Love and Leave

1. Fantasy and Reality.

In the quiet stillness of the early morning, I found myself drifting back to those sunlit days of high school, where he was always the center of my secret thoughts. In my dream,
he was walking straight towards me, his confident stride making my heart flutter. His bright, glowing skin seemed to capture every ray of light, making him almost ethereal. His deep brown eyes, filled with warmth and mischief, held my gaze as if no time had passed. The sharp angles of his jawline gave him a distinguished look that made my heart race even now His lips parted, ready to say something that I had longed to hear for years. Just as he was about to speak, the harsh ring of my alarm clock shattered the moment, its shrill beep, beep, beep jerking me back to my reality.  All the thoughts about that one certain boy vanished and reality hit . Hard.
I opened my eyes and saw my alarm clock it's 5:30 am I have to reach the camp by eight..
Groaning I jumped off my bed and went for my daily morning routine.On the way to bathroom I checked for some messages . There are 3 apparently, from late at night , one is at 3 am and it was from Ashley. My best friend who's now my colleague.

"Hey! Last night was wild! Met this guy at the bar who seemed cool at first, but turned out to be a total jerk. Can't wait to spill all the details when we meet up before camp. See you soon!"

I met up with Ashley at the food court for breakfast, eager to catch up on everything that had happened since we last saw each other. As we settled into our seats and started sipping on our coffees, she began recounting her night from the evening before. Oh, where do I even begin? He seemed nice at first, but then he started saying all these rude things and acting so arrogant. It was such a letdown." said Ashley , she further added..
"He started making rude and insensitive comments, displaying a level of arrogance that quickly turned me off. " It was disheartening to hear how quickly the evening had soured, transforming from a potentially enjoyable outing into a frustrating and disappointing experience. Despite her attempts to steer the conversation in a more positive direction, his behavior persisted, leaving her feeling uncomfortable and eager to make a swift exit. Reflecting on her story, I couldn't help but feel sympathy for her frustration and disappointment. It's always disheartening when encounters like this occur, especially when you're just looking to unwind and have a good time.

As I entered the camp, I was greeted by a middle-aged man who radiated authority and strength. His hair, streaked with a distinguished gray line, framed a face marked by sharp, chiseled features. His dark black eyes held a depth of experience, and his muscular build was a testament to years of dedication and discipline.
"Welcome, Isabella " he said, his voice firm yet kind. "I'm Captain Reynolds. We've got a situation. Please visit the patient in bed number 24."
Nodding, I made my way to the designated bed. The room was dimly lit, the soft patter of rain against the windows adding to the somber atmosphere. As I approached, I saw a young man sitting facing the window. His broad back and muscular frame were immediately noticeable, his shoulders huge and his messy, wet hair hinting at the weather outside. His right hand was partially fractured, encased in a cast, and bandages covered his left hand.
"Excuse me," I said softly, "can you turn around so I can examine you?"
There was a pause, a heavy stillness that seemed to fill the room. The rain outside intensified, the sound creating a dramatic backdrop to the moment. Slowly, he began to turn, and as he did, time seemed to stretch. My breath caught in my throat, an inexplicable sense of anticipation building inside me. His movements were deliberate, almost hesitant, as if he knew my voice and was just as uncertain about facing me as I was about seeing him.
When his face finally came into view, my heart pounded in my chest. His eyes, deep brown and filled with a mixture of pain and recognition, locked onto mine. I felt a rush of emotions—shock, disbelief, and a powerful surge of something I hadn't felt in years. The room seemed to shrink around us, the rain outside now a distant echo. His rugged features, softened slightly by vulnerability, were unmistakable. It was him—the same guy who had occupied my dreams and memories. The realization hit me like a tidal wave, leaving me breathless and speechless. This wasn't just any patient. It was the boy from my dreams, now a man, and here, in this unlikely place, our paths had crossed again.