18 Reminiscing [Beginning of Plastic Surgery Arc]

The night was pressing grimly against the large picture windows. Sara was sitting on the sofa, deep in thought.

"Here", a glass suddenly appeared before her eyes. Sara clasped out of her daze and quivered.

"What were you thinking?" Allen asked as he sat beside her own the cream coloured sofa, "You look pale."

"Oh", Sara took a sip from the glass. What was she thinking? She was reminiscing about... him.

"Oh?" Allen upped his brows, "You were blanking out now."

"So what?" Sara was annoyed, "I have a brain to think and perceive. I do whatsoever."

"Is something bugging you?" Allen lamented, "You can tell me."

"I am fine. I just want to nap", Sara huffed.

"Wanna grab supper? It's early, though."

"Nah, I want to..." Sara gaped, "Sleep."

"Fine", Allen shrugged into docility, "I won't trouble you."

Sara quickly walked to the room that was allotted to her. It was as she retained. She had come here copious times to treat her bruises. The moment she closed the green coloured door, she saw ahead of her. There it was, the tiny comfortable bed, with the dark brown lion sitting on it. The stuffed toy brought back a rush of remembrances...

She sighed and turned to look to her left. There she saw her reflection. Her black hair lounged over her shoulders while her dark fringes covered the bandaid on her forehead. She smirked, "Badass!"

Then, her eyes trailed along with the reflection of her body. A blue inner, covered by a yellow and red club shirt paired by white pants. She looked like those old militants, out for a one-month training.

Sara sighed and dropped on the plush mattress, soft and fuzzy as ever. The green shade of the room gave a spontaneous vibe. The tiny peep window above the headboard looked dark with the night as its backdrop. During the day, one could see the vast expanse of the jungle from it. She liked it. Sara stretched her body and grabbed the soft toy and pressed it close to her chest. It was endeared to her heart because...

Never mind! She would dare not to think about him...

She felt fatigued both mentally and physically. So, she adjusted herself on the bed and turned her head to look at the yellow lampshade. She sighed once again before switching it off. The room plunged into darkness as Sara hugged her stuffed lion to sleep. But, her head moved upwards because she couldn't help but glimpse at the stars that were peeking in through the tiny peep window. Counting the visible stars was her last option as she felt her eyelids drooping. Nevertheless, her sleepiness overwhelmed and she fell asleep.

---

Safe Life Hospital

Ruby was pacing along the corridor of the VIP ward. She was uptight because Sam did not look too good earlier on. His face got more drained on the way to the hospital. Moreover, he kept quailing in pain even though he was unconscious during the whole ride to the hospital.

Very soon, the attending doctor stepped out of the ward and closed the door behind him. Then, he removed his mask and walked up to Ruby. She had just sat on the steel chairs when she saw him approach her. She stood up immediately. The doctor was a fifty-something old man.

"How is he?" Ruby had an unbiased face, but the worry was apparent in her tone.

"Most of them are just external bruises. They are minor. But his nose had suffered a blow. Did he undergo surgery earlier?" the doctor politely stated his conclusions.

"You mean he had undergone a nose surgery? Ruby quirked an eyebrow in her surprise.

"Yeah, more of cosmetic surgery", the doctor nodded.

"I never heard of that", Ruby voiced out her suspicions, "How did you conclude that?"

"The skin on his nose is rigid compared to the other facial zones. Moreover, he has a few scars under his ear section and back of his head over the spine region. That's all. And well, he has fractured his right arm. That is my conclusion. If you want--"

"It's fine", Ruby cut him off, "Is he up?"

"I have given him an injection earlier. He will regain consciousness anytime soon."

Ruby nodded in response and the doctor went his way. When he left, she squinted her eyes in deep thought.

Why did Sam get plastic surgery? And when?

Ruby suspired impatiently and walked up to the door of his ward. She outstretched her hand to push open the door handle but retreated it back immediately. She had grown suspicious of his actions lately. Did he get involved in something 'bad'?

Ruby took a step back and drew in a sharp breath. No matter what she did, he never asked her why. Should she ask him why? Nope, she would wait for him to speak up. That's right! That is how a relationship lasts. With this thought, Ruby covered the distance between the door and herself pushed it open. The hospital ward had a large floor to ceiling window, serving a background to the bed and the couch on its left. In front of the couch, there was a table, with a flower vase on its top. The fresh bouquet of lavender was swaying gently by the ait that flew in through the glass door on its right side. The pink curtains were also swaying gently in the air.

Ruby moved her eyes and looked at the person sleeping on the comfortable bed. Sam was sleeping without a care. Ruby furrowed her brows as she approached him slowly. His right hand was suspended in the air, wrapped around in layers of bandages. The room was extremely silent. Only her footsteps and both of their breaths could be heard.

"The skin on his nose is rigid compared to the other facial zones. Moreover, he has a few scars under his ear section and back of his head over the spine region. That's all", the doctor's word echoed in her mind. As a result, Ruby's heartbeat pulsated and her breathing became unstable.

'Did he really undergo surgery?' the devil on her right shoulder, susurrate, 'Defy him now!'

Ruby took a step forward when she felt a tap on her shoulder. The angel on her left whispered, 'Do you really want this?'