The Dying Soul

Chap 8 – Hospital to Bookstores

EVA POV

    I loved the overwhelming response from the crowd yesterday. I loved it when my music moves another’s soul. Music has been another medicine to my soul. It has always managed to sooth my soul over the period of 9 years. Music has always been a part of my families pass time. My mother was my teacher when I first started learning music. My parents I used to spend the Sunday afternoons sharing music and creating new memories. I will away the tears that brim my eyes and took a deep breath. 

    My Saturday was just another day for me. Just waking up to see the sunrise one more time is a blessing. Also, Leo never misses the opportunity to lick my face or feet tickling me awake every morning. Haha… never needed an alarm clock ever. Stepping out of my room and onto the balcony facing the horizon far away is a sight. A promise that I’ll live another day. I remove the braid I tied up before bed and weave my fingers through my hair releasing its knots allowing it to breathe the air.

    I make my way to the kitchen and grab myself a glass of water as I fix myself a pot of Earl Grey Tea and a bowl of fruits for breakfast. My doorbell rings and I am sure it is none other than Mrs. Richardson. She always visits me with some homemade goodies on the days I have my Dr’s appointment. She is lovely and caring. She has always showed interest in my health though I tried to maintain as much distance as possible.

    “Good morning darling.” she greets. “Good morning Mrs. Richardson.” I greet her in return with a smile as I invite her in. “I made Choco chip Hazelnut cookies for your visit to the hospital today. Have you got the candies?” she asks. “Yup. I have them on my kitchen island” I said beaming at her. She enquires about my wellbeing, my writings and diet. She took up the role of my guardian very seriously ever since that day. She also updates the status of my bookstores as both her twins are managing it on my behalf. She leaves after kissing my cheek affectionately before leaving me to my routine.

    I take the cookie jar to the kitchen and place it on the island. Taking a seat on my high stool, I start packing the candies and cookies in separate goodie bags and put them in a box to be carried to the hospital. I quickly have my breakfast and have a shower. I dress in myself in a royal blue t-shirt with ‘Live Today’ printed in bold white letters on the front tucked into my high waisted blue denim shorts paired with high top white sneakers. I tie my hair into a messy bun and apply nude lip gloss. I lock my house and get into my CR-V with the box of treats and guitar on the passenger seat with Leo on the backseat and drive off to the hospital.

    The hospital security, Alp, makes his way to my car once he sees me. After exchanging pleasantries, he helps me carry the box of treats to Dr Steel’s office while Leo waits for me at the entrance of the hospital where Alp is always on duty. After all these years of moving in and out of this hospital, I’m familiar with almost all the staff members here.

    I meet Dr Steel at the office to collect my health report and briefly discuss on alternatives. Understanding that my condition is not in my favour I smile at him. Like always, I thank him for his effort and concern towards me before I present him 2 goodie bags for his children before the head nurse comes and helps me with the box. 

    We make our way to the paediatric ward and distribute to every child the goodie bags I brought. I sat down with them at the common hall and narrate stories to them as parents and ward nurses accompany their children/patients. We also play for quite some time, when I feel eyes on me. Turning around, I tense as I see Mr. Clive the club owner along with whom I assume is his family. I smile at him covering the possibilities of him knowing the reason of my visit her. He smiles and waves at me as his two boys ask to join the other kids for a while. He looks at me for confirmation and I nod with a smile. 

    I join Mr. Clive as his kids and wife make their way to play with the other children. “Hello Mr. Clive” I greet. “Hello Eva. Please call me Micheal or Mike. It nice seeing you here. Do you volunteer hear?” he asks. My body tensed as I feel the stress of lying to someone. “Well… I do like to spend time entertaining the kids and singing for the old folks whenever I come to the hospital. It makes me happy to be able to spend time.” Well it is not necessarily a lie when you omit certain information.  After talking to him for a while I join the kids along with Mr. Clive’s family. I sing and play with them for some time before I bid them goodbye and hop into my car with Leo and drive off.

    The thought of having someone I associate with knowing my condition is not something I look forward too. I do not like to see the pity and sorry they hold in for me. It only makes me feel incapable and sorry for myself and I refuse to feel like that. My parents have brought me up with dignity and I don’t want that to crumble down my path. One of the many reasons I put up a wall to keep people away. I despise when I see nurses or doctors or anyone with that look on their face. I do not want to dwell over my condition. I’m happy the way I am and I’ll keep it that way as long as I shall live.

    I drove off to my favourite bookstore in town. ‘The Bookworm Hub’. My father ran this when he lived and I loved this place. It was my sanctuary. Books. I converted this place to best suit everyone from different walks of life. I know my parents would love this place if they see it now. My dad would have found comfort managing this place with ease after all the upgrading done in all our bookstores. The smell of books, coffee and pastries wafts through my senses creating a comfortable ambience.

    I see the twins Stan and Stev Richardson working their heads of managing the employees. What once was a one-story library-c*m-bookstore, is now a two-story bookstore with a place for people to lounge and read second hand books. They could enjoy their books with their comfort food. The place is also equipped with wi-fi for students and small meetings. A place to inspire people just the way my dad vision it. A smile crept onto my lips as I think of this place and my dad in it.