Will POV
We reached the hospital and went to the room where Minnie's mom was admitted. I knocked gently on the door. A young girl opened it and looked at us with confusion.
Sara: "I think you are in the wrong room," she said politely.
My mom smiled warmly.
Mia: "I don't think so. I am Will's mother, and this is Will. Minnie's mom is admitted in this room, right?"
Before my mom could finish, the girl's face changed with realization.
Sara: "Oh! You are aunty and Will? Minnie told me about you. Please come in. Sit down."
She moved aside and let us in.
Inside, Minnie was sitting beside her mother, holding her hand. When she saw us, her eyes widened in surprise.
Minnie: "Aunty... Will..."
My mom walked closer to the bed and smiled gently.
Mia: "Hello. My name is Mia. I am Will's mother."
Minnie's mom tried to smile.
Princy: "Oh, hello... I am Princy. Minnie's mother. Please sit."
My mom held her hand softly.
Mia: "How are you feeling now?"
Princy: "I'm better now. Doctors said I am safe... thanks to my daughter. She stayed with me all night."
My mom turned to Minnie with pride.
Mia: "You are a good daughter Minnie."
Minnie looked down shyly. "I just did what a daughter should do, aunty"
I stepped closer to her.
Will: "Did you eat anything?"
Minnie shook her head slightly. "Not yet."
Sara interrupted with a smile.
Sara: "That's why I brought dinner, But she won't eat unless someone scolds her."
My mom smiled and opened the food box.
Mia: "Then I will scold you. Eat properly, dear."
Minnie gave a small smile and took the food.
Princy looked at my mom emotionally.
Princy: "Thank you for coming... Minnie told me you supported her yesterday."
Mia: "Family should stand with family."
Minnie and I looked at each other for a second and then quickly looked away
Sara noticed and teased, "Hmm... I see something interesting here"
Minnie: "Sara!"
Everyone laughed softly, and for the first time, the hospital room felt light and warm instead of heavy.
Sometime was passed I looked at Minnie. She looked tired, but her eyes were calm now.
I stepped closer to Minnie when I saw her standing near the window. Her eyes looked tired, but there was a small relief in them.
Will: "How is aunty now?"
Minnie: "She is better... the doctor said she is safe for now."
Her voice trembled a little.
Will: "You didn't message me properly. I was so worried."
She looked down.
Minnie: "I didn't want to disturb you... you already did so much for me."
I shook my head.
Will: "Don't say that. You don't have to be alone, we are friends minnie. I'm here."
She finally looked at me, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
Minnie: "Thank you, Will... if you weren't here that night, I don't know what would have happened to my mom."
I gently touched her shoulder "Nothing will happen to her."
For a moment, we just stood there in silence, feeling something deeper than friendship but not ready to say it aloud.
Sara POV
Sara pulled Minnie aside with a mischievous smile.
Sara: "So... should I call him Will or 'brother-in-law' now?"
Minnie: "Sara! Stop talking nonsense." She blushed and looked away.
Sara: "Nonsense? I saw how he was sitting near you the whole time. Even the nurse noticed."
Minnie: "It's not like that. He's just helping me."
Sara: "Helping you with love, maybe."
Minnie rolled her eyes.
Minnie: "You are impossible."
Sara: "Impossible but honest. Admit it, Minnie... you feel safe with him, don't you?"
Minnie stayed silent for a second, then whispered,
Minnie: "Maybe... a little."
Sara gasped dramatically.
Sara: "Aha! That's how every love story starts - 'maybe a little."
Minnie hit her arm lightly.
Minnie: "Shut up before my mom hears you."
Sara: "Too late. I already like him. Approved from the best friend side."
Minnie couldn't stop herself from smiling.
Sara sat beside Minnie on the hospital bench and looked at her quietly for a moment.
Sara: "You know... even if this relationship is fake, he's doing more than many real boyfriends."
Minnie smiled sadly.
Minnie: "That's the problem, Sara."
Sara frowned. "What problem?"
Minnie's voice became soft.
Minnie: "I started loving him for real."
Sara went silent.
Sara: "Minnie..."
Minnie: "He made it clear from the beginning. This is just acting. He doesn't love me. One day he will leave, and I will be standing here alone with feelings that don't belong to me."
Sara held her hand tightly.
Sara: "Then why did you accept it?"
Minnie looked at her mother's room and whispered,
Minnie: "Because when he is near me, I forget my pain. I feel safe. And for the first time in my life... I wanted to believe someone could stay."
Her eyes filled with tears.
Minnie: "I know I shouldn't love him. I know this is wrong. But my heart doesn't listen to logic, Sara."
Sara pulled her into a hug.
Sara: "You always give love even when you are afraid. That's your weakness... and your strength."
Minnie laughed weakly
Minnie: "I wish my heart understood the word 'fake'."
Sara wiped her tears.
Sara: "Maybe his heart doesn't know it's fake either. Sometimes love starts as a lie and becomes the truth."
Minnie looked at Will standing near her mother's room and whispered,
Minnie: "If he leaves... I don't know if I will be strong enough again."
Sara squeezed her hand.
Sara: "Then until that day comes, don't hide your smile. Love him silently... but don't lose yourself." I said worrly
Will POV
I was walking toward Minnie's room with two cups of coffee in my hands when I noticed Minnie and Sara sitting in the corner of the corridor, talking quietly. I didn't mean to listen, but as I came closer, their voices reached me before I could turn back.
I heard Minnie say something about me... about this relationship.
For a second, my body froze.
She likes me!!
That thought hit me harder than I expected. My heart started beating faster, but immediately another thought followed. I never did anything more than what a friend would do.
I was only trying to protect her. I was only trying to be there for her when she needed someone. I never meant to make her heart believe in something that wasn't real.
I stepped back slowly, holding the coffee cups tightly in my hands. If I continue this... she will only get more attached.
Images of Paris came into my mind. Soon, I would leave. And when I leave, this fake relationship will end,
If she already has feelings... then my leaving will break her.
The idea of Minnie crying because of me made my chest feel heavy, She has suffered enough in her life. I don't want to become another reason for her pain.
I closed my eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.
This has to stop. I must end this fake relationship soon... before her heart gets hurt even more, not because I didn't care about her because I cared too much to let her fall alone.
I looked once more toward where she was sitting with Sara, laughing softly, unaware of the storm inside my mind.
When I leave for Paris, everything will be over. And she will be free from me...with that thought, I turned away quietly, walkaway.
Minnie POV
A day passed, and in the morning the doctor came to check my mom. After examining her, he smiled and said she was strong enough to be discharged today. My heart felt ligh.
We began packing our bags slowly. Sara helped me fold the clothes while Mom rested on the bed. In between, I checked my phone without thinking... once... twice... again.
No message from Will.
My smile slowly faded.
I didn't know why, but my chest felt uneasy. Ever since I told Sara about my feelings yesterday, Will had started acting strange. He kept his distance. His voice was colder. His eyes no longer searched for mine.
A sudden thought struck me like lightning.
Did he hear us yesterday?
Did he hear what I said about him?
My breathing stopped for a second.
Is that why he is avoiding me?
Fear wrapped around my heart. My hands trembled as I held my phone.
Before my thoughts could break me, my mom called out softly, "Minnie..."
I quickly wiped my eyes and turned toward her.
"Yes, Mom?" I said, forcing a smile.
She looked at me with worry. "What happened, dear? You look lost."
I shook my head and lied gently, "Nothing, Mom... I'm okay." But inside, I wasn't okay at all.
_______________________________________
Author Note
Hello my dear readers đź‘‹ If you're enjoying the story, please support with Power Stones Your support helps this story grow.đź’“đź’“