Open Heart {Under Revision}

Chapter 6- Decant in Dusk

Nine Years Ago...

My body would not agree with my legs. My mind neither, and together, they made me cripple. Supporting me were my crutches and wheelchair, and my absent-worried mother trying to win her position in her department. And a hypochondriac grandmother who could not believe what just befell on her family.

Manchester in month of December was a historic city no longer blessed by snowfall due to urban warming effect, as my Geography teacher explained few days ago. They were my constant companions— these series of swirling tutors who guided me towards my high school graduation at age of fourteen. I was still shy half a year from turning the age but just like snowless winds of this beautiful city, time passed without remorse and I grew habituated of never being able to walk again.

Doctors said everything was fine after a massive amount of reconstructive surgery. I should be walking by now, jogging non-less but my legs won't move an inch. They tried everything but there wasn't any damage to nerves...it was the damage to my mind. My mind which wanted me to not move, just rest in stillness of frozen times like snowless skies. And beyond the windows was a great expanse of land which soared for miles and miles away in horizon, such large area and only one patroness—my grandmother to maintain. This was my father's home grounds and instead of comforting me, they froze me in their cold numbness, numbing my skin and my will together.

All it took was one single day for everything to be taken away from me. Everything I've ever cherished. One single day.

And they would ask me every moment, "What can we do, Charlotte?"

And I would reply, "Nothing. I am fine."

But words of truth would only be struck down my throat, for I be always mourning and asking them to bring me my heart which was lost in this frozen-barren beautiful expanse.

************

"You are not wearing that." Sienna gave my outfit a distasteful look, "Nope. Not at all."

To me, my current clothes were absolutely fine and the only spare I had at Edenbrook. I haven't had bothered to rummage through my bag which I left at lockers and yesterday after my scrubs were annihilated, I ran along whole shift with one pair of two I originally brought. After ditching the scrubs, I wore the other pair—a modest full-sleeved blue blouson top with a cinched hem paired with grey parallel pants. I couldn't go to a place like Highwater wearing just the scrubs. They would kick me out before I reached a meter space from it.

"What's wrong with this?" I asked, wondering why on earth it would scorn her so much.

Sienna threw a blank look, "Girlie, are you serious?!" she dragged me towards the shower stall where only a single mirror was erected. It was tall and covered the whole face of wall. "You are beautiful with those cat-like eyes and this amazing long hair which deserves to be-" she tugged the band of my pony tail before I could protest and my hair spilled free in an odd bump, retaining the shape after being held for so long. My scalp was hurting painfully because of it, and now free? It felt liberating.

Personal Note: Avoid high ponytails when you are working a shift of thirteen hours. Plus always two hours extra.

"But you still need to be out of these clothes, girlie" she continued, "You need some spice and sass to take Highwater by storm! People are going to love you!"

I blinked, "I thought we are the only ones going there."

"We are. But Highwater is an elite place." She crossed her arms, "And you are going to find plenty of attendings and senior doctors enjoying where they don't have to see our sorry faces. I wanted to take us to the bar nearby Edenbrook but you will find every darn intern and resident there. They call themselves your friends for time being until tug-of-war to become the best in every attending's eyes show their true colours."