Chapter 6: Mr. Bingley

Chapter 6: Mr. Bingley (Wattpad)

           Part I.

          For the first time ever, Tristan was hesitant to come in a patient’s room. He was leaning on the wall from Reeya’s room, breathing in cheerfulness and exhaling out his anger. Exploding like that was unusual for him, but not impossible. He was just so overcome that he threw caution to the winds and said the words inside his head. He’d never acted like that since he was eighteen.

There was no doubt in his mind that in less than twenty-four hours, the news would spread and there would be rumors to be dealt with.

“That was stupid.” he said under his breath. People are passing by, but they didn’t give any indication that they’d heard the doctor talking to himself. They probably did, but they were busy doing other things than provide him with words of wisdom.

After a deep breath, he pried his back away from the support of the wall and took steps towards the door. As his gaze drifted to his patient, he was, for once, able to give a sigh of relief.

Reeya was fast asleep, but she it was clear that she wanted to curl up against the chill, but the chains hindered her.

Carefully, he twisted the doorknob open and took silent steps towards her after closing the door. He didn’t take the risk of touching and inch of her skin and proceeded to unlock her chains. He started with her right wrist, then right foot. As he was taking care of her left foot, she stirred. She mumbled something he couldn’t catch, then shifted her weight and went back to her undisturbed slumber.

Tristan licked his lips nervously, and then proceeded on his task. Once he was done, he pocketed the chains – he never wanted to see those things in this room again – and thought of what to do.

So far, his mind came up blank.

He felt for the book inside his coat and found it unharmed. Although, he wasn’t really sure about the right adjective to use, as Kate’s copy was obviously old and yellowing and there were some pages that had been completely torn off from the bind. They’ve been inserted – extremely thin and fragile – on their right places according to their page number.

But Tristan didn’t mind. He can still make out the words, and that’s what matters if he was going to read to Reeya…

Who was deeply asleep. Incapable of listening to his storytelling whatsoever. He’d cleared off all his other schedules, assuming that he would be reading out loud for hours, and he hadn’t expected her to be asleep.

  So much for expectation, he thought. He didn’t want to go back to his office – the people would certainly want to interrogate him about the encounter with the manager and he didn’t want to lose his head and have another episode again.

Stand outside Reeya’s door? Under different circumstances, he would. But there were people around, rushing here and there. The last thing in the world he wanted was them to think him a stalker or an idiot.

They would probably think more than that when they found him here, sitting. Just sitting. He was getting ready to move out of the door – questions be damned – when he glanced at Reeya, who suddenly opened her eyes, looking at him with suspicion and at the same time, curiosity.

Tristan almost swore. He tried to ignore the fact that he just jumped out of his skin and tried to calm his racing pulse. Blast it, I should’ve been looking.

He smiled, “Hello, Reeya.” He wasn’t really expecting an answer, so he continued, “Can I sit next to you?”

The conversation – monologue, rather – reminded him of their first meeting. Now, she slowly sat up and glanced confusedly at her ankles. Then she rubbed her wrists.

“Oh, I had them remove the chains just now. They won’t do it again.” He kept his smile intact, while she still gazed at him. She resumed her position of hugging her knees to her chest and staring at the opposite wall. 

Back to square one.

Tristan figured that this is where the book comes in, and he hesitantly brought it out Pride and Prejudice.

“Look, I have a book with me right now. Nurse Stewart let me borrow it. She wants me to read to you.” It wasn’t exactly a lie, but Tristan thinks that she probably doesn't need to know the full extent of this little experiment. He carried on, not at all waiting for the non-existent reply.

“I’ll start reading to you everyday from now on, okay?” then quickly added, “Until we finish the story, of course.”

Still no response from her, but it didn’t matter. He came to her slowly, and sat on the stool at the side of the bed, so he was facing Reeya, who was still staring at the blank wall, not breathing a single word.

Tristan opened the book carefully, then cleared his throat when his eyes landed on chapter one. He started reading, “‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife…’”

 On and on, Tristan read. He was actually enjoying the story himself and read both for Reeya’s entertainment and his. She still didn’t bat an eye.

His voice was smooth as honey and gentle enough for her not to resent him, but Tristan knew it would be a matter of time before she would actually give him her attention and somehow respond to his advances.

Time. They definitely have that.

Part II.

In a few minutes, Tristan was already at the fourth chapter. He liked the book, really, and that’s an additional good point of sorts. He didn’t know how the hell he can read something he didn’t like in the first place all the way through.

He found Mr. Bingley funny. He didn’t know why, he just did. And also he found out that he liked Elizabeth very much, maybe because the character shared his mother’s name.

As for Reeya, there had been no changes. Atleast, she’s calm. He could deal with her in her current state than when she’s reliving horrible memories.

“‘Miss Bennet was therefore established as a sweet girl, and their brother felt authorized by such commendation to think of her as he chose.’”

Tristan paused after that and cleared his throat. He didn’t even bring a bottle of water, he realized with annoyance. He considered folding the page, but then remembered the bookmark Kate had given him along with the book. From his pocket, he brought out a simple laminated brown paper with a cross.

As he inserted it at the end of chapter four, he smiled slightly. Faith would certainly catch up with you here, even while you’re working.

“So, they already met Mr. Darcy and Bingley.” he said to her conversationally. From a view of an outsider, what he’s doing would seem remarkably funny and stupid, but the others would understand. The people here would understand.

“But I think Mr. Bingley is funny. He’s like my friend, Gab. I think you’ve met Gab befo – ” he bit his tongue as he remembered what the doctor said in the conversation;

“Your assignment, right? Man, I had to use the tranq on her last night, and it wasn’t pretty. She kept screaming murder.”

Tristan cursed his stupidity. And his poor memory.

“Anyway,” he said brightly, covering up his chagrin, “he reminds me of Mr. Bingley. He’s really funny and he says the most outrageous things.” 

He kept up the one-sided conversation and decided to reserve the reading session later on. He really needed some water on his dry throat, but he carried on.

“I don’t like Darcy, though. He insulted Lizzy. I think Elizabeth is a nice character; really playful and I can just see her as a modern woman. Do you think we should read more? I really do. I want to know what happens next, but I need some – ”

A knock sounded at the door and through the window, he saw Nika, one of the new nurses. He’d never really had a conversation with her, they just shared mutually friendly smiles now and then when they chanced each other on the hallways.

“Excuse me a second, okay? I’ll be right back.”

He stood up, and felt relief when he stretched his stiff limbs. As he opened the door, he saw the nurse carrying a tray of food.

“It’s Reeya’s lunchtime, doctor.” she informed him and sent her sweet smile to Reeya’s direction, “Your lunch is here, Reeya.” Then her gaze fell on the book on the stool.

“You’ve been reading to her?” she asked in a hushed, but delighted voice to Tristan, who smiled in return. He said, “Lots of people helped on that idea.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful! And you chose a good book, too.” Her doe-eyes are shining with so much happiness that her companion was contaminated with the euphoria immediately.

“I know a handful of people who knows books on a professional basis. I’ll take that.” He took the tray from her and said, “Can I feed her this time?”

“Absolutely,” she said while nodding, “I had to order the broccoli and more chicken, though. She needs meat, even if she doesn’t like it. And I also have a bottle of water here.” She brought it out from her small, white bag and handed it over to him, “It must be tiring to read out loud for quite some time.” She said it with a little laugh.

“You’re amazing.” Tristan replied, as she placed the bottle on the tray along with the plate filled with food. Instead of melting into a pile of puddle as expected by everyone when spoken with those words from Doctor Devon, she just grinned hugely and said, “Girl scout’s honor.”

“Thank you.”

“See you. Bye, Reeya.” she called out gently and closed the door from the outside.

It seems like Kate isn’t the only genuine helping soul of a nurse.