Sweet, sugery sleep gave way to morning dew. While birds chirped and a warm breeze filled the room, she slowly opened her eyes, stretching her hands above her head... good stretch, though.
Coming to her senses, she stared mindlessly at the window. Wiping her mouth, she looked for Sean. He was nowhere in the room. She checked the clock — seven. She sat back against the headboard, eyes drifting to the window, watching the birds in the tree.
[Reva]
What's the difference between humans and birds? Nothing, really — what we all have in common is that every living being is fighting for survival. Every living thing holds emotions, a need to strive through life. Nothing is permanent; everything is mortal. We're born, we grow, we get old, and we vanish without a trace — but what's left behind is memory.
Life is so precious, whether it belongs to a human, a bird, an animal, or even a plant. Every living thing is living it, and I think we should live it to the fullest, because we never know when the last breath will come. We should live without regrets. We make mistakes — like folding an origami piece. Each fold holds its own place, contributing to the creation, yet sometimes we fold wrong. We keep it in mind, promise not to repeat it, and we continue anyway. Life is not perfect. It never will be. But it isn't meaningless, nor is it purely meaningful.
We just need to live in the moment — that's what life actually is.
The bombardment of thoughts in my mind quietly settled into something like introspection. I found myself staring at my hands, pressed close together. I buried my face into them. The warmth against my cheeks was the most comforting thing I hadn't realized I was waiting for. And there, I found the thought: it's time to let go of this feeling I've been holding on to. The burden on my shoulders — one nobody but I had placed there. It's time to release this emotion, this lingering toward a dream that was only ever a fantasy, and come back to reality. Close this chapter here.
I got up and stretched properly, breathing in the fresh air like the start of something new.
The door opened, and a nurse walked in with a subtle smile. "Girl, time to go — you're getting discharged. All the paperwork's done. Let me remove that IV. Get dressed. I'm gonna miss you. But who wants to be in a hospital, though?" We both laughed.
I went through the bag of clothes, where I could only see sweatpants and pajamas of mine. I didn't blame him — he did the best he could. While mumbling through my thoughts, I got to the bottom of the bag, and there I found the dress Sean had given me. I picked it, a sign of a new beginning, a new life, a new memory. I got dressed, did a small touch-up, and just as I finished, I found Sean at the doorway, a teasing frown on his face.
I shot him a glance and gestured — seal your mouth before you say something. We were both ready to leave when Sean grabbed my hand and asked, "Aren't we gonna say goodbye to Elliot?"
I placed my hand on his and, with a smile, said, "We already did. Yesterday. No need to go now. Let's head out." I gave him a quick hug and stepped outside the room. Sean was still standing in the doorway, like he'd misheard me. But the decision was already made. And this chapter finds its close.