Yours Truly, Second Heartbeat

11

Rylen:

"Thank you very much, sir." I say to the last donor of the day. It's just past 1 P.M., now it's time to pack up.

"Rylen?" Someone calls me and I turn around but I already know who's calling me.

I smile at a woman who walks towards me, she looks perfect in her white doctor gown. "Hi, doc." I greet her as I approach her closer and she gives me a warm hug.

After a break from her, I say, "Look lovely, well...like always, doc."

She slaps my arm lightly, "You still calling me that? I told you, just call me Sofia. We are not strangers, young man and I are not your doctor anymore." Sofia says with her comforting smile.

I laugh at what she said. Sofia is Alvin's sister in law and Andre's wife, as well as my former psychiatrist. Now it's been almost 7 years since I first met Sofia and it's been nearly 3 years since I went for a consultation with her. But of course we meet outside when the Alvin family sometimes has events, I am practically a family to them. Well, it is normal when you are together before you can even walk because Amara and my mum, Rebekah are childhood best friends.

"You never skipped do you?" Sofia says as her gaze turns to few people that already starting to pack up the blood donation event. She looks at me with her soften eyes and I know she about to say something.

I shake my head, "Believe me, it's not the only reason. I don't have classes today if you want to know. So, I came to give a hand to Madam Lily and she loves it when I come." I shrug and my hands pointing at Madam Lily, the head nurse.

Madam Lily stops after hearing her name, turns over to our direction and smiles lit up her face, but not for long, she turns serious. "I never force you, young man. I told you not to come when you have classes." Her voice stern and both her hands on hips.

I smile awkwardly and Sofia hides her laugh.

"Take him away, Doctor Sofia. He has been doing this since morning and says that he's free but I am sure he skipped his classes for this." Madam Lily nags and shakes her head.

"Madam...you are breaking my heart." I say, pretend to be hurt for her words, hand on my chest. Madam Lily gives me a laser eyes stare and Sofia cannot hold any longer that she chuckles at Madam Lily's expression.

"Alright, alright, we are going, Lily. Don't mind Rylen, I will take him from here. Good work today, Lily." Sofia says, she grabs my arm and pulls me to follow her. I give a big wave to Madam Lily and I can see she smiles as I walk away with Sofia.

"How are you feeling nowadays?"

Sofia's sudden questioning gets me off guard, I instantly look at her. Now that her tone changes, not playful anymore but still soft.

I nod, "I am good...and happy. Everything is fine and I don't think much of...him, like before." I answer but rather low tone.

Sofia touches my arm, it makes me stop from walking, she pulls me towards the hospital cafe and we take a seat there. Sofia waves at the staff at the counter, she nods as she understands Sofia's signals.

When her eyes return to me, Sofia gives me a little smile.

"Really? It's a good news then." Sofia pauses. "Are you happy for yourself or you happy when someone around you are happy?"

I still look at her, smiling.

"Are you taking care of yourself or are you taking care of someone close to you?" She continues, her head tilt to study my face. But I bet I am still smiling at her.