SASHA’S POV
I stepped into my father’s hospital room, the soft sound of the monitor beeping in the background a strange comfort.
The air in the room felt warmer today, almost as if his recovery had changed the atmosphere itself. He turned his head as soon as I entered, his face lighting up.
“Sasha,” he said, his voice weak but clearer than it had been days ago. “You’re back.”
I smiled, moving closer to his bedside. “Of course, Dad. And I brought someone with me today.”
He glanced toward the doorway, his curiosity piqued. Behind me, Roland stepped into the room, holding a neatly wrapped box in his hands.
His broad shoulders filled the small space, but he carried himself with an ease that immediately made the room feel less clinical.
“This is Roland,” I said, gesturing toward him. “He works with Sebastian at the diner. He wanted to come by and meet you.”
Roland stepped forward, his demeanor calm and respectful. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir,” he said, extending his hand.
“Sebastian asked me to drop by and deliver this to you. He wanted to come himself, but he’s caught up with some important matters today. He’s promised he’ll be here on your discharge day, though.”
My father’s gaze softened, and he took Roland’s hand with a firm grip that surprised me.
“It’s nice to meet you, young man. And thank you for coming. It means a lot that Sebastian sent you.” He glanced at the box Roland held. “What’s this?”
“A little something from Sebastian,” Roland replied, setting the box on the bedside table. “He wanted to send his regards and thought you’d appreciate this.”
Curiosity flickered in my father’s tired eyes, but he didn’t reach for the box yet. Instead, he turned back to Roland. “So, you work at the diner? How’s business going these days?”
Roland chuckled, his smile easy and warm. “It’s going well, sir. Busy as always, but we manage. The team’s strong, and Sebastian’s leadership keeps everything running smoothly.”
“Of course, we all miss him when he’s not around, but he’s got his hands full with other responsibilities.”
I watched as my father nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Sebastian’s a good man,” he said quietly, almost to himself. “He’s been there for Sasha through so much.”
“He really is,” Roland agreed, glancing at me with a knowing look. “He speaks highly of you, sir. And he’s always making sure Sasha is taken care of.”
My father’s lips curved into a faint smile. “I’m glad to hear that. It gives me peace of mind knowing she’s with someone who looks out for her.”
The conversation drifted into lighter territory, with Roland sharing a few anecdotes from the diner.
He told a story about a customer who’d tried to order the most outrageous combination of toppings for their burger, leaving both my father and me chuckling.
“You’d be surprised at the things people come up with,” Roland said, shaking his head.
“But it keeps things interesting. No two days are ever the same.”
As the minutes ticked by, I noticed Roland glance subtly at his watch. I knew he had to get back soon, but he didn’t rush the conversation, allowing my father to ask questions and share his thoughts at his own pace.
It was clear Roland had a knack for making people feel at ease, and I appreciated how genuine he was in his interactions.
Eventually, Roland cleared his throat and straightened slightly. “I hate to cut this visit short, sir, but I should be heading back. The team’s probably wondering where I disappeared to.”
My father nodded, his smile tinged with a hint of sadness. “Of course. Thank you for coming, Roland. And thank Sebastian for me, will you?”
“Absolutely,” Roland said. He extended his hand again, and my father took it, holding on a little longer this time.
As Roland stepped back, I turned to my father. “I’ll walk him out, Dad. I’ll be back soon, okay?”
He gave me a small nod, his eyes lingering on mine for a moment before he leaned back against his pillows. “Take your time, Sasha. And thank you for bringing him by. It’s good to meet the people who are part of your life.”
I smiled, leaning down to kiss his cheek. “I’ll be right back.”
With that, I followed Roland out of the room, the door clicking softly shut behind us. We walked in silence for a few moments, the quiet of the hospital corridors wrapping around us like a cocoon.
“Thank you for coming with me today,” I said finally, breaking the silence. “It meant a lot to my dad-and to me.”
Roland glanced at me, his expression kind. “It was no trouble, Sasha. Your father’s a good man. I can see where you get your strength from.”
His words caught me off guard, and I felt a warmth spread through me. “He’s been through a lot,” I said softly. “But he’s still fighting.”
“That’s what family does,” Roland said, his tone thoughtful.
“They fight for each other. Sebastian understands that, too. That’s why he wanted to make sure your father knew he was thinking of him, even if he couldn’t be here himself.”
I nodded, feeling a lump rise in my throat. “Sebastian’s been amazing through all of this. I don’t know how I would’ve managed without him.”
Roland smiled, but there was a hint of something deeper in his eyes-understanding, maybe, or even admiration. “You’re lucky to have each other,” he said simply.
We reached the hospital entrance, and Roland paused, turning to face me. “I’ll let you get back to your dad. But if there’s ever anything you need, you know where to find me.”
“Thank you,” I said sincerely. “And tell everyone at the diner I said hi. I’ll try to stop by soon.”
He nodded, his easy smile returning. “Will do. Take care, Sasha.”
I watched as he walked away, his figure disappearing into the bustling activity outside.
For a moment, I stood there, letting the cool air from the automatic doors brush against my skin. Then I turned back toward the hospital, ready to return to my father’s side.