CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
NADIA
Finally, there is someone who cares!
The nurse had walked into my room that morning, smiling brightly. I noticed that she had a gorgeous flower in her hand. Its petals were a vibrant shade of pink, and they seemed to shine under the soft hospital lights. At once, I wished she had brought it for me. The thought of receiving something so beautiful made me feel giddy, even though I was stuck in this bed, battling a relentless headache.
As she approached, her smile widened. “Good morning, Nadia!,” she greeted me cheerfully.
“Good morning,” I replied, forcing a smile despite the heaviness in my head.
“How are you feeling today?”
“I feel better,” I said, nodding slightly. “But the headache won’t go away.”
She frowned a little, the concern in her eyes deepening. “That’s okay. Just hang in there. You’ll feel better soon, I promise,” she reassured me.
“Thank you,” I said.
I looked at the flower in her hand again, unable to resist commenting. “Those flowers are beautiful.”
The nurse smiled, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Oh, thank you! It’s actually for you,” she mentioned, her voice was warm and inviting.
Surprised, I blinked. “For me? How is that possible?” My heart raced a little, the unexpected twist making my stomach flutter.
She chuckled softly, “Well, your boyfriend brought it for you.”
“Boyfriend?” I asked, startled by her words. I didn’t even have a boyfriend! Was there some mistake here?
She nodded, still smiling. “Yes, he seems to like you quite a bit. He said he wanted you to have the flowers as proof.”
“I don’t have a boyfriend,” I told her, shaking my head. “I have no idea who…,” I started to contradict her, but the nurse interrupted gently.
“But I figured out he was,” she replied, her tone kind but also playful as if she was teasing me a little.
My curiosity began to bubble up. “Where is he? Why didn’t he bring the flower himself?” I asked, eager to gather more details about this mysterious person.
How can one have a partner without being aware!?
This is some joke, surely!
“Oh, he’s gone,” the nurse said, an apologetic look on her face.
“Can you describe him?” I asked, desperation creeping into my voice. I couldn’t help wanting to know who had sent me such a lovely flower. It felt like a small ray of light in this dreary hospital room.
The nurse shook her head. “I can’t really. He was in a hurry when he came to deliver the flower. He had a hoodie on, and I couldn’t see through it,” she said, her eyes darting as she prepared my medications.
I thought for a moment, trying to piece together the puzzle. No one had come to see me since I was admitted here, not even my so-called friends from college.
Jasmine, who had been my closest friend, had no idea I was stuck in a place like this. And I understand the stress she was going through raising her child and taking care of her family.
Then, an idea flickered in my mind. “I think I know who sent it!” I suddenly exclaimed, startling the nurse. It must be Jack, I thought.
Maybe Mark told him, I thought, the pieces slowly falling into place in my mind.
“But I can’t take the flower,” I said suddenly, my excitement turning into hesitation. The idea of holding onto something that felt so sweet yet so complicated made my heart race.
“Why not? I thought you knew who sent it!” she said, a puzzled look on her face as she regarded me with raised eyebrows.
“I do, but I can’t take it,” I insisted, shaking my head in resolve.
“Well, then I guess I will keep it or give it to another patient,” she said with a playful smile, her tone breaking through the seriousness of the moment. “I can’t throw away such a precious gift.”
“Wait!” I quickly called out as she turned to leave. “I’ll keep it,” I added, feeling resigned but curious.
“Just what I thought,” she said with a knowing smile, handing the flower back to me. I took it carefully, cradling it like it was something fragile and precious.
As I examined the delicate petals, a mix of emotions swirled through me-happiness, confusion, and a touch of longing.
I couldn’t shake the thought of Jack and what this flower might mean. Was he thinking of me? Did he care enough to send something beautiful my way despite my warning?
“Thank you,” I said softly to the nurse, who was watching me with a soft smile, her kindness making the room feel warmer.
“You’re welcome,” she replied. “Take care of yourself, Nadia. Remember to rest.”
With that, she walked out of the room, leaving me alone once more. I held the flower up to my nose, inhaling its sweet fragrance. It was a simple gesture, but it felt monumental.
Maybe Jack wasn’t just the boy from college who used to annoy me; maybe he was someone who saw me differently.
Later that evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the hospital ward grew dim, the same nurse who had visited me earlier came in again. This time, she had a bright smile on her face, which seemed a little out of place given the sterile surroundings.
“You seem to have the luckiest boyfriend in the world,” she said cheerfully as she walked in.
I looked up from where I was propped up in bed, puzzled by her comment. “I told you I don’t have a boyfriend,” I reminded her, trying to keep my voice steady despite the hint of longing in it.
I wished I had someone special, but right now, all I had was a hospital room and an uncertain future.
The nurse gave a knowing smile, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Well, he cannot just be your friend. He was here an hour ago, Nadia.”
My eyes widened in surprise. “He was here again?” I asked, unable to hide my excitement and a hint of disappointment.
“Yes,” the nurse confirmed. “But he left a little while ago.”
I felt a pang of disappointment. “He should have come in to see me. Why does he always leave without seeing me?” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
I had been hoping, really hoping, that he would come in to see me before he left. The idea of him being here and not coming to my side made me feel a bit disheartened.
The nurse noticed my expression and softened her tone. “He promised he would come by tomorrow. He does care about you, you know.”
I tried to smile, though my heart ached just a little. “Thank you for telling me. I hope he keeps his promise.”
“Meanwhile,” the nurse said, her voice brightening again, “he asked me to give you something.”
“What?,” I asked, curious.
“I’ll be right back,” she said. She hurried out of the room and returned almost immediately, carrying a small bag. “Here.” She gently handed it over to me.
I took the bag, curious and a little nervous about what might be inside. The nurse’s earlier words replayed in my mind, and I was already feeling a bit hopeful. “Like I said before, he cares about you,” she said warmly. “I’ll leave you to it.”
Once she left, I unsealed the bag with trembling hands. The first thing I saw was my favorite fruits-juicy, fresh, and exactly what I had been craving. I felt a rush of joy just seeing them. How did he even know about them? But then I noticed a brown envelope nestled among the fruits. My heart skipped as I carefully pulled it out and opened it.
Inside the envelope was a letter. I unfolded it and began to read:
“Nadia,
I know you’re going through a tough time right now, and I wanted to let you know that you are always in my thoughts. I wish I could be there with you every moment, but I hope this letter can offer some comfort. I want you to know that you are not just beautiful, but you are also incredibly strong. You have been through so much, and yet you continue to amaze me with your strength and resilience. You have proved me wrong in ways I can’t explain now.
I’m sorry for any hurt I’ve caused you. Please know that I care about you, and I only want the best for you. You are the strongest woman I have ever known, and I am so grateful that our paths crossed.
I hope you recover quickly and can return to your bright, beautiful self soon.
See you soon.”
The letter brought tears to my eyes. He didn’t sign his name at the end, but I didn’t need it to know who it was from. The words he had written were enough to tell me it was Jack. The sincere apology and the beautiful reminder of my strength made me feel both happy and emotional. I felt a mix of smiles and tears as I read through the letter again.
“Thank you, Jack,” I whispered under my breath.
The fruits and the letter made the evening a little brighter, and I felt a renewed sense of hope. Even though he wasn’t here right now, his words and his thoughtful gift were enough to lift my spirits and remind me that I was not alone.
It feels good to feel loved!