Chapter Two

You must be pitying me by now. I would, too, if I were you. Just look how bad I've been through. But there's hope, right?

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Knocks on my door broke off my stare into space. My doctor entered with a man behind him. He smiled at me. “How are you feeling?”

I didn't answer him. I closed my eyes, instead.

“Until when are you gonna be like this?”

I heard him sigh.

“You gotta move on, okay?”

Move on, your face. As if I didn't know that everyone was still talking behind me, even other patients.

“Austin… are you sure you can handle her?”

That Austin must be my new nurse. After two months, a nurse chose to take care of me. Does that make sense?

“Yes, Dr.”

I opened my eyes when I heard the sound of the door opening and shutting.

“Hi.”

My heart almost jumped out of my chest when I heard his voice. I looked in his direction. “Why are you still here?”

“Your doctor told me to look after you. 24/7.”

My eyes turned big, mouth agape with incredulity.

“What did you just say?”

“I said…” He smiled. “You may sleep now. You take your medicine when you wake up. Is that okay?”

“I don't need anti-depressants.” I said firmly.

“I don't need money, but I still have to work.”

Unbelievable.

I glanced at him. “How could you say that in this kind of situation? I look weak, but do I look poor?”

“See? You didn't get what I mean and judged my statement inappropriately.”

“Taking anti-depressant, which makes me sleep after I sleep?” I scoffed. I want to change my nurse already.”

He didn't answer or do anything.

I scorned. “So, how should I judge your statement, then?”

“I'm meaning to say that things you actually have to do could be different from the things you believe you need. My family is rich enough. Why should I work? Ah! Because I have to! For self-improvement.” He said while walking around my bed. “And… why should you take your medicine? You believe you don't need it, but it could improve your situation. It balances your mood and emotions.”

He stopped walking and stared at me… more like studying me. I felt a bit withdrawn, but didn't show it. I didn't say a word.

He sighed. “You're so tough.” He chuckled.

“I got it. I'll sleep then.” I finally answered.

“Thanks. We'll be working together from now on. Please be good to me.” He smiled rascally.

“Correction. You'll be working for me. It's not 'working together'. Got it?”

“Okay, got it!”

With that, I fell asleep.

After some while…

“Where is that cocky lady?”

“Ma'am, let's calm down.”

“How dare she did that to my daughter?”

A ruckus woke me up from my deep sleep.

I rose to see what was going on.

“You!”

A lady forced a way through the clustered nurses, then grabbed my hair roughly that I almost fell from my bed.

I saw the nurses pulling the lady away from me. They looked anxious and weary. Some of them were already shouting and asking for help. I saw one who had scratches on her arm because of the lady.

But me? I couldn't feel anything. I was just sitting here, being pulled by the lady, listening to what she had to say. I felt bad for not feeling hurt.

“She doesn't want to work here anymore because of you! How could you do it? What did she do wrong? You crazy brat!”

I was surprised when a built man grabbed the lady's hand away from my hair, then covered me with his arms.

After my father, no one has ever protected me like this before, not even my boyfriend… EX.

I remembered my father covering me like this when a ten-wheeler truck suddenly went through our lane, then crashed into our car completely.

I was in tears again. I kept on being tortured by these memories quietly.

They were able to pull the lady out of my room.

I was still stooping down when Austin knelt down in front of me, then asked anxiously, “Are you hurt?”

I shook my head.

“I'm sorry. I was just out to get you your medicine.”

I nodded. “Yeah. It's okay. Really.”

He looked convinced, but he let out a deep sigh. He stood up and sat down in the armchair near my bed. “Did you have a good nap?”

I nodded.

“So good that you had it until evening?” He chuckled.

I couldn't smile, even though I wanted to. I didn't know why.

All I know was… I felt light when he talked to me.

I was starting to believe there's still hope.