The Healing Period

Lewis looked at his only child with a straight look. It's been the third day, she's been crying to see her son passed out until now.

"Enest, I'm asking to get up. I don't want to lose you, son. Enough I lost your mother, I'm sorry God!" Lewis cried holding Ernest's arm.

He really hoped Ernest would wake up from a coma. He's very sorry for what he did. Yet, when he regretted what he had done. Someone knocked on the door from outside.

Knock! Knock!

"Who's there?" Lewis asked, but there was no answer at all from the door.

Lewis moved out of his chair and wiped away his tears. He walked towards the door and when he opened the door, he was very surprised by the girl who just came to this hospital.

"Oh, my God!" was surprised Lewis couldn't believe holding his arm.

"Oh, did I surprise you, uncle? I'm sorry," he said politely.

"You're Hellen, aren't you?" Lewis asked making sure.

The girl also distorts her smile. Lewis was so surprised, how did this girl know that Ernest was hospitalized and was in this room.

"Ah, I happened to come yesterday afternoon to uncle's house. About the new house, I got it from an employee who worked at Ernest's restaurant. They said, Ernest was treated for an accident, so I decided to come here after I found out where Ernest was treated. Is that a problem for you, uncle?" explained Hellen carefully.

"Oh, no. Of course not! I'm just a little surprised because I haven't seen you in a long time, son," Lewis replied kindly.

"Ah, lately I've been busy with my new job, uncle. I'm sorry I didn't have time to tell you and made you worry," replied Hellen.

"It's okay. As long as you're okay, I'm happy to see him. Come in, but Ernest hasn't been conscious of his coma since yesterday, Hellen. Uncle is very frustrated," Lewis said, making Hellen immediately look empty on Ernest, who is now lying stiff in the hospital safe.

Hellen walked slowly into the room. He sat in a chair near Ernest afterwards. He looked at Ernest who seemed to be very calm.

"He's very quiet," said Hellen, making Lewis glance at him with a puzzled look.

"What do you mean?" Lewis asked confusedly.

"I often see Ernest with a panicked, scared, anxious and confused face every day. Seeing him laugh is rare. I often see him with a serious face. But, now, I see him very calm. There is no nervousness in his heart. I'm glad to see he's okay," Hellen replied.

"Right, son. Uncle is also happy to see Ernest doing well," he said.

"But uncle, how did Ernest become like this?" asked Hellen immediately making Lewis silent.

Lewis looked at her with a look so frightened and confused. Should he explain to Hellen if this is all his fault? Will Hellen be all right after hearing the truth?

"Uncle?" asked Hellen trying to resuscitate Lewis.

"Hello, uncle? Are you okay?" asked Hellen again trying to resuscitate Lewis.

Lewis came to his senses, looking gently at Hellen's beautiful, sweet face: "Come with uncle, " he asked.

— The Game of Death —

The atmosphere of the hospital park is very crowded. Especially if there's a playground for toddlers. Of course, this hospital park can be an alternative to addressing the boredom of children who have to be in the hospital environment.

Lewis and Hellen sat in a park seat provided by the hospital. He doesn't know what reason Lewis brought Hellen here.

"What are you going to talk to me about?" asked the curious Hellen.

"Can I trust you, Hellen?" Lewis asked hesitantly as he looked at the little girl's face.

"What do you mean?" asked Hellen still not understanding what Lewis asked him.

"Uncle wanted to ask, if there was a child who was beaten by his parents, would you forgive him, or would you just keep his own memory to death?" Lewis asked suddenly making Hellen afraid.

"I will choose to forgive them. However, they are my parents. If I am wrong, then they will lead me, but if they are wrong, I can just shut up. Even in my heart, I am emotional because everything has to happen because of the rules," said Hellen, making Lewis.

"So, you're gonna do both, right?" Lewis asked, making sure.

Hellen replied and looked at Lewis.

"Did uncle hurt Ernest again?" asked Hellen hesitantly.

That's when Lewis was stunned. Ears of tears fell from her cheeks. She's crying hysterically in front of Hellen now. Hellen was so surprised why Lewis cried so hard.

"Yes... Hiks... I hit him I hurt him I'm crazy, Hellen. I'm crazy!" Lewis exclaimed while beating himself.

"Uncle, quite uncle!" Hellen whispered holding Lewis' arm.

Hellen hugged Lewis. He calmed Lewis out of his pain. Lewis started crying. He's really very sorry for everything he's done.

"I'm a bad father, Hellen. Am I still worthy of being called a father?" Lewis asked to let go of Hellen's embrace.

"Do I still deserve to be called father? Ernest is in a coma because of a concussion on his head. What should I do? What should I do if I lose Ernest? Walking like crazy? To hurt everyone?" Lewis asked frustratedly.

"Uncle, that's enough!" Hellen firmly stopped Lewis from screwing up.

"The doctor says I'm crazy, Hellen. The doctor says I have to see a psychologist. However, will I recover? Or will it be in vain?" Lewis asked Hellen.

Hellen was silent. He looked at Lewis with his sharp eyes. Is Lewis really sorry about what he did? But this cry really seems like deep regret. Hellen thought that it might be better if Lewis treated his mental illness.

"Uncle, you need to see a psychologist. You love Ernest, don't you?" asked Hellen in response to Lewis' nod.

"Because you love him, you have to see a psychologist. Consult your complaints to people who understand your condition. The reason why you become like this. If you really want to change, then you have to try," said Hellen immediately realizing Lewis.

"Will it work?" Lewis asked Hellen.

"We don't know for sure, but what's wrong with trying and trying? God will surely give you permission to make your son happy if you really love him, stop hurting Ernest. He's a good boy, uncle. Whatever he does is for uncle, then uncle must be nice to him," said Hellen.

Lewis was meditating, too. What Hellen says is true. There's nothing wrong with trying while waiting for the results to come. Lewis doesn't want to keep hurting his son.

— The Game of Death —

Hellen looked at Ernest who was still lying stiff in the hospital safe. He's got Ernest's slow arms. He still remembers the day Ernest expressed his feelings in front of many people. Hellen always smiles remembering.

"When are you going to wake up, Ernest? Haven't you missed me all this time, hm?" asked Hellen to Ernest.

"You know, when you expressed your feelings on that day. I was really surprised, I didn't expect you to have the same feelings as me. I thought, all this time I loved myself. Turns out, you also loved me. You know how happy I was on that day? Hm?" said Hellen again.

Hellen smiled happily at Ernest who was so peaceful and calm. There was only the sound of Ernest's heartbeat machine and the roar of breath that filled the room. Ernest's head is still bandaged and there's an oxygen hose in his nose. Who would have thought Ernest would fall ill like this when he was usually so strong and tough?

Hellen rubbed his arm. The arm that Hellen always misses. He remembers when he first met Ernest and worked with him. At that time, it was the first time she had ever come to like Ernest.

* Flashback On*

"You know what we have to do to make this cafe crowded?" Ernest asked with a serious look.

"I don't know," Hellen's great-grandfather.

"Cooperation. We have to work together. Don't stay away from me and fight with me. We have to work together! You, me, we have to do everything together. Put aside our egos first so we can get paid properly. You know, I fought so hard in this job," Ernest told Hellen.

"I have to make my father happy," he said again.

Hellen looked into Ernest's face. Implied in it the wounds are so great. Ernest kept it all to himself. Since working with him, they've been fighting for nothing but small things. It's natural that there will be such a time. But Ernest spoke very seriously this time. There's a point of hope missing now in Ernest's life.

"Let's do it!" said Hellen in the end.

Ernest looked at her with a puzzled look. "What did you say?" he asked again.

"Let's work together for this cafe, fool!" exclaimed Hellen irked.

Ernest smiled broadly at Hellen who was rude to him. He liked Hellen like that from the beginning.

"All right, come on! You and I, we have to work together! Cheer up!" exclaimed Ernest as he embraced Hellen.

"Let go of your smelly hands, this doesn't mean we're at peace," recalls Hellen.

* Flashback Off*

Hellen smiled considering how funny they were. They fight a lot over small things. Yet, they complement each other.

"We were very funny, weren't we? We used to hate each other, now we love each other," said Hellen, feeling amused at himself that day.