HEALING HEARTS

CHAPTER 6: Secrets Revealed

The hospital was unusually quiet in the late evening, with only the distant beeps of monitors and the soft hum of fluorescent lights filling the air.

Caddion and Percival found a rare moment of respite in the break room, each nursing a cup of coffee.
The long shift had been particularly grueling, and the fatigue was evident on their faces.

Caddion glanced at Percival, hesitating for a moment before speaking.

“Percival, do you ever feel like the past still has a hold on you?”

Percival looked up, surprised by the question.

“Yeah, sometimes. Why do you ask?”

Caddion took a deep breath, deciding it was time to share something he had kept buried for a long time.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about my childhood lately. It wasn’t easy. I grew up in a small, poor village. My family didn’t have much, but we had each other. My brother, Edric, and I were very close.”

Percival nodded, encouraging him to continue.

“What happened to Edric?”

Caddion’s eyes clouded with painful memories.

“He got sick when we were kids. Really sick. We didn’t have the money or resources to get him proper medical care. I watched him suffer, helplessly. And then... he passed away. I was just a kid, and I couldn’t do anything to save him. That’s why I became a doctor, to make sure no one else has to go through what we did.”

Percival’s expression softened with understanding.

“I’m so sorry, Caddion. That must have been incredibly hard for you.”

Caddion nodded, grateful for Percival’s empathy.

“It was. And since then, I’ve been so focused on my work, trying to be the best doctor I can be. But it’s been lonely, keeping everyone at a distance because I was afraid of getting close to anyone again.”

Percival took a sip of his coffee, thinking about his own experiences.

“I get that. My family had high expectations for me to follow in my father’s footsteps and become a doctor. But I chose to be a nurse instead because I wanted to be closer to the patients, to really connect with them and make a difference in their day-to-day lives. Sometimes I worry I’m letting my family down.”

Caddion looked at him with admiration.

“You’re an incredible nurse, Percival. The way you connect with patients, the way you care for them – it’s inspiring. You’ve definitely not let anyone down.”

Percival smiled, appreciating the compliment.

“Thanks, Caddion. That means a lot coming from you.”

Their conversation flowed naturally after that, sharing more about their lives, their hopes, and their fears. As they talked, they both felt a growing sense of connection, a bond that went deeper than mere colleagues.

Percival broke the silence that followed their revelations.

“You know, I’ve never felt this comfortable talking to someone about my past. It’s... nice.”

Caddion nodded, feeling the same way.

“Yeah, it is. I guess I’ve been so used to keeping things to myself that I forgot how good it feels to open up.”

They sat in companionable silence for a moment, both lost in their thoughts. The break room, usually just a place to grab a quick coffee, now felt like a sanctuary where they could be themselves.

“Percival,”

Caddion said, breaking the silence,

“I want you to know that I trust you. More than anyone else.”

Percival looked at him, his eyes filled with sincerity.

“I trust you too, Caddion. And I’m glad we had this talk. It means a lot to me.”

As they returned to their duties, the unspoken understanding between them grew stronger.
They weren’t just colleagues anymore; they were friends who had shared their deepest fears and dreams.
And though neither of them said it out loud, they both knew that their feelings for each other were deepening into something more profound than friendship.

The rest of the night shift passed in a blur, but the bond they had forged remained.

They were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing they had each other’s backs.