Thank you, Dan. Don't worry about it. " I said, mentally freaking out. Had I dreamed about the stranger?