Day Two (Part 2) Awakening Hope
1508 Words
As I stepped forward, my heart pounded fast. But the moment I stepped back toward my room, it returned to normal. Again and again.
I slapped my cheeks lightly. What’s wrong with me?
I didn’t know if she noticed me, but just as I reached for my door handle, she called out.
"Hello… can you help me?"
My heart was telling me to leave, but my mind stopped me. She called again. This time, I had no choice.
I walked toward her. She smiled slightly and asked, "Can you help me get inside? The floor is a little higher. They said they’ll fix it soon."
I hesitated. My hands were shaking. I took a deep breath, calmed myself, and said, "Okay."
But my mind and my face weren’t in sync.
I grabbed her wheelchair and carefully lifted it over the small step. The moment I stepped into her room, I felt different. Like I had entered another world—warm, peaceful, and strangely comforting.
I couldn't believe myself.
She thanked me, and I quickly left, entering my own room. Sitting on my bed, I let out a deep sigh.
If I had met her before, I would have told her I love her. But now… that’s impossible.
I suddenly realized—Wait… What an i***t I am!
I helped her, I talked to her, but… I didn’t even ask her name!
Later that evening, a nurse came into my room.
"It’s time for dinner. You can come to the canteen if you like."
I nodded.
At the canteen, as I entered the hall, my eyes widened. She’s here.
Why? I thought she could eat in her room. Then I noticed—her mother and little brother were with her.
I quickly took my food and sat at the farthest table, eating fast. I couldn’t sit near her. I just couldn’t.
After finishing my meal, I rushed back to my room.
Just as I was about to fall asleep, someone knocked on the door. It creaked open, and the doctor and a nurse stepped inside.
"Are you okay?" the doctor asked.
"I'm fine, Doctor," I replied.
"Have you taken the medicine we gave you?" he asked.
"Yes," I answered.
"Good. Starting tomorrow, we'll begin your treatment. Don't worry about anything. If you need anything, just let the nurse know," the doctor said reassuringly.
He then turned to the nurse. "Did you prepare the report?"
"Yes, Doctor," the nurse responded, handing over the report.
The doctor looked it over and nodded. "Make sure another report is ready tomorrow."
"Understood," the nurse said.
"Alright. For now, you can rest and sleep. We'll see you tomorrow," the doctor said, giving me one last reassuring smile.
The doctor and nurse left, closing the door gently behind them.
The next morning, I stepped outside my door and—she was there again.
No one else was around.
She sat quietly, looking outside from the second floor. I stood beside her, pretending to do the same. My mind screamed at me—ASK HER NAME!
I opened my mouth.
I looked at her.
I looked away.
When I finally turned back—she was gone.
I hesitated too much.
Then, suddenly, her voice came from behind.
"Are you searching for something?"
I turned. She was smiling at me.
"N-No… nothing," I stammered.
She giggled. "Thanks for helping me yesterday."
"No problem."
Then she surprised me.
"You’re Arya, right?"
I froze. She asked for my name before I could ask for hers.
"Y-Yeah…" I nodded.
But how do you know my name?
She smiled slightly. "I overheard the nurse calling you when you were being taken in earlier.
Have we met before? she asked.
I hesitated, then shook my head. "No… but I’ve seen you before."
My heart pounded faster than ever. I couldn’t believe she was actually talking to me.
Just then, her mother appeared at the doorway.
"Hina, it’s time for your medicine, honey."
Hina nodded and wheeled herself into the room. The floor had already been fixed—she no longer needed help.
Just as she was about to disappear inside, I finally spoke up.
"Wait!" Your Name
She paused but didn’t turn around.
For a moment, I thought she didn’t hear me.
Then, just as she reached her door, she turned her head slightly.
"Hina."
She smiled.
And then she was gone.
"I can't say what I felt at that time."
The cafe door suddenly swung open.
A young man in casual clothes entered, looking around. His eyes scanned the room until they landed on Hina.
"Are you there?" he asked, but she didn’t respond. She was too deeply engrossed in her book.
He stepped forward and stood in front of her. "Hina… are you okay? Why aren’t you replying?"
Hina flinched, snapping out of her deep focus. She blinked, realizing she was back in the café. Across from her, the young man had already taken a seat.
"Why didn’t you answer my calls? I tried so many times, but you didn’t pick up. So, I came here… I knew you’d be here."
She glanced at her phone—several missed calls.
"I was reading notes, so I didn’t notice…"
The young man leaned forward, noticing the notebook in her hands. "Whose notebook is that?"
She hesitated before answering. "Arya’s."
His eyes widened. "What?! Arya?!" His voice was loud enough to catch attention.
A waiter approached. "Is there a problem, sir?"
The young man shook his head. "No, nothing."
"Would you like to order something?" the waiter asked.
"One cold coffee."
"Anything else?"
"No, thanks."
As the waiter walked away, the young man turned back to Hina. "What are you doing?"
Hina closed the notebook slightly. "I want to know… what’s written in here."
"Any secret messages?" he teased.
She shook her head. "It’s his story."
"His story?" His tone became more serious. "Whose?"
She exhaled. "Arya’s."
The young man leaned back, crossing his arms confidently. "I know him. I bet he wrote about me on the first page!"
Hina smirked. "No."
His expression fell. "Then… who?"
She rolled her eyes. "You i***t. He wrote about himself."
The young man blinked in realization. "Oh…"
"Can you tell me the story? I want to listen!" the boy said, his voice a little louder in excitement.
Hina sighed. "No choice, then. Okay. But remember, don’t interrupt in the middle of the story."
"Okay!" he nodded eagerly.
Hina took a deep breath and began reading from where she had left off.
Arya stood outside his hospital room when he noticed a crowd gathering near Room 6. Curious, he stopped a passing nurse.
"What’s going on?" he asked.
"They're preparing the room and making it better," the nurse replied.
"Why?"
"Because the owner of this hospital’s son has just been admitted. They’re upgrading the room for him. Look, he’s over there."
The nurse walked away, and Arya turned to see his old hospital room now looking like a five-star hotel suite.
A boy approached him, radiating arrogance. "Hey, you need something?"
"Nothing," Arya replied.
"Then why are you standing in front of my room?" the boy scoffed. "I don’t talk to people like you."
Before Arya could respond, the boy’s attendant shoved him aside, and the door slammed shut.
A nurse rushed over. "Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"
"I’m fine," Arya muttered.
She sighed. "Sorry, I forgot to warn you. He’s a rich kid… full of ego. Just don’t go near him. He doesn’t like other people."
"I don’t need to know his name," Arya cut her off. "I was just wondering who was next to my room."
Without another word, he walked to the hospital canteen.
He grabbed his breakfast and sat down at a table. Just as he picked up his spoon, a wheelchair rolled up in front of him.
It was Hina.
His hand trembled, and the spoon slipped from his fingers.
"What’s wrong? Are you okay?" she asked, concerned.
"I-I’m fine," Arya replied, but his heart pounded wildly in his chest.
Hina sighed. "I saw what happened back there. He’s always like that. Did he hurt you?"
Arya shook his head, trying to regain his composure. "I’m okay."
Suddenly, Hina’s mother appeared. "There you are, honey."
Her eyes landed on Arya, and for some reason, he felt nervous.
"Who is he?" she asked.
Arya hesitated, unsure of what Hina would say.
Then, to his surprise, she smiled. "Mom, he helped me yesterday. He’s a nice person. I made him my friend since I don’t have any friends here."
Arya’s eyes widened. Friend.
For the first time in his life, someone called him that.
A warmth spread through his chest, a feeling even stronger than before.
Hina’s mother turned to him. "What’s your name?"
"Arya," he answered.
"What happened to you?" she asked.
He stiffened. The doctor had told him not to reveal his real condition.
"Just some fever and minor health issues," he lied.
Then, she asked a question that sent a chill down his spine.
"Where are your parents?"
- Writer
