Chapter Three

Things were getting interesting at that time, honestly. Could it be because of him?

Let's continue…

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Austin was a big help, truly. I started talking to other nurses and doctors. Some weren't afraid anymore, but they were still cautious. Because even I talked to them, I wasn't fully attached.

I was eating breakfast when my doctors entered my room. I just knew their names today because I asked Austin. I didn't care before because I never thought that I would be in better condition here.

“Wow, apples! An apple a day keeps doctors away.” Dr. Williams jokingly said.

“Ms. Blair. We're happy to tell you that you are improving socially and mentally. We talked about this at our meeting yesterday. I think it would be fine now to let you go.” Dr. Brown said.

I couldn't completely grasp what he said. “Come again?”

“I said… You're better now than before. We think this is the right time. When was the last time you ate out? Or went shopping?”

When I realized what they meant, I was so glad. That was the best news I've ever heard for the past months.

A tear roll down my face. A tear of joy, that's how they call it, right?

It had been a year and three months since the last time I went out.

“Are you that happy?”

I looked at Austin coming in with a tray of medicine.

My excitement turned into gloom the moment I saw Austin.

“But that doesn't mean you don't need us anymore.” The doctor smiled. “We'll give you a private nurse to monitor you.”

I pouted. “I don't need a caregiver.”

“Ms. Blair?” Austin called my attention. “Something you have to do could be different from what you believe you need.”

“Okay… but who's gonna do it? Can I recommend…"

I was trying to say that Austin would be perfect since he worked for me in a month, but my doctor cut me off.

“Ms. Blair. Don't worry. Leave it to us. We'll give you an outstanding one.” With that, they left.

I had been comfortable with Austin these past few weeks.

I caught a glimpse of Austin busy writing stuff on a paper. I sighed.

“Problem? Do you want to go to the garden?”

This was what I liked about him. In just a month, he already knew when I felt angry, hungry, good, and uncomfortable.

He went behind me to push my wheelchair out of my room.

Everyone greeted me lightheartedly when we went out.

“Blair, come on! Smile!” A patient called at the top of her lungs.

She had been doing that for weeks.

I was happy, but I found it hard to smile. It felt like I didn't have any rights to do it.

“Hey, back to earth!”

I pulled a face. “Are we friends? Why would you talk informally to me?”

He laughed. “I don't know. I just felt that we're close already.”

He looked at me, then laughed again.

“Why? What is it?” I asked, annoyed.

“I don't know.” He answered mischievously.

“I guess, you're just happy that I'll be leaving soon.”

He didn't answer and was just staring into space.

I cleared my throat to break off the silence but he still didn't budge.

“Um... H-Hey... back to earth?”

He finally turned his gaze to me. “Oh, you're talking informally to me. Are we friends?” He laughed again.

What a weirdo.

I will definitely miss him. He always had this attitude that you couldn't resist but like.

Wait…

Did I just think of missing him? And… like? Liking him? 

Gosh.

“What are you gonna do when I leave?” I looked at him as I asked.

I gasped when our eyes met.

Had he been staring at me? Did he know that I was thinking about him?

He just smiled. How many times should he smile?

I was about to look away when I noticed something. It was just quick, but I was sure I caught sight of it.

I saw… dejection.

The next day, my doctors visited me one last time. My discharge was actually scheduled tomorrow morning, but they wouldn't be able to see me because of their appointments.

“Ms. Blair, we have processed your documents for your discharge since you don't have any relatives to…”

Dr. Brown cleared his throat abruptly, then continued the talking. “Ahem… Dr. Williams meant to say everything has taken care of. There are more to talk about, but we'll talk about it with your designated private nurse.”

I nodded.

“Where are you going to be settled?”

“My father put a property under my name when I turned 18. I asked my secretary to look into it.”

“Is she still single?” Dr. Williams asked with a playful smile.

“Butch Williams!” Dr. Brown shrieked.

“She's married, Dr. Williams.” I uttered callously.

He acted hurt.

“Don't mind him, Ms. Blair. Where were we?”

My phone suddenly rang. Austin actually bought this. He said this would help me call him right away when I need him.

It was my secretary who was calling me.

“Ma'am. The property is still good. The caretakers had been doing their job finely.”

“Thanks. Take me there tomorrow.”

I ended the call, then mentioned the news to the doctors.

“We'll just notify you tomorrow about your private nurse then.”

They left when everything was settled.

Who would think I could get better? I should say thank you to Austin. He actually did his job well done. He took care of me, taught me lessons, which were useful not just for myself but for everyone who was still supporting me.

A nurse entered my room with a tray in her hands.

“Excuse me?” 

The nurse looked at me, then smiled. “I was asked to give you these pills.”

I could feel the sudden raise of my pulse beat.

“Where's Austin?”

“Austin…? Ah! Dr. Biermann? He was the one who asked me to bring this here.”

The nurse left just when I was about to ask another question.

What did I just hear? What was that?

Is he a doctor slush, a nurse? Why didn't he tell me? He didn't even talk to me today. What was wrong with him?

I tried to call him, but he wasn't answering. I kept on dialing his number until it was unreachable.

Urgh!  I muttered to myself.

Because of annoyance, I called my secretary to fix everything and that I had decided to leave right now. My doctors were shocked, but they couldn't do anything.

I looked at the hospital building one last time before letting the staff get me into the car.

This might look childish, but I was really annoyed and disturbed because he didn't say goodbye or even wish me luck. Didn't he even consider that he worked for me for a month?

He was the only one I've been attached to…

I guess, I was hoping that he could have attached to me the same way…