Unfated Lovers

Chapter 7: The Diagnosis

The sharp scent of antiseptic filled the air as Yumi walked down the sterile white hallways of the hospital, her footsteps echoing in the silence. She clutched her backpack tightly, her hands trembling slightly. Her heart raced not just from her condition but from the fear that settled in her stomach like a heavy stone. She hadn't told Hana about her worsening symptoms, nor did she plan to—not yet. Today, she was here alone, determined to handle this on her own.

The episodes of fatigue and dizziness had become almost daily occurrences. She could no longer brush them off as simple exhaustion from school. A week ago, she'd nearly collapsed in front of her friends, barely able to keep her balance. She'd laughed it off, insisting she was fine, but that night she had made up her mind: she needed to know what was happening. And so, she found herself here, nervously sitting in a sterile waiting room, hoping for a simple answer—something treatable and temporary.

After what felt like an eternity, a nurse called her name. Yumi rose slowly, feeling her heart pound faster. She followed the nurse down a narrow hallway, her thoughts swirling with fears she tried to push away. Her fingers dug into her palms as they led her to a consultation room, where she would wait for the doctor.

The room was small and cold, with a metallic exam table and harsh fluorescent lighting. Yumi sat down, tapping her fingers anxiously on her knees. She tried to keep her mind blank, but flashes of fear kept breaking through. What if it was something serious? What if this changed everything with Hana?

Moments later, the door opened, and a doctor entered, carrying a test results folder. He offered her a kind smile, but Yumi could sense the heaviness in his gaze as he sat across from her. Her heart beat faster as she waited for him to speak.

"Yumi," he began, glancing at the folder before looking at her with a grave expression, "thank you for coming in today. I know it must have taken courage."

Yumi nodded, swallowing the dryness in her throat. "I... I just thought it was time to know what was going on," she said softly, struggling to keep her voice steady.

The doctor paused, choosing his words carefully. "We ran the necessary tests, and the results have come back conclusive," he said gently, leaning forward with a look of practiced empathy. "You have a rare condition known as restrictive cardiomyopathy. It's a type of heart disease that affects how your heart muscles work. Unfortunately, this condition progresses over time."

Yumi's eyes widened, her breath catching as the words sank in. Heart disease? The term felt foreign, like something out of a distant nightmare. She felt herself begin to tremble but forced herself to focus on the doctor's next words.

"This condition affects the heart's ability to pump blood properly. Based on the tests, your condition is advanced. Yumi swallowed, the words barely registering. This couldn't be happening. "I... I don't think it's that serious," she murmured, her voice quivering. "Maybe I'm just... exhausted from school, or... you know, not sleeping well."

The doctor's face softened. "I know this isn't easy to hear, Yumi, but we've looked at the results closely. Your heart is struggling, and without proper intervention, things could progress quickly."

Her thoughts splintered, skimming over half-caught fragments of information. Heart disease. Weak heart. Progress quickly. No, I don't have time for this, not now...