That was six years ago. Today a young women sitting on the side of the bed. She is recalling everything that has happened in her life. She has no feeling of drowning whatsoever. Her mind and her body has never been so vivid since she was taken off from the medication a few weeks ago. Nina runs her fingertips on the paint layers that flaking on the iron frame of the bed, her eyes looking at a window to a distance lining of white fence in the familiar yard, where the old oak tree stands on the far left, the only view from her ward room for years.
This is Nina's last week in the facility. She was waiting for one last session with her Doctor, Doctor Carla Carlyle. She arrived at the facility just before Christmas last year. The only one who believes that Nina does not belong in the psychiatric facility.
Nina caught her attention since their first encounter on a session. The Doctor started to do a thorough examination on her and finds nothing than a fact that Nina is a bright and empathetic person. Yes, she enlisted severe traumatic trace in her. But not enough to imprison her, or keeping Nina from a chance to have a normal life.
"This young women have no reason to be in a mental hospital to begin with." She said during a board meeting.
It took almost a year for the process to release Nina. She didn't mind. She's been here half the life she knew. She knows no other life than the one that was taken away from her, ruined. Or the one she might have now, on the outside world. The world which she hasn't even begin to explore.
The nurse told her to wait and sit on the iron bench just outside Dr. Carlyle's office. She's still in a meeting with someone. Nina could hear inaudible chatter between two people. Dr. Carla and another person. A male person with a deep voice.
A very calming way of speak and rather decorated, Nina thinks to herself. She imagine whoever the owner of this voice has been practicing to master that firm tone. Make it believable and convincing, as a part of a solid personality.
Having no real companion makes Nina easily float on her on mind like this, she does this from time to time. She does this a lot. With anyone that caught her attention, the wardens, the nurses, or with other patient too.
That young women waits patiently, keeping herself busy with jumping thoughts. Her eyes wonder on the no tiled red floor beneath her feet. Nina anticipated as she hears a click on the doorknob and a firm hand can be seen pushing to open it.
Nina stood up almost in reflex, she ties her fingers behind her back and try to find other direction to look when Dr. Carla gently introduce her to the male visitor.
"Hello Nina, thank you for waiting. This is Doctor Oliver."
Nina made a short glimpse of his face by looking up because of how tall the man is. Enough to be polite, followed by a quite greetings almost like a whisper,
"Hello."
The Doctor show her a courtesy with his hat off.
"Hello Miss." He said.
"Nice to meet you." Again with his deep voice.
…
A minute later Nina is sitting across from Doctor Carla. It was always comfortable with her that Nina able to shrug off how nervous she was at the door just a moment ago.
"Are you exited?" asks the doctor with genuine tone.
Not so motherly, because that would be overwhelming, but Nina can sense warmth in her question. She answers with a nod and a little smile.
The doctor can sense something is bothering her favorite patient so she proceed with a forward gesture and awaiting expression, letting Nina knows that she needs more answer.
"I just.. keep having this feeling that I don't have to leave. Doctor." Nina said.
"Hm.." Dr. Carla nod in understanding.
"That feeling is completely normal, you've been here for years." Dr. Carla responded.
She proceeds,
"It happens to people who forced to be in a wrong place for some certain amount of time. They tend to build themselves some false sense of belonging. In order to survive."
"What does your mind tell you?" She intrigues.
Nina took a deep breath before saying how she takes on this,
"Although I feel that way, I'm still sure that it is good for me out there." Nina explained.
"Frightening, might be, but good." She said it almost to herself.