The sun, which shines brightly earlier is now starting to hide its glory behind the white clouds, knowing that it's time to give off its light and warmth is nearing to end, the sun, with its remaining strength, gave off its final light until the very end turning the sky blue clouds to a magnificent tinge of orange indicating that nightfall is about to come and the moon will arise.
The leaves of the trees in the hospital dance gracefully as the winds blew upon them. As the birds flying in the sky sings their songs.
Chirp. Chirp.
I looked above and saw that the birds are probably flying back to their home, knowing that the day end and dusk will come. I looked around and see a bench on the right side of the hospital there is a tree beside it that served as a roof to anyone who will be sitting on it regardless of the weather conditions, it is ready to protect anyone who will sit on the said bench.
I walk towards the bench and sit. I leaned back my tired body to its backrest and close my eyes. The day was too busy for me, after recognizing that some of the patients have common colds and others are influenza my mind thought of the fastest way on how we will going to stop it.
Common colds and flu are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. They share the same symptoms, however, flu is more dangerous and it can lead to life-threatening conditions such as bacterial pneumonia, asthma, or congestive heart failure, its symptoms are more abrupt and more systemic compare to the former.
Compare to common colds, flu or influenza is more contagious. Whoever has it can spread the disease a day before they started to feel sick for up to seven days and it can be transferred to a different person by droplet, meaning if the said person will sneeze or cough. That is why influenza is something that requires urgent attention as there is an increased in death every year.
While doing all the work earlier I told Doctor Neil and the rest what are the things that need to be done. After our short meeting, I went outside and sniffed for fresh air, I smiled as it made me calmed. However, the mixed emotions in my heart that I felt earlier are still clashing within me and that troubles me.
The joy of helping and treating a patient rose again in my heart. Although we are still de-escalating the situations thru the methods and treatments that I provided earlier, the looked that I received earlier from them, the smile on their faces, and their hopeful eyes serve like an arrow that pierces thru my heart. I can't denied to myself that I missed those feelings. A small part of me still wished to give service to people.
But this not good.
My brows creased as I assessed my feelings, This is not right. I should not be feeling this way. If things get better and once the situation will resolve any merit that will be given by the king will surely go to me. If that happens, I do not know how the others or even Aster will respond to it. I do not wish to repeat what happened in my past life, wherein I died just because of the jealousy of my brother, because of that one thing, everything changed, it took my life, the pain in my heart is still here it never lessens even if I am giving the chance to be alive again, I began to be doubtful in the intentions of the people that surrounded me. I don't know who is true or who is fake. Even if my brother is not here, he left me a ghost that succumbed me.
All I want is to live a long and peaceful life but I am afraid that what I did today will only give me a headache in the future.
Sigh.
"That is a very deep sigh. Is there something wrong with you young man ?"
I opened my eyes and looked to where the voice came from. An old man is sitting beside me. He wore a black tattered robe, his hood is covering his hair but it still gives me a chance to see the long white hair of the man. He holds a stick in both hands liked he is using it as a guide and to stand properly. His eyes are blue and he looked at me with so much concern in his eyes. The way he stared at me is so uncomfortable. I feel like this old man can see what I am thinking, what I am feeling. I feel like he knows my secret, he knows who I am.
" Who are you," I said as I stand up, making sure that I have enough distance from the old man. The old man blue eyes followed my movement and still stared deeply into me.
"You are conflicted, trouble by what you feel. Oh, you poor soul!"
"what!"
"You looked like you are having some deep thoughts earlier young man."
"Y-Yes. You are right, but I am fine don't worry." I said and I looked away from him, For some reason, I can't look at his eyes for too long. I feel scared. Nervous. It's like I can't make a lie to this man.
'But why?'
" If you need some medical help, you can go directly to the doctor Mr, they are inside of this hospital, they are a little busy but I am sure that they will listen and attend to your needs"
"But I am not the one that needs help young man."
I looked back at him, confused by his words.
'Oh!, maybe he has a family member who is admitted here. '
"I do not also have a family member here."
"..."
"You looked shocked by what you hear."
The old man then raised his right hand towards me, wanting to touch me, as his wrinkled hands getting nearer to me, I noticed his ring finger, specifically the white stone that glows on it.
For some reason it made him forget everything.
" Even though your heart is full of void and darkness right now. I can see a glimpse of light. It is just like a small hole but I know it will get bigger sooner, just don't think too much, just listen to your heart. Listen to its light. It will guide you."
'What are you talking about ?" I shouted to the old man.
' What is this nonsense your spouting to me?' My anger rose towards the man, but it is not right, I leash my feelings and I decided to walk away from him. I tried to move my limbs but nothing. I tried again and my limbs really didn't move.
'Urgh... Moved... You need to move'
I tried again to moved my limbs, but there is still no movement as if it gets stuck and became part of the land. My eyes dilated, showing the fear and panic that rising within me. My heart beats faster, my throat feels dry, and narrowed that voice and my words can't escape from it.
Thump... Thump...Thump...
I closed my eyes not wanting to see what will happen to me. I just want to get away from here, away from this man. There is something wrong with this man.
Thump...Thump...
'Get away! .... Get away from me!'
" ness.... Your Highness !"
A loud worried voice made my eyes opened. And I saw the worried face of butler Del in front of me instead of the old man. I removed his hands from my shoulders and looked from my left and right but the old man is nowhere to be found and I am.... sitting? 'but how come I know that I stand earlier' I said to myself. I breathe deeply and combed my hair with my right hand to ease my fear.
"Your Highness are you okay?" Butler Del asked. Prince Luan's face is pale, his eyes are full of fear and panic it keeps moving like it is looking for someone, making sure that this certain someone is not here. 'But that is weird, there is no one earlier when I saw him sitting on the bench.
Earlier Butler Del is looking for the Prince inside the hospital since it is getting dark and they need to get back to the palace as soon as possible. The butler did not expect that it will take this long before they can get back. He already looked at every part of the hospital but he really can't find the second prince. He asked Doctor Neil for helped and fortunately, the doctor told him that the Prince mentioned taking a rest outside of the hospital
Butler Del immediately got out of the hospital and roam his eyes it only stopped when he saw the Prince. He found the prince sitting at the bench his eyes closed and it looks liked he is sleeping but there is a weird thing he noticed. Prince Luan's face exhibits fear like the prince is having a bad dream. Butler del called the prince name several times but he's still not opening his eyes, worried by it, butler del shook the prince's shoulders while calling his name Louder, thankfully he got the response he wanted as the Second Prince opened his eyes.
The prince looked at him for a while and then it looked from its right and left.
"Did you see an old man Butler Del?" The princes asked in a disturbed manner.
"No... There is no old man here... I found you sleeping on this bench... Alone... Please don't do it again your highest it is too risky!" Butler Del said to the second prince.
"I slept?" The prince asked, as if not believing it and ignoring butler del's worry for him.
"Yes."
"But. .. I am sure I am awaked earlier and that there is... An old man' Luan said softly to himself, he sighed deeply and then rub his face with both hands.
'This is crazy. Is everything is just a dream?'
"Your highness.. you look like you are having a bad dream earlier... I called your name several times but you are not waking up. I am afraid that maybe something happened to you."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. you must be tired, after all, you did not just help with diagnosing the patient here but you also help to attend to their needs and have a small meeting with doctor Neil afterward about the things that need to be done immediately here. Let us go back your highness, I will make the report to the king on your behalf so that you can rest early."
"Okay... Thank you" I weakly said and get up. I walked towards the carriage as fast as I can and not minding Butler Del who's following behind me.
While I am walking my thoughts are still on the events that occurred to me earlier.
'This is crazy!' I thought to myself and shook my head while walking.
Meanwhile, Butler Del closed the door immediately when the prince is all set and then went to the coachman.
'There is something wrong with the Prince. The king needs to know it.' He seriously told to himself.