The Second Encounter

I don't know how long was I lying on bed when I can finally have the right mind and strength to feel my reflexes to open my eyes.

Wherever I am, the light is too bright so I could to blink multiple times to adjust myself to it.

Where am I? I turn my head from side to side to check the room that I'm staying. I'm in a hospital? I'm alone. No one is inhere and I have an oximeter on my finger, a UV and then some random tubes on whatever it is used for.

My body still feels so heavy and I can't move some parts of me yet specially my right leg which is cemented. I raised my hand to touch my face and I felt some bandages on my cheeks, my forehead and my lip feels a little tingling.

I was about to remove this oximeter on my finger when the door opened and a female nurse came in.

"Oh, miss. You're finally up." The nurse approached me.

"What's going on? Please remove all of these craps off of my body." I told her.

"Not yet, miss. Please stay still, I can't make any decisions without the doctor's permission." The nurse softly assured me then turns to leave.

Shit.

Damn, I want to get out of here but not home.

I'm too broken to see my best friend and my fiancé together.

"Good morning." The door reopens, and a deep and husky voice spoke. I raised my head to see it is, hoping that it was the doctor this time.

But my eyes widen as I find the doctor is quite familiar. And I would never forget that face.

"Y-you..."

"It's nice to see you again, princess. I am Doctor Bateman. I'm a surgeon and I'm the one who handled you ever since you got into that accident." The handsome man introduced himself.

This is the one that I am making out with at the club. That mysterious stranger.

"Y-you're a doctor?" I sound so dumb asking that question.

The man chuckled, his chest shaking a little. "Yes. So, do you want anything? Water?"

I nodded, hesitantly. He walks towards the fridge then opened it, he brings a bottle of water then poured it on the glass then handed it to me.

"Alright, to start it...how are you feeling?" He asked while I drink.

"Headache, and bodyache?" I murmured, but still I let my eyes wander around.

"I know I look familiar to you because we met at the club before yet I don't have any idea who you are. So can you please tell me your full name?" He grabbed a nearby chair then placed it down next to my bed then sits on it. "Do you remember anything before you got into an accident?"

Of course I know everything. I just don't know it, I can still feel it. The pain of betrayal.

Actually, this wounds and broken bones that I have is nothing compared to the pain I have inside my chest.

"Did you contact any of my family?" I asked, not answering his question.

"Not yet. All I know if you're the woman that I was kissing at the bar but unfortunately, I do not know what's your name." He replied, resting both of his hands on top of the bed.

Damn, his doctor is really handsome. His light blue eyes is very mesmerising and it perfectly matches her light brown hair, giving him that manly yet mature look. Jesus, I can't believe that I am still ogling about this man at a time like this.

I remained my mouth shut. It took me seconds to think that I'm not comfortable about telling him my name. I'm sure they will try to contact any of my family. And for sure, it will be Gale that will come to me. And I don't want to see them.

I don't want to see any of them for now.

"Don't contact anyone." I suddenly begged, looking up to him with plea.

His eyebrows touched in confusion. "I'm sorry, miss. But I need to inform at least one member."

"No!" I snapped. "I beg you. Please, I don't want anyone to know that I'm alive. Or where I was. Please."

Dr. Bateman looks like he is battling in thoughts. "Listen to me, I'm not allowed to do that. So, cooperate with me and tell me your name first."

"No." I try to sit properly but some points of my body is just too painful to move. It aches everywhere!

"Don't make this harder for us."

"I won't tell you anything." I continued to shut it in. "Can you please just tell me what happened to me."

The doctor sigh then crossed his arms. "It is obvious that you got in an car accident. You were driving too fast, and because of the storm, the road is slippery and you were not properly in control. They found your car smash on to the steel railings that was on the side of the road and since it is very bumpy way down, it was a horrible hit." He continued to explain.

I manger to recall the happenings. The windshield is too blurry for me and I can't see where I was going clearly.

"You're lucky that the medic safely got you out of the car because your leg was stuck. I immediately performed a surgery to fix your hip. You had a pelvic fracture and you are not allowed to put pressure on your hips for the meantime. Your arms weren't stuck but the glass were shuttered every exposed skin that you have. Your face needs to be stitched as well, your lip, and be grateful that the glass didn't reached your eyes or else, you might go blind."

I sigh and bit my lower lip. "How long was I out?"

"3 months."

"What?!"

"Yes, and now you should really tell me your name. Your family might be so worried about you." He stands up. "But I'm afraid that you have to continue your recovery here in the hospital."

"I-I don't have a family."

I'm sorry Dad.

But I'm not ready to face any of you yet.

Call me weak, but I'm too broken. What those two did to me really pains me.

One day will come that I am ready to face them again. One day, I swear, I will just laugh at this experience.

"Then where do you live?"

"Anywhere." I replied, adjusting my butt on the bed because it is starting to get sore.

"Listen here, lady." Dr. Bateman lowers his head to my level and looks directly to my eyes. "It would be easier for me if you tell me the truth. I will not stand here all day and patiently ask your biodata."

"And I am telling you, doctor. I don't have a family and I do not have a home. So if you don't believe me, send another doctor that will not interrogate me like you do." I as well, look at him challengingly.

He stared at me for a few seconds before a sexy smirk slowly forms in his lips.

And it is very tempting. Damn. My head still hurts yet here I am, fighting the urge to battle with this man.

"Alright then. Just tell me your name and I promise that it will not contact any member of your family that is left." He stated.

"Shanaya." I murmured. "Shanaya Campbell."

"Thank you. I won't ask anything more, Miss Campbell." He responded, standing up from the chair then was about to leave when I called him.

"Doctor Bateman, please. I am begging you, do not let anyone know that I'm alive." I told him, my voice was very determined but pleasing.

It took a while before he could answer but in the end. He gave me a reassuring look. "I won't do anything without my patient's consent." That is the only thing he said before turning to leave the room.

That man.

He shouldn't have asked all those questions if he won't do anything without my consent. I guess all he need is to know my name and squeeze out some information out of me.

Sneaky bastard.

When silence fills the room, I felt the solemn feeling inside me again.

Painful it is for sure. I'm alone.

----

The next following days, my new doctor said that my condition was improved. The nurse told me not to eat solid foods but just for now. All I eat are soup, porridge or any blended fresh juices. Just to let my whole system adjusts. But now, I'm fine already.

Just slight headaches, I can move my arms properly but I still can't walk. My legs were injured that badly.

Doctors already started checking and helping me with my condition. But I never saw Dr. Bateman again. Well, since he's a surgeon, I don't think he still have concerns about me.

But I really am thankful to him because he kept his words that he won't contact any members of my family if ever. And no one came in the hospital that I know.

Dad, my sister and my brothers are probably looking for me now. I just don't know if Gale does. For sure, they aren't anymore. They do not care about me.

One morning, I was on a wheelchair and since I requested if they could let out. I can sit up straight now though.

A nurse took me out to the garden that was behind the hospital. This is actually for the patient if they get do get bored just like I am.

The garden looks nice. The whole area is filled with flowers giving it a wonderful fragrance. There are other patients resting here with someone unlike me, I don't have anyone beside me.

Good for them, they weren't betrayed by someone that they love.

"Can you please leave me?" I told the nurse without looking up to her. "Come back for me in an hour. I want to be alone.

The nurse just nods then leaves me. They already know that I always want to be alone. The first nights since I woke up, nurses started coming to my room saying that they are going to stay with me since I'm alone and I don't have any family.

But I pushed them away.

I always want to be alone.

"Miss Campbell." A man called my name.

Looking up, I saw Dr. Thomson. The doctor who has been handling me. He would come to my room every day and asks me question about how I feel, gives me my medicine and sometimes, he sits down and chats with me.

And like the others, I always push him away. I hate it when he tries to chat with me and asks questions like what I like to do, what my favourite food is and many more similar questions.

His full name is Jonny Thomson. Not too old and very good looking. He is kind and funny, he always tries to cheer me up. And I think the problem is just me. I want to distance myself from everyone.

"It's really you." Dr. Thomson walks closer to me then crouched down to my level. "How are you feeling?"

"Like always." I replied, with a monotone voice. I'm sure he won't leave my side until all of his questions weren't answered.

"Did you take your medicines?"

"Yes."

A soft chuckle escaped from him. "What's so special about this day that you wanted to go out and do something different?"

"Nothing. I just feel bored in my room." I replied, without looking at him.

"Alright then. I will just some nurse to check up on you." Dr. Thomson smiled at me assuredly and trying to give me a warm approach. I know he is doing everything so I could he comfortable around him. I appreciate it though, but I just don't need it.

I just nodded then he stands up straight. Then somehow, he saw someone in a distance.

"Dr. Bateman!" He called and my whole body suddenly tensed up. And I don't know why my heart quicken up its speed.

I felt a strong presence beside me all of a sudden.

"Dr. Thomson." That deep manly voice gives me chill down my spines, makes me want to run.

"Good morning, did you finish your rounds already?" Dr. Thomson asked.

"Not yet, I still have a lot of patients to check."

I raised my head to see him but when I noticed that he is looking at me, I immediate turn away. "I would appreciate it if you two would just talk somewhere. Please leave me alone."

"Miss. Campbell, I'm happy to see you well. How's your leg?"

"Still can't be moved." I just replied.

"Seriously, Dr. Bateman. I feel like this lovely lady needs to have be check by a psychologist." Dr. Thomson told him causing me to turn at them.

"I don't need one, thank you." I snobbishly retorted.

A seconds of silence enveloped.

"Could you please leave me and Miss. Campbell for a moment, Dr. Thomson. Thank you." Dr. Bateman softly requested. "It won't take long and I will be the one who to personally bring her up to her room."

"W-wait, I didn't—" I wanted to reject or tell him to not bother and just let me be, but he already moved my wheelchair and pushed me somewhere closer to the bushes of flowers.

There is a nearby wooden bench so he stopped there and sat down, our position is face to face.

He removed his white coat and folded it neatly beside him then crossed his legs, looking so relaxed before turning his face to me.

"You don't need to do this."

"Yes, but I want to." He stated, giving me a toned look. His eyes seems to be hypnotising me because of he stares and glances at me. "Miss. Campbell, I've been reading what has gotten into you every time I instruct some nurses to check on you. You barely sleep, you barely eat, you barely talk and you never go out. May I ask if you have a problem?"

"What are you? Some kind of cop?" I asked, letting my long dark hair fall in front of me.

"And you literally look like a stick, I told them that you can start eating solid foods from now on. I hope you eat a lot and start opening up so we could help you." He told me as if he cares.

"I'm fine, Dr. You don't need to waste your time on me."

"Oh, it's not a waste of time because you're my patient."

"Not anymore since you only checked on me once." I snorted.

"I checked on you in the whole 3 months that you were done. I am also the one who fixed your face and your leg. And there was never a day that I didn't check on you because I told the nurses to check." Dr. Bateman stated seriously. He doesn't look like the type of doctor who sweet talks to their patient to get their trusts.

I sigh and played with my fingers, looking down to my lap. "So, what's the real point of this conversation? You want me to come back to my senses?"

"No, I want you to cooperate."

"Cooperate?" I scoffed. What the heck is this guy thinking? He think he is the one who needs a psychologist. He's nuts.

"You don't want to shut yourself down. You might be alive but it looks like you wanted to be dead. Tell me honestly, did you try to kilo yourself that's why you got into an accident?" Dr. Bateman leans down to his knees and gazed at me.

"No." I replied, strongly. "But someone already did something even worst and killed me before that accident. That I wish I should have just died." Those words came out from me with clenched jaw.

That made him shut up. Dr. Bateman was in thoughts after I said that.

"Now, are you still trying to convince me to open up?"

"Yes." There is something in Dr. Bateman's eyes that I can't read, like he is very determined.

For what?

"It would be easier for the both of we help each other out. The easier you open up to me, I can help you."

"Help me?" I tilted my head in confusion.

"Yes, you are like this because of what Gale did to you, am I right?"

My heart thumb hearing that name as my mind quickly steps up. "What do you mean?"

"I know you, Shanaya Campbell." He gave me a confident smirk as he crossed his arms. "And let me give you an advice...don't let them ruin your life. And now, let me tell you one thing..."

I raised my head to wait for what he is going to say.

"You can trust me."

To be continued