The Seven Dates

The Fifth Date: Healing Words

The classroom, usually buzzing with the muted whispers and rustling of papers, suddenly fell into a hush as young Yohan erupted into a fit of coughing. The coughs were harsh, racking his small frame and leaving him gasping for air. A young Jenny, her face etched with concern, was the first to react. She quickly rose from her seat and hurried over to him, her expression a mix of worry and confusion.

The rest of the class watched, their eyes wide with concern, as Yohan attempted to stand up. But his strength failed him, and he collapsed onto the floor, his body limp and unresponsive.

The next memory of young Yohan was waking up in a stark hospital room, the beeping of monitors punctuating the silence. Doctors bustled around him, checking readings and adjusting the IV that was connected to his arm. The room, with its white walls and clinical ambiance, was a stark contrast to the vibrant life of the classroom he'd just left.

Present day Yohan, now sat on a hospital bed in a room that boasted better infrastructure than the one from his childhood memory. He wore a typical hospital gown, its pale blue color standing out against the crisp white sheets of the bed. The gown was fastened loosely at the back, providing the necessary comfort and ease for a patient. In his hands was a magazine, which he read with half-hearted interest, his mind seemingly elsewhere.

The door to the room opened, and Jenny stepped in. Her presence instantly changed the atmosphere of the room, bringing a sense of warmth and familiarity. She approached Yohan's bed, a light smile on her face, despite the concern in her eyes.

Yohan greeted her with a weak but genuine smile. "Hi, you didn't have to come here," he said, attempting to sit up a little straighter in bed. "I was about to be discharged. It's really nothing serious, just the change in weather and diet seems to have got to me." His voice carried a casual tone, but there was a hint of strain in it, betraying his attempt to downplay the incident and mask the true extent of his condition.

Sliding a chair closer, Jenny sat down next to his bed, creating a more intimate and comfortable space for their conversation. She looked at him with a soft, knowing expression, aware that there might be more to his situation than he was letting on. Yet, she chose to respect his effort to keep the mood light and not press further about his health at that moment. Instead, she offered a light-hearted comment to ease the situation, "I guess our date today is in the hospital, huh?".

"I guess so," Yohan replied, his tone carrying a hint of apology for the unconventional circumstances. "So, what did you have planned for us today?" he asked, curiosity lighting up his eyes despite his current situation.

Jenny responded with a hint of disappointment, "I was thinking of going for a sunset trek. It's just a 2-3 hour hike, nothing too strenuous." Her eyes seemed to reflect the colors of the sunset they were missing.

Yohan, maintaining his sense of humor despite the circumstances, quipped back with a playful grin, "3 hours trek? Okay, now I am actually glad I fell ill and got admitted here." His comment, light and teasing, was his way of keeping the mood upbeat.

"So tell me about your life abroad, just two more days, you must be excited to go back," Jenny prodded gently, steering the conversation towards his life away from home.

Yohan's response was contemplative. "Well, life abroad is... different," he began, his tone reflective. "It was tough at first, adapting to new places, new people. But," he paused, his gaze meeting Jenny's, "you eventually get used to it. Though, I never really forgot about my childhood, about here."

Jenny nodded, her expression showing understanding. "You know, when we first met again, it felt like you were a completely different person. It was kind of upsetting," she admitted. Then, lightening the mood, she playfully mimicked his initial greeting, putting on an exaggerated American accent, "Hi, Jenny right?" Her teasing brought a smile to Yohan's face.