The next morning, the clouds cleared after the rain. Bright sunlight streamed through the doors and windows into the hospital, dispelling the gloom of the long night.
The young nurse, who had fallen asleep at the counter with her head resting on her arms, woke leisurely. She yawned and stretched her slightly stiff, aching neck.
She had been on night duty, yet somehow slept all the way until dawn. It seemed she had even had a strange dream.
The nurse looked up at the corridor, illuminated by fluorescent lights and sunlight, and at the tightly closed doors. For some reason, her pounding heart found a measure of security, and she gradually calmed down.
Forget it. It was time. She should make her rounds first.
As the clock struck the hour, the nurse snapped back to her senses. She picked up her tray and clipboard, then began inspecting the wards one by one.
Strangely enough, the patients along the way seemed more stable than usual. Even those who normally suffered from insomnia had slept exceptionally soundly the night before, speeding up the nurse's work considerably.
At this rate, she would be able to hand over her shift soon enough.
Near the end of her rounds, the nurse pushed open a slightly swaying door and entered the intensive care ward at the end of the top floor.
The room was as quiet as ever. Though not large, it was kept very tidy. The ventilation window was half-open, and a gentle breeze brushed against her face. A bouquet of hydrangeas swayed in the wind inside a vase, releasing a faint fragrance that made her feel refreshed.
Her weary spirits lifted somewhat. Looking at the couple leaning against the head of the bed, the nurse could not help but sigh at their fate.
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