Found The Hopeful Light

"Ayan, be careful," Roman warns while following the young boy wearing a yellow shirt and jeans. The boy giggles and runs around the open green land.

"Papa," Ayan stops while pointing at a tulip. "Pretty!" Ayan exclaims as he steps towards the flowers, blooming under the bright sun.

Calder comments, "Roman, come on. Allow the boy to live." While setting the picnic basket with food, drinks, a blanket, and a sweater for Ayan. In case the weather changed and Ayan became chilly, his father bought it.

Roman turns to face Calder while casting his dark eyes in the direction of his son. The apple of his eye is his son. Roman moves back and sits next to Calder, staring intently at Ayan.

"Baby, play carefully," Roman spoke with worry as Ayan nodded and continued to play with his ball.

"Roman," Calder speaks while compiling a few thoughts in his head. Roman gave his attention with a hum. However, his eyes watch his son.

Calder sighs, "Look, Roman. I think it's time." Calder's words confused Roman.

"Elaborate," Calder gulps at the rough voice. He understood that probably Roman had already guessed it.

"Not my thoughts. Aunt--your mom wants you to re---"

"You know my answer, Calder." Roman stood up. He looks at the vast horizon with a void look.

"It has never changed." Roman glanced over his shoulder as Calder stood up too. "It will never change."

"I need a minute. Take care of my son." Roman walked to the opposite. 

He walked, his brows furrowing with each step. With every movement of his arm, the grim expression loosened. His lips trembled as tears began to well up in his clear eyes. His chest ached in a manner comparable to when his beloved wife died on that day.

He quickly sat down on an open bench. Any flower, any brightness, anything—his eyes were attempting to focus on it. Unfortunately, his hazy vision prevented him from focusing. A little droplet of his sorrow hits the ground, darkening it in its shadow.

A small ant carrying something heavier than its body caught his attention. It is walking straight ahead while firmly grasping the white object. It makes two turns before losing its bearings when a stone blocks its path. It would likely pause for a moment, reflect, and then reverse course.

His attention was drawn to a dry leaf that was lying on the ground and gathering dust. This leaf may not be from any of the local trees. It most likely dropped from a tree far away, mixed with the wind, wandered the streets, and then ended up resting here. Would this leaf stay here forever? What if it got swept and later used to make a fire? Is this the sole purpose of this leaf?

A boy was running towards Roman and smiled brightly. "Uncle, can I get this leaf?" Roman tore his focus from the leaf, he was holding and unknowingly caressed it.

"Why this? I mean, there are plenty available." Roman asked as the boy looked around and nodded his head.

"I like to collect leaves." The boy explained and fished a few leaves and showed them to Roman. "This leaf is different." The boy said and kept his leaves back in his pocket. "I will paste them in my book." Roman nods and gives the leaf to the boy.

"Thank you, uncle." 

"Do you know the name?" Roman asked while the boy kept the leaf safely in his pocket.

"Not yet," The boy replied and ran to the other side of the park.

Probably, its fate is being admired and being closed inside a box. Is this better than I was thinking? Otherwise, why would it travel, falling here and boy taking a liking on this leaf than rest?

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇　

"Be careful." Roman held his wife's hand as she sat on a bench with Roman's cautious hand helping her. She chuckled and inhaled the fresh air of the trees.

"I adore this garden," She admires the entire botanical garden as she scans the grounds. The sound of birds chirping and a cool breeze brushing her cheeks. She observes a bird plucking its feathers, and her eyes become warm with fondness. It appeared to be a vibrant, fluffy ball. She gazed at the bird in wonder and grinned when it turned to face her. It quickly took off from the branch.

"What would you like to eat?" Roman asked, looking around for any shops. "I want ice cream." She says and holds her six-month bump. 

"Doctor said to avoid sugary things." Roman reminds her of the chart given to him with clear instructions on what needs to be avoided.

"Oh, then we should stop kissing. After all, your lips taste like sugar." She said and crossed her arms.

Roman looks at her with burning red ears, "Are you flirting?" 

"What do you think?" She asked instead. 

"No sweets."

"No kisses."

After debating Roman says, "Ok, just one scoop." 

She quickly says, "Ok, just one kiss." Roman looks around and pecks her lips. She smiled to herself, watching her husband running to buy chocolate ice cream.

Roman returned with ice creams and they sat next to each other in comfortable silence. 

"We'll visit this park again with our child." His wife spoke while caressing her belly.

"As you wish," Roman replied with a smile.

"I will play with him all types of games."

"Him?" Roman asked as they didn't know the gender yet.

"I feel we'll have a Mini-Romeo." Roman laughs.

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇　

Roman stood up from the wooden bench and kept his hands inside his pocket. He glanced around the area, people capturing memories, creating memories, enjoying their company, and playing games with family. 

"There are hundreds of people here." Roman looked at the pavement and glanced at his side which was empty. He imagined his wife, walking next to him while she held his hand giving a warm smile.

Roman said, feeling the ache in his heart rekindle, "But, not you." It's been said that everything gets better with time. Perhaps they meant that you would eventually learn to deal with pain because it would no longer bother you as much as it did the first time. Yet why? Why is it so difficult to absorb the death of a beloved human being? Why does crying not make the pain go away when it becomes unbearable?

"There are a hundred types of pain, for which there are a hundred types of cure too. What's the cure for heartbreak?" Roman was smiling to himself as he walked back to their spot. The smile mostly hinted at self-pity. 

Calder saw Roman and relief washes his mind. "I'm sorry, bro. I didn't think..." Calder sighs. "I didn't think, it'll affect you this badly." Calder apologized again. Roman gave a smile and smacks his back.

"I like the goofy Calder more than this serious one." Calder pressed his lips to a thin line. 

Calder looks back at Roman with sad eyes. He feels guilty for saying that. "I'm sorry,"

"If you apologize again. I will surely make you my punch bag." Roman jokes and shows his fist. 

"Papa, bubbles," Ayan shouts while pointing at the bubbles gliding in the air.

"You want some?" Roman asked as the boy quickly nodded his head. 

"Ok, let's buy some for you." Roman showed his hand and Ayan held Roman's fingers.

"Which color?" Roman asked while walking towards the shop.

"Pink, lemon, and," The boy continued his choices while skipping his steps as his fluffy hair jumped with each movement.

Calder followed them shortly after a certain call, exclaiming. "They don't need anyone in their life. Roman is a great father. Please, let them choose happiness on their own."

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇　

 Dean held a file while stepping out of the apartment. 

"Where are you going?" Of course, his brother saw him alerting his parents too. He turned around and showed his file. "Just for a regular check-up," His mother quickly ran to him and pressed her palm over his forehead.

"Ethan, accompany your brother." His father said and continued to read a newspaper. Ethan nodded and fixed his tie, wearing shoes now.

"Not needed. I will go and be back soon." Dean denies it and holds his mom's hand. "Maa, I'll be back, ok?" She reluctantly nods her head.

Dean heaved a sigh, and Ethan was looking at him skeptically. Dean took a turn and walked towards the stairs before Ethan asked anything.

Dean took a taxi and reached the hospital. Dean walked towards the reception with a lot of hesitation.

"Hello," Dean greets as the lady looks up from her writing. 

"Yes, your appointment number and doctor's name, sir." The lady spoke while looking at her computer now.

"Actually, I am not here for a check-up." A frown was evident on her forehead. 

"I wanted to know about the doctor, who performed my heart transplant," Dean explained while looking at the lady with expectations. "Actually, I wanted to thank the doctor personally. Because of them, I'm still breathing." Dean further added when he realized that the lady was making statements to deny him.

"Ok, I will check," Dean felt hope rising in his dark sky.

"Please do."

"Can you tell me the date of operation?"

"Yes, 13th December 2019."

"Alright," She clicks on the Excel sheet. She types a code to find the right cells. She saw the doctor's name and remembered clear instructions that the doctor doesn't fancy unwanted people in her schedule. Also, maybe this is wrong. She can't just give information to a random person.

"I'm sorry, sir. There are no such records."

"How is it possible? I'm sure keeping records of patients is a must." Dean spoke while peeking at her computer. She instantly closes the Excel.

"Sir, please don't cause a commotion." She instructs while gesturing for him to leave.

"I just wanted to thank them." Dean looks down like a withering flower. The lady gave a thought and sighed.

"Visit next week, sir. Maybe, I could help you then." The lady said while forcing herself to smile.

"Thank you so much."

Dean exits the hospital, and his brother's waiting for him with a bored expression. 

"Done with check-up?" Ethan asked while stepping closer to his brother. "I would like to see your file."

"Why didn't you go to the office, brother," Dean asked another question instead while his brain was working to find a good reason to escape from his elder brother.

"I requested an hour's leave," Ethan replied and forwarded his hand for the file.

"I didn't visit for a check-up, brother," Dean spoke with honesty. He can't lie to his brother.

"I know." 

Dean narrowed his eyes. "Then, why did you look at me as though I'm a criminal?"

Ethan ignored his question and asked instead. "Now, tell me, did you get any information?"

Dean sighed and shook his head. "No, there is no record." Ethan raised his eyebrows.

"You believed it?" Dean looks at Ethan with narrowed eyes. 

"Of course not; what else can I do? I can't throw fists at a lady and break her workspace."

"Solution doesn't always need to be silent or violent," Ethan replied while looking at the hospital with a smirk. That smirk didn't sit well in Dean's mind.

"Brother, we should go. I'll visit next week." Dean said with a fake smile and tried to pull his brother backward.

"Hey, just try once in my style."

"Fine, if you do something weird. I will deny to know you ever after."

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇　

Roman smiled and blew bubbles while Ayan was gasping at the rainbows showing on the surface and trying to hold the bubble, which burst with unknown contact.

"Papa," Ayan jumps between the bubbles that are being blown by his papa and Uncle Cal. 

"I want to try," Ayan asked for the solutions. Roman smiled and gave him the stick.

"Blow softly," Ayan blew with hesitation which resulted in the bubbles bursting before they flew.

"Try again, this time without hesitation," Roman said as Ayan nodded his head and blew with a lot of force. A tiny bubble flew in the air.

"Papa, it's small." Ayan dips the stick vigorously and blows likewise which gives a lot of bubbles.

"Try again," Calder said and blew bubbles which landed on Ayan's hand and burst.

"My cheeks hurt," Ayan held his cheek with a pout.

Roman bursts into laughter and curls his arms around his son. "Aren't you the cutest?"

"No, I'm handsome." Calder laughs this time.

"Of course. But, you're cuter than handsome."

"No, I'm handsome." The boy is not ready to agree.

"Ok, you are handsome," Roman said gaining a bright crescent smile from his son.

"Look, this smile is counted as cute, not handsome," Calder said while pointing his finger at Ayan's cheek. Roman nudged his friend and threw a glare.

"You need to grow up like your papa and me to look handsome." Calder further added with a smirk.

"Why are you arguing with Ayan? You are turning him gloomy." Roman said and embraced the boy.

"It's ok, son. Don't listen to Uncle Cal, he is--"

"Granny says, I look like Papa, which means Papa is cute, not handsome?" Ayan asked while looking at his dad. Roman looks at him with an open mouth.

"He knows to use his brain well." Calder snickers while clapping his hand.

"Ayan is cute and Papa is also cute." Roman bops their nose with a smile.

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇

"Doctor! Help," The lady at the counter looks at the door where a man walked in while fisting his head.

She marched at the man and brought the man to a seat. "Sir, what's troubling you?" She asked and gestured for her subordinates to call the doctor.

"My head..." The man named Ethan groans and fists his hair. "It's hurting very badly." Ethan whimpers with pain.

Unknown to them, Dean crawls into the reception and kneels in front of the computer. He wore his mask properly and searched the recent files. He found Excel and saw a long list of data. Thankfully, it was ordered and easier to search. His eyes search for the letter 'DE' and scroll through. He found his name and the doctor's name adjacent to it.

He took a picture of the screen and hid under the table when the doctor approached the table. He crawls away from the table glances at his brother and gives a thumbs-up.

"You are completely fine." The doctor spoke, taking Ethan's attention. 

"Yeah? If you say so." Ethan stood up. "Then, I should leave."

"No, it is better to do a CT scan. Maybe some internal injuries." The doctor said while nodding at another doctor.

"In-internal injuries?" Ethan whispered with disbelief.

"Don't worry about the funding."

"Funding?" Ethan gulps and wipes his sweaty forehead. He gave an awkward laugh. "I need time to think. I'll visit tomorrow."

The people watched Ethan almost run out of the hospital.

"Poor guy,"

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