"Linda, why aren't you coming out", I heard Steve ask behind me. I didn't turn to look at him. I kept staring at the mirror, looking at the lady I had become. I looked different dressed in a wedding gown with the light makeup on my face and the new...
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Linda's POV
My search for that familiar face was futile. I searched the lobby, the reception, the car park and everywhere I got a chance to. After trying for several minutes with no result, I finally gave up and began to register in my brain that he wouldn't want to see me. Not when he just returned to Texas.
I was barely seated for two minutes when I heard soft knocks on the door to my office. I checked the time, it was just a few minutes past 10. My next session was by 11am.
"Come in," I replied gently, concluding it would be a nurse.
I didn't look up as the door opened and closed. After seconds of silence, I was forced to look up and see who it was that entered my office and refused to speaking.
"How may I..." I started but was brought to an abrupt silence by the eyes I met staring at me. I would recognize those brown eyes anytime anywhere. He stood their, his eyes eating me up as they stared as if they wanted to take the whole of me at once. I returned the favour, roaming my eyes all over him. Searching for changes and trying to figure out what's up with him. There wasn't a lot of changes. He was still as cute as ever, his brown hair maintaining it's colour while complementing his eyes. He didn't seem taller, however, his skin did look much lighter. He had hair on his face, he looked like he hadn't shaved for at least a week. It felt so good to see him that I nearly missed the last emotion in his eyes. But I saw it, I saw pain and dejection. I chose to save that for later.
"Linda," Steve finally spoke, being the one to break the silence and put an end to our staring contest.
"Steve," My voice sounded as shocked as my eyes and insides were. Bryan was really right. Steve was back in Texas. Did he come to see me? My heartbeat raced at the thought of the possibility of that. "Why are you in Texas? And why are you here?" I was questioning him so fast, eager to hear answers.
"You wouldn't even ask me to sit?" He stared at me and I felt my heart jump. I missed those actions.
"You already know to sit Steve. Just have your seat already and start speaking." I replied so fast I could barely make out my own words.
He smiled and that made me smile, looks like I still had my charm on him, "You haven't changed, have you? And how come your voice is still as ever?" He answered as he sat down opposite me, smiling so bright I thought I saw the emotion in his eyes flash from pain to relief.
"What do you mean by my voice is still as ever?" I couldn't resist the urge to ask.
"That would be my little secret," He grinned. It brought joy to my heart that although it's been four years, Steve and I still rolled as ever.
"Steve, you still haven't answered my questions. Why are you back in Texas and why are you here, in JnK hospital?" I repeated my questions and watched as colour drained completely from his face.
"Can we not talk about those? Can we just ignore the fact I'm supposed to be in California and behave like I'm in the right place?" Pain was back in his eyes and I cringed. Something was wrong, something huge was wrong with Steve. As usual, I could sense it but I couldn't make out what it was.
"What's wrong Steve?" I said as softly as I could looking at him with tender eyes. "Don't try to hide from me, you're here to see a psychologist anyway." I continued and he looked up at me.
"How did you figure that out?" He looked surprised. He meant to hide it from me, I concluded.
"I am a psychologist," I said matter-of-factly.
"Oh, yeah." He said and looked away from my eyes.
"Let's do it this way Steve. Let's fix the time for your sessions and save the story till then. For now, we can focus on being friends again. Is that satisfactory?" I silently hoped he would let me help him.
"What can I say? Who else is the psychologist that knows me so well?" He replied and my heart was gladdened.
I opened my schedule and searched for an empty spot to fix Steve. My evenings were occupied with wedding plannings and my afternoons were sessions filled. Mornings were the only free time.
"Wednesday 7am," I said and looked at him expecting his approval.
"Fine by me," He nodded.
"See you two days time?" I smiled at him. Secretly glad that I was going to be of help to Steve once again. I was determined to do it all right this time. I was going to make sure that would be the last time Steve would rely on anyone. Whether a friend or even a psychologist. I was going to bring him to a place of standing alone and bringing the best out of himself with self made confident decisions.
"Promise not to tell them." He looked at me sternly.
"Wouldn't they figure out anyway? Our street isn't so large." I answered. I didn't have to ask who the 'them' were. It was obvious who he was talking about.
"Just don't be the one to tell them," He repeated.
"Okay. I'll hold it in for as long as I can," I nodded my head, standing up to see him off to the door.
"It's nice seeing you once again Linda," He looked me in the eyes as he spoke and it's felt like my heart fluttered for a second.
"Me too Steve," I smiled so bright, it seemed I was blushing rather than smiling.
Steve stood up from the chair. His eyes set on my with Evey action he took. I couldn't begin to fathom why he die that. I could only conclude that he had always enjoyed teasing me. I looked away and walked towards the door. I turned the knob and watched him walk out. He waved and disappeared into the corridor.
Slowly, I traced my steps back to my seat, happy that Steve wasn't cold to me.
I was soon drawn away from my thoughts of Steve to that of my next patient as I heard knocks on my door.
"Come in," I said and prepared myself for the next one hour session. I smiled deeply and thought, "I love psychology."
Hello guys Who missed me? Who missed my updates? I'm sorry this has come over extremely late. I had a problem writing this Chapter. I couldn't come to conclude if Steve and Linda should have a stranger relationship or just keep up with their friendly one.
A special shout-out to my ghost readers 😘😘
I do hope this makes sense. Don't forget to vote and comment ❤
