The Bright Side

2.

     That Friday afternoon the sky was completely cloudless, and the sun was shining bright through the window. Looking down on the street, Claudia had a clear view of the buzzing life of the Policlinico. Being built in the twentieth century, the hospital was still made of pavilions – unlike the new ones which were mostly single buildings – and was laced with streets and small squares. The wall surrounding the structures made it so that Policlinico Umberto I looked like a small city on its own. Also, being a teaching hospital, the place was always full of cheerful young adults, eager on learning and still oblivious to the real struggles of living a hospital life.

     Just in that moment, a group of twenty-year-olds had exited the building in front of Oncology's, seemingly having finished their lesson. They were now heading towards the small café where Claudia herself had spent a lot of her time, not only as a student but as a paid doctor too. She missed those times when she could go out from the Pediatric building with her colleagues and take some fresh air and a cup of espresso.

     Now that she was admitted as a patient, she couldn't go and take a walk just like that. Not that the nurses prohibited her to, as long as she promised to come back in a couple of minutes, they were okay with it. But it was just not the same. For instance, she had to wear her pajamas to the shop, and she was not yet used with it. Second, the chances that someone would recognize her were far too great. Claudia wasn't comfortable with the idea to talk about her illness to curious ones.

     She knew, of course, that at least those working in Pediatrics were all aware of her situation, seeing that she hasn't gone to work for almost a month now. Regardless of professional secrecy, news travelled fast inside the hospital walls, especially if it regarded the Chief's favorite.

     "Caro, I really need a cup of coffee. Like – really, really need it.", Claudia pleaded her best friend.

     Carolina Olivieri was sitting on the wooden chair next to the bed, her long legs fashionably crossed. She was displaying the most unconcerned expression on her face, clearly disinterested in what her friend was saying. Her attention was solely focused on a page of the magazine she had on her hands. From the grand red sofa on the cover, Claudia could only guess it was something to do with her work.

     Carolina was an interior designer – a line of work that Claudia taught wasn't really common, until her friend proved her otherwise. The brunette mostly worked with well-off families of Rome who wanted to redecorate their apartments downtown, but it wasn't uncommon for her to design offices and stores too. Sometimes – some lucky times – she would work with some minor celebrities and earn a lot of publicity and, of course, money. She was now the proud owner of a studio in a wealthy neighbor and had her own small team.

     "Did you hear what I said?", Claudia grumbled. "I need coffee!"

     "Go get one, then."

     Claudia sighed. "I can't! Have you seen how many people are down there? I'm wearing the ugliest pajamas ever, thanks to you."

     "You wanted a change of clothes, I brought you one.", Carolina responded, still not taking her eyes off her magazine.

     "I told you I wanted the bottle green pjs! The silk ones, not these that have purple ducks printed on them!", the blond raised her voice in annoyance.

     Her friend shushed her nonchalantly. "Keep your voice down, patients like you need a calm atmosphere."

     Claudia gasped dramatically at her words. "You little –"