Stars in Your Eyes | AnunKamol

Chapter 4: Someone Special

Anna awoke with a sense of anticipation despite it being her day off. She had made plans to surprise Lila later in the afternoon, knowing that their budding friendship and the progress Lila was making gave her a sense of purpose and joy. Before heading to Lila's, Anna had a doctor's appointment for her regular check-up—a necessary routine given her condition.

As she sat in Dr. Lawson's office, the sterile scent of the hospital surrounding her, she tried to stay positive. Dr. Lawson entered, his expression one of professional concern.

"Anna," he began, his voice gentle but firm. "You're heading into the next stage of your symptoms. You're going to notice it more."

Anna nodded, her heart sinking slightly. She knew this day would come but hearing it still struck a chord. "What should I expect?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Dr. Lawson adjusted his glasses and consulted his notes. "With Eclipse Disease, you're likely to experience more frequent and severe episodes of dizziness and fatigue. The palpitations and shortness of breath will become more pronounced. You may also notice swelling in your extremities and a persistent feeling of weakness."

Anna swallowed hard, taking in the gravity of his words. Eclipse Disease had always been a looming shadow in her life, and now it seemed to be closing in. "What can I do?" she asked quietly.

"I'm prescribing you stronger medication to help manage the symptoms," Dr. Lawson replied, handing her a new prescription. "But Anna, you have to be careful. You need to monitor yourself closely and not push beyond your limits."

Anna nodded again, determined to maintain her resolve. "Thank you, Dr. Lawson. I'll be careful."

Leaving the hospital, Anna clutched the prescription, lost in thought. She knew she had to balance her health with her commitment to Lila and the other people she helped. As she exited the building, she nearly bumped into Poppy, who was carrying a large tray of cakes and cookies.

"Oh, Anna! Fancy seeing you here!" Poppy exclaimed, her eyes wide with curiosity. "What are you doing here? Are you visiting someone?"

Anna quickly composed herself, putting on a smile. "Yes, I was visiting a previous case I worked on," she lied smoothly, hoping to avoid further probing into her personal life.

Poppy beamed, seemingly satisfied with the answer. "That's wonderful! I'm here to deliver these goodies to the wonderful nurses and doctors. They do so much for everyone, you know?"

"That's really thoughtful of you, Poppy," Anna said, genuinely touched by Poppy's kindness.

Poppy's eyes sparkled as she spoke. "Well, I believe in spreading a little joy wherever I can. Speaking of joy, are you heading to see Lila later?"

Anna nodded, her spirits lifting at the thought. "Yes, I am. I think she's been making great progress."

"That's fantastic! She deserves all the happiness in the world," Poppy replied warmly. "Well, I better get these inside. See you later, Anna!"

As Poppy bustled away, Anna felt a renewed sense of purpose. Despite the looming shadow of her illness, she knew that helping Lila—and others—brought light into her life. She resolved to make the most of every moment, to find strength in the connections she made, and to face each day with the same determination that had always driven her.

With that thought, she headed to her car, ready to continue her day and surprise Lila with the hope and warmth they both so desperately needed.

__________

Anna hummed to herself as she prepared for her visit to Lila's. She decided to surprise her with a vibrant bouquet of flowers and a picnic basket filled with an assortment of treats. She knew Lila loved to eat and hoped that this gesture would brighten her day. With the basket and flowers in hand, Anna headed to her car, the sun shining brightly overhead.