Friend. Visitor.

MenMen was asleep more than awake the next few days, and she was groggy when awake. But whenever her eyes were open, Javi was there. He was true to his word. He had other patients and more responsibilities. But he was spending a lot more time with MenMen than with any other patient. And whenever he completed his duties, he would rush over.

At first, MenMen didn't think much of it. But when she overheard the nurses discussing her, about how she seemed to be special to the popular doctor Javi, MenMen felt the growing appreciation for her handsome new friend. For the very first time, she wondered if a little indulgence was okay.

Several days passed when MenMen was able to hold a proper conversation. The first question was how long had it been.

"What do you mean?"

It was dark outside the closed window, bright white inside the room. A round digital clock hung on the wall. 2047 the clock read. Unfortunately, the clock didn't show the date. She wasn't sure if it was intentional.

"Since I've been here," she explained. "How long has it been?"

"Let's see." He scratched his chin, and continued. "You were under for two days. It's been six days since. So, a little over eight days. Yeah."

"Really?"

Disbelief coloured her face. His was a blank page, but the grief showed clearly in his eyes. When it was starting to seem like he had no answer, he answered.

"It's okay. Actually, it's to be expected." He was smiling again. "There's a reason we don't have a calendar in here, or the date on the clock. There was this old man. He had a complex surgery, and was under a lot. Anyway, when he was leaving, he thanked the nurses for taking such good care of him for the last week. The nurses laughed, telling him it was actually a month and a half. The old man's expression then was just amazing. So, it's actually quite common. Time flows different in here."

She gave herself time to wrap her head around the idea. In the end, she couldn't. And so, she made a request.

"Could you keep me aware of how much time has actually passed? I find not knowing quite scary. Thank you."

Of course she wasn't going to allow him the opportunity to refuse. Fortunately, he didn't intend to.

"Yes ma'am." He saluted. "The orders shall be followed to the letter."

She laughed heartily. She was truly thankful to him, for always being there, for being so nice, and for saluting her. It was her first friend.

Two days later, she woke up from a nap in the afternoon, saw a shadow sitting by her side. The smile came on automatically. The clock read 1523.

"Hi doctor," she greeted warmly. "What was for lunch?"

There was silence in reply. Wasn't difficult to realise it wasn't Javi. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, and looked at the middle aged man she had seen once before. He wasn't fat, but he wasn't thin either. He was in a brown suit that looked like it was designed and stitched for him. He had a square-ish face, with greying hair and a greying moustache. The wrinkles on his face disappeared into the shadows, lending him an air of youthful oldness. His eyes sparkled meeting hers, even though his face remained stoic.

"Grand uncle," she greeted from the bed.

Kira grunted in response. "How are you," he asked, his voice grainy and almost hoarse, but still easy on the ears.

"Fine. At least the doctor says so."

He nodded. Then, there was silence. But that silence was a thin veil revealing the truth more than hiding it. She realized that she had been wrong. It hadn't always been Javi. A lot of times, when she had been groggy, it had been grand uncle sitting with her. She felt a warm feeling sprout in her chest.

It had been the same the first time too. She had been called to the director's office. Everyone knew that when someone was called to the director's office, it was either because they were in trouble or because someone had come for them. The former was a reason to worry. The latter something to celebrate. MenMen was a Birther, meaning someone who was at the orphanage since birth. Laters were those who were brought later. Birthers had a higher standing than Laters, and usually Birthers were in lesser trouble. Even among Birthers, MenMen was a good seed. She was almost never in trouble. She had been especially good in the recent past. So it was easy to guess that the reason for her call to the director's office was a visitor. Everyone was gearing up for a celebration much before MenMen even started.

The director was a stern faced woman who was always in a grey dress. She had a soft voice, but when angered her voice would turn colder than the coldest ice, and there was nothing scarier. Even her name was frightening. Freya. The only time she smiled was when there were visitors.

When MenMen arrived, Freya was smiling so wide, she seemed to be fawning over the old looking man.

"I would like some time with her, please," he asked Freya.

"Of course," Freya answered readily. "You can have the office. I'll be right outside. When you're done, have MenMen call me."

With that, Freya left. And Kira was alone with MenMen.

"Hello MenMen. I'm Kira. Your grand uncle. Although I'm your grandfather's little cousin, I'm closer to your father's age. First, let me apologise on behalf of everyone. You shouldn't be here. You shouldn't have gone through everything you did. I've come to bring you back, if you are willing."

MenMen was surprised. She would be lying if she said she had never dreamed of her family. Maybe they lost her. Maybe there was an accident. Maybe there was some terrible tragedy, which was the cause of her being dropped off at the orphanage. Maybe one day, someone would come for her, to take her back. Now that someone had come, she was all ears.

At the end of the long discussion, MenMen agreed to leave with Kira. Before that, she had a big celebration with everyone at the orphanage. She had been too quiet to become actual friends with anyone, but she was friendly with everyone. There were no hard feelings with anyone. And so, her farewell celebration had everyone attending.

That night, as she held grand uncle's hand while walking out, she felt a warm feeling sprout in her chest. She was certain that she liked grand uncle. And knowing that he had been with her at the hospital, she was happy. It was a feeling so rare, every time was precious.

"You asked for a year," Kira said. "It's been a year and a few days. Have you made up your mind?"

MenMen nodded. "Can I have some time, before I tell you?"

"Sure," Kira agreed. "You can tell me when you are leaving the hospital. Okay?"

"Thank you."

There was silence again. But the two were perfectly fine enjoying each other's company in the silence. They could just sit with each other in silence for hours, without feeling the slightest discomfort. Just as she was starting to feel tired, he got up and walked over.

"Rest well," he told her gently, brushing her hair lovingly. "I have something here for you. Take a look, when you're feeling up to it."

He left a card underneath her pillow, and left, as she fell asleep.