Day Two: The Turning Point

She continued reading from where she left off.

Arya sat in the café, staring outside at the heavy rain. For a moment, he thought, Why, God?

You've already taken everything from me. Now you want my life too?

He knew there would be no answer. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to push those thoughts away. Let's forget that, he told himself. He acted like nothing had happened, like it was just another ordinary day.

He got up, picked up his milk coffee, and walked to the counter to pay his bill. Then, stepping outside, he didn't bother opening his umbrella. Instead, he walked straight into the rain.

And then—he ran.

For the first time in a long while, he felt happy. When his parents were alive, they used to play in the rain together. And now, every raindrop felt like a part of them, like they were still with him.

This moment… this is the best moment of my life.

She turned the page.

Day 2

A week later, I was inside a general store, working my part-time job.

A customer approached me.

"Do you have any blue cold drinks?"

I checked the shelves and shook my head.

"Sorry, sir, but it's sold out."

"When will it be restocked?" he asked.

"In about two days, sir. It's in high demand, so our stock ran out quickly."

The customer sighed but nodded before heading out.

"Thank you for visiting. Please come again," I said politely.

Just as I turned around, my phone vibrated in my pocket. When I pulled it out, I saw the caller ID—Doctor.

I answered.

"Hello, doctor. Is there a problem?"

"I spoke with the senior doctor, and we've made a decision," he said.

"What decision?" I asked, feeling a strange tension in my chest.

"I can't explain everything over the phone. Come to the hospital."

"But I'm at work right now—"

"Just come. It's important."

His tone left no room for argument. I sighed and put my phone back in my pocket before turning to my boss, who was sitting at the front counter.

"Sir, can I take a half-day? I need to go to the hospital."

My boss knew about my health condition. He was a kind man.

"Don't worry, Arya. Go ahead, I'll handle the store."

I nodded in gratitude and stepped outside.

---

At the Hospital

After a short walk, I reached the hospital. As I entered, a nurse at the reception stopped me.

"The doctors are in a meeting right now. Please wait for a few minutes," she said.

"If it's going to take long, I can come back later," I replied.

"The meeting will end soon. Just wait a little while."

I sighed and sat on a chair outside the doctor's office. While waiting, I heard voices from inside.

Just then, the door opened.

A girl in a wheelchair came out, pushed by her mother.

It was her—the girl I had seen before.

The moment our eyes met, my heart pounded. Faster and faster.

I had never felt like this before.

What is this feeling?

Why does it feel like my mind is out of control when she's around?

Am I… in love?

---

Inside the Doctor's Office

"Arya, sit down and stay calm. I need to tell you something important," the doctor said.

I sat down, but my mind was elsewhere.

Love…?

Why was I thinking about her so much?

"Arya?"

I blinked. The doctor was staring at me.

"Are you even listening?"

"Ah—yes, doctor. Sorry."

He sighed. "We've decided to take the risk. Your treatment will start today. You'll need to be admitted to the hospital so we can monitor you closely."

I nodded absentmindedly, still lost in my thoughts.

"Don't worry about the fees," he continued.

"I have money," I muttered.

"We've already submitted the necessary forms. Just focus on your treatment."

I barely registered his words. I stood up and left the office in a daze.

The nurse was waiting for me outside, but I walked right past her without noticing.

"Arya! Where are you going?" she called out.

I stopped and turned back.

"Are you okay? You seem distracted," she said.

"No, I'm fine. Sorry, I just… didn't notice you."

She handed me a key and a paper with my room number.

"You're in Room 7 on the second floor. You can get your uniform from the locker room. If you need anything, let me know."

"Thank you," I said quietly.

As I walked toward my room, my heart still raced from that brief moment with her.

What is this feeling…?

I opened the door to my hospital room, still lost in thoughts about her.

Then, I heard a voice.

A voice I had heard somewhere before.

Curious, I stepped toward the source of the sound and opened the door slightly.

There she was.

She was in the room next to mine—Room 8.

Is this a coincidence?

I didn't believe in fate, but what were the chances?

Just moments ago, I had only seen her in passing, and now she was right next to me. My heart pounded again.

I quickly closed my door.

What is this feeling?

Could I go and talk to her? No—her mother was there. If she saw me, she'd probably think I was some weirdo and kick me out.

Then suddenly, a realization hit me.

I can't let myself feel this way.

I don't have much time. I shouldn't get attached. I should forget about her.

I grabbed my jacket and walked out of the room.

Leaving the Hospital

The nurse at the reception stopped me.

"Where are you going now?"

"Home," I replied.

"Huh? But the doctor told you that you can't leave."

"Don't worry, I'll be back soon. I just left something at home—I need to bring it here."

The nurse sighed. "Alright, but come back quickly."

I nodded and stepped outside the hospital.

As I walked down the side road, my mind kept drifting back to her.

I tried to forget.

I told myself it didn't matter.

But no matter how hard I tried, my heart refused to listen.

I had seen many girls before, but this feeling—I had never experienced it before.

I had no friends to share these emotions with.

Ever since childhood, I was always alone.

I remembered how, whenever I tried to play with the other kids, they would leave. Their parents would take them away, whispering,

"If you play with that boy, you'll suffer like him."

At first, it hurt. But over time, I convinced myself that loneliness was normal for me.

But now… something felt different.

I wasn't supposed to feel this way.

Was this just an attraction? A temporary illusion?

No. Love wasn't meant for someone like me.

I reached home and packed my things—a bag, some clothes, and a few necessities.

Then I sat down by the door, slipping on my shoes.

Before stepping out, I turned back to look inside the house.

Will this be the last time I see this place?

I don't know if I'll return or not.

But then again… does it even matter?

No one is waiting for me.

This house was empty before.

And after I die, it will still be empty.

With that thought, I stepped outside and walked back to the hospital.

It was evening when I reached my room. Just as I was about to enter, I saw her—outside her room, sitting in a wheelchair. She was alone. Her mother wasn't there.

As I stepped forward, my heart pounded fast. But the moment I stepped back toward my room, it returned to normal. Again and again.

I slapped my cheeks lightly. What's wrong with me?

I didn't know if she noticed me, but just as I reached for my door handle, she called out.

"Hello… can you help me?"

My heart was telling me to leave, but my mind stopped me. She called again. This time, I had no choice.

I walked toward her. She smiled slightly and asked, "Can you help me get inside? The floor is a little higher. They said they'll fix it soon."

I hesitated. My hands were shaking. I took a deep breath, calmed myself, and said, "Okay."

But my mind and my face weren't in sync.

I grabbed her wheelchair and carefully lifted it over the small step. The moment I stepped into her room, I felt different. Like I had entered another world—warm, peaceful, and strangely comforting.

I couldn't believe myself.

She thanked me, and I quickly left, entering my own room. Sitting on my bed, I let out a deep sigh.

If I had met her before, I would have told her I love her. But now… that's impossible.

I suddenly realized—Wait… What an idiot I am!

I helped her, I talked to her, but… I didn't even ask her name!

Later that evening, a nurse came into my room.

"It's time for dinner. You can come to the canteen if you like."

I nodded.

At the canteen, as I entered the hall, my eyes widened. She's here.

Why? I thought she could eat in her room. Then I noticed—her mother and little brother were with her.

I quickly took my food and sat at the farthest table, eating fast. I couldn't sit near her. I just couldn't.

After finishing my meal, I rushed back to my room.

Just as I was about to fall asleep, someone knocked on the door. It creaked open, and the doctor and a nurse stepped inside.

"Are you okay?" the doctor asked.

"I'm fine, Doctor," I replied.

"Have you taken the medicine we gave you?" he asked.

"Yes," I answered.

"Good. Starting tomorrow, we'll begin your treatment. Don't worry about anything. If you need anything, just let the nurse know," the doctor said reassuringly.

He then turned to the nurse. "Did you prepare the report?"

"Yes, Doctor," the nurse responded, handing over the report.

The doctor looked it over and nodded. "Make sure another report is ready tomorrow."

"Understood," the nurse said.

"Alright. For now, you can rest and sleep. We'll see you tomorrow," the doctor said, giving me one last reassuring smile.

The doctor and nurse left, closing the door gently behind them.

The next morning, I stepped outside my door and—she was there again.

No one else was around.

She sat quietly, looking outside from the second floor. I stood beside her, pretending to do the same. My mind screamed at me—ASK HER NAME!

I opened my mouth.

I looked at her.

I looked away.

When I finally turned back—she was gone.

I hesitated too much.

Then, suddenly, her voice came from behind.

"Are you searching for something?"

I turned. She was smiling at me.

"N-No… nothing," I stammered.

She giggled. "Thanks for helping me yesterday."

"No problem."

Then she surprised me.

"You're Arya, right?"

I froze. She asked for my name before I could ask for hers.

"Y-Yeah…" I nodded.

But how do you know my name?

She smiled slightly. "I overheard the nurse calling you when you were being taken in earlier.

Have we met before? she asked.

I hesitated, then shook my head. "No… but I've seen you before."

My heart pounded faster than ever. I couldn't believe she was actually talking to me.

Just then, her mother appeared at the doorway.

"Hina, it's time for your medicine, honey."

Hina nodded and wheeled herself into the room. The floor had already been fixed—she no longer needed help.

Just as she was about to disappear inside, I finally spoke up.

"Wait!" Your Name

She paused but didn't turn around.

For a moment, I thought she didn't hear me.

Then, just as she reached her door, she turned her head slightly.

"Hina."

She smiled.

And then she was gone.

"I can't say what I felt at that time."