THIRTY-THREE

Kian drove into the parking lot of the hospital and parked his car in one of the available spots. As he stepped out of the car and locked it, he noticed a familiar car pulling out of a parking spot a few spaces away. It was his brother, Ace's car. Kian couldn't help but wonder why his brother had come to the hospital. He made a mental note to ask him about it the next time they spoke.

He walked towards the entrance of the hospital, feeling a bit uneasy about the reason for his visit. Kian wasn't particularly fond of hospitals and he tried to avoid them as much as possible.

He was hit by a strong scent that he couldn't quite place. He took a deep breath and tried to identify the smell. It was a mix of antiseptic and disinfectant, with a hint of floral fragrance. The smell was strong, overwhelming even, and it made Kian's head spin.

The lobby was spacious and brightly lit, with high ceilings and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The walls were painted in a pale shade of green, and there were several potted plants scattered around the room. The floor was made of polished marble tiles, and Kian could hear the sound of his shoes clicking on the hard surface as he walked.

The hospital lobby was a busy place, filled with people coming and going, and various activities taking place. Patients and their families waited anxiously for their turn to see a doctor or be admitted, while hospital staff rushed about attending to various tasks.

At the entrance of the lobby, a group of people was waiting for an ambulance to arrive with a patient on a stretcher. The paramedics were on their way with sirens blaring, and everyone stopped to make way for them. Nurses and orderlies rushed to prepare a room and equipment for the patient's arrival.

At the reception desk, a steady stream of patients checked in for appointments or to be admitted. The receptionists were busy answering phones and directing visitors to various departments within the hospital. The sound of ringing phones mixed with the chatter of people in the lobby, creating a constant hum of noise.

A young girl sat on a bench next to her mother, crying softly. The mother patted her back, trying to calm her down as they waited for a doctor. Across from them, an elderly couple held hands and read a magazine together, passing the time as they waited for test results.

A man in a wheelchair was being pushed by his wife, who was carrying a large bag of medication. They stopped at the pharmacy counter, where a pharmacist was explaining the dosage and side effects of a new medication. A group of medical students huddled nearby, observing and taking notes.

In one corner of the lobby, a small café served coffee, snacks, and sandwiches. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the antiseptic smell of the hospital. A few people sat at the tables, sipping their coffee and chatting quietly.

In another corner, a TV played a news program, with the volume turned down low. A few people glanced at the TV, but most were too preoccupied with their own worries and concerns to pay attention.

As Kian walked through the lobby, he passed by a woman in a wheelchair who was being pushed by a nurse

He went to the receptionist and said, "Good evening, I came to visit a patient."

The receptionist smiled politely and asked for the name of the patient.

Kian replied, "Lyra Matthews."

Kian was able to figure out exactly which hospital Lyra was admitted to because Abby mentioned it being a private hospital nearby, and there was just one private hospital nearby.

"Lyra Matthews." The receptionist's fingers clicked on the keyboard as she typed in the name.

She looked intently at the computer screen, scrolling through the list of patients. Her eyes were focused on the computer screen as she searched for Lyra's name.

The smell of disinfectant was accompanied by a faint aroma of coffee from the nearby cafe, where people sat drinking and chatting. There was also the occasional waft of perfume or cologne as visitors and patients walked by.

The noise level in the lobby was moderate, with the sound of footsteps and chatter from visitors and staff. The receptionists were busy attending to patients and visitors, answering phone calls, and updating records on their computers.

Occasionally, a nurse would walk by with a patient on a stretcher or in a wheelchair, heading to the emergency room or a different ward. Visitors could be seen walking towards different directions with flowers and gifts for their loved ones.

In one corner, there was a vending machine that dispensed snacks and drinks, with people lining up to make purchases. The sound of coins clinking against the metal as they were inserted into the machine could be heard.

After a few seconds, she stopped scrolling and looked up at Kian.

"Lyra Matthews, right?" she asked, confirming the name.

Kian nodded in response. The receptionist went back to her computer, clicking on a few more tabs before finally coming to a stop. She looked at Kian and said, "Lyra Matthews has been discharged."

Kian frowned at the receptionist's words. "Discharged?" he repeated, surprised. "When was she discharged?"

"I'm not sure," the receptionist responded, "but I can check if you want."

Kian shook his head,

"No, it's okay. Thanks.”

“My pleasure.”

Kian's heart sank a bit as he heard this. He had come all the way to the hospital to visit Lyra, only to find out that she had already been discharged. He wondered if he had missed her by just a few minutes.

Just as he turned to leave when another receptionist walked up to the counter.

"Oh, you came back?" she said, looking at Kian.

Kian was a bit confused. "Huh?" he asked, not understanding what she was talking about.

The receptionist clarified, "You were here a while ago to ask about Lyra Matthews."

Kian suddenly realized what was happening. His twin brother, Ace, must have also come to the hospital to see Lyra, and the receptionists were confusing him with Ace. It wasn't the first time this had happened, as they were identical twins.

Kian couldn't help but smile at the mix-up. He replied, "Oh, there must have been a mix-up.”