Cocoa

Kaiden seemed dejected, but the doctor continued.

The orderly standing behind him saw Kaiden's head droop and attempted to intervene, saying,

"Let's proceed with the MRI, every second can be crucial."

The specialist seemed to understand this and let him pass. The wheelchair, guided by the orderly, gradually gained speed and took Kaiden to his destination.

With the help of the specialist, they lifted him onto the gray-white bed with careful movements.

They positioned him carefully and then slid him into the snow-white tube. Normally, one would be given a button in case they felt uncomfortable. However, since Kaiden couldn't move his hand properly, he had to communicate through shouts.

When Kaiden returned to reality, it had already begun. Even though he wore muffled earplugs, Kaiden could hear the loud noises.

It sounded like the wails of the damned in hell. An uneasy feeling washed over him, but he couldn't do anything about it.

He seemed disturbed, but not so much that he had to show it. He remained still on the white bed, even though his pulse quickened slightly.

Time seemed to stretch endlessly, minutes felt like dozens, and even the individual seconds.

Kaiden often closed his still open eye to calm himself, only to wake up shortly after. The noises were too loud for him.

****

But then, it was over. His eye, immersed in darkness, opened after more than twenty times, and he saw a white view.

The bed seemed to slowly slide him out of the tube, followed by the arms of the two men. He was back in the comfortable wheelchair, relaxing, his left hand on the black armrest.

As the orderly wheeled him back, the specialist mentioned that it could take several hours to days for the results to be available.

The news could be delivered just before sleep or in the coming days. They departed, and the door

Seemed to open on its own, as if by magic. With his back to the previous room, beams of light seemed to shine into the slightly darker room.

However, the man, about three times larger than the orderly, covered this, creating a gentle eclipse.

The door closed, and the doctor was left behind.

"Where would you like to go next, Kaiden?" the orderly asked.

Kaiden replied that he wanted to go outside for some fresh air. The orderly seemed to understand and didn't waste a moment. Despite his deliberate and muted steps, he seemed to gain speed.

It was like a ride over a hill. There was nothing more to do, yet it felt refreshing.

However, it wasn't as breathtaking as it should have been, as Kaiden smelled death everywhere.

It was the grief, the anger, and the desperation, much like his previous surroundings. He desperately wanted to step outside, to momentarily forget all his worries and look towards the future.

The orderly seemed to be skillfully carrying out his task. He walked at a brisk pace, but not too fast.

During the turns, he balanced the weight shift with his own and didn't lose momentum, he was like a pro. They went through many straight stretches, left and right, which Kaiden remembered.

The wheels of the steel-framed wheelchair kept turning until it finally happened. The doors opened again, and a pleasant gust of cold surrounded Kaiden's half body in an instant.

It was invigorating. The cold enveloped him, and the trees seemed to let their leaves glide away from it, but the sun still shone, this cold combined with the warmth of the sun's rays were something special for everyone.

Kaiden closed his eyes shortly after and let it happen, wanting to savor this moment.

But something bothered him: an old man seemed to be yelling, the glorious peace and long-awaited enjoyment seemed to dissipate into thin air.

"How dare he?" Kaiden thought inwardly, full of anger.

The orderly asked him if he wanted some too. Kaiden asked what he meant, as he hadn't heard the old man's sentence properly.

The orderly responded, saying that there was hot cocoa for sale.

"To celebrate the day, I'll treat you to one too."

Shortly after, raindrops seemed to pelt Kaiden's face. There were only a few, yet it was enough to wet his cheeks.

But why did it taste salty?

Kaiden felt more raindrops running down his cheeks, but why only the cheeks?

Kaiden realized that they were his own tears produced by his tear glands. He raised his right hand and tried to wipe them away.

But it was still wet. Then he realized again that he no longer had a right hand.

He chuckled lightly and accepted the offer, despite the tears, with a faint smile.

"Hot cocoa, hot cocoa, only $3 each from me!

Two hot cocoas, please," the orderly politely requested.

The vendor replied to the orderly, "That'll be $6."

Their hands met, and an exchange of $6 was made for two chocolate-brown drinks steaming in paper cups.

The orderly took them, while the vendor accepted the currency in return.

Soon after, the orderly asked if they should rest on a bench. Kaiden, already bound to his wheelchair, was fine with that. After all, he had been treated to hot cocoa.

The orderly wheeled a bit further and secured the wheelchair so it couldn't move. Then he placed the two hot chocolate drinks on the wider edge of the bench, stretched his arms for a moment, and sat down comfortably.

He spread out by spreading his legs apart and stretching his arms behind the backrest.

Although it was cold, the orderly tasted his cocoa.

He commented, "Alright, it's not too hot now. I'll give you yours."

With that, he reached for the other paper cup and handed it towards Kaiden's dry lips.

While he instructed Kaiden to open his mouth and not be startled because it was still a bit hot, he carefully brought the cup to Kaiden's parched lips. Finally, Kaiden took a sip, and the slightly hotter, brownish liquid slid over his teeth and tongue towards his esophagus and stomach.

A warming sensation flowed not only through his upper body with all Its organs and functions of eating and drinking. But it warmed his broken heart the most.

A reflex occurred, and more tears seemed to flow from his eyes. It was a wonderful moment, not just the sensation, but the tears were admirable too.

They reflected the bright light of the fractured sky and filled the view with an admirable spectacle.

After a long time, Kaiden finally felt fulfilled again.

****