GREGORY HOUSE, MD (An Alternate Story)

Chapter X

House

I went home and finished my patients' records. I can't believe I did that. I also can't believe I said that to Cuddy. But I mean it all. All of it. I just want everything to be peaceful. As I was riding my bike, I saw this new restaurant. Maybe they did this while I was still staying with Wilson. I better check it out.

I walked in and I know no one which is good because I can have some space. I was eating my meal when someone walked in with a familiar face. It's Malayna. It's her. I can't believe I see her again. I didn't notice that I was already smiling and I just called her.

"Malayna! Hey!"

"Greg?"

"Come join me"

"Why are you here in Princeton?"

"Oh, I forgot to mention I work here"

"That... is... unbelievable"

"Yeah I do. I am a doctor at Princeton Plainsboro"

"Wow. You're a doctor now? You talk to people? You hate people"

She said that while laughing. Her laugh is really infectious. I started laughing too.

"Well I still do"

"Yeah. Because people don't change, don't they?"

"They don't. Anyway, what project are you working on here?"

"Oh! It's for the United Nations. Some sort of research actually. Medical research"

"Medical research?"

"Yup. I was a surgeon a few years ago."

"You were? How come I never heard about you? I mean we work in the same field so I should have heard about you one way or another"

"It was brief. Because I had to quit because of a ...... situation"

That hesitation she had means she went through something she can't talk yet.

"Okay" I nodded

We continued eating and just reminisce what we had.

"Where do you live by the way?" she asked

"Just a few blocks from here"

"Can I go there?"

I don't know what to say. I don't know if I'm ready to open up to her again. Her smile fade away when I wasn't able to give her an answer

"I understand" she said after the silence

She smiled again and nodded. Then silence was there again. The momentum just shifted and we both can feel. Then she spoke the words I never expected from her.

"I'm sorry Greg"

I looked at her confused

"I'm sorry for leaving. You."

"It wasn't your fault May. You didn't have a choice. Your dad was assigned to a new place. "

"But I could have at least wrote a letter or make ways to keep in touch. Instead, I let my new life took over. I should've kept in touch"

She looked down and then glanced at me with a sad smile. An eyes that sparkle with sadness. The same eyes I glanced when she left years ago

"I'm sorry." she said and smiled

"Apology accepted"

We both smiled.

After our dinner, we talked until we reached my bike. We stopped and she looked at me with that amazing eyes.

"Well. That was an amazing meal" she initiated

"Yeah. It was"

"Till next time Greg"

I nodded and she started walking away. A few moments and I stopped her.

"Hey!"

She turned and looked at me

"Yes?"

"Uhmm... since you're in Princeton. I think you should have my number just to you know... to have someone show you around"

She smiled and handed me her phone.

"Okay. Put it there" she said

"Okay" and I typed my number in her phone

"Here" I handed her the phone and I smiled shyly. Again, shy again with her

"See you around" she smiled and walk away.

I drove to my apartment with a light heart. How come I never had anger towards her? I was bitter with Stacy. Hell, I am even bitter with Cuddy and I never even had her. But Malayna, she is different. I can never be mad at her.