'Does he know what he's saying? He's implying that his family even pressured him to stop contacting me? Is that why he didn't even think of calling me for even once in these ten years? I wasn't even able to think of any other guy all this time because it was his picture that kept coming back again and again in the back of my mind. Is he even aware of all those emotional breakdowns I went through? Did he even care then? Does he even care now?'
I look at the man in front of me. 'Is this the same man I fell in love with all those years ago?' I finally let all those frustration out and ask him, "So, you couldn't even give me a single call or send me a letter all this time? Were you forbidden from contacting me too?"
His features give off a stunned expression, as if he hadn't thought about it this way. The silence hanged in the air for a couple of minutes. I was both frustrated and heart-broken. 'All those days we spent together meant nothing to him. He knew that he wasn't just another senior for me. He was special and yet he couldn't care less.'
"Forget it", my words came out. "I'm okay now. So, you don't need to check up on me so often. I'll be discharged within two days anyway", I said dropping my eyes on the floor, refusing to look at him. "You can leave now, Austen", I fisted the sheets in my sweaty palms.
After standing there for a while, he leaves the room. The next day passes in a blur with Dad visiting me in the evening. I hadn't seen much of Austen except for when he made his usual rounds twice a day. That too happened without us uttering a single word except my health related matters.
Soon it was the third day when I was to be released. It's 10 o'clock in the morning. Two hours left until my discharge. The nurse packs up the cardigan I've been wearing on top of the hospital clothes, and the medicines that have been prescribed in my bag.
Dad will be here any moment. So, I get up from my bed and get changed in my regular clothes he brought for me the other day. I come back out after changing and notice that Austen was standing by my bed. He noticed me too and I quickly dip my head in a bow and said, "Thank you, Dr. Parker", to avoid the nurse from noticing the awkwardness that hanged there between us while we stared at each other.
He took a moment to realise what I had told him and then slowly nodded and replied, "It's my duty." Not wanting to say another ward I turned back towards the window looking at the autumn sky and the chilly breeze wafting through my wavy locks.
"Jane, Sweety", my Dad called out. "I'm here."
I sighed in relief and start walking towards him. "Why did it take you so long? I was starting to get bored." I pouted.