Diary of Fragile Heart (Spin of Loving You Too Long)

Gladwin had already parked his car in the orphanage parking lot. He looked for Flavia’s known car but didn’t find it.

Was Flavia not coming? Was the girl avoiding him again? He wondered to himself.

Gladwin increasingly realized that avoiding him was now Flavia’s specialty. This conclusion was not made without reason because it became clearer day by day that Flavia was deliberately avoiding him, especially yesterday. Flavia refused to be in the same car with him, refused to be in the same room with him. And Gladwin was sure that if he had picked her up at her house, she would have refused his offer to go together with various excuses.

Gladwin tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. His heart felt conflicted. On one hand, Gladwin was clearly unwilling if Flavia avoided him. But on the other hand, he felt that he didn’t need to go through the trouble of finding ways to avoid the girl as he had been trying to do.

For ten minutes, Gladwin wrestled with his own thoughts until he finally decided to get out of the car and walk towards Mrs. Mary’s office. He would ask the orphanage manager the reason behind Flavia’s absence this morning.

But Gladwin was surprised when he opened the door. He saw the girl he thought didn’t show up sitting on the sofa, having a serious conversation with Mrs. Mary and a man he didn’t know.

“Oh, Dr. Hampton. Just arrived?” Mrs. Mary greeted warmly. Gladwin placed his doctor’s bag on an empty sofa and walked closer. “Let me introduce you; this is Dr. Eijaz Dominic.” Mrs. Mary smiled at the man who now stood welcoming Gladwin. Gladwin furrowed his brow, feeling like he knew that name.

The tall, brown-skinned, handsome man smiled warmly and extended his hand towards Gladwin. “Eijaz. I heard you’re Flavia’s uncle?”

“Gladwin.” Gladwin replied, shaking the man’s hand. “Yes, by chance, I am Flavia’s uncle,” he answered, trying to smile politely.

“Dr. Dominic is also one of the volunteers at the orphanage. He also knows Dr. Freddie,” Mrs. Mary explained.

“Sorry, I couldn’t help yesterday,” Eijaz apologized, feeling guilty. Gladwin responded with a smile.

“Now that there are two doctors here, it seems the examinations will be quicker.” Mrs. Mary said enthusiastically. She looked at Gladwin and Eijaz alternately. “Are the doctors ready?” she asked, and they both nodded. They followed Mrs. Mary to the examination room for the children.

Everyone gathered again in the hall during lunchtime, including Flavia and Eijaz, who were now busy arranging the children to sit properly.

Seeing their familiarity made Gladwin feel an uncomfortable sensation in his heart. Especially when Mrs. Mary said, “They make such a harmonious couple, don’t they, Doctors?” It made the discomfort even more pronounced.

Gladwin also recalled Abigail’s remarks about Flavia and Eijaz being set up. Initially, he was angry and wanted to oppose the plan. However, now, after seeing their interaction firsthand, Gladwin felt that there was no sign of coercion between them. Instead, what he saw was Eijaz and Flavia appearing to admire each other, which disturbed Gladwin even more.

A few hours later, Gladwin placed his jacket on the bar chair. He walked to the pantry and grabbed a cold drink from the refrigerator. As expected by Mrs. Mary, with his presence and Eijaz’s, their work to examine the children was completed more quickly.

On one hand, Gladwin felt grateful for that. But one point for his gratitude, two other points made him constantly curse in his heart. The first point, of course, was related to Flavia always being close to Eijaz, and the second point was because he didn’t have more time to pay attention to Flavia.

“Uncle just got home?” Abigail’s voice startled him, and he almost choked on his drink.

“You startled me!” he exclaimed, patting his chest, which was almost tight.

“What’s so startling? It’s Uncle’s fault for daydreaming,” Abigail grumbled, nudging her uncle and casually opening the refrigerator.

“Why haven’t you moved yet?” Gladwin asked curiously. Abigail, who was taking out ingredients, didn’t pay attention. “Abby?” her uncle asked again.

Abigail sighed. She placed the food on the table. “Why should I move? Besides, you’re rarely at the apartment. When you’re not around, I tidy up the place, and I also make sure everything stays intact here,” she complained irritably.

“I need privacy,” Gladwin replied flatly. Abigail raised an eyebrow and looked at her uncle incredulously. “Why?” Gladwin looked at his niece challengingly.

Abigail shook her head and began to chop onions in front of her. “I just don’t believe you’ve turned into a naughty man. I thought you’d remain a monk like you’ve always been,” she scoffed.

“What do you mean?” Gladwin looked at his niece confusedly.

“Earlier, you said you need privacy. Are you planning to live with a woman here? Who? Do I know her?” Abigail stuck the tip of the knife into the cutting board and looked at her uncle cynically.

“Oh God, Abby. Your thoughts.” He sharply exclaimed.

Abigail shrugged again. “What’s wrong with my thoughts? We’re both adults, right? If it’s not that, what kind of privacy do you mean? You also only use the apartment as a place to sleep, just like me. So, what kind of privacy are you talking about if not bringing a woman here?

“If you only come home from work, eat, and sleep, I don’t disturb your privacy, do I? In fact, we can help each other. If it’s not you cooking for me, I’ll cook for you. You keep me from bringing men here, and I keep you from bringing women here. Win-win, right?”

“You can rent another apartment. Your money is even enough to buy a unit here. Why do you want to live with me? Or if not, you can go back to your parents’ house. There are many empty rooms there.”

“I don’t want to go back.”

“Why? Still often argue with your father?” Gladwin asked again, still curious.

“Something like that. Until now, Dad still doesn’t agree with my choice of becoming a model. Not to mention Grandma who always pressures me to get married soon. It makes me uncomfortable.” The girl in front of him began to heat the pan and pour oil onto it.

“Well, if there’s already a candidate, why not hurry it up?” his uncle asked again.

Abigail turned and smiled slyly at her uncle. “I don’t want to surpass you, Uncle,” she said mockingly. “I’m afraid you’ll suffer from being the only old bachelor in Grandma’s family.” The girl then poured the onions into the pan, accompanied by the sizzling sound of oil. “Besides, I still want to be a single bridesmaid. Moreover, I’m not ready to be tied to anyone,” she replied while stirring her dish, creating an enticing aroma.

Gladwin felt like he was about to drool if Abigail’s next sentence didn’t come out.

“But maybe if Flavia is married, I might change my mind.” And that one sentence made Gladwin’s stomach feel nauseous instantly.