A young woman, seemingly in her mid twenties took a deep breath as she stood before a door. It was as if she was scared to open the door and go inside. However, after gathering her composure she opened the door and went inside with a bright smile.
She said, "Ufff, what a hectic day, honey. Fat Rita was almost blasting a hole in my brain today, you know. Well, what can be done, some people are meant to be like that. How are you feeling today?"
She turned to look at the bed, where a man was laid. The person had long hair, and his body barely had any resemblance to humans, it was all skin stuck to bones. The man opened his eyes and turned them to follow the movements of the young lady.
She said, "I am sorry, I was delayed because of work. Are you okay?"
The man blinked his eyes slowly as he looked at her. The young lady said, "In a few minutes, Doctor Kaya will be coming over. Today is your monthly follow up."
The man exhaled a bit sternly as he blinked his eyes twice. The young lady smiled and said, "Do not be upset, it is necessary that we do the check up."
As soon as the young lady stopped talking, the doorbell rang and a bell-like voice sounded, "I got it."
Soon after that, a middle-aged lady, dressed in modest attire appeared at the door. She smiled at the young lady who was sitting beside the bed and said, "Good Evening, Snow."
The young lady was called Snow, she was fair and very beautiful, but her eyes appeared to be very stressed. Snow stood up and bowed slightly as she said, "Good evening to you as well, Doctor Kaya."
Doctor Kaya waved her hand and said, "We have known each other for three years now, can you stop being so formal with me. Forget it, you never listen to me. Only, Little Lily is obedient."
A small head popped up from behind her with a bright smile on her face. The little girl nodded and said, "Doctor Granny is also lovely."
Her voice was akin to a silver bell, dispelling all negativity. Doctor Kaya turned around and picked her up in her arms, and walked closer to the bed. She turned to look at the young man lying in the bed, and she could not hide her sorrow. She asked, "How are you feeling today, Leo?"
Leo blinked in response to her question but his eyes were locked to his daughter, Little Lily. The girl was also looking at him with a smile on her face. Snow came over from the other side of the bed and took Lily from the doctor who bent down to check Leo. She took a pulse and checked his breathing with a stethoscope and finally she used her hands to feel his limbs and torso.
After half an hour she said, "Snow, you have been regular with the massage. His blood circulation is looking good."
Snow smiled but the sadness in her eyes could not be hidden. Lily looked at the doctor and asked, "Doctor Granny, will Baba get better if we massage him?"
Kaya was a doctor who specializes in NeuroScience, she knew better than anyone else that it was impossible for Leo to ever get better and be normal. The young man had a spinal and cerebral injury, his central nervous system was so damaged that it was a miracle that he was still alive.
She cast a gaze at Leo, who was looking at his daughter with affection, and then at Snow who was holding back her tears because of the question. Kaya did not wish to lie but she did not have the heart to tell the truth to the child as well. She nodded with a smile, and Lily said, "Then, Lily will massage Baba, too."
She patted Snow on her shoulders to let her down, Snow was afraid, worried that Lily might harm Leo, from the corner of her eyes she caught Leo blinking hard, and she thought, 'Why are heavens so cruel with good people.'
She put Lily on the bed and reminded her to be careful and gentle so as to not harm her Baba. Kaya gestured for Snow to come out of the room, and Lily began to gently squeeze Leo's arm with her little hands.
…
Kaya stood against the kitchen counter, looking at Snow who was making her some tea. She sighed and said, "I know that you do not want to face it but the situation is not looking good. It is a miracle only that he can still be conscious and blink his eyes, but for how long this miracle will last, no one can guarantee that Snow. Why don't you send him to the nursing home? I will help you apply for the funds if that is the reason."
Snow turned around with a cup of tea and shook her head as she said, "Money is not an issue, the issue is that I do not wish Lily to stay away from Leo. It may seem like I am in pain but Leo gave up everything he had to stay with me. His condition is a price he paid to be in love with me, Kaya. I will not give up on him. Earlier, when he was in coma I thought probably he would not wake up, but when he did and he looked at Lily, his eyes radiated the same light they did when he was normal. As absurd as it may sound, but Lily is the reason he is living, and I will not take that reason away."
…
While the two women were talking outside in the kitchen, Lily was gently massaging Leo's arm. The young man looked at her with a radiant gaze. After a few minutes, Lily said, "Baba, I will do the other arm."
As she said this,'Ping: Congratulations, host your daughter affectionately massaged your body fulfilling the requirement for comprehensive motor skill repair. Time to complete: 167: 59: 59.'
Yes, Leo was not a normal man, he was blessed with a system right when he was on the edge of death.
Snow came inside the room, after sending off Kaya, and saw Lily massaging the other arm, and she smiled with affection. She turned her gaze to look at Leo, who was sweating and she quickly moved up to his side. She asked, "Are you in pain?"
Leo looked at her and blinked once. Snow patted her his shoulder lightly and said, "Bear with it, I will get the meds."
Leo blinked twice and then turned his eyes to Lily. Snow understood what he meant and she walked up to Lily and picked her up as she said, "Baba needs to rest, we will now go and eat dinner before Lily goes to bed. Tell Baba good night."
The little girl smiled at Leo and said, "Good night, Baba, I will see you in the morning."
Leo blinked once and Snow said, "I will be right back."
She took the child away, and Leo closed his eyes. He saw a progress bar looming in his consciousness, it was progressing slowly but it was moving. He saw that the restoration time was that of one week.
He thought, 'I will bear with it, the physical pain is much less than what I have suffered all these years. I will bear with it.'
He did not notice when Snow came in and pushed in the painkiller IV, as he focused on the memories that were playing in his mind to gradually forget about the pain.
…
Next morning, Snow woke up with a start and quickly rushed to check on Leo. She rushed inside the room, and worriedly checked Leo. The young man opened his eyes and turned his head to look at Snow who was checking every inch of his body.
The young lady saw this and froze, Leo could not move even an inch for the past three years apart from blinking his eyes. She rubbed her eyes and when she opened it again, Leo was smiling at her. Snow pinched herself and covered her mouth. The young man opened his mouth and made a sound, "Anow."
His voice was hoarse, and the sound was weak. It took all that he had to make this silly nasal sound, but Snow could not stop her tears at this moment. She sat down on the bed and placed her head on his chest as she bawled.
While crying she said, "In the dream, I saw the goddess of health appear before you and give you a boon, that you will be fine. I cannot believe this is really happening."
Leo smiled, he knew who this goddess was. The system must have implanted this dream in Snow's mind, because this girl was very spiritual. Leo rubbed his chin gently against her head and made a nasal sound, 'Mmm'
Snow regained her composure and said, "Wait till Lily finds it, she will be so happy. I will call Kaya over to check you first."
Leo looked at her face and shook his head gently and Snow looked at him confusedly, as she asked, "Why?"
Leo took a deep breath and blinked his eyes to her. Snow thought for a bit and thinking about his past, she nodded and said, "Fine, we will keep it a secret."
An alarm rang and she said, "I will take Lily to school."
Leo nodded and Snow left after changing the IV bag which was how Leo consumed the necessary nutrients. The young man closed his eyes as he thought, 'Soon, I will stand back.'