LOST AND FOUND IN L. A

splashed through water on the roads with only their headlights visible. It was one of those storms that only made

of my small apartment. The world outside was a blur of gray, a sharp contrast to the neat, organized spa

impse of my tired appearance in the mirror. Hair was styled in a disheveled bun with a few stray bangs hanging loose. My brown eyes had been bright and previously filled with liveli

more in that narrow staircase to the ground of the ancient building. I had been living

ost deserted experienced a few rushing cars, with their wheels sending water into the air. I lowered my head and concentrated on the ground as I walked to the

nely city all sympathetic and blurry. There, the description of my life is secure. In there, I had someone dear, and someone I am certain that I will still grow old w

ed myself to my employment, hoping that if I got tied up with a lot of work, there wouldn't be any time to pine for what I had los

he back. The bus was almost deserted except for some disoriented passengers who were present in the several nikanas, almost engrossed in their own activities rather than people. I made myself comfortable as I watched the blur tha

hts contrasting the darkened sky. The inside was totally different from what was outside. The lights were triphosphorus, the place was lively and crowded with many acti

m. We weren't talking about much, mostly just the usual small talk. That's fine, it isn't a social event anyw

officially approved people I actually interacted with at the workplace. This on

ting, signing the clipboard. "

's busy but nothing out of the ordinary. One of yours is in room

uldn't be happening the rest of the night most likely in a considerate way to myself. I th

ccurred. At that very moment, a voice cut through the hum of the hospital

to the ER. We have an incoming

of exhilarating craziness and absolute everyone moving at maximum velocity. I dropped what

ready nurses and doctors were as well frantic looking for the struck patients who were about to

ying to figure out how this particular car accident victim would be. Car crashes can never be boring; one minute

peed with a stretcher brought in between them. The man lay still as he was covered w

d in haste as they relocated him to the hospital bed causing a slight asymmetry in motion with him. "He was driving and s

inctive, following the repetitive actions I had practiced extensively. However, I couldn't shake the sense that there wa

rtance. Despite being torn and bloodied, his clothing exhibited fine quality, a rari

aving the man's life. Doctors issued commands, nurses moved efficie

lway, the squeaking of the stretcher wheels echoing against the tile floor. The overhea

felt like a whirlwind, everything happening so rapidly that it was challenging to keep track. Throughout

athing. Unconscious and oblivious to the chaos around him, I pondered who he was and what l

s, and internal bleeding. It was grim, truly serious. The doctors del

now," implored one of them, and th

ut this man that intrigued me, making me yearn to understand more. However, I had to set those thoughts aside. At

fulfilled, at least for now. Nevertheless, as I observed them getting ready for surgery, I couldn't shake

The storm outside began to grow louder, with the rain hitting against the hospital windows with unwave

e, which was... Well, different. I had watched numerous patients come in and out, had seen emergencies and traumas that would inc

anxiety that was eating me from the inside by assuring myself that this was just another day, just another patient. However, I barraged such attempts. There is a rea

They had started performing their last exercises until one of them lifted his head and nodded at me, meaning it

the glance of the man's head that was impassive, his life fluctuating in anticipation. And just like

rang louder than the approaching typhoon that is expected to change the weather within a day in my head. But just as I started moving away