Two months ago before all that happened.
UNIVERSITY A MEDICAL CENTER.
"One two three, say cheese Aveny," Emma said cheerfully.
"Cheese!"
"Oh wait, I'm stressed video recording instead of taking pictures."
"Ah, Emma. What are you doing? " Aveny complains about the carelessness, but it's not a news that Emma is someone who is clumsy and that's what charming about her.
" Sorry. This time is for real. Ready... Done! How pretty..." Emma praised her.
Aveny smiled after the praise, but quickly the smile disappeared as she began to cough badly.
Worried, Emma came closer to the bed to rub the girl's back in hope her small gesture can help while handing out water.
"I'm sorry, Eve. I know I made you tired. But I promise this is the last time as for now I think I have enough material. I won't bother you for a while."
"No, Emma. I had so much fun too. You don't know how happy I am because you wanted to see me with your work. Besides, this is a gift for my father too, right? Naturally, I want to be a part of this project. Thank you."
"Awww... Why are you so sweet? " Emma hugged her affectionately. She always had a soft spot for Aveny and not just because she is the daughter of someone special to her. Its because Aveny is Aveny.
Knock! Knock!
Their hug is now being interrupted by the sudden knocking which soon revealed the face of the person who did it after the door of the room was opened from the outside.
Emma and Aveny each looked at each other while putting their index fingers on their lips. A sign of keeping a secret where only the two of them know.
"What my Eve is doing today?"
"Dad! You finally come." Aveny who was happy to see her father kept putting out her hand to receive hugs from her dad as if it had been a long time since they had seen each other, even though they met every day, only the length of time was different.
"Thank you for always being with her, Emma. I really appreciate this." Hans looked at Emma while saying this. He wanted her to know that he really meant every word, and Emma knew that even though he didn't say anything.
"This is nothing hard. It's not like I have other things to do besides, I love spending time with Eve too. We are a best buddy, aren't we?"
Aveny nodded and smiled in agreement. Bringing alone is always boring to her even though she already knows almost all the staff and patients in this hospital. She is the longest patient who lives in this hospital. And being with Emma feels like she interacts with the outside world and she likes it.
Hans smiled listening to that. He actually knows Emma's sincerity, but still, he will say this every time, every chance that he got and refuses to be careless about it.
"You are not feeling too tired today, aren't you?" He shifted his attention to Aveny now. His one and only priority.
"No I'm not. I'm very happy today thanks to Emma, who is willing to spend her time with me. I hope she can come every day, much better, if she can sleep here overnight with me."
Emma, being playful began to make a face of horror listening to that.
"Even if the hospital allows it, I don't think I can do that. I love you Eve, but loving too much can make you burn out. I don't think I am ready to be exploited more."
"Emma..." Hans can't believe this.
"Tsk, put up the wall between us it seems. I step on it each time." Aveny decided to counter.
"Woah, lady is putting up a good fight! " Emma knows she can never win and now they are all laughing together and sharing together.
This is one of the parts that Emma loves the most, but next, as usual, Hans will no longer pay attention to her as if she no longer exists there. Occasionally, Aveny will try to include her in the conversation, but she knows very well that this space is no longer requiring her to be there again.
Slowly, she grabbed her coat and things and started to leave the room without saying anything so as not to disturb the father daughter moment.
"Should I get a quick dinner outside first or go straight to the office and get the take out?" While walking, Emma thought for a moment while looking at the watch on her wrist.
She practically lives in the office now as she works on her next project. As she is quite obsessed with her work, she can't seem to go back to her house every time a project starts and his boss is also her friend, that Hans just now gave her a green card to enter and exit the company at any time and only she gets the privilege. With that, she used it to the maximum capacity.
"Emma! Wait..."
Suddenly, Hans ran towards her when she had already left the main entrance of the hospital.
"Boss? What's wrong? Did I forget something?" Emma looked inside her simple tote bag to see if something was missing as she couldn't think of any other reason why this man ran towards her so frantically.
Hans began to take a deep breath to ease his fatigue before speaking.
"No... It's not like that. Just... You do it again."
Emma using her pointing finger to point to her face as she doesn't understand the situation. Her eyebrows were also raised in 'question mark' there.
"What?"
"You left without saying anything again and this is not the first time. Aveny is bothering you."
'Of course...'
Emma knows this 'reason' very well and she falls for this guy for the same 'reason' anyway.
"Oh, no! I just didn't want to interrupt you guys moment. I swear I didn't feel left out or anything. After all, I've spent a long time playing with Eve. So, my heart is full with her love now that is why I decide to just go."
Hans looked straight at Emma's face at that time as if trying to get into her heart. Read everything.
"I-I meant, after all, I will accompany her again tomorrow and the other days when I'm free. And boss, we see each other at the company every working day. The point is, there's no need for us to say goodbye each time our parting away... right?" Emma feels awkward now with her rumbling.
Hans finally gave in.
"If you say so..."
"As I said so."
Everyone is smiling now.
"But for tonight, let me send you back home. Or are you going to the company?" He insisted as he knew Emma didn't bring her car today.
"You want to send me back home when you just come to see Aveny?"
"It won't be long."
Emma shook her head.
"Why would you do pointless things when you should just rest. Really, there's no need for that. I already called a taxi. Should be arriving soon." She lied now as she felt it necessary to guard her heart.
"But,"
"Hans... I know. You feel indebted to me because I always spend time with Eve, but it's not just because you asked me for help. I'm the one who wants it. Eve is someone special to me too. So, you don't have to do all this because I'm sincere about everything. Don't burden yourself about myself. Please..."
"Thank you..." That's all he could say which sometimes Emma felt like getting angry as she heard it over and over again.
"How is she today? " As usual, he will ask Emma about her child's progress as today is the physiotherapy day.
Aveny can walk like other children, but sometimes her body will be shut down if she doesn't exercise regularly or is in bed for a long time, especially when she is in pain where she cannot exercise regularly so physiotherapy becomes a routine every week which Hans tries to be there for every session and if he can't Emma will help him. Even though Aveny said she didn't need a guardian anymore as she already an adult, he still wanted to give her encouragement and she accepted it in annoyance.
"As usual. Enthusiastic. Doctor said her physical strength slightly improved and her muscle also starting to grow. She even said that she felt like she could run in the park after that but of course, the doctor asked her to refrain herself."
"It must be nice if she could do it. I really hope I can see her in good health and able to run like others. I wish I was in her place and bearing all her pain."
Emma could only be a listener at times like this. There's nothing she could say that would calm him down after all. Also, she was no one to this man who gave her the right to comfort him. It's frustrating...
"You know Hans, I need to go now. You also need to rest and spend time with Eve. Lets talk again soon."
"Oh, yeah. Sorry to keep you here. Be careful and text me when you arrive."
Emma nodded while waving.
"Your unnecessary kindness is really killing me." She muttered to herself while walking fast. She feels the need to get to the office as soon as possible now.