POV: Jay
I stretched lazily on the hospital bed, squinting at the sunlight slipping through the blinds. For the first time in days, my chest didn't feel heavy. No fear, no anger. Just… calm. And Aries. Sitting there like he owned the chair.
Why was he smiling like that?
"You're awake," he said, crossing his arms. "I was starting to think you'd sleep till next week."
I scoffed. "Please. If I slept any longer, this bed would start charging me rent." 🛏️
He laughed, that familiar sound that used to annoy me… and now didn't. Which was unfair, honestly. Very unfair.
If freedom had a smell, it would be anything that wasn't hospital disinfectant.
I sat on the edge of my bed, legs swinging slightly, feeling way too energetic for someone who'd been stuck here for days. The machines were quiet, the room felt lighter, and for once, my body didn't feel like it was betraying me.
Today was discharge day.
Or at least… almost.
Aries was sitting beside my bed, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, watching me like I might suddenly disappear.
"You look happy," he said.
I raised an eyebrow. "I'm leaving this place. Of course I'm happy."
My inner voice added: If they try to keep me one more night, I will fake invisibility and escape through the window.
Aries chuckled. "You know you still have one last checkup, right?"
My smile stiffened.
Oh.
Right.
The final obstacle.
Before I could complain, the door opened and Aunty Gemma walked in, holding a bag.
My eyes locked onto it instantly.
That… didn't look like soup.
"Wait," I said, pointing. "Why does that bag look suspiciously delicious?"
Aunty Gemma smiled like she knew exactly what she was doing. "Because it is."
My heart did a little happy flip.
Inner thought: Is this real life? Or am I hallucinating again?
She pulled out containers one by one. Rice. Grilled chicken. And something that smelled like happiness.
I gasped. Loudly.
My inner thoughts screamed: THIS is how legends are made.
"I couldn't let you leave without eating something decent," she said.
I nearly hugged her but remembered I was still technically a patient and didn't want to be restrained.
Aries laughed. "She's about to cry."
"I am not," I said defensively. "My eyes are just… emotional."
We ate, talked, laughed. Aries teased me about how dramatic I'd been all week. I reminded him that he was the one pacing every time a nurse walked in.
"Liar," he said.
"You almost challenged a thermometer," I replied.
He opened his mouth, then closed it. "Okay… maybe."
For a moment, everything felt normal again. No heavy memories. No silence between us. Just teasing, warmth, and the comfort of being understood.
Then the knock came.
The doctor stepped in, clipboard in hand.
"Jay," she said gently, "we're ready for your final checkup."
My inner voice groaned like a tired cat.
I stood up and took a deep breath. "Alright. Let's get this over with."
As I walked toward the door, I glanced back at Aries. He gave me a small smile, reassuring, steady.
Almost free.
Just one last step ✨