Past Redefined

PART THIRTEEN

Scarlett Finney's POV

I walked inside the hospital waving a bye to Chris.

God! I wished he was the same Chris and not Mr Christopher Rodriquez, the business tycoon. Though at times I feel him being Chris around me, I just get tensed that somewhere someone will notice him and have an article for the town to talk. I pushed the thoughts aside and went inside my cabin. I saw Cole examining a kid sitting in my cabin. His eyes were swollen. I knew he didn't sleep last night. I peeked out to see patients at the waiting area.

"Cole?"

He looked at me and nodded to wait. I stood there next to him. As the patient walked out, I smiled at them.

"Where did you go? We have work to do." He said not looking at me.

"Look here, Cole." And at once, he turned. I looked him from top to bottom. He was tired and the dark circle around his eyes were worse.

"If you are finished checking me out, we have patients waiting outside. And..." He was saying something and I noticed his eyes a little teary.

"Did you cry?" I blurted. A little terrified.

"Oh please. No. Never." He stammered making me laugh.

The worst time to laugh and yet I didn't know why I did. He looked at me with disbelief and he also joined.

We laughed.

"Jesus Kiddo, you aren't supposed to cry." I said slapping his shoulder.

"I didn't. It is just that I didn't sleep last night." He said stretching his muscles and yawning.

"Go, I will handle everything. Take rest." I said pushing him out of my cabin.

He waved and went to the rest room.

~

It was late in the afternoon, I went to the ward to check the patients. As I walked past them, I saw him sleeping in the restroom.

I leaned on the door and looked at him.

"Cole!" I mouthed his name with a sigh.

I could see the tired and dullness in his face.

He was my best friend and seeing him like this is not what I expected. Had I known he would be that broken, I would have never said a word like that.

We both know that somewhere he is the one whom I can trust, till the end. We both were the silent best friends. We may have not spoken that much to each other lately, but we know, we would do anything to protect, care and believe each other.

He is the one who I will trust with my life.

But that doesn't mean or need me to love him. I respect and care about him much more than a lover.

Someday he will realize and be happy that I had done this right.

That was the reason why I told him the truth. At least then he will realize that we are the best in this way.

But when Chris told me, I understood that I had made a big mistake of breaking his heart.

May be I should do what Chris said.

I walked towards him only to hear him snoring. He must be damn tired.

I sat in the other bed thinking of what it was all these years. Cole and me. There was a smile that plastered my face thinking about him.

Never has someone ever done so much for my happiness and yet I was in a situation unable to reciprocate it.

'I'm sorry, Cole.'