139 FED


    ARIEL’S POV


    The hospital corridors were unusually quiet at this early hour, the only sound being the soft shuffle of


    my footsteps against the linoleum floor. I reached the lobby, where the fluorescent lights cast a harsh


    glow over the empty chairs and deserted reception desk. The automatic doors slid open with a soft


    whooshing, and I stepped out into the cool morning air.


    The streets were just beginning to stir, and the sky was a canvas of pastel pinks and oranges as the


    sun peeked over the horizon. I made my way down the sidewalk, my breath misting in the crisp air. The


    city was slowly waking up, the hum of traffic in the distance mingling with the chirping of birds in the


    nearby


    trees.


    I turned the corner and spotted a small convenience store nestled between two towering buildings. The


    storefront was adorned with colorful neon signs advertising various goods, and a flickering “Open 24


    Hours” sign beckoned to early risers like me. Yeah, that was kind of true.


    The tantalizing smell of freshly baked pastries wafted out onto the sidewalk, making my stomach growl


    in response. So, stepping inside, I was greeted by the warm aroma of coffee and the soft murmur of a


    radio ying in the background.


    The shelves were stocked with an array of goods, from canned goods to fresh produce; their vibrant


    colors were a wee sight in the store. A friendly cashier stood behind the counter, a tired smile on


    his face, as he rang up a customer’s purchases.


    “Good morning, Miss,” he greeted.


    “Good morning.”


    “How may I be of help to you?” He asked, yawning and stretching his arms.


    “Well, I came to get myself some food,” I replied. “And you must be feeling tired, by the way.”


    “Yeah, a job like this is so exhausting. You can go get what you want.”


    “Okay.” I nodded with a smile.


    I made my way through the aisles, selecting a few items to take back to the hospital. I picked out a ripe


    apple, a loaf of crusty bread, and a wedge of sharp cheddar cheese, each item carefully chosen with


    Luke in mind. He was going to love this, I think.


    FRO


    As I made my way to the checkout counter, I couldn’t help but linger by the rows of colorful flowers,


    their blossoms nodding gently in the soft morning light.


    With my purchases in hand, I bid farewell to the cashier and stepped back out into the waking city. The


    streets were now bustling with activity; the once- empty sidewalks were now filled with people going


    about their morning routines.


    I felt a sense of peace settle over me as I made my way back to the hospital, the sun rising higher in


    the sky with each step she took.


    I pushed the hospital doors open and made my way back to Luke’s room, greeting the nurses around.


    I budged closer to Luke, with the purchased food in my hand, and I sat next to him. This devotedness


    had just unfolded within me, and I couldn’t actually believe I was doing this. But I had to tell myself,


    “This isn’t a dream big head. Just keep on living the reality.”


    “How are you feeling, Luke?” I asked, gently touching his hand. But I took my hand off his the moment


    he gave me a knowing look.


    “I’m feeling okay, Ariel. You don’t have to keep asking me this.‘


    “I was just being concerned.”


    “Well, I’m alright, or should I say I felt like I’d been run over by a truck or something?”


    “Uhmm, why would you say that?”


    “I don’t know. Because you ask too many questions.”


    “Ask too many questions?” I chuckled. “Okay, that’s a big lie right there. But anyway, I brought you


    some food. You need to eat to regain your strength.”


    “I have enough strength.”


    “You argue too much. The nurse wasn’t lying when she said you’re stubborn.”


    Luke sighed. “Don’t keep mentioning that word. What have you got there, by the way?‘


    “Oh, you want to eat now?”


    “Well, of course.”


    “I thought you said you had strength. Incredible Hulk,” I teased him. “Don’t start acting like a two–year–


    old. Just show me what you got there.”


    “Okay,” I said, disying the food I had bought for him. The ripe apple, the loaf


    of crusty bread, and the wedge of sharp cheddar cheese. “It’s clear, right? Not hospital food, since you


    wanted something delicious to eat.“–


    “And you think these are delicious?” Luke made an irritated face.


    My smile vanished right away. “Yes. Why are you asking? You don’t like them?”


    Luke gave me a serious face for a few seconds before he began tough. “I’m just kidding, alright. This


    all looks really delicious. It’s going to make me feel better at the moment. Maybe eat and then zoom off


    to work.”


    “No!” I disagreed right away. “You are not doing that.”


    “Why not? I’m physically fit to get the hell out of here.”


    “That wasn’t what the nurse said.‘


    “I don’t care about what she says.‘


    I chuckled and grabbed the apple, taking a small knife to peel the skin off. “Here, let me feed you.” I


    held the apple up to Luke’s mouth, taking small bites and feeding them to him. He closed his eyes in


    pleasure, savoring the sweetness of the apple.


    “Hmm, this is really good. I never thought I’d taste something as good as this again.‘


    “Why exactly?” I queried.


    “Because I thought I was going to die.”


    “Please don’t say that.”


    “Say what? That I thought I was going to die?”


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    “And you said it.”


    “Look, don’t be scared of death. It’s something thates to you when the time is right.”


    “I know. But still, I wouldn’t wish for that to happen. When deathes knocking on my door, I’m not


    going to let it get in.”


    “That’s not something you get to decide,” Luke told me. “When deathes, we have no choice. And


    it’s quite painful. Not everyone wants to leave this earth. But the painful truth is that we’ll all have to.


    Young or old.”


    “I know,” I said underneath my breath. “But I hope that we don’t die any time soon. There are still a lot


    of things that need to be aplished.”


    “Things like what? I’m a billionaire; I already have the wealth. I don’t see anything left for me to


    aplish.”


    “Speak for yourself, Luke. Speak for yourself.”


    The moment he finished the apple, I tore off a piece of the crusty bread and dipped it in some water to


    soften it. I then fed it to Luke, who eagerly chewed on the bread.


    “Mmm, this is delicious,” he said with a smile.


    “I’m d you’re enjoying it,” I said, and I took a small piece of the sharp cheddar cheese and fed it to


    him. “I knew you would love this.”


    Luke nodded, savoring the tangy vor of the cheese. “Well, I’m supposed to say thank you now,


    right?”


    “If you want.” I smiled.


    “Fine. Thank you,” he said softly. His words really lit the spark in my heart. It was quite lovely, and this


    was a moment that I thought would never take ce. I would be really surprising to anybody. How did


    we attain this passion overnight