Broken Hearts and Cracked Ribs

A searing pain greeted Daniel the moment he opened his eyes. It felt as if a concrete slab were crushing his chest; every breath was heavy and shallow. Clad in a hospital gown, he groaned, feeling a relentless throbbing in his head.

"Don’t move yet. The doctor said your ribs are severely bruised."

The voice was soft but unfamiliar. Daniel turned his head slowly. There sat a girl in an oversized jacket, holding a paper cup of coffee that had long since gone cold.

"You … why are you here?"

"You blacked out," Lisandra replied quietly. "I followed you when you left the stadium. You snapped at the medics and insisted on walking out on your own, didn’t you? But you collapsed before you even reached the parking garage."

"So you brought me to the hospital?"

"No, there was an ambulance. I just came along."

"Why?"

"You were unconscious for nearly three hours. The doctor said you collapsed from sheer exhaustion."

"Yeah, I only slept for three hours last night."

"And … some of your muscles are strained, probably from the accident last night. I’m sorry."

A nurse then stepped inside, followed by a girl who trailed behind with hesitant steps.

"This is the emergency contact we reached earlier," the nurse announced before leaving.

Behind her appeared Lirena. She stood frozen at the doorway, her eyes red and swollen. When their eyes met, Daniel felt a pang in his chest far sharper than the injury to his ribs.

"Dan .…"

He immediately turned his gaze toward the window. He had forgotten to update his emergency contact; there had simply been no one else to list but her.

"Why is she here?"

"I was worried about you. Are you okay?"

"I’m fucking far from being okay. Leave, I don't want to see you."

Lirena was on the verge of tears. But as her gaze fell upon Lisandra, her anger flared instantly.

"Oh, so she's your side-piece, Dan? What do you see in this girl that makes you reject me?!"

"Lirena! Watch your mouth."

"So it’s true, you’re cheating? How could you?"

"Don't shift the blame onto me. The only one who couldn't control themselves and cheated is you!"

"But I did it because of you! If only you were a gentleman and didn't push me away, I wouldn't have had to find another man to hold me!"

"Disgusting," Lisandra interjected spontaneously. The usually quiet girl couldn't help but step in. "I don't know what your problem is, but your words are out of line for someone who’s hurt."

"You little bitch, who do you think you are?"

"Lower your voice, Lirena. She’s the one who helped me," Daniel snapped.

Lirena let out a bitter laugh, tears now streaming down her cheeks. "Helped? You think I’m stupid? What kind of girl waits for a stranger for hours at a hospital unless something is going on? You're doing this just to get back at me, aren't you?"

"Enough. This is a hospital. Get out. He needs rest."

"You dare kick me out?! I'm his girlfriend! I have the right to be here."

"This isn't about who has the right. And seeing the way he looks at you now, I’d say the word 'girlfriend' no longer applies."

"Damn you. Look at yourself—your chest is as flat as a wooden board. Don't even try to seduce my Daniel."

"Leave! I won't say it a third time. Go find the guy you were seeing that night and never show your face to me again. We are over!" 

Lirena stood paralyzed, her mouth clamped shut. Never before had she seen such hatred in the eyes of the man who had been nothing but gentle to her for the past year.

"I’ll give you time to forgive me, Dan. Call me whenever, I’ll pick you up."

The long-haired girl shot a sharp glare at Lisandra before storming out of the room. She glanced back once, but Daniel didn't spare her a look.

"Sorry you had to hear all that, Lisandra."

"You remember my name?"

"To be honest, your name is similar to hers. So it stuck. I hope I didn't offend you."

"Not at all." Lisandra sat back down, taking a sip of her cold coffee. "But I thought it was just your ribs that were bruised. Turns out it’s your heart, too."

"I don't want to look pathetic. By the way, why did you stay? You could have left once the ambulance arrived."

"I wanted to take responsibility. I couldn't do it yesterday, so I figured now is the time. Didn't you end up like this because of me, too?"

"No need. I don't want to owe any more favors. Thanks for looking out for me."

Alex’s sister only responded with a subtle shake of her head. She stayed for a while longer.

The final check-up went by quickly. Fortunately, his ribs weren't broken. The doctor prescribed strong painkillers and ordered total bed rest. The cold air outside the lobby greeted them as they exited. Lisandra promptly hailed a taxi.

"You don't have to go this far, Lisandra. I can get home on my own."

"No. I need to make sure you don't collapse again in front of your apartment door."

Daniel fell silent, staring out the window. A strange feeling washed over him. A girl who had just ruined his hockey bag cared more than the woman he had showered with love.

Upon arriving at the apartment, Lisandra helped him into his room. After making sure Daniel was settled in bed with a glass of water on the nightstand, she said her goodbyes.

"Get some rest. I’m heading out."

"Thanks. Get home safe."

Daniel exhaled deeply, closing his eyes in the silence of the cold room. He thought his business with the girl was over. Yet, to his surprise, less than two hours later, Lisandra was standing at his door, clutching bags of food with a wide grin.