Antiseptic

Chapter 10

In the sterile and dimly lit hospital room, where the ever-present scent of antiseptic hung in the air like an unwelcome guest, Nathan and Joan had found themselves becoming closer in an unexpected connection. The surgery had brought them together, and with each passing day, their bond deepened.

Nathan, his long, ebony hair cascading like a waterfall over his shoulders, possessed an almost ethereal quality. His piercing green eyes, framed by thick, dark lashes, held a depth that seemed to hide countless secrets. Joan couldn't help but be drawn to him, her heart fluttering like the delicate wings of a trapped butterfly whenever their gazes locked.

The days went by sharply until it was time for Nathan to be discharged from the hospital, While Joan still had another month to be hospitalized before she could get discharged.

“Don’t be sad.” Nathan whispered to her playfully as he packed his backpack,

“I’ll be coming back to visit you.” He said with a smile. As he picked up the backpack.

Joan felt the room darken as Nathan finally left. She felt alone, she was already missing him but she also needed time away from him, she needed some alone time to process the feelings she was having for him.

She was falling for him, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Days went by and Joan was getting used to the new settings. The room seemed to brighten whenever Nathan stepped through the door, carrying with him an aura of positivity and a genuine desire to make Joan's hospital stay more bearable.

His smile always melting her insides, He became her unofficial tutor, bringing books from the school and patiently helping her navigate the educational detours brought about by her extended stay. But his role transcended that of a mere tutor; he became Joan's lifeline to the world beyond the hospital.

Every afternoon, they embarked on a journey through the otherwise dreary hospital hallways. Joan, in her wheelchair, felt the cool breeze against her face, and for those precious moments, she was liberated from the confines of her illness.

Nathan's infectious laughter and his ability to find humor in the mundane filled the sterile environment with warmth and humanity.

Their laughter echoed down the corridors as they shared stories, dreams, and aspirations. "I like being with you," Nathan admitted one sunny afternoon as they strolled through the corridors. He looked at Joan with a softness in his eyes that transcended friendship.

A blush crept onto Joan's cheeks as she replied, "I like being with you too, Nathan. You make this place feel less lonely."

Nathan smiled, and for a moment, the world outside the hospital seemed to fade away. They were just two young souls, connecting in the most unexpected of places.

As their time together grew, so did their connection. Joan brought spontaneity and joy into Nathan's life, a stark contrast to the isolation he had known for so long. The trauma of his childhood, which had left him with deep emotional scars, began to recede in the face of Joan's unwavering companionship. For the first time in years, he was beginning to trust people again.

He looked over at her again, it was because of her, she smiled at him, her smile did wonders to him.

He stared at her lips, forgetting himself for a minute, in one swift motion Joan swooped down towards him, planting her lips on his.

Nathan’s face became bright pink almost red immediately, as he blushed uncontrollably.

“Race you back to the room.” Joan yelled as she turned her wheelchair around, wheeling herself back to the hospital room at full speed.

“Come back here you cheat.” Nathan yelled laughing loudly as he raced after her.

One sunny afternoon, following yet another exhilarating wheelchair adventure, Nathan wheeled Joan back to her room. His heart raced with anticipation as he excused himself momentarily to fetch water and a platter of fresh, colorful fruits. He couldn't ignore the growing affection he felt for Joan and contemplated a question he had been wrestling with: should he ask her out?

However, as he returned to her room, laden with refreshments, his hopeful thoughts collided with an unexpected obstacle. Standing before Joan's room was a striking figure—a tall and impeccably dressed man with wavy, sun-kissed blonde hair. His presence exuded an air of sophistication and confidence, contrasting sharply with the hospital's clinical environment.

Nathan couldn't conceal his astonishment as he confronted this enigmatic intruder. "What brings you here?" he asked, his curiosity tinged with a hint of suspicion.

The tall man fixed his icy blue eyes on Nathan and replied with a calm assurance,

“Are you the caretaker?” He asked Nathan, his voice showed sophistication, like he had gone to the finest of schools.

"I have come to visit Joan." He continued.

Nathan's brow furrowed deeper, his puzzlement growing. He couldn't help but question further, "Huh why?”

Nathan asked, his eyes wide with curiosity. He could hear his heart beat loudly, what did he want with Joan, he thought to himself.

“Why?” The man looked confused as he looked Nathan up and down with disdain.

“May I ask,why do you want to see her?" Nathan rephrased the question, his curiosity still high.

The man chucked to himself.

“Huh?” Nathan repeated again.

Suddenly the door opened gently and Joan wheeled herself outside,

“What’s causing all this noise?” Joan said, she suddenly looked up at the stranger and went mute.

“Dylan?” She muttered.

The stranger's response was as unexpected as it was disorienting.

"Joan is my fiancée," he declared, his tone unwavering. "We're engaged." He continued, facing Nathan as he spoke.

A wave of shock washed over Nathan. Engaged? He had never heard Joan mention an engagement before. A flurry of emotions—doubt, confusion, and a pang of jealousy—rushed through him like a tumultuous storm. He glanced at Joan, who appeared equally bewildered by the revelation.

Joan stammered, “No Nathan it’s not what you think."

“We are not fian— engaged.” Joan stammered as she looked at Nathan sternly.

The tall man nodded, his expression impassive. "It was meant to be a surprise," he explained. "I didn't want to burden you with the details of our personal life while you were in recovery."

Nathan's mind raced as he tried to process the sudden turn of events. The bond he had formed with Joan felt so real, and yet, here was someone claiming to be her fiancé. He couldn't deny the evidence before him, but he couldn't ignore the connection he felt with Joan either.

Joan's eyes darted between Nathan and the man who stood before her. She felt torn between the unexpected revelation and the friendship she had grown to cherish with Nathan. In her heart, she knew that this moment would redefine her life in ways she could scarcely imagine.