Part IV
Steffi
I blew on my coffee as Tanya and I walked to the table near the window. I felt tiny beside Tanya but we've been friends forever. Me, petite and slightly round. I've always been described as a cute pixie. pfft. Tanya, always svelte and tall.
"Sure you're all right?" Tanya asked me.
I shrugged. "You know how I feel."
I hated hospitals. I'm in remission now. But there was a time when all I knew was painful chemotherapy and radiation treatment. I was 12 when I was first diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Basically, it meant that I had overproduction of white blood cells which were also defective which led to low red blood cell count, anemia and a host of other symptoms. I was a sick kid who knew hospitals better than the playground. It didn't help that I got sick when I already had school and friends to miss.
Tanya was my friend since kindergarten. My best-est friend. We stayed friends throughout the times when I had no hair, and when I didn't recognize her through my pain medication. She lost a brother when she was 9, to the same type of leukemia as mine. I am forever thankful to my parents and Tanya's parents for letting us continue to be friends throughout my treatment. Tanya was even allowed to accompany me during some of my chemotherapy.
I was declared in remission when I was 14. I still go to the hospital for checkups to make sure I stay in remission. I've continued with my life but I hate hospitals.
Tanya and I remained friends. She took business, I took art. She went to law school, I went to more art and design. We were completely different but we understood each other very well.
"Yeah I know how you feel. Considering my history, I hate hospitals too. Do you suppose Mike will hold it against me if we skipped out now?" Tanya asked with a wry grin.
I snorted. "Mike will forgive you anything. Has he proposed yet?"
"No, but I will soon."
We laughed out loud. Kind of inappropriate given the situation we were in and we both realized it, falling silent at the same time.
"Have you told David how you feel about him?"
"No," I replied. "Besides, I'm not sure how I feel about him. I like being with him. But when he's not with me, I don't miss him either." I shrugged again as I sipped my coffee.
"And he hasn't exactly done anything to make me think that a declaration of love or intent would be welcome. He treats me like a buddy. Nope, the fire and heat is completely on my part."
Tanya's phone beeped. "Hey, Mike says David is awake. Wanna go and see him through the glass?"
I gulped my coffee and stood up. I was feeling a little nervous. I suddenly realized that I had no right to be there acting like some worried girlfriend.
When we got to the ICU, the doctors were with David. Mike was standing outside and waving. We stood beside him and waved too. David saw us and raised his hand in a slow wave. I teared up. Crazy me.
I dragged Tanya away from the window. "I think I'll just wait for the doctors to speak to Mike, then I'll go."
"Ok, that would be fine." Tanya looked at me worriedly. "You are looking a bit pale. and your hands are clammy."
To be continued here.
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