The Heart Never Lies

Chapter Thirteen

Andy

"I am going to the hospital Mom!" I shouted through their bedroom door as I ran down the steps early in the morning. I still have not brushed my teeth but I changed into a nice pair of sports jacket and shorts. "For what? And do you need money?" I heard her inaudible voice just as I reached the last step of the staircase and into the living room. "Going to the gym with Kyle, and no thank you!" I shouted as I gave dog food to my puppy before leaving the front gate.

It is Sunday morning and the weather is amazing for gym training. Kyle is free and he told me that he can show me how to work out in the gym. He told me to meet him in the hospital because he wants to see his sister before leaving for gym. It has been his habit since I knew him to always be there with his sister in the hospital during the weekends.

I checked my watch as I walked energetically on the streets, can't wait to finally exercise and be the man Carol needs. I reached a bus stop and waited for a public bus to pick me up to the hospital. I sat at the rusty metal chairs and the bare shelter vandalised by immoral people. I waited patiently as my heart ponders over what had happened when I first met Carol. I never really expected that I would have a crush on her, maybe probably because we clicked the instant we saw each other. It might be cliché to say that, but I guess everyone has experienced before, love in an instant.

The bus woke me up from my daydream as he shouted for me to get in the empty bus. I got up quickly and boarded the bus. Most of the seats are either broken or spray painted, but the seats at the back are still in good condition. I sat down and adjusted myself on the unstable seat and looked out at the window as the bus started it's journey. I sighed as I instinctively looked at my left, expecting that Carol would be there but there is only emptiness.

Because of her, I smiled without a reason. Or maybe in reality, there is a reason. Maybe I am just too euphoric, thinking about her every single day like every new couples in the world. It's like a dopamine rush in the brain. Like how addiction is engraved in all of us. People say that your feelings for one another changes as time passes by. But I believe that my feelings for Carol will stay the same. I will love her no matter what happens. I calmly went to sleep, knowing that I have Carol by my side even if she is not here. Because... she lives inside my heart from the moment we first met.

***

The bus honked twice and I am immediately in alert mode. I open my eyes as I take in all the people sitting inside the bus. I looked outside and the sun is blazing its heat on the busy city road. "Hospital! Hospital!" The bus driver shouted as I made my way through the mob of crowds standing in the middle of the crowded bus. I swiped the card on the panel and it took away most of my money. Really? I shook my head in disappointment as I left the bus and into the busy commute of people.

I walked in the main entrance of the hospital where a few ambulances are parked. Some are transporting emergency patients whole some are preparing to go out. I walk my way towards the paediatric wing and noticed a lot of stares from the medical staffs around me. When I passed by the receptionist counter, they told me to stop and asked me the reason for my presence here. I told them that I have a friend who we have scheduled to meet in a ward but they did not buy my reason. I told them the name of my friend as well but according to them, there is no such name inside their record.

They even sent in some security guards as I tried to reason with them. Thankfully, Kyle came in at the last second as they were about to kick me out of the paediatric ward. "He's with me!" I see Kyle panting. The nurses nodded their head as they finally see someone familiar. They stuck a badge on my shirt so they can track me if anything is missing in the ward or if I have 'stole' any babies.

"Sorry about that. We don't get a lot of newcomers here." Kyle apologised as he led me through the wards. I see a lot of nurses tending to babies while some are playing puzzles with adolescent. "Do you always come here for your sister?" I asked Kyle as we both took a right into a more ornamented walls and ceilings with colourful banners written with all sorts of cartoon character's names. "Yeah, I mean, she is still recovering after what had happened."

Kyle had told me all about it, her sister's accident three years ago. It was a house fire and everyone was out for work and school. Her sister Clara stayed in the house because she has a mild fever. Someone left the stove on and before they knew it, the whole house is on fire. They managed to get Clara out from the house but she has suffered major injuries. Ever since then, Kyle hasn't been the same person as before.

We trek our way through the mazy corridors and finally reached ward 401, where Clara is situated now. We were welcomed by a warm gesture from Clara with hand signs. Reminds me of Carol, who couldn't speak. "Hey sweetie." Kyle went over to his sister and gave her a kiss on her forehead. "You alright here? Did anyone bully you?" I stood at the door, giving them some space to talk about things.

As she shook her head to say no, I immediately see the burnt marks on her neck all the way to her hands. It is still in the process of recovering, but she must be a courageous kid to survive through that. "Andy" Kyle called me over. I hesitated but my legs gave up and moved to their direction. I sat beside Kyle and smiled at Clara who welcomed me with another warm gesture. "She wants a hug." I got closer to her and was very careful with the hug because I am afraid that I might crush her ribs or something.

"Great to meet you. Heard a lot about you from your brother." I smiled as I got her back on the pillow. She looks really young, yet old at the same time. It is as if, she is physically young but mentally old. "Do you want some snacks? Maybe some ice cream?" Kyle said. She shook her head and got a pen and paper. The nurses here told me not to eat those stuffs. It's bad for health. I excused myself and got up to wait for Kyle and his sister to finish their conversation.

I walked out of the room and stood beside the door and my head immediately turns to a beautiful figure walking past me. She is a blonde with her hair extending down to her slim waist. Her eyes sparkled green emerald and her face is round. According to what she is wearing, I can easily tell she is into Lolita fashion. Both of us made eye contact and time seems to slow down again. I could see several bodyguards walking behind her as she made the walk past me. She broke the eye contact immediately and entered into a ward.

She seems... familiar. I have seen her before, I just do not know... where. "Hey, we done, you ready to go?" Kyle got out of the room smiling. "Yeah, I mean, been waiting for you." I laughed as we both exited the paediatric ward and onto the busy streets. As we waited for the bus to come and pick us up, my mind wanders and think about that mysterious girl. She seems rich, no doubt about it. But there is something about her... that makes me want to think about her. Her perfume? Her... looks?

I shook my head. I can't betray Carol when we have not even started our relationship. I guess whoever it is, I have a feeling that we are going to meet again, somewhere in the future. My mind stopped daydreaming as the bus arrived to pick us up. I turn my head to look at the hospital one more time, before boarding the bus with Kyle.