Weeks of therapy passed. Steve's body recovered, his strength returned, and he was discharged from the hospital.
He sat in his apartment, avoiding mirrors, unable to bear the sight of his own face. The television played a monotonous tune in the background, the news cycle endless.
The next morning, he woke up. He showered, dressed in his usual attire a smart button-down shirt and trousers and headed to the bus stop.
The bus journey was quiet. When he arrived at the office building, he hesitated, took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and went inside.
The receptionist looked up as he approached, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Steve!! ", she said, her voice a mixture of concern and relief.
"We didn't expect you back so soon."
She stood up and went to him to give him a gentle hug.
Steve stiffened at the touch but didn't pull away.
The receptionist stepped back, her eyes searching his face.
"How are you feeling?" she asked softly.
"I'm fine,"
"Everyone will be happy to see you again . Let me know if you need anything."
She returned to her desk.
Steve walked over to his office and sat in his chair.
His colleagues were peering at him from their desks, their eyes filled with sympathy and curiosity. Some nodded or smiled, while others quickly looked away.
Steve busied himself turning on his computer. While waiting for it to boot up, he glanced at his desk and noticed a small vase filled with flowers and a card attached to it. He picked up the card and recognized his boss's handwriting.
He hesitated before unfolding the card, his fingers trembling slightly. Inside, his boss had written a short message:
"Welcome back, Steve. We're so glad to have you back again. Take all the time you need. Tom."
The words faded as tears welled in the corners of his eyes. He blinked rapidly, not wanting to draw attention to his emotional state. He set the card aside and refocused on the computer, determined to get back to work.
When the clock struck 5:30 p.m., Steve saved his work and shut down his computer. He gathered his things. His colleagues left the office, their conversations and laughter filling the air as they headed home to their families and their lives.
As he stepped into the lobby, the receptionist greeted him with a warm smile.
"Have a good evening, Steve. Don't hesitate to call me if you need anything."
Steve nodded absently and whispered a thank you before stepping out into the chilly evening air. He walked quickly toward the bus stop, his shoulders hunched against the cold.
The rain began to fall, the drops dancing on the pavement in a steady rhythm. He pulled his jacket tighter around his shoulders.
The store was a small, dimly lit building. Steve hurried inside.
He grabbed a basket and began wandering the aisles, picking up milk, bread, and eggs.
After paying for his purchases, he went back outside, the rain still falling. He huddled under the store's awning, watching the water collect on the pavement. The sky remained a dreary gray, showing no signs of improving anytime soon.
He sighed and shifted his bags to his other hand.
The minutes dragged on, each one feeling like an eternity. His clothes clung to his skin, wet and uncomfortable. He glanced at his watch every now and then, hoping for any sign that the rain was beginning to subside.
A tiny figure appeared in the rain, a little girl, no more than 10 years old. She wore a yellow raincoat with a large hood and carried an umbrella in one hand. In the other, she clutched a single boot.
The girl stood beside him, her eyes fixed on the wet pavement. She glanced at him quickly before looking back at the pavement, her small brow furrowed in concentration.
Steve shifted uncomfortably, unaccustomed to being so close to a child. He kept his gaze straight ahead, trying to ignore the girl's presence.
The rain finally began to ease, and Steve seized the opportunity to leave. He stepped out from under the shop's awning, his shoes squeaking in the puddles, as he hurried toward the bus stop.
The little girl followed him. Steve could hear her heavy breathing behind him, struggling to keep up with his long steps .
When he reached the bus stop, he boarded the bus without looking back at the girl. He found a seat in the back and sat down, placing his bags on his lap. The bus pulled away, leaving the little girl standing alone on the sidewalk, her umbrella dripping wet onto the pavement.
He gazed out the window, watching the city lights.
The bus journey was quiet, and soon he was standing in front of his house. He climbed the stairs slowly, his body aching from the long day. When he reached his room, he opened the door and went inside.
He put his bags down on the floor and began to undress, leaving a trail of wet clothes behind him. Naked, he went to the bathroom and turned on the shower, breathing a sigh of relief.
The hot water cascaded over his skin, washing away the dirt and rainwater. He stood under the spray for a long time, letting the heat soothe his muscles and calm his mind, drying himself and putting on clean clothes.
He stepped out of the bathroom, his skin flushed and warm from the shower. He turned off the light and went to his bed, lying down on the mattress with a sigh.
Slowly, exhaustion overcame him, and he drifted into a deep sleep.