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These thoughts made it harder for me to swallow my food. Each bite felt like a burden, and this worry blocked my appetite. I wanted to protect Charlie, to tell him he wasn’t alone, but right now, I was stuck here, struggling with this unrelenting anxiety.
I took a long breath and tried to focus. If I didn’t take care of myself, how could I meet Charlie again? How could I be strong for him?
With renewed determination, I looked at my meal tray and promised myself to finish it, even though every bite felt like a struggle.
Each spoonful I took was a small step toward recovery. I tried to feel the warmth of the soup and chew the whole wheat bread with hope, even though anxiety still lingered in my mind.
I knew I had to hold on, not just for myself but for Charlie. He needed support and love, and I was determined to be strong for him. With each bite, I imagined the day we could be together again, and that thought gave me a bit of strength to keep going.
“For Charlie,” I whispered again, as if it were a mantra that gave me power.
1 knew that no matter what happened, I had to keep going. For him. For the child who had become the center of my world.
With every bite, I pictured his smile, his cheerful laughter, and all our wonderful memories together. The pain and longing wouldn’t defeat me; I would fight for Charlie. His spirit was my source of strength, and I was determined to protect our hope, even though the road ahead felt heavy.
Every second that passed was one step closer to reuniting. I would keep fighting, not just for myself but for a better future for both of us.
Though my heart felt heavy, I continued to eat slowly. Bite by bite, I forced myself to finish everything. Because I knew this was a small step to ensure I stayed strong.
Tomorrow might be a long day, but I would face whatever came. I just hoped that somewhere, Charlie knew I loved him. That I never stopped thinking about him. That I would always be there for him.
With each spoonful I took, I carved hope into my heart. I promised not to give up, to keep fighting for a better future. Charlie was the light in my life, and I would do anything to make sure he felt loved and safe. In this silence, I held on to the belief that our love would always connect us, no matter how far apart we were.
I was still sitting in bed, looking at the lunch tray in front of me that wasn’t fully finished. I had tried to eat, but I truly had no appetite. Each bite felt heavy as my thoughts constantly drifted to Charlie.
I felt like I was failing even in something as simple as this. The anxiety and longing made it hard to focus, and my stomach rebelled as if sharing the emotional burden I was facing.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm myself. I knew it was important to take care of my body, but my mind always returned to Charlie–about how he was coping, whether he was okay, and if he missed me like I missed him.
Maybe I needed to give myself a little time. Forcing myself to eat wasn’t always easy, and perhaps by allowing myself to feel all of this, I could find the strength to carry on.
The door to the room opened slowly, and Nicholas entered with cautious steps. In his hand, he had a paper bag containing something. The sweet aroma from the bag reminded me of my favorite snacks.
+25 BONUS
Nicholas gave a small smile, trying to bring warmth into the anxiety still enveloping the room. His smile offered a glimmer of hope, as if reminding me that there were still small things that could bring happiness even in tough
times.
I looked at him with gratitude, feeling a bit of revival in my spirit. This simple moment, though small, felt like a warm hug helping me face the days filled with uncertainty
“Hey,” he said softly, placing the paper bag on the small table beside my bed. “I brought some donuts and
you know.” croissants from your favorite shop. I thought this could replace the hospital food that… well,
I smiled faintly, appreciating his effort. “Thank you, Nichols.”
However, his eyes immediately fell on my lunch tray. My chicken soup still had almost half left, and the piece of whole wheat bread was barely touched. He frowned, then looked at me with a mix of concern and curiosity.
“Why didn’t you finish your lunch?” His gaze seemed to emphasize the importance of keeping my strength up.” You know you need to take care of yourself, right?”
I felt a bit pressured by his question, but I knew he only cared. His attentive gaze reminded me of my responsibility toward myself. Even though anxiety still clouded my thoughts, his presence gave me a bit of hope.
Nicholas stood there, waiting for my answer with understanding, as if he knew how hard these moments were for
- me.
I took a long breath, feeling a bit guilty. “I tried, Nicholas,” replied honestly, looking down. “I really tried. But I just don’t have an appetite.”
Nicholas sighed and then sat in the chair beside my bed. He looked at me in silence for a moment, as if searching for the right words to say.
But before he could say anything, I cut him off with the question that had been pressing in my chest since he left earlier.
My curiosity was overwhelming, and I knew it was time to express what had been troubling my mind. This courage came from a desire to understand more deeply about the situation and hopes for the future. I focused on him, awaiting an answer that might provide clarity amidst the confusion.
“Where’s Charlie?” I asked softly, my voice filled with hope “Is he okay? Did you manage to pick him up?”
