After a confrontation with a rival cartel, Valeria comes out with a wound in her arm, and Diego sends one of his men to take the Nameless one to a clinic to have the bullet removed. Although Valeria refused, she had no choice but to accept.
For Valeria, the journey to the clinic was torturous, as the man carrying her was too nervous and fearful. Upon arrival, Valeria got out on her own and approached the reception desk, stating what had happened; she was taken to emergency. After removing the bullet and giving her a sedative to alleviate the pain, they brought her to a room in the clinic. There, feeling bored and a bit dizzy from the sedative, she decided to leave the room and wander aimlessly through the clinic. It was 1 AM; all the rooms were closed and dark; everything was silent until she saw light coming from one room with an ajar door. She decided to approach to see who was there.
Upon entering that room, she saw a girl lying on the bed, staring intently at the television. Her gaze was weak, fragile, and somewhat sad.
—Hello —I said kindly with a smile—. Are you lost? —I asked curiously, looking at her intently.
—No, I was just exploring the place —she replied calmly and a bit embarrassed for having entered someone else's room.
Valeria looked at the girl in bed for a few more seconds; she found her pretty, even more so if she didn't have that stupid tube in her nose.
—Well, I have to go —she said calmly, turning to leave.
I see how the unknown woman is about to leave.
—Wait! Please! —I shouted a bit desperately.
The woman quickly turned around, surprised by my reaction as she was leaving. She stepped a few more steps closer, remaining just inches from the bed.
—What happened? —she said surprised and somewhat confused.
—Nothing, it’s just that... —I said somewhat embarrassed—. I just want to talk to someone; I feel lonely in this place. My mom hasn’t come to see me for days; the nurses never talk to me, and when strangers come here by mistake, I always give them directions on how to get there and they leave me here alone until you arrived. I don’t know... I want to talk to someone —I said sadly; even more embarrassed, my face flushed from the foolishness I had just done.
The woman, without responding, felt empathy in her heart; perhaps love. She hated that feeling but still decided to stay for a while. She sat on the edge of the bed.
—Alright, I’ll stay for just a while talking with you —she said kindly, calmly, with a small smile.
The news took me by surprise; I smiled with happiness.
—Really? Thank you! ... One question: what’s your name? —I said sweetly with an amicable smile.
—I’m Valeria. And what’s your name? —she said naturally feeling a bit more comfortable.
—I’m ______ —I said gently—. And tell me, what happened to you? It can’t be anything serious since you’re wearing normal clothes —I asked curiously looking at her from head to toe.
—Just a small wound; nothing serious. But no offense... you don’t look very well; you seem sad and a bit haggard... it looks like you’ve been here for a while —she said calmly without shame in saying it.
—It’s nice to meet you, Valeria; and you don’t offend me. The doctors tell me that every day along with more nurses. I’ve been here for 4 months; I beat cancer but ended up very weak so I have to be under observation all the time and connected to these machines —I said kindly laughing a little.
Valeria was surprised to hear that she had been in the clinic for 4 months without being able to leave, and the worst part is that no one came to visit her.
—I really didn’t know, I’m sorry —she says, a bit anxious.
—Why? It’s not your fault —I say, confused but also amused.
Valeria hits her forehead with her hand; she knew she sounded foolish saying that because she felt the girl didn’t need her pity, just her company.
—Can I ask you a question? —she says curiously, turning back to look at me.
—Yes, of course —I say kindly, smiling and curious about the question.
—If you had the chance to go out, where would you go and what would you do? —she says calmly, interested in my answer.
I think for a few seconds, looking around me, trying to imagine where I would go and what I would do.
—I would go to see a sunset and lie down on soft grass, watching how little by little the stars shine —I say a bit sadly but also peacefully.
Valeria is surprised because the girl asks for something so simple and easy; something she could do any day or even every day.
—Just that? —she says confused, still surprised by the answer.
I shake my head to indicate yes, just that.
—I think it’s time for me to go —she says a bit bewildered as she stands up. I feel like she is a little disappointed.
—Yes, of course. I hope you get better soon with your arm —I say calmly, serenely, and a bit sadly.
—I wish the same; I hope you get better soon and leave this place to see... the sunset and the stars —she says calmly, smiling kindly.
And without saying another word, Valeria leaves the room. When she reaches her room, she finds the doctor telling her that she can go because Diego came for her. Valeria leaves the clinic, and when Diego sees her waiting inside a truck, he calls out to her.
—What’s up with the nameless guy? —he asks curiously.
Valeria snaps out of her trance to get into the truck.
—I need information about someone who is in this clinic —she says seriously and firmly.