Chapter 9: Chapter 9

No one knows when his heart was attracted and felt something he had never felt before. In the past, nothing could make him feel successful even when he was ranked first in his school. But now, accompanying Ruby home and walking the sidewalk after getting off the bus made his so delighted that he couldn't quit smiling.

Every step he took with Ruby had so good that he could see his excited heartbeat. The cool night air was so sweet and warm that he felt at home going for a long while. Maybe because he was with Ruby, Alex became eager to break time or slow down passaging day because he wanted to be with Ruby longer.

Then they stopped in the front line of the hospital where they first met. Alex was a little surprised when they reached the front line of the hospital because he didn't pay attention to anything else when they walked together and it was because he could only see Ruby all the way.

Alex wondered why Ruby took him to the ward instead? Isn't she recovered which is why she is back in school? It makes little sense if Ruby is still being treated, and it allows her to leave in and out of the hospice to went to school. Alex was very curious, and it showed on his face.

", my father is a cancer specialist in this hospital. We live in a dormitory for doctors in this institution. You could say this institution is likewise our home. " Replied Ruby with a big smile.

Alex was silent for a moment. He was surprised because Ruby answered his question even though he had said nothing. Then Ruby shook her hand as their farewell today. Alex also beamed as he flew his hand. He even wanted to meet Ruby a little longer, so he remained standing there watching Ruby go inside, then when he couldn't see Ruby any more than he left.

They end their day with beautiful memories, their hearts yet beating so fast that even smiles cannot fade from their faces. This is the first time they feel this, and it makes them not realize it at all and just enjoy the feelings they felt.

***

With a big smile on his face, Ruby entered her room, and the presence of her father who had been waiting for her for a long time immediately greeted her until it surprised Ruby. Her dad looked at her with a fierce gaze as if he was furious because Ruby came home late at night even though this was her first day of school at the same place.

"What?!" said Ruby while frowning enough that it melted her father's fierce gaze

Her dad also approached Ruby with a worried look. Her father hugged Ruby and while stroking Ruby's hair gently. Ruby's dad is a widower who just got divorced 2 years ago. They only live alone and their dad is often busy in the hospice, which is why they get along in the doctor's dormitory at the hospice.

"Why did you get home so late? This is just your first day at school. Why did it take so late to get home? " Asked her dad, hugging her and warmly.

"I played with my classmates ..." said Ruby

"Are you so happy because you already have friends on your first day?" Asked her dad while looking at Ruby with his warm gaze and Ruby nodded her head while beaming answering her father's question.

"Have you taken your pill?" asked his father

Ruby's eyes shook. She started glancing around and tried to avoid making eye contact with her dad. Ruby became misbehaving like that because she forgot to take the medicine, and she didn't want to be scolded by her dad for that. But a parent can always know everything about his child.

With those gentle eyes, he looked at his daughter, smiled and rubbed her head. Ruby also grinned because she could see her father's love for her. Ruby is very close to her dad which is why she never misses her mother at all, who has left them. She already has everything with her dad who loves her very much. But there thing on her heart and makes her feel sad every time she remembers it, and that is the illness she is suffering from.

Born with Leukemia illness, she had to go through several medical treatments and had to be accustomed to medicine since childhood. Even though sometimes she has to go through very painful therapy, Ruby can endure it all, and she can still live her day with a smile. But if she saw her dad who was trying to stay strong in front of her, it made Ruby sorrowful because she knew that her dad was the one who suffered the most.

"Here, take your pill." Said her dad giving medicine to Ruby along with a glass of water.

Ruby smiled sweetly then took her pill like a very obedient girl. Then Ruby slept on her bed and her dad sat beside her bed, rubbing her head and singing a lullaby. Ruby likes it when her dad sings her lullabies because it can improve her sleep. Even though Ruby is a teenager, she is still a little girl to her dad, a girl who is precious and loves to be pampered.

***

Meanwhile, Alex returns to his home, even though the room feels empty and cold, but he even smiles because his mind yet remembers the memories he held with Ruby. It was the first chance Alex wasn't so gloomy when he entered his home, which was adorned with icy walls. Maybe this was the first time he had filled his time with his plans. Get out of his old habit of living his time as scheduled by his parents, doing the same activities every time like a robot.

Alex was too caught up in the memories and the pounding of his heart that he didn't notice that his dad was sitting on the sofa looking at him. Mr Maxwell looked a little annoyed, even though it wasn't obvious in his eyes. His eyeballs moving after Alex proved that he was watching his eldest child. But Alex, who didn't realize it, walked to his room and grabbed the doorknob. Alex was ready to open the door to his room when his dad called him and made him stop.

"We have to talk." Said Eddie Maxwell to his child Alex.

Alex also has no other choice but to follow his dad's orders. Although he felt forced, Alex yet sat on the sofa facing his dad. He looked at his dad's stony face with a look that hesitated as if there was a wall between them. A few minutes passed, and they only glanced at each other or stared until Mr Maxwell established the atmosphere and spoke but even to customers.

"What have you been doing until this late to come home?" asked Mr Maxwell.

"I do group work with friends." Said Alex lied.

" Is it true? Remember there is no time to be playful. Focus on your values and maintain the dignity of this family. Mr Maxwell's words brought pressure on Alex.

Alex could only lower his head without being able to say anything. He tried to endure all the press his parents brought on him. Alex continues to convince himself that he can be the ideal child for his parents even though he knows that no one is ideal and never will.

But he can only keep his head down and try hard to achieve what his parents want because his life is always intoxicated of his parents. He is never free, like a rope puppet funnel.