Born To Heal You (MilkCiize)

BTHY - 4 🥛🎀

Last night, I caught them. They're cutting her medical supplies, giving her cheaper brands of medication. I could tell just by touch that it was some kind of generic brand. It caused Milk to break out in rashes and made her skin drier than ever. The sockets around her eyes had deepened more than usual. Are they already giving up on her? I almost cried at the thought that these respected doctors I've always admired could be capable of such cruelty.

Two senior doctors entered the room. They thought I wouldn't understand their secret conversation. Did they really think I was an idiot? Of course, I understood them. They used an illegal code, signaling that if they couldn't end her life by unplugging her breathing machine, they would tamper with her dosage. To them, it wasn't killing—it was "mercy." How disgusting. They should be sued, but I can't argue without evidence. Her medical data is confidential, and my concerns would be dismissed as baseless assumptions. This time, I can't fight back.

As the days passed, they continued to sabotage Milk's health. She's experiencing the worst—and not just her, but me too. No one knows that I was evicted from my apartment for missing rent. I've learned how to sleep on the hospital benches near the parking lot. When I need to lie down, I sneak into the storage area on the 23rd floor to nap. I've stashed my personal belongings there, pretending they're just random boxes, but they're actually my clothes and school supplies.

Sometimes, I secretly use Milk's bathroom to take a shower. I save the hospital food meant for interns during the day so I have something to eat at night. I don't mind—I've lived through worse. But what I can't stand is watching them treat Milk like she's already gone, when I know she's still fighting. I keep hoping she'll wake up, and when that day comes, maybe I'll finally get to live my dream life after saving hers.

One night, while I was taking a nap in my "private" storage room, two people barged in. Who dared disturb my peaceful rest? It turned out to be two male doctors... making out. I panicked and screamed when things got heated. To my surprise, it was my best friend, Gemini, and Dr. Fourth. I thought I'd be the one scolding him, but it ended up being the other way around. After some privacy, Gemini scolded me so harshly I nearly went deaf.

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"Are you crazy? What do you mean you were evicted and lost your job? Are you telling me you've been surviving on your intern allowance alone? Have you lost your mind, Ciize? How could you be so messed up? You were never like this. Your life and future were always so smooth and well-planned. You were the best student in our batch, so why are you suddenly being so reckless with your decisions? This is about your dream, Ciize! You worked so hard for your studies, through blood and sweat."

"Stop overreacting, Gem. It's not like I haven't been through this before. I've dealt with poverty and hardship all my life. This is nothing to me."

"You think this is nothing? Ciize, you're living like a homeless person in the hospital!"

"Hush! Shut up, Gem, or we'll both get in trouble! And what about you, huh? Acting all responsible and respectable now when you were just hiding in this storage room with your lover!"

This time, it was Gem's turn to feel embarrassed. He felt foolish for acting recklessly out of love, but at least he had a reason to sneak around.

"Give me a reason why you're acting like this, Ciize. I want to know. Don't tell me you've fallen in love. Oh no, don't tell me it's true!" Gemini teased, but Ciize got flustered.

"You and your ridiculous thoughts!"

"So why? Why are you doing this? Why are you being so reckless, Ciize?"

Ciize paused, then confidently replied, "I want to save lives, even if mine is at risk in the process. And that's a noble thing to do, because I'm a doctor."

Gem was left speechless by Ciize's words. She stayed calm, gave him a final glance, and walked off to start her shift, leaving her friend behind.

-----

It seems I can't shake his words from my mind. I keep thinking about how my best friend suggested that I was madly in love, just like him, to be acting so recklessly. Acting foolishly isn't something I usually do. But being described as "in love"? Love? I've never been in love, and I've never had the privilege to even consider it. And if I were given the chance? No way! I'm too busy figuring out how to succeed in life.

As I passed by Milk's room, I noticed that even the CCTV camera was broken. I was about to report it but stopped myself. Maybe I could use this opportunity to visit Milk after my shift, especially since her condition has been worsening. I can't seem to calm down—I worry too much about her discomfort.

One exhausting night, I thought I heard her scream. I rushed to her room, panicking, only to find her sleeping peacefully. Still, I couldn't leave her like that after such a terrifying thought. Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching. I immediately hid under Milk's bed. Luckily, I'm so small that I fit perfectly, unnoticed.

"Increase her dosage," one of the higher-ups ordered.

"But doctor, that might kill her instantly," the other doctor replied nervously.

"Isn't that the whole point? To end her suffering once and for all?"

"But not to the extent of taking her life in one go. We should at least make it look like it was due to a severe allergic reaction to a new medication."

"We're just fooling ourselves. We all know her disease has been incurable from the start. But you were too cowardly to refuse her admission. You even agreed to her terms. Now, you're all too scared to let her go just because she's a Class A patient. Who cares if she dies here? I bet no one will even claim her body. She's rich, but for what?" The doctor in charge walked out of the room. The other doctor, left with no choice, reluctantly prepared to carry out the illegal order.

After they left, they were probably hoping to hear the news of Milk's grave condition by sunrise.