The Cure to My Scar

Returning The Favor

The traffic light changes to red. I was holding onto the steering wheel and the grease on my finger caught my attention. I can't believe I even became a car mechanic for a moment just because of my nosiness. This is so not you, Jace.

The cars behind were honking at me as I didn't notice that the red light turns to green. I immediately moved my car and drive away those distracting thoughts. Why am I even thinking about this grease on my finger in the middle of traffic?!

While walking towards the hospital, I saw a cute huggable bear and made me think of her. She would definitely like this. So without having half-mind thoughts, I bought it immediately.

I was carrying this huge huggable while walking along with the hospital lobby. I don't know if I am just being paranoid but I feel like people were kinda looking at me. I am used to having girls' attention but these stares are quite different from what I am used to.

I ride on the elevator and there's this woman in his early 50's standing right next to me. She looked at me and the bear I am holding.

"That bear is too adorable and your face is too handsome. I don't think it suits you. I guess love doesn't make you feel shy nor conscious at all of what people might think about you while carrying that huge teddy bear ha? What a romantic guy you are." She uttered and I just slowly nodded in response with a forced smile on my lips.

I don't get what does she mean by that but I couldn't care less anyway. All I want is to surprise her with this adorable one. This will serve as her companion when she feels bored and feels suffocated in her hospital room while staying here for weeks.

As soon as I pass the nurse station, everyone were greeting me with a wide smile on their face. I'm not sure if they are just so delighted to see me visiting today or they just share the same thoughts with the woman in the elevator.

I slowly opened the sliding door and let the teddy bear peek in first then I popped my head after. I feel so fulfilled to see those smiles. This is why I don't mind being a laughingstock on my way here as long as I can see those wide bright smiles of Hana in each visit I make.

"What was that??" She interrogated but the smile on her face never fades.

"Your new companion when you feel bored or suffocated being here all day over the whole week," I explained.

She smiled brightly while hugging the fluffy white bear.

"How are you? Have you eaten or do you want some water? Is there anything you wanna eat or something you've been craving for?" I queried.

"I'm okay, I can manage, no need to take care of those things. You don't have to worry." She responded.

I was about to get something in her fridge when the book on the side table caught my attention. The author's name sounds so familiar but for some reason, I can't remember when and how. I didn't know Hana is into this kind of book.

"Are you okay?" Hana asked as she caught me looking intently at the book.

"H-ha? Yeah. It's just that I feel like I've seen that book before but I can't remember when." I responded while keep pondering where did I saw that book. That author's name Sissy feels so familiar.

"It will surely be familiar since it dominates almost all mediums like the book, e-book, and even a movie adaptation. It was a best-seller novel by Sissy." Hana exclaimed. She looks like a proud fangirl.

"Is it that famous?"

"Of course. It may not be the best story I have ever read but her storytelling can make you feel the warmth within. She knows how to portray her characters with justice. And her books made me feel like I am part of the world that she has been creating in the story. A world which I know I would never experience no matter how much I wanted it to be." Hana elaborated.

"Hmm. I see. Well, in this world full of negative thoughts, the writer's main goal should be that way. To make feel people warmth in and out. And I'm glad that she can give you the comfort I always failed to provide." I uttered and she smiled at what I'd said.

"I just feel so disappointed that I wasn't able to come to her first-ever book signing event which was conducted in some sort of café because it conflicts with the scheduled check-up and the schedule of ticket selling." She mumbled.

Wait, a first-ever book signing? Now, I know why it feels like that pen name of the author looks familiar. If only I knew that Hana was a big fan of her, I should have made sure that it will be part of the terms and conditions for the said event and reserved a great spot for her. It was such a waste that I wasn't able to give that small favor to Hana.

I smacked my head from realizing that wasted opportunity. But no worries, my dear sister. I will make sure that we will have another chance to attain your small simple wish.

"No worries, Hana. Despite not coming to the book signing event, I can have your book signed by the Author." I proudly declare as if there's no way she could turn me down about this matter.

"Seriously? That's awesome. Do you know Sissy personally? Am I gonna finally meet her??" Hana almost screams out from so much excitement as she hears that her book would get signed despite failing to attend the event.

"You know your brother more than anyone else. I always do as I told you. Trust me with this one. The one-on-one meet and greet would be kinda difficult but I'll make sure that you will have her sign on your favorite book." I exclaimed with confidence.

So I immediately took the phone from my pocket and send her a message for the first time. I know I've been rejecting her over and over again and keep on saying that there's no need to return the favor but for the sake of my little sister's simple wish, I'll swallow my pride and do whatever it takes just to make her happy. I'll do whatever it takes just to have her booked signed by that Author.

"You keep saying that you will do me a favor in return for saving your life twice, right? I think I will take advantage of that. Let me know when is the right time for me to call you."

Sent.

There you go. All I have to do is wait for her response. One minute passed after the other but still, didn't hear any from her. As time goes by, I feel like her response is taking longer than I expected.

I took my phone once again anxiously to see if she has replied but still, there's nothing to hear from her. Maybe she is just too busy to read her text messages or maybe she is just in the bathroom that's why she is taking too long to respond. I'm pretty sure she has a valid reason for the delay. Unless she is taking revenge on me.

"Is everything okay?" Hana asked worriedly.

"Hmm. Of course. There's nothing to worry about." I act like nothing is bothering me but deep inside, it kills me inside that she is not responding.

I've waited for a few more minutes and finally, she was able to read my text message. And it shows that she is already typing a reply.

"What makes the wind blow changes its direction? You keep on saying that there's no need to return the favor but you suddenly had a change of heart." She replied.

Why do I feel like she is acting like she already has the upper hand between the two of us? Does she have some of the sorts of grudge or something?

"Well, people change when needed and I am not an exemption to that. I can change whatever is needed. I can do anything it takes just to make this special person in my life live extra happy each day."

I requested to call her but we end up texting each other throughout. I didn't know I can be this talkative when it comes to exchanging messages with someone like her.

Maybe she got tired of texting as well and eventually, she called me. Finally!

"So how can I return the favor? I'll do whatever it takes in exchange for saving my life twice." She uttered enthusiastically. Isn't she too friendly for someone who does nothing but rejects her good intentions and frowns at her?

"Don't worry, it is not as difficult as you think but there's no one else who could do this but you."

She was so silent after that statement. Did I say something wrong?

"He-hello? Hello? Still there? Can you hear me?" I repeated.

"Y-yeah. I'm still here. I'll do the best I can to return the favor." She stuttered though I don't know why? Am I intimidating her or something?

"Great! Let's meet up at the café at 3 pm tomorrow."

"S-sure. See you then."

I smiled at Hana as I dropped the call. And she already gets what does that smile means.