The Bright Corridor
The corridor was cold and too bright. Nadia had been waiting for forty minutes, and the plastic chair was hard under her. She read the same poster about handwashing three times without seeing it.
For two weeks she had felt strange. A deep tiredness, an ache in every muscle, and a fever that came and went. At first she thought it was just a cold. But the symptoms had not gone away, and yesterday her doctor had sent her here for tests.
She was afraid of one word. She had searched her symptoms on her phone late at night, and the internet had given her a long list of frightening diseases. Now she could not stop thinking about them. What if it was something serious? What if she had to suffer for months?
At last, a nurse came out with a folder and a kind face.
“Nadia? Come in, please.”
Nadia stood up too fast. “Is it bad?” she asked. “Please, just tell me.”
The nurse smiled and shook her head. “It's not what you're afraid of,” she said gently.
“The doctor says it's a common illness. You've had a strong reaction to a virus, that's all. You need rest, plenty of water, and some simple treatment. In two weeks, you'll feel like yourself again.”
Nadia let out a long breath. For the first time in days, the bright corridor did not seem so cold.