13 End 10
“Patient in Bed 21, it’s time to take your medication.
“You have a visitor today.“”
The nurse’s cheerful voice woke me from my sleep. I lay there for a moment, disoriented, trying to shake off the remnants of my dreams. If I remember correctly, today was the wedding day of Benjamin and Mia.”
Time had passed slowly here, and I had been staying in this psychiatric hospital ever since.§
To be exact, I was locked up.
I glanced at the medicine on the table. The doctor said I had schizophrenia.
Because my parents said, I always talked to the air.
I told them I was talking to the eighteen–year–old Eleanor.§
She was standing right next to me.”
But my parents didn’t believe me, and Eleanor was so angry about that.
So, I stayed here.§
I couldn’t figure out who else would come to see me besides my parents.
I took the medicine slowly. Due to long–term medication, my mind was not very clear, but I could still remember that today was my birthday.
And Benjamin’s wedding day.
But who cared?!
Eighteen–year–old Eleanor kept talking and said she had prepared a surprise for me.
“You’ll see!” she said, smiling mischievously.
She had been with me less and less since I came to the hospital, only appearing late at night and even then, not for long.
Right after she said she was going to send me a birthday present, she continued, “Eleanor, I’m leaving. Stay safe.
“Don’t cry, you look best when you smile.”
She didn’t show any reluctance or sadness. When she looked at me, she was full of admiration and praise. “Eleanor, you are amazing! “I loved this version of you!
“Eleanor, stay healthy and be happy!”
Eighteen–year–old Eleanor said to me with a smile, “Eleanor, you has never let me down. Never.”
I felt a gentle touch on my cheek. It turned out to be the eighteen–year–old Eleanor who was wiping my tears. Her eyes were full of
concern.
“I’m leaving now. This is for your own good.
“Eleanor, take good care of yourself.
“Eleanor, I am proud of you!“>
In a daze, ! found myself sitting in front of a mirror, wiping away my tears. The reflection slowly faded. She was still smiling, making funny faces to cheer me up.
I smiled back at her. “Goodbye, Eleanor.“}
“The patient in Bed 21 has successfully overcome her challenges. The primary personality has triumphed over the secondary one. The treatment was a success.”
