Season 7 Chapter 14

Jules: Anne….be careful. (She supported me, as we walked down the hospital corridor)

Me: Jules, I am fine. (I said while bleeding and slightly limping)

Jules: How could you do something so reckless?! (She says with tearful eyes)

Me: (I sighed while wiping her tears) This was the only way.

Jules: (She looked at me, her eyes filled with a mix of frustration and concern) There had to be another way. You could have been seriously hurt.

Me: (I smiled through the pain, trying to lighten the mood) Sometimes, you have to take extreme measures to get through to people. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but it was the only thing that would make them understand.

Jules: (She shook her head, still visibly shaken) But at what cost? You're in so much pain, and for what? Is it really worth it?

Me: (I looked around the hospital corridor, feeling the weight of my decision) It will be worth it if it makes them realize that football is a team game. They need to understand the importance of teamwork, and sometimes people need a wake-up call to see that.

Jules: (She sighed deeply, squeezing my hand for support) I just hope you're right. I hope this will make them change their attitude. (She still looked concerned about my injuries) Does it hurt a lot?

Me: (I shook my head) No, I have been through worse, its just some minor injuries and sprain. Its enough to back out from the upcoming match, and I would be fine by next week. So don't worry. (I said while limping)

Voice: Why is it that whenever we meet, you are always injured? (We felt surprised, as we noticed a familiar face standing in front of us.)

Jules: (her face brightens up) Emma! (She says before leaving me and hugging her tightly)

Emma: (she bends forward and hugs Jules using her right hand) How have you been? Both of you have grown taller than the last time we met, especially you, Anne. (She smiles warmly)

Me: (I shrugged) I guess, I didn't really noticed. (I smiled) How have you been, Dr. Emma?

Emma: Great. (She grins) Thanks to you. (She smiles softly)

Jules: What are you doing here? (She glances at Emma out of curiosity)

Emma: Well, I came to Germany for my PhD. I will be working under my advisor, Dr. Carl, and my mentor, Dr. Christoph. (She takes a deep breath and crosses her fingers.) Hoping for the best.

Jules: Wow, PhD?! (She was shocked) Damn, you go gurllll!

Emma: Am too old for such slangs. (She laughs softly) Kids.

Me: So, you are going to settle here? (I asked)

Emma: I'm thinking of settling down, at least until my PhD is over. So, I thought I will first find a rental place or apartment, before meeting both of you. (She grins) Well, they said they would help me find a place nearby, so I don't need to worry regarding that.

Jules: Where is Tommy?? (She grins with expecting eyes)

Emma: (she raised her brow) You really think I would bring him here? Of course he is back at home. First I will find a place, before I bring him here. (She sighs) Enough about me, how did you end up getting injured? (She looks at me)

Me: I tripped and fell from the stairs. (I said while sighing)

Emma: What?! (She advances towards me, and checks for my injuries) How did it happen?? (She inquires while getting worried)

Me: Don't worry, nothing is broken. (I winked then hesitated) But….I might have by mistake broken someone's bone. (I said pointing back with guilty eyes.)

Gouenji: So, you finally remembered that I exist. (He frowned holding his swollen, bruised arm, as he speak through his pain.)

Emma: I think I need to call Dr. Carl, that injury looks serious. (She said concerned) How this happened anyway? (She looks at Jules, as I hid my face behind Dr. Emma.)

Jules: He came as a Knight in Shinning Armour! (She replies, as her eyes sparkle with excitement)

Me: Then he broke his armour. (I scoffed)

Gouenji: Because the princess was too fat. (He replies with the underlying sarcasm)

Me: Hey! (I said poking my face from behind of Doctor Emma.) You take that back! (I said pointing at him)

Emma: (she scans me head to toe) Anne? Fat? (She raises her brow looking at Gouenji) Anyways, let me call Dr. Carl. (She says before hurrying towards Doctors Chamber. We waited in the corridor, as Dr. Emma comes back few minutes later.) Dr. Carl is on his way. He'll check out that arm, Gouenji, and we'll see what needs to be done. In the meantime, you both need to sit down and stop bickering like children.

Jules: Aren't we Children? (She blinks)

Emma: (she sighs) You are, but whinny children are annoying for other patients. So better to keep it down.

As we sat in the waiting area, the tension between us gradually began to ease. The sterile scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, mingling with the distant hum of medical equipment. Jules kept glancing at me, her worry evident despite my reassurances. Across from us, Gouenji leaned back in his seat, nursing his injured arm with a look of mild annoyance. He breathed through his mouth, visibly uncomfortable from the pain. Numerous questions crossed my mind, but I felt guilty about asking them. One question kept repeating in my head: "What was he doing there?" It didn't make sense that Gouenji had shown up at the restaurant at that particular moment. And how did he even know where I live? I shook my leg feeling restless with each passing second.

Jules: Uh…Anne? (She blinks while fixing her eyes on me) Who is he? (Her eyes were bright with curiosity)

Me: (I hesitated then glanced at Gouenji) Family friends…..more like our mothers were friends.

Gouenji: (he scoffs hearing my answer) So, you never really considered me as your friend. (His tone was cold and taunting)

Me: I…..uhm….(I hardened my jaw and looked away, while digging my nails on my skin feeling uncomfortable) What were you doing in the restaurant? (I asked avoiding his eyes but before he could answer, Dr. Emma returned with Dr. Carl.)

As Dr. Carl approached, his white coat swaying slightly with each step, he greeted us with a calm and professional demeanor. His presence immediately filled the room with an air of reassurance, though the tension between us lingered just below the surface.

Dr. Carl: (He smiled warmly at Emma and then turned his attention to Gouenji) Let's take a look at that arm, young man. (He gestured for Gouenji to follow him into the nearby examination room.)

Gouenji: (He stood up, glancing briefly at me with a mix of frustration and something unreadable in his eyes) This should be quick. (He muttered as he followed Dr. Carl.)

After the tests were done, his hand was plastered, while Dr. Emma tended to my wounds. She sighed looking at me with worried eyes.

Emma: Bedrest for one week. (She sighed)

Me: (I grinned) Thanks! (I said hifing Jules)

Emma: (She raised her brow feeling suspicious) Why do I feel that you injured yourself on purpose?

Me: (I gulped my spit looking away) Well! We are getting late for school! (I said holding Jules hand) Bye Dr. Emma! Take care! (I said hurrying out of the room, as I noticed Gouenji waiting outside. I halted and glanced at him) How is your hand? (I asked in a low voice)

Gouenji: It will take a month to heal. (He said frustrated)

Me: (I bit my lower lip feeling guilty) I am sorry.

Gouenji: Hope, you won't do something reckless again in the future. (He rolled his eyes staring at me coldly)

Me: What were you doing in the restaurant? I never gave you, my address. Are you stalking me? (I frowned)

Gouenji: I….I just wanted to apologize for last time. (He hesitates)

Me: By stalking me? (I grit my teeth) If you didn't throw yourself to save me, I wouldn't have bothered to have a conversation with you. (I said getting irritated)

Gouenji: (he sighs) I am sorry. I know I did something reckless.

Me: Save it, maybe for next time. Who knows, you might stalk me again. (I said rolling my eyes.)

Gouenji: I am sorry….trust me, I won't do it again. (He looks away)

Me: What if someone stalked your sister? (I asked)

Gouenji: (he glares at me, while hardening his jaw) I will kill them. (He said in a cold tone.)

Me: So will my brothers, if you ever stalk me again. (I replied with a smirk. Then hesitated looking at his arm) Take care. (I said before leaving the hospital with Jules.)

To be continued....