Behind Her Smile — Episode 7: A Name She Couldn't Forget
247 Words
Elena stood frozen beside the bed.
Her eyes stayed locked on the patient file in her hands.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Maybe if she kept reading it, the name would change.
But it didn’t.
The bracelet around the patient’s wrist had the same name written on it:
Daniel.
Elena slowly stepped back.
Years ago, before nursing school, before endless shifts and sleepless nights, before life became a routine of responsibilities there had been someone with that name.
Someone who used to wait for her after classes.
Someone who used to tell terrible jokes just to hear her laugh.
Someone who promised:
"No matter how busy life gets, don't disappear on me."
And eventually...
Elena had disappeared.
Not because she wanted to.
Life happened too fast.
Responsibilities grew heavier.
Calls became shorter.
Messages became fewer.
And one day, silence replaced everything.
She stared at the unconscious patient.
"No..." she whispered again.
It couldn't be him.
Could it?
Her hands trembled slightly as she looked back at the chart.
Age.
Date of birth.
Everything matched.
Her heartbeat became louder.
The room suddenly felt too small.
Just then, the patient moved.
Very slightly.
Elena froze.
His fingers twitched.
Then again.
Her eyes widened.
Slowly...
Very slowly...
His eyes began to open.
He blinked once.
Twice.
His vision unfocused at first.
Then it landed on her.
He stared.
Elena stared back.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
Then, in a weak voice barely above a whisper, he said:
"...Elena?"
- Writer
