The old shawl was over my cold back, covering also my shoulders and part of my arms. I felt like an old person. Over the table, I barely could eat, I just sipped a little of the strawberry milkshake. She kept looking at me, almost like asking me carelessly to just eat the piece of bread in front of me. I did it, giving big bites to it until nothing lasted.
—You are done now?
I nodded, holding in one of my hands the big orange cup.
—Sorry, may I take this to the microwave?
—Yeah, come with me.
She handed the ear of the cup and walked firmly over the floor on the way. Her expression was numb, serious without showing any emotions. Like she was waiting for me to do something chaotic like before. But I couldn't even think about what it could do. I felt sleepy and all my body hurted for having stayed so long in bed. She handed me the filled cup.
—Is this fine?
—Yes, thanks.
—Come, I will take you to her office.
I nodded again. Everyone looked stressed of the idea of the patron breaking down once again, and it was weird for me to be the one who did it.
She held the door, with her other hand into her pocket.
—Sorry for interrupting, the patient is here. Verú Díaz.
I couldn't see more than her shadow, covering the not completely opened door.
—Oh, wait a second please. —she laughed, softly and almost in an apologetic way—you can come in now, Verú.
The nurse, whose name is still unknown, moved and opened the door. She stand by my side, and I walked in.
(...)
—Good afternoon, doctor.
—Verú, how have you been?
—Fine—I said, almost trying to hide my face.—Sorry, is it fine if I drink it here?
I was talking about the strawberry milkshake.
—Yeah, don't worry.
—Thanks, how have you been, doctor?
—Fine, thanks for asking. The weather is so cold today!—she also had a cup between her hands, it looked like milk.— Don't you think it is freezing today? Oh, are you fine with the blankets over your bed? Don't you need more?
—You are right, it's freezing. Yeah, I'm fine while sleeping.
—Oh, nice. The nurse told me you stayed sleeping late today, right?
I nodded.
—I'm sorry, I just wasted so much time sleeping.
—It's fine to sleep. But as you may feel now, it is painful for your body.
—Right. Just discovered it.
She moved a green folder and then opened it up. She took a blue pen and wrote over the pages. I moved my head a little bit, trying for her to not notice it. But the way she tilted over made it impossible to see more than her black hair.
—These days, how have you been feeling?
—I've been fine, but it's still hard to get used to this chair… I would say.
She smiled politely, nodding.
—Have you had bad dreams while here? —she said, crossing her arms over the table.
I bit my lip and answered.
—No, I actually can't remember any of them…
—Fine, fine. Let's see if you gained some weight, okay?
—Oh, should I…?
She pushed her moving chair close to the wall, standing up. Her walk came close to me. I left my cup down the table.
—Don't worry. Hear me out, I will drive you closer to the scales. —she did it while talking, it wasn't far from the desk.—When we are done, you are going to hold that.
She holded a black metal bar, putting it right between the green colored wall and the gray scale.
—This, fine. Don't try to move by yourself, I will help you get up.
—Okay.
—Right, would you mind to take you shwal off for a second?
I took it, putting it over one of the wheelchair arms. She gave me her two hands, almost lifting me a little over the floor. Though her arms were skinny, she was strong and soft at the same time. I finally got up the scale. My knees were violently shaking, and I was surprised at how thin they were.
—Perfect! You gained some weight.
I nodded, holding with all my strength the piece of metal.
—I will help you, don't worry. —she put her arm in front of me, and I held it.
With a pair of movements, I was back in the wheelchair. I covered myself back, and she drove me back to the desk. She sitted down, holding again the cup and sipping largely of it.
—Have you been taking the vitamins they gave you at the hospital?
—Yeah, I took them everyday.
—Fine, that's good. —she stopped for a while, making her lips on a line. She looked like thinking about something. The silence got a little bit longer, then she continued.—Verú, do you remember the test you took when you came here?
—I do.
—You know it's been a while since your medical hospitalization, right? I know you have been getting better, but anyway there's some red flags…
She was quiet again, looking at me like waiting for a reaction. I nodded, biting my up down lip. It seemed to be figuring out what to say.
—As I have studied, I think you need to start taking medication.
I could feel my own expression getting sadder, I understood what she was trying to say.
—This medication is not going to be stronger. And as we continue working, I'm going to figure more to help you. Are you okay with taking them?
A purple carton box was in front of me, little and shot. It reminded me of a harmonica.
—If you want, you can read the indications and those things. You can open the box, it's inside it.
I did it, and every word was written with such a little font. Saying I could experience changes the first weeks taking it, and that kind of stuff. My hands were shaking.
—Are not stronger meds, don't worry. This would be the first observation, as diagnosed by now. Are you fine with taking it?
—Yes, I'm fine —my voice barely seemed to sound, and it was strange.
—Then, you will have to take one after lunch. Have a nice rest of the day, you can leave. A nurse will be waiting at the door. Please eat and drink all, we still need you to gain weight.
—Thanks, I will do it.