Kristen went downstairs; eyes glued on children playing in the hospital’s playground. She smiled when she saw the kids enjoy. It’s been ten years since she had the idea of putting up a play space in the hospital and the management granted it. She glanced at the clouds, they’re all turning dark and she assumed the rain would fall few hours after.
Suddenly, a pale white palm holding a hanky was presented in front of her. She glanced at her left to recognize the owner of that palm. She uttered, “Didn’t I say that you should dispose that after?”. The guy smirked, “Just returning the favor… my friend”. Kristen tsked, “You’re just returning the hanky and not the damn favor”. Silas took his palm away and gently caressed the linen, “I’m returning it. I washed it by my own so it’s not stained anymore. Your initials embroidered here made me think this is some kind of a special thing” he replied.
Kristen looked away but Silas continued talking, “And, remember that you can’t cuss here, there are kids. Besides, I’m talking nicely here, what’s with the fuss?”. Kristen looked at him directly to his eyes, “I hate that someone owes me favors” she answered. Silas wowed, “That ego of yours. Want to grab something to chill up the mood? Don’t worry, I’ll let you pay what you will get” he said.
Kristen rolled her eyes, “I said favor. I didn’t say that I don’t want free treats” she pouted. Silas chuckled, “Alrighty. Let’s get going. The rain might pour any minute now” he answered. The two went inside rushing because a sudden drizzle fell. Kristen looked at the kids who are playing few minutes ago. Silas answered, “Worry less. That time when you sulked, they already left”. Kristen sighed, “That was a relief then. I can’t stand seeing kids lonely because their play time is disturbed”.
She got her eyes glued at the playground being wet from the glass wall in the hospital’s cafeteria. Silas sat down and placed a frappe in front of Kristen. He talked, “Are you into kids big time?” he asked. Kristen nodded, “You see, I never got the chance to play with other kids. Mom is so strict you know” she answered. Silas got his eyebrows raised, “You have a brother, right?” he asked to confirm. Kristen sighed and held the frappe, “Boys are doing boyish things and I’m far from those interests” she answered.
Silas slowly nodded. “Care to say something about yourself? We’re friends for like twenty-four hours and all I know is just your name, age, family background…?”. Kristen looked at him while sipping her frappe. She asked, “What do you want to know?”. Silas answered, “Anything. You can vent out if you want and you can ask me also. Don’t get intimidated or you can choose not to tell personal things if you want”. Kristen sighed while staring at the rain drops slowly rolling from the glass wall. “I want to work in the medical field but guess what, I suck at academics. My mom got the highest expectations ‘coz my brother achieved those standards while me on the other hand is just someone who’s average” she said.
Silas raised his eyebrows, “So I think you’re venting out at the same time, trying to get answers for your frustrations. Got it right or nah?” he asked. Kristen slowly nodded and Silas started to mumble words. “I don’t believe you suck at academics. Just go into it and trust every process. You can take extra effort and change your current habit” he answered. Kristen replied, “Is that easy? I remember failing three exams in a row”
“I dropped three courses in a row you know” Silas replied. Kristen abruptly looked at Silas who’s calmly drinking his iced coffee. “Are you dead serious?” Kristen asked. Silas looked at her and chuckled. He proceeded getting his phone from his pants’ pocket and opened his gallery to prove what he said.
“First I took med, but I didn’t feel any satisfaction” he said and swiped right to the next picture of him wearing a different school uniform. “This one is when I thought of going to aviation but guess what, I had the biggest trauma” he said. Kristen got her eyes wide opened when the third picture showed. “And the last one, I took theology but this damn illness took me away from it” he said. Kristen looked at him, “That’s really you, right?” she asked to confirm. Silas nodded and turned off his phone.
“I went there earlier actually. You can ask mom if you’re doubting it” he answered. Kristen chuckled, “I can’t believe a rude guy like you happens to be an ex-seminarian” she said. “I also doubted myself at first and my doubts are clear. This isn’t the right path for me but I keep on going back like it is a missing piece in my life” he uttered.
Kristen asked, “So, are you going to go back?”. Silas thought for a while and answered, “Maybe yes, maybe no? I don’t think of anything else besides the present”. Kristen nodded slowly, “Since you’re still like less a stranger but not more than a close friend, do you think I can make it to med school?’ she asked. Silas carefully looked at her as if he is examining something, “From my judgement I’d say yes. The pleasure’s mine yet my words can’t help you, you know. Just do your thing and I’ll take part of your journey”
“So, are you saying that you’ll support my shitty dream?” she asked. Silas replied, “I don’t think it’s shitty. Someone out there is striving to get to med school but they lack opportunity. Look at you, you have everything except the thought of grasping more. I am subscribing to your dream. I’ll wait until you become someone you termed to be shitty”.
“That’s the most encouraging thing I heard in my whole life. It feels nice befriending you” Kristen uttered. “I’m just experienced, nothing more. I rarely produce friends and it’s uncanny to have a friend this quick” Silas answered.
“Well, you said you went earlier to your old place. What did you do?” Kristen curiously asked. “You’re that curious, right?” he asked. Kristen nodded; eyes charming. “As simple as… I broke a girl’s heart” he answered. Kristen’s eyebrows furrowed, “You broke a girl’s heart because?”. Silas chuckled, “Just because”
Kristen went closer to him, “I wanna know more” she said. Silas sighed, “We’re into it for just three months and from the start I already knew that this path will be risky because we’re not in the same world” he answered. “Can you elaborate on that? I merely understood a single word” Kristen said. At some point, Silas got comfortable venting out to someone who he just met. “Her religion is not pathed on mine. I’m a Christian and she’s a Buddhist” he answered. He felt a pinch in his heart. It still hurts but he thinks he’s over with that issue.
“Oh” Kristen simply reacted. Silas stood up, “Are you finished? Don’t make that venting out thing a big issue. I already coped up with that one” he said. Kristen still felt bad but shrugged. She picked up the container of her frappe and started walking behind Silas who’s already near the exit.
“So, what are you doing at the playground earlier?” Kristen asked out of the blue to break the ice. “I missed my sibs, they’re just about the age of the kids playing. Coincidentally, you were also there so I took the chance to return your hanky” he answered. Kristen smirked, “So, you’ve been carrying around that piece of cloth everywhere?” she asked.
“No, just today. I think I would run to you somewhere around the area so I thought of carrying it around until I see you” he answered. Kristen bit her lower lip, she assumed something once again. They went inside the elevator and saw two elder couples having a talk with each other.
The old man seemed to be forgetful while his wife continued speaking and explaining things going on at the moment. The old woman talked and talked until their presence were noticed. She touched her husband’s arm, “Look at these kids. We’re like them ages ago. It brings back old memories but I think you already forgot about them” she said.
The old man replied, “My memory is still sharp! I remember dropping and fetching you with my bike going to school and going back home” he said. The old woman leaned on her husband’s shoulder; hands interlocked on her husband’s arm.
The old woman uttered, “You kids, should enjoy your teenage lives. Live life to the fullest and love until your hair turns gray and white just like us”. The two smirked, their faces reflecting on the elevator’s doors.
Kristen replied, “Grandma, we’re not together. We’re just godsib-…” Silas cut Krsiten’s words. “We’re friends. Good friends actually” he said and putted on his headset tuning up the volume.
The grandma smirked, “Whether you’re friends or not, always remember to cherish your time while you’re still young. You still have a long way to go” she said.
The elevator tinged, signaling the doors opening. The couple went out to their desired floor, leaving Silas and Kristen having an awkward air with each other… once again.