Seven Days Before The End

Day Two: The Turning Point

The waiter hesitated, a frown flickering across his face. "Miss, is everything okay?"

Hian blinked, as if pulled from a distant thought. She gave a soft nod. "I'm fine."

"If you’re uncomfortable, I can call for a female staff member," the waiter offered gently.

Hian smiled faintly, shaking her head. "It’s okay," she whispered.

The waiter nodded, placed her coffee before her, and left.

Silence settled around her as she stared out the window, the steady fall of rain painting the glass with trails of water. The rhythmic tapping of raindrops against the window became a soft melody, filling the otherwise quiet room.

Her mind drifted back to a time when she used to sit in her wheelchair, gazing longingly at the rain, wishing she could step outside and feel it against her skin. But now, those memories only served to remind her of what she couldn’t do.

A familiar voice, breaking the stillness, pulled her from her thoughts.

"Aha! So, you’re here."

Hian turned slightly, her heart lifting at the sight of Arya. He stood behind her, hands on his hips, pretending to be winded from a long search.

"I’ve been looking for you on the second and third floors. Finally found you."

She offered him a small smile. "Did you need something?"

"Not really," Arya shrugged, a grin spreading across his face. "I just remembered… you once told me you wanted to go outside in the rain. Back then, I was too busy, but if you don’t mind… let’s go now."

Hian hesitated, her fingers tightening slightly around the handles of her wheelchair. "But my condition isn’t—"

"Don’t worry about the doctors and nurses," Arya interrupted, his voice light and teasing. "We’ll be back before they even notice. I know a way out through the hospital’s back door."

She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, Arya had already grabbed the handles of her wheelchair, his determination firm.

"We’re going, whether you like it or not," he said with a laugh.

---

They made their way to the back door, the rain now pouring down in sheets. Arya fumbled with the umbrella before finally opening it, a victorious grin on his face.

"Alright," he said. "Let’s go."

The rain whispered against the fabric of the umbrella, a soothing, soft patter that matched the quickened pace of Hian’s heartbeat. For a moment, she forgot about the world that trapped her. As they walked, she slowly extended her hand, feeling the raindrops dance against her skin.

A smile tugged at her lips. "It feels… nice," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rain.

"See?" Arya’s chuckle was light, almost teasing. "I told you."

Hian closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in the fresh, rain-soaked air. "Thank you so much."

Arya shrugged nonchalantly. "No need to thank me. We’re friends, right? And as you said before—no thanks or sorry between friends."

She couldn’t help but chuckle. "Oh… sorry, I forgot."

Arya rolled his eyes. "Again?"

She laughed, her voice full of life, a sound she hadn’t heard in a long time. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt truly happy.

---

RING!

The sharp sound of the phone broke the spell.

Hian blinked, the rain, the umbrella, and Arya all vanishing in an instant. She found herself back in the café, sitting at her table as if nothing had changed.

Her phone buzzed, vibrating on the table, pulling her from the brief, vivid memory.

Hesitantly, she picked it up. "Hello?"

"Honey, where are you?" her mother’s voice crackled through.

"I’m at a café near the hospital, Mom."

"You didn’t take an umbrella with you. Stay there until the rain stops. Your brother and I are heading out, so don’t wait for us. I left the keys with Syria Aunty, okay?"

"Okay, Mom."

"Take care, honey. Bye."

"Bye, Mom."

She set the phone down with a sigh, feeling the weight of the conversation linger in the air.

Taking a sip of her coffee, she closed her eyes for a moment, letting the warmth of the cup comfort her. The rich aroma filled her senses, helping to quiet the storm within her. Slowly, she opened her book and began to read, the words pulling her into another world—one where the rain and her memories couldn’t reach her.

She continued reading from where she left off.

Arya sat in the café, staring outside at the heavy rain. For a moment, he thought, Why, God?

You’ve already taken everything from me. Now you want my life too?

He knew there would be no answer. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to push those thoughts away. Let’s forget that, he told himself. He acted like nothing had happened, like it was just another ordinary day.

He got up, picked up his milk coffee, and walked to the counter to pay his bill. Then, stepping outside, he didn’t bother opening his umbrella. Instead, he walked straight into the rain.

And then—he ran.

For the first time in a long while, he felt happy. When his parents were alive, they used to play in the rain together. And now, every raindrop felt like a part of them, like they were still with him.

This moment… this is the best moment of my life.

She turned the page.

Day 2

A week later, I was inside a general store, working my part-time job.

A customer approached me.

"Do you have any blue cold drinks?"

I checked the shelves and shook my head.

"Sorry, sir, but it's sold out."

"When will it be restocked?" he asked.

"In about two days, sir. It's in high demand, so our stock ran out quickly."

The customer sighed but nodded before heading out.

"Thank you for visiting. Please come again," I said politely.

Just as I turned around, my phone vibrated in my pocket. When I pulled it out, I saw the caller ID—Doctor.

I answered.

"Hello, doctor. Is there a problem?"

"I spoke with the senior doctor, and we've made a decision," he said.

"What decision?" I asked, feeling a strange tension in my chest.

"I can’t explain everything over the phone. Come to the hospital."

"But I’m at work right now

"Just come. It’s important."

His tone left no room for argument. I sighed and put my phone back in my pocket before turning to my boss, who was sitting at the front counter.

Sir, can I take a half-day? I need to go to the hospital.

My boss knew about my health condition. He was a kind man.

"Don't worry, Arya. Go ahead, I'll handle the store."

I nodded in gratitude and stepped outside.

At the Hospital

After a short walk, I reached the hospital. As I entered, a nurse at the reception stopped me.

"The doctors are in a meeting right now. Please wait for a few minutes," she said.

"If it's going to take long, I can come back later," I replied.

"The meeting will end soon. Just wait a little while."

I sighed and sat on a chair outside the doctor's office. While waiting, I heard voices from inside.

Just then, the door opened.

A girl in a wheelchair came out, pushed by her mother.

It was her—the girl I had seen before.

The moment our eyes met, my heart pounded. Faster and faster.

I had never felt like this before.

What is this feeling?

Why does it feel like my mind is out of control when she’s around?

Am I… in love?

---

Inside the Doctor’s Office

"Arya, sit down and stay calm. I need to tell you something important," the doctor said.

I sat down, but my mind was elsewhere.

Love…?

Why was I thinking about her so much?

"Arya?"

I blinked. The doctor was staring at me.

"Are you even listening?"

"Ah—yes, doctor. Sorry."

He sighed. "We’ve decided to take the risk. Your treatment will start today. You'll need to be admitted to the hospital so we can monitor you closely."

I nodded absentmindedly, still lost in my thoughts.

"Don’t worry about the fees," he continued.

"I have money," I muttered.

"We’ve already submitted the necessary forms. Just focus on your treatment."

I barely registered his words. I stood up and left the office in a daze.

The nurse was waiting for me outside, but I walked right past her without noticing.

"Arya! Where are you going?" she called out.

I stopped and turned back.

"Are you okay? You seem distracted," she said.

"No, I'm fine. Sorry, I just… didn't notice you."

She handed me a key and a paper with my room number.

"You're in Room 7 on the second floor. You can get your uniform from the locker room. If you need anything, let me know."

"Thank you," I said quietly.

As I walked toward my room, my heart still raced from that brief moment with her.

What is this feeling…?

I opened the door to my hospital room, still lost in thoughts about her.

Then, I heard a voice.

A voice I had heard somewhere before.

Curious, I stepped toward the source of the sound and opened the door slightly.

There she was.

She was in the room next to mine—Room 8.

Is this a coincidence?

I didn’t believe in fate, but what were the chances?

Just moments ago, I had only seen her in passing, and now she was right next to me. My heart pounded again.

I quickly closed my door.

What is this feeling?

Could I go and talk to her? No—her mother was there. If she saw me, she’d probably think I was some weirdo and kick me out.

Then suddenly, a realization hit me.

I can’t let myself feel this way.

I don’t have much time. I shouldn’t get attached. I should forget about her.

I grabbed my jacket and walked out of the room.

Leaving the Hospital

The nurse at the reception stopped me.

"Where are you going now?"

"Home," I replied.

"Huh? But the doctor told you that you can’t leave."

"Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon. I just left something at home—I need to bring it here."

The nurse sighed. "Alright, but come back quickly."

I nodded and stepped outside the hospital.

As I walked down the side road, my mind kept drifting back to her.

I tried to forget.

I told myself it didn’t matter.

But no matter how hard I tried, my heart refused to listen.

I had seen many girls before, but this feeling I had never experienced it before.

I had no friends to share these emotions with.

Ever since childhood, I was always alone.

I remembered how, whenever I tried to play with the other kids, they would leave. Their parents would take them away, whispering,

"If you play with that boy, you’ll suffer like him."

At first, it hurt. But over time, I convinced myself that loneliness was normal for me.

But now… something feels different.

I wasn’t supposed to feel this way.

Was this just an attraction? A temporary illusion?

No. Love wasn’t meant for someone like me.

I reached home and packed my things—a bag, some clothes, and a few necessities.

Then I sat down by the door, slipping on my shoes.

Before stepping out, I turned back to look inside the house.

Will this be the last time I see this place?

I don’t know if I’ll return or not.

But then again… does it even matter?

No one is waiting for me.

This house was empty before.

And after I die, it will still be empty.

With that thought, I stepped outside and walked back to the hospital.

It was evening when I reached my room. Just as I was about to enter, I saw her—outside her room, sitting in a wheelchair. She was alone. Her mother wasn’t there.