Chapter 23: Your Appearance Reminds Me Of My Daughter
There could be a dangerous patient behind every door. Though it was a senior sanatorium, it also looked like a prison.NôvelDrama.Org content rights.
The hallway seemed to go on forever. Arianna was starting to get nervous. Every time she came with hope, only to leave with disappointment.
She slowly took a deep breath at the door. Dr. Lynch smiled in encouragement, “Don’t worry, he was very stable this morning. Smile, just like that. You look stunning today, blue and white are good colors.”
Arianna fought hard to keep her smile. She said, “I hope my grandfather will like it too. These two colors used to be his favorite.”
When her grandfather fell ill, Arianna took it upon herself to take care of him. She quickly realized that it was beyond her capabilities, though. It was with a heavy heart that she made the decision to put him in professional care.
Though the doctors had several different diagnoses and weren’t exactly sure what it was, Arianna remained hopeful for her grandfather. He had been steadily improving over the past year.
She was his only visitor. But she wasn’t sure that he was even aware of her visits. It was hard for Arianna. Her grandfather was one of the few people who knew how to talk to her.
Arianna always made sure he could see the pendant necklace he gave her.
****
Arianna used to have cyclical dreams.
A heavy iron gate opened slowly, with the harsh screeching of metal ringing through the air. Although she was afraid of the dark, she still entered courageously because her only relative was there.
Finally, she saw a glimmer of light. She looked right at the source of light and could see the back of an old man underneath it.
She ran forward with joy, and the old man slowly turned around. Then she usually woke up in a cold sweat.
The reality was already much better than the dream. Behind the door was not darkness but rather a very warmly decorated room with elegant colors and bright lights.
The well-groomed old man sat in a chair and looked out the window, watching the rainfall. When he heard the sound of the door opening, he slowly turned around.
Franco Sanchez did not look like a mentally ill patient. On the contrary, he had a calm, put-together look. Though his hair was white and his face was full of wrinkles, he had a scholarly grace and firm eyes, unique to successful people.
He kindly said, “Good morning, Dr. Lynch. The weather is great today.”
The doctor smiled as he strolled to him, “Dear Mr. Sanchez, how are you feeling?”
“I’m okay. I wanted to go for a walk, but they said I need your consent.”
“Of course, you can go. But we will just wait until the rain stops.”
Dr. Lynch stepped aside to put Arianna into Mr. Sanchez’s full view. “This lady came to see you.” Dr. Lynch announced.
Mr. Sanchez gave her a loving smile, “Hello, Miss. You are very beautiful in your dress.”
Arianna suppressed her emotions and flashed the smile she had been practicing.
“Miss Jenkins has visited you several times. Do you remember?” Asked Dr. Lynch, hopefully.
The corners of his smile dropped in disappointment. He replied, “My head was in chaos. I cannot remember things. Please don’t mind me.”
Arianna shook her head sweetly. “As long as you agree that I can see you next time.”
“As long as Dr. Lynch agrees, you can come, right?” The old man said excitedly.
Mr. Sanchez looked at Arianna more closely. “Your appearance reminds me of my daughter when she was young.”
She glanced at Dr. Lynch with a little surprise. But he made a gesture, telling her not to speak.
“My daughter is very beautiful and obedient. She always listened to me. I had a son too, but he left us when he was very young. I don’t remember what he looked like.” The man focused on his memory but gave a sigh at the mention of his son.
“Miss Jenkins, I bet you aren’t a mother yet. But I even have a little granddaughter. She was such a cute little thing when she was born. So tiny.” He showed a measurement with his hands and continued, “She was the most beautiful baby in the world.”
Arianna began to tremble. Dr. Lynch patted her on the back to calm her down.
“Would you like to see her again?” Dr. Lynch asked slowly.
“She is dead and will never be coming back.”
“You last said she went abroad to study…” Dr. Lynch tried to correct him.
“No, she is already dead. She doesn’t want me.” The old man suddenly began to sob lightly.
Arianna didn’t know what to do.
“My wife, my son, and daughter-in-law are all dead. I had only my precious granddaughter left in this world. She was so young. It’s me who should have died!” The old man began to hit himself.
Before Dr. Lynch could do anything, Arianna rushed forward, grabbed his hands, and said, “Don’t do this, please.” Her tone was low and desperate.
Then she suddenly screamed as her grandfather firmly gripped her neck and yelled, “Tell me why! Why is she dead and not you?”
Arianna looked into his eyes. She could only see madness and misery.
She did not struggle against him. She did not even have the slightest desire to resist. Her grandfather was the only relative she had left in the world, and he could not even recognize her.
A strong set of arms pulled her away. Several people were holding down her grandfather and the scene was in disarray. Someone quickly gave an injection into his arm.
After the chaotic moment was controlled, the old man was quiet. He was looking out the window again, allowing the nurse to inject a variety of medicines into his veins.
Arianna followed Dr. Lynch out of the room. He simply checked her neck and said, “I told you not to go near him. How are you holding up?”
She shook her head but remained silent.
“I’ll go back and check on him. I’ll meet you in the waiting room.”
“I just need to go on a quick walk to calm down,” Arianna said, her voice filled with sadness.
Dr. Lynch just nodded and left her.