Disguised As A Boy To Attend Belmont High School
Chapter 145: The Road To Recovery.

Chapter 145: The Road To Recovery.

Mark’s expression darkened with curiosity. "Yeah... just how did he get it? The Aiden I know wouldn’t be reckless."

Olive’s question hung in the air, unanswered. Mark’s eyes narrowed, lost in thought, just like Lara.

Lara’s voice was barely above a whisper. "He’ll tell us when he’s ready. Let’s just hope he gets better soon."

"Exactly! We should be supportive, not judgmental," Olive added, her voice serious as her gaze remained fixed on the door. Lara and Mark nodded in agreement, their expressions determined as they directed their attention to the door, waiting patiently for Aiden.

The silence in the waiting area was oppressive, punctuated only by the occasional footsteps of hospital staff and the murmurs of other patients.

"Hey, kids!" a voice called out. Looking up, they saw a young man with a bald head, just like Aiden. He was seated in a wheelchair. "How are you all doing?"

In fact, most of the patients in the hospital were bald-headed, but Olive, Mark, and Lara were too preoccupied with Aiden’s health to notice anything else.

"Hi," Mark greeted with a warm smile. "Good afternoon, sir."

"I see... you’re waiting for your friend," the man replied. "Don’t worry too much. Once his cancer goes into remission, everything will be fine. You shouldn’t let him notice how worried you all are, or he might get more anxious. At this point in his life, he needs all the care from his loved ones and the encouragement to keep going, so you guys should cheer up."

But the man’s words didn’t lighten the group’s mood. Their expressions remained downcast.

"Thanks, Mr...?" Lara said, managing to give a small smile. "Are you also suffering from cancer? Is that why you shaved your head?"

"Oh yes! Most of the patients here are battling cancer. This hospital specializes in cancer treatment," the man replied.

"You’ve started chemotherapy, right?" Olive asked, her eyes widening with curiosity, as did Mark and Lara’s.

"Yes, I’ve completed it," the man said with a burst of laughter. "I’m done with chemotherapy."

"Really?!" Olive exclaimed, sitting up straight, her expression hopeful. "Sorry to ask, but how was it? With how happy you are, I assume you’re cancer-free now. I really hope Aiden’s cancer goes into remission too."

The man’s smile faded slightly, though he remained composed. "It didn’t go into remission but wirsen. In fact, I’ve been given a life expectancy."

His words sent a wave of shock and disbelief through Olive, Mark, and Lara.

"You don’t mean it..." Olive voiced, still stunned. "You’re so happy, laughing like this. How...?"

’What the hell is wrong with him? Is he messing with us right now?’ Olive thought to herself, her irritation growing.

"Of course! Life is too short to be sad," the man replied with another burst of laughter, which only made the group feel uneasy. "I have four months left out of the two years I was given."

"What??!" the group exclaimed in unison, their expressions filled with shock and disbelief.

"I have little time left," the man continued, his warm smile persistent despite the gravity of his words, "but instead of being sad, I want to make the best of the remaining days. When I die, I’ll be free...free from the troubles of this world, free from loans, free from paying rent, free from worrying about being a loser."

Olive’s eyes were already filled with tears which she fought so hard to prevent from falling. Her heart ached so much from listening to the man words.

Lara and Mark hhearts were also shattered hearing his words. The man’s demeanor was warm and genuine, yet it felt surreal, impossible to accept.

"I thought my cancer would go into remission these past years, but it didn’t. I’ve heard of people with life expectancies getting lucky and seeing their cancer disappear miraculously, but I wasn’t one of the lucky ones," the man concluded, still smiling.

"I’m so sorry to hear that, sir," Olive uttered, her expression sorrowful as she fought back her tears.

"There’s no need to be sorry. Your friend is so young, and I truly hope his cancer goes into remission. That’s why you mustn’t look so down. He needs his friends to be cheerful. Seeing you all sad will only make him feel worse," the man advised, pointing at their downcast faces. "If you want him to stay strong, you must stay strong, too."

’You think it’s that easy?’ Olive thought bitterly, her mood even darker now. She felt her tears threatening to spill, but she fought them back. ’I thought hearing about someone else’s successful treatment might lift our spirits, but now I just feel worse. I shouldn’t have asked him about his own journey.’

"Thank you, sir," Mark managed to say, his voice tinged with sadness. "Since you’ve finished treatment, why are you still here?"

"To check on my friends, of course," the man replied. "I’ve made plenty of friends here. Some have passed, but many are still undergoing treatment, while others are cancer-free."

’Oh my God, can you stop mentioning death already?’ Olive thought, her fragile heart on the verge of breaking. Her tears finally spilled over, startling Mark and Lara.

"Are you okay?" Lara asked, worried as she wrapped an arm around Olive. "It’s going to be okay, really."

She didn’t know when she started crying as well, leaving Mark to comfort both of them.

"It’s okay! Aiden’s not dead, and he just started treatment. His cancer will go into remission, I believe it," Mark said, his tone firm.

"Exactly! You wouldn’t want your friend to see you like this," the man added, prompting Olive and Lara to wipe their tears quickly. "Everything would be fine." He added while the group nodded in agreement, directing their gaze back to the ward door as well as the man.

After several long hours of waiting, the door to the treatment room finally swung open. A nurse approached the group, and the group stood up instantly, eyes filled with curiosity and concern.

"The doctor said you can check on your friend now. He’ll join you shortly," the nurse said with a kind smile, holding a file to her chest.

"Thank you, sir, but we have to go now," Mark said, addressing the man, who nodded in response as the group quickly made their way to the ward.

Inside the ward, Aiden lay in bed, his eyes closed. His friends moved closer, their footsteps soft as they approached.

"Aiden," Olive called out softly, her voice tender as she touched his face. "Are you okay?"

Aiden slowly opened his eyes, grogginess clouding his mind. The chemotherapy had drained him, leaving his body weak and heavy.

Mark, Lara, and Olive sat beside him, concern evident in their faces.

"Hey, man," Mark said gently. "How are you feeling?"

Aiden tried to smile but couldn’t muster the energy. "Tired as hell."

Lara took his hand, squeezing it gently. "We’re here for you, okay?"

Olive nodded. "We’ll get through this together."

Aiden managed a faint smile and nodded. "Thanks."

Dr. Thompson soon entered the room with a warm smile. "Aiden, you did well today. The chemotherapy session was tough, and you may feel tired and nauseous, but that’s normal."

"Thank goodness!" Olive exclaimed, letting out a sigh of relief.

Mark asked, his expression curious "What next doctor?"

Dr. Thompson let out a heavy sigh and replied, "Make sure he gets plenty of rest, stays hydrated, and manages the nausea. We’ll schedule follow-up appointments to track his progress."

Lara, her voice shaky, asked, "How long will it take for him to recover?"

"It varies," Dr. Thompson explained. "Typically, patients take a few days to a week to recover between sessions. We’ll keep a close watch on him."

"Is he really going to be okay?" Olive asked, her voice trembling. "He said he’s so tired."

Dr. Thompson offered a reassuring smile. "We’re doing everything we can to combat the cancer. Aiden’s response to treatment is promising, and we’re optimistic about his recovery. The fatigue is entirely normal."

"Thank you, doctor," Mark said with a warm smile. "We appreciate everything you’re doing."

"It’s our job. Just follow all the instructions, and your friend will be fine. Remember, keep him away from stress," Dr. Thompson said as the group nodded in agreement before he left the room.

After the doctor left, Mark helped Aiden sit up. "Let’s get you home, buddy."

"Yeah... I’m tired of inhaling the hospital smell," Aiden muttered as Mark and Olive supported him on either side, helping him out of the hospital.

By the time they exited the ward, the man they had spoken to earlier was gone. But their focus was entirely on Aiden and his recovery.

The group got into the Maybach, and soon, the car drove out of the hospital compound and onto the quiet streets. The drive was peaceful, Aiden’s exhaustion evident in his silence.

Eventually, the car pulled up in front of Belmont building, and they all got out, assisting Aiden into the building and up to the 3RM special room. Lectures was over for the day and the other students had returned to their respective dorms hence the reason why the school was so quiet and students free.

Inside the 3RM, they found Lucas, busy working on his system. When he looked up and saw Aiden, his expression slightly turned somber, but was soon replaced with a look of frustration before storming out of the room without a word.