The two of them walked toward the radiology department. Lyra's face couldn't hide the fear and anxiety enveloping her. Galaksi, on the other hand, kept looking at her gently with a smile, as if trying to reassure her that everything would be all right.
When they reached the radiology department, they sat in the available empty chairs.
"You're nervous, huh?" Galaksi asked.
Lyra only answered with a faint smile.
"Don't be nervous. Trust me. Everything's going to be okay."
They fell silent again. The silence continued until Lyra's name was finally called for her to enter the examination room.
Inside, Lyra kept praying silently, hoping the examination results wouldn't match what the doctor had previously feared. She underwent a series of radiology tests, surrounded by the various medical machines filling the room.
Before long, the entire examination process was complete. Lyra slowly stepped out of the room.
Galaksi was already waiting for her by the door. The worry in his eyes was impossible to hide.
"How did it go?"
Lyra only shook her head slowly with an anxious smile, signaling that she didn't know the results yet either.
"Where are we going next?" Galaksi asked.
"The third floor. Aren't you tired? I'm sorry you have to keep waiting for me," Lyra replied remorsefully.
"Relax. I'm free anyway."
Galaksi took Lyra's hand again, trying to calm the woman beside him. Lyra answered with a warm smile.
When they arrived at the laboratory, Lyra went straight to the registration desk while Galaksi dutifully stayed by her side. After completing the registration paperwork, they sat down again to wait their turn.
The silence was broken again when Galaksi started a conversation.
"Are you hungry?" he asked.
"A little."
"All right, we'll grab something to eat after this. I want to vape too—my mouth tastes bitter."
"If you want to vape first, that's fine. I'll wait here."
Galaksi immediately shook his head.
"No way. You might disappear on me. It'd be hard to find you."
Lyra laughed softly at his answer.
Seeing Lyra laugh, Galaksi smiled too.
"There you go. That's much prettier."
Lyra looked at him with a mischievous smile.
"Huh? What? Say that again."
Galaksi immediately became flustered.
"No way... That'd be embarrassing."
Not long afterward, Lyra's name was called for her blood draw.
When she saw the size of the needle they were going to use, Lyra's face immediately went pale. Reflexively, she looked behind her for Galaksi.
Without being asked, Galaksi hurried over and stood right beside her.
Seeing how frightened Lyra was, Galaksi gently put an arm around her.
"It's okay... If you're scared, don't look."
Lyra nodded slowly and closed her eyes.
A few moments later, the blood draw was complete.
The two of them walked away from the laboratory.
Lyra let out a long breath.
"That needle was huge, wasn't it?"
Galaksi chuckled softly.
"Yeah, it was pretty big."
"That's the first time I've ever had blood drawn with a needle that big."
Without saying a word, Galaksi took Lyra's hand. He examined the needle mark on her arm, then gently blew on it.
"It's okay... It'll go away soon."
Lyra fell silent for a few seconds.
For some reason, the simple care Galaksi showed her slowly eased the fear and anxiety that had filled her heart all morning. The warmth he gave her felt far more soothing than any words could have been.
Without realizing it, a sincere smile returned to Lyra's face as she looked at the man who hadn't left her alone for even a moment since morning.
Galaksi immediately became flustered when he realized Lyra had been staring at him.
"Hey, what's wrong? Why are you getting all flustered?" Lyra asked teasingly, lightly poking Galaksi in the waist.
Galaksi chuckled softly, then gazed intently at Lyra.
"How could I not get flustered when a woman as beautiful as you is staring at me?"
As he said this, Galaksi's hand slowly moved to Lyra's head. Gently, he smoothed her hair, which had been slightly tousled by the breeze.
Lyra's heart suddenly began beating faster. Galaksi's gaze and tenderness left her speechless. Without realizing it, a faint smile appeared on her face.
Seeing that smile, Galaksi smiled in satisfaction.
"That's better. Smile like that. It's much nicer to look at. Your face has been sour all morning, like an unripe orange," he teased.
Lyra immediately put on a pout.
"What's that supposed to mean? You're saying I'm like an unripe orange?"
Galaksi laughed softly.
"I'm just kidding." He gently pinched Lyra's cheek. "You're actually really sweet."
Lyra's face flushed again. All she could do was lower her head while holding back the smile that kept spreading across her face.
Once things had settled down again, they left the hospital to find something to eat. Along the way, light conversation and little jokes filled the time, gradually easing the anxiety Lyra had felt since morning.
After eating, they quickly returned to the hospital to pick up Lyra's medicine, which they hadn't had a chance to collect earlier.