Glimmers of Doubt in the Quiet

Saturday afternoon unfolded, finding Lyra and Maya deeply immersed in a vibrant conversation.

The sterile, antiseptic scent of the hospital room, a constant and unwelcome companion, did little to dampen Lyra's spirits. She often found a strange sort of peace within these walls, though the quietude occasionally gave way to pangs of loneliness. Her university-bound friends navigated demanding schedules that often curtailed their visits. Yet, when they did manage to gather in her ward, the room would resonate with unrestrained laughter and genuine happiness.