A Lie So Beautiful

31. University

Mia's Point of View

As soon as we saw the pond, all of us rush there and drink as much water as we can. And at that moment it seems like all our worries have vanished, and we all smile and laugh about looking at each other. It seems as though the pond itself was a blessing, the water were as clear as crystals and we can see the base of the pond very clearly. The water was as sweet as ever, it taste and the satisfaction we have after we drink the water can be compared to nothing in these world. It was just out of the world.

After we drank as much water as we can, we again turn towards the berries. With Julia supervision as she knows a lot about them. We select the one which is eatable and filled our stomach to the fullest.

That was the second day of us in the dark and cold forest which we know nothing about.

Its been a day since I prepare all that painting things for Justin. That night he drew me a beautiful eye which show pure happiness. Its seems whoever that was, was really really happy and is smiling.

After that dad come to pick me up on his way home from the hospital and I went with him. Justin actually said nothing to me, he promise nothing. He didn't actually said that he will paint again or neither he won't. But Iam more than okay with that, its enough for me that he don't throw all the stuff out.

From the start, my intention was to tell him that if painting is what he wanna do then he should do it, and forget about other things. He deserved it. But if he doesn't wanna do it yet and wont paint, then that's okay too. Its his life and he should follow his choice in comfort.

Anyway after we get home I made dinner with dad, ate and slept like always. And like that the next morning has come again, so right now Iam sitting in our dinning table eating breakfast with dad.

Mia: Oh, dad; Justin says I can take off my cast by tommorow.

As I said that he look at me in really? look. The trust this people have for me. But then again, I did try to get out of it quicker once by lying cause it itch too much. So I kinda understand where he is coming from.

Mia: That was a one time thing, Iam not lying.

When I said that he just chuckle.

Chris: Okay if he says so, then you should take it out.

As he said that I look at him with a bright eye and ask.

Mia: So when do I come back to work?

As I said that he just look at me in disbelieve.

Chris: Sweety you are a doctor, you should know better that after you take off the cast, you can't just move your hand freely in a day right?

I also prepared for this.

Mia: I say two days.

When I say that he look at me in 'you are kidding right'? look.

Chris: I say you wait a week.

Now this time, its my turn to look at him with "you are kidding right look?" Look.

Mia : Come on that's too long, three days? What say?

And once again I look at him expectantly which he so conveniently ignore.

Chris: I say no, heal perfectly first. If not they always caused problems later on.

I look at him with a puppy eye, literally pleading.

Chris:No.

Ughhh. This never work, I tell you puppy eyes or whatever cuteness there are in this world, those are jokes to my dad.

Mia: Come on dad, I swear I won't join in any surgery or hard things like that. Iam just so bored, so let me. Okay?

As I said that another shot down happen.

Chris: No.

And he stand up taking his cups and bowl making me do the same and follow him.

Mia: Please, pretty please.

He look at me for a while, so naturally I thought he was considering it. But boy was I wrong?

Chris: Ahh! Since you are so bored and wanna do work so much, I have find something perfect for you.

I look at him in suspicion, seeing that he is very against me working. This does not sound like a good thing but my curiosity won so I had to ask.

Mia: And that is?

Chris: There is a conference in your University and they ask for a doctor to give some speech. So why don't you do it?

When he say your University, he means the university I used to go to. I went to a university called Bridgewood, which is not a medical university, its mixed of many subject but it is quite famous for its medical department as well. But what speech?

Mia: What kind of speech?

Chris: Anything you can prepare, but mostly it will be them asking question and you answering.

I look at him speechless, how did he expect me to do that when he just tell me this now. Does he not know a small word called preparation.

Mia: I dont wanna, who was suppose to go anyway?

When I said that he look at me and smile cheekily, my dad can be cute too just saying. But I clearly know, what that smile means.

Mia: Dad? You forget to get anyone didn't you?

And as he smile more, I look at him in more suspicion.

Chris: My daughter really know me best, so why don't you do your dad a favour, Huh?

As he said that, I look at him terrified. That university is huge which means more people, which means more question which probably mean more danger for me.

Mia: No!! I didn't prepare anything, I'll probably know nothing at this point.

When I said that he does not seem convinced.

Chris: Oh you will be able to, you might not be the best in cooking or socialising or sports or even walking or..

What is this, list down Mia's flaws or something? Where is he going with this even?

Mia: Dad!!!!

As I literally yell, he got out of whatever he was thinking about.

Chris: Okay sorry, but my point is you may not be good at many things but you do know your books perfectly well so don't worry, you will be fine.

I look at him in disappointment, he could have just said that without all those above things. I was seriously offended by that not knowing how to walk thingy. But I can't deny, I broke or sprain my leg way too much. So cant really fight.

______________________________________

Right now, Iam in the university, yes dad won the battle in the morning. I don't know how or why but yes I did end up here.

I get out of the cab, and walk toward the gate while simultaneously calling Jace. He has not been picking my calls since last night. And I was worried with the thought that maybe Cane's mom's condition become more serious. This dude, after all the lecture he had gave to me on not answering phone, and now he do this. I hope everything is fine with him.

And yes before I came here I did went to his house to check on him, but he was not there so I conclude either he slept in the hospital or he goes out early. Maybe I should ask Justin if something happen with Cane's mom,by the way they are admitted in the hospital I work at. But again that might be rude to the patience's family, it not like I know them personally.

I should just wait for Jace to call me back.

As I was thinking this, I have entered the gate and was near the building now. Just as I was about to go the hall, I saw a very familiar face.

Principal Henny, he was the principal since our time, so I do know him very well actually. He is now in his 60's, a gentleman who have a soft feature looking welcoming and always dress in a well fitted tuxedo with a smile always intact on his face whenever someone talk to him. As I look at him now, suddenly I miss him more and more which is weird considering Iam meeting him now.

So I directly goes up to him while greeting him.

Mia: Hello sir, its been a while.

When I greet him, he look surprised for a while. But quickly his surprised look turn into a smiling one. And he quickly give me a hug.

Principal: Its has been such a long time, what a surprise?

Hmm maybe he doesn't know I was the one coming.

Principal: I never knew you would be the one coming. My students now all ready to give lecture, Iam proud.

As he said that and give me a playfull look I just laugh with him. He was like a father figure to me rather than a mentor. He guide me through all of my carrier choices. Unknowingly we just become close while I was studying here.

Mia: Its a pleasure to be here again.

I really hope I'll do well now, I mean look at the bright and proud smile of Mr. Henny, how can I let that down.

He smile at me while looking at me and his eye stops at my arm.

Principal: I see, still the broker huh? Justin must still be worried.

As he said that both of us laugh out loud remembering the old day where many time I broke my arm or sprain my angels and Justin will run to the infirmary all sweaty and worried. Good times.

But while talking we have walk inside the building and in a room where he introduce me to some of the proffesors there. After that we enter the auditorium where the said conference was supposed to happen.

After we enter Mr. Henny shows me my sit and went away while wishing me luck. And in a short while the meeting starts.

I diliver my oh so short speech which is about residency, I just give them a slight idea about what that phase will be like and then open a question time.

Many question comes in and rather than just answering and asking question it somewhat becomes an interactive period. And surprisingly most of their question were not necessarily about the medicine itself. Rather they were more curious about the life of a doctor.

Some ask about my experience with my first surgery and any surgeries in general while some about medical mistake and how doctors deal with it while some about the hectic schedule or my experience of working in the ER. All kinds of such questions come in and we interact for hours. It was such a refreshing moment.

Its like visiting all the insecurities I have about becoming a doctor during my university period with their questions. I tried to give my answer as sincere and honest as possible. And like that the session was over in a jiffy and quite smoothly. Thank god.

After shaking hands with some of the teachers there, I was about to go out when principal Henny come up to me again.

Principal: Good job Mia, its was a stunning performance.

Mia: Thank you, please invite me again anytime you need.

And I smile at him and was genuinely hoping he will do it again. This was fun.

Principal: You said it, you can't take it back.

Mia: Of course.

And like that we said our goodbyes and I start going out towards the exist. Currently I was crossing the hallway, and that is when I saw the art room. This was where I used to hang out a lot when I was here, I used to practice drawing the many many diagrams I need to know from Justin in this room. We spent most of our break time here if not at his house. This is mostly a free room as no class is taken here before but I don't know about now.

As I was looking at the classroom, I saw student coming out of the room. Among which a girl got my eye, she was a short and a cute looking girl in a warm looking white sweater. But what really caught my eyes was not her but the camera she had in her hand.

She is carrying a blue polaroid camera. A baby blue to be exact and a picture of a small pink butterfly on it. Its looks strikingly familiar to Claire's camera, looking at it make my heartbeat faster.

I was trying to see the side of the camera where a C with silver colour is written in Claire's camera but the girl was clutching in such a way that, her hand is covering that part. I was too curious that I don't know when I have start speaking.

Mia: Excuse me.

As I said that the girl turn back and look around confuse probably because she don't know me and is confused why Iam asking.

The girl: Me?

Mia: Umm.

And I walk forward and forward my hand for a hand shake.

Mia: Hello, Iam Mia.

As I said that she confusedly and hesitantly but surely raised her hand and shake mine.

Zhea: Hello, Iam Zhea. And Iam sorry to say this but do I know you or you need help in anything

.

As she said that I smile at her and point at the camera.

Mia: If you don't mind, can I take a look at the camera.

As I said that she look at me confusedly but forward her camera anyway.

As she does that, I got the camera and clearly enough there was a C written on it. But it was quite fated by now. I can tell there was a C but I couldn't tell if it was in silver like Claire's

Zhea: Is there anything wrong?

When she ask that I just look at her blankly, why does this look so familiar. Or even feels familiar, It really really look like Claire's.

Mia: If you don't mind me asking, can I know where you get this from. I just want one myself.

I look at her curiously while she nod in a no and scrunch up her nose cutely. If I was not this curious about the camera, I would have aww at her cuteness. She is really cute looking and on top of it, her antics are super cute.

Zhea: Iam sorry but I don't know, this is not mine but my proffesor's.

I was about to ask more but the bell suddenly ring and Zhea was suddenly in a hurry. I guess she has class, so I quickly give her the camera back.

Mia: Thank you, please feel free to go.

And as soon as I said that she give me a small smile and in a minute she was gone. Running towards the opposite hallway of where Iam going.

What am I even thinking, asking random people about their camera. Its not like they can miraculously have Claire's camera with them anyway. Huh? And its not like Iam searching for a lost thing, dad told me it was all burned down. I must be going crazy.

With that I start walking again, and was checking my phone at the same time. I know, surprise I finally remember to check my phone.

No calls from Jace yet, seriously this dude is worrying me now.

No calls from Jace but dad has been calling me non- stop as there are more than 30 missed call. I wonder whats wrong? So I call back quickly, and he pick up in the first ring.

Mia: Yes dad? Anything wrong?

Chris: Where are you now?

Huh! He send me here and now he forgets.

Mia: At the university , why?

Chris: Are you done with the seminar?

Mia: Yes, Iam already leaving. Why, do you need anything?

He was quite for a while and then I heard sudden shuffling around and I also heard a car starting but I not very sure if it is.

Chris: its nothing sweety, I was just checking. There is an emergency here. Talk to you later.

And he just hang up. What the? That was weird. I look at the phone weirdly for a while. But getting nothing I went on my way taking the cab. As I was getting in the taxi, I saw a car in the corner driving which look like dad's so I take a second look. But it was already gone.

Hmm, maybe I saw wrong. What will his car be doing here anyway. With that I get in the car and was waiting for the driver when Justin call me. Now what does he want.

Mia: Hey Justin

Justin: Come to the hospital.

Mia: Hmm?

He do remember I can't work now right?

Justin: Jace is sick, so he is brought in the hospital, you better come and collect your boyfriend. I dont have time to babysit.

As soon as he said that, I told the driver to go to the hospital and to hurry. I hang up the phone mainly cause I don't wanna know what's going on, if its something serious; hearing it will just freak me out and that is not gonna help right now. My priority is to reach the hospital as quick as possible for now.

No wonder he does not pick up my calls. He must be seriously ill considering he is even in hospital. Getting him to the hospital is not a joke, but considering that he is already there, something must be wrong.

Thinking about all this is making me more nervous and hype. And me being me I keep on telling the driver to drive quicker which he patiently listen to.