An Unexpected Love

The Truth

It has been three weeks since they have decided to give it a shot. Since then, Neil and Elena have been on three more dates and last week, they went jogging together almost every morning before Neil went to work. This week, they have not seen each other at all, since Neil was working the night shift for the last three days. They also haven't texted or called each other. Whenever Neil wants to call her, he is either at work or he just got home and falls asleep. She doesn't mind. She understands the job of being a doctor.

Today is Kristina's checkup. It is also the day Elena tells her about her relationship with Neil.

Elena wakes up early. It is 06:30. She decides to go jogging. She gets changed and leaves a note on the fridge, once again.
It is still a little dark.

She walks to the park and warms up before jogging.

Neil parks his car near the park. He gets out, warms up and starts jogging. He sees someone in front of him. He thought it was Elena, but wasn't too sure. He picks up the pace, catching up to her.

"Elena." he said. He felt so happy to see her.
They stopped jogging.
"Neil?" Elena said, raising her eyebrows.
" I'm surprised to see you here. I... I thought you were working the night shift."
"Not today."
"Oh."
She smiles. They continue jogging.

"So... Today is the day." Neil continued.
She exhaled. "Yeah."
He could tell she was nervous.
"Don't be nervous. I will be right there with you."
She smiled, feeling reassured.

After their jog, they stop at their usual coffee shop. Except Elena buys her new favourite strawberry matcha tea instead of coffee.

"Is that good?" Neil said, before buying a coffee.
She nods. He contemplates and frowns at her.
"Same as her." he tells the barista.
He tastes it.
His eyes widen. "You should have told me sooner."
"Sorry. Never thought you'd like it." she said, laughing.
"This is way better than coffee." Neil said.
She smiles and watches as he drinks. She continues to drink her tea.

"I will see you later."
She nods. "Bye."
He walks half way to the car. He turns around and walks back to her, giving her a kiss on the lips. She pulls him closer.
"Mmm..."
"You got to go." she whispered, smiling.
He sighs.
"Okay."
He leaves and she jogs back home with a smile on her face.

She showers and gets changed. She has something to eat.

"Morning, Mom and Dad." she said, as they entered into the kitchen.

"Morning. You're up early." David said.
"Yeah." her mom said.
"I took a jog. Just got home about half an hour ago."
"Really? Well, I am surprised none of us heard you." her mom said.
"I did." her grandmother said, walking out of her room.
"Grams. You're up. How are you feeling? And what were you doing up at that time?"
"I wanted some water and I heard the door close. So... I assume you jog with a friend in the morning?"
Nicole looked at Elena for answers.
"Leave her alone. Why does it matter?" said David.
"Come on, David. It's your daughter. Wouldn't you like to know? I thought you would be more overprotective over her." said Kristina.
"Well, she isn't enjoying the interrogation so why should I add fuel to the fire?"
Nicole and Kristina's jaws drop and they look at each other.

Elena smiles. "Thanks, Dad."
"Thank goodness." said John.
"Morning, Grandpa."
"We got your back." said David, winking at Elena.
Kristina rolls her eyes.
They all eat and then Kristina starts talking again.

"I know your dad and grandfather told me to not interfere, but just answer one question."
Elena drops her spoon in her plate, making a clattering sound.
Everyone closes their eyes tightly.
"Sorry." Elena said, forcing a smile.
She sighs.
"Okay, Grams. Just one." She points out 1 with her finger.
"Did you jog with a friend today?"
She exhales.
"Yes."
Her grandmother's eyes lit up.
"Okay. You see, was that so hard? That was such a simple question to answer."
Elena rolls her eyes.
"When are we leaving?" she said, changing the subject.
"In about half an hour." said David.
She nods and goes upstairs. She decides to read a book.

"Elena. We got to go!" her mom shouted from downstairs.
"Okay, okay." she runs downstairs.
"I am right here." she said to her mom.

They start the engine and head off to St. Bonaventure.

When the drive is over, Elena is relieved. It felt like forever for her.
She helps her grandmother get out of the car and walked with her hand in hand while the nurse showed them to a consulting room. "Elena, I can walk fine by myself." she lets go of her hand and walks while Elena follows behind her.

"Dr. Melendez will be with you soon." said a nurse.
They all nodded and took a seat, except Elena.
"Mom, I am going to head out real quick."
"Right now?" her mom asked.
"Yeah."
"But the doctor..."
"I'll be back by the time he gets here."
Elena leaves and heads to the bathroom.

She feels so nervous. Her hands are shaking.
Meanwhile, back in the room...
"Hello, Kristina. Glad to see you. How are you feeling?" Dr. Melendez said as he entered the room. He waved to Nicole, John and David and mouthed: "Hi."
"Hi." they said.
Nicole keeps looking at the door.
"I am feeling great. I can get around the house by myself and I cooked.."
"I thought I made it clear that you are meant to be resting." he said, raising his eyebrows and crossing his arms.
"She is stubborn. Never listens." said John.
Dr. Melendez continues to examine her by checking her heart first.
"I...umm... couldn't help but notice. Your granddaughter isn't here." Dr. Melendez said.
"She is. She just stepped out really quickly." said Kristina.
"I am impressed that you're so observant." she added.
He laughed.

Just then, Elena steps in.
"We were just talking about you." said Kristina.
"Dr. Melendez." Elena said, nodding.
He nodded. "Miss Castillo."
"Sorry. I just had to make a phone call."
She walked and stood by her parents, while Dr. Melendez looked at her as she walked with each step. He stopped and looked at Kristina as she started talking.

"You know, Dr. Melendez, Elena is a baker, but she cooks just as well she bakes."
"Well, then maybe you should leave the cooking to her while you recover." Dr. Melendez said, putting his stethoscope back around his neck.
"She doesn't listen." said Nicole, David and John.
Dr. Melendez laughs.
"Well, everything seems good. I will see you in a month's time for your next check-up."
"Thank you." said Kristina.
He nodded and waved goodbye at everyone
He turned around and walked towards the door.

"Uh... Neil." Elena said. He turned and everyone looked at him.
"Um... Yeah?"
She turned towards her family.
"Elena, don't be rude. Why do you call him by his first name? You know you don't say that to a doctor." said Kristina.

She takes a deep breath. She looks at Neil.
"The truth is, while Grams was in surgery and I went outside, to the stairwell and Dr. Melendez found me. We decided... Actually he asked me to... Go on a date with him. Just once to make Grams happy." said Elena.

Kristina was shocked, but then she and Nicole smiled.
"So you have been hiding this the entire time?" David said.
"I am sorry. I just wanted to make Grams happy. And I kind of wanted Grams to stop setting me up and talking about me in front of him."
"Well, I am very happy." She looked at Dr. Melendez.
"So, Dr. Melendez, when exactly did you go on this date?"
"Umm... We actually went the day that you were here in hospital. When she wore the blue dress."

"I should have known! You looked too beautiful in that dress to just be going out with a friend." Kristina said to Elena.
She continued, looking at Dr. Melendez.
"And let me guess. She never wanted to see you again, which is why I assumed she walked out, hoping to avoid you."
Dr. Melendez looked at Elena.
She looks at him.
"Actually, we wanted to be friends. But we couldn't." he said.
"What happened?" said Kristina.
Everybody waited.
Dr. Melendez put his hand on Elena's shoulder. She took a deep breath.

"We're dating."