After multiple trips to the hospital—and more to come—I concluded this morning that the hospital is more of a place for morose than it is for hope. Despite the amount of babies born, you can’t help but observe the people who occupies wards, ie. those who have lived up to the idea that they are very sick. There were few motions, and very little laughter. Each bed just screams depression than faith as occupants drinks in the somber colours of the walls, the curtained partitions and the poor state of the ceiling.
It wasn’t until this afternoon, after shifting Popsicle to a different ward, did I find—for the lack of better words—the apple of my eye. The first bed on the opposite row was empty, and the decor didn’t help live up the place either. Same wall, floor, curtain, etc from the previous ward. Just as lame, just as depressing. It was an hour later when the occupant to the first bed made an appearance—male, around my age. I looked up from the book I was reading and he looked at me, and he smiled. He moved with energy, not buying the fact that he is sick or that he is in a hospital. He shifts from one side of his bed to the next like a bolt of lightning compared to the minute movements around the ward. Before leaving his bed again, he waved at me and he was gone.
I later discovered where he was the whole time I was there this afternoon. He has taken the nurse’s office as his new lodging. In front of the computer, in fact. A computer with Internet. He was just as cheery when I bumped into him the second time, and the third. Before I left the hospital for home tonight, I peeked into his partition—forgive my voyeur—to find that he looks, well, healthy. Hopeful. Happy. Opposite to what I’ve seen the past three days.
He probably isn’t sick, but if he wasn’t, why the hell was he there? He can recover at home, for god sake.
It could be the age gap between Popsicle and the guy, but at least there is still optimistic hope in such a bleak environment. Hope is not partial to one set of age only, it loves everyone. And you know what, Pop? (Since I know you’ll read this) You’ll be fine. :)
1 month ago
