Many patients of the hospital also came to bask in the sun. Spark stared at them absent-mindedly. When a couple went by, laughing and talking intimately, he instinctively turned to stare at them until the couple disappeared from his sight.
For Manny, it was unbearable to see Spark this way. But he had no other options. Manny had done everything he could think of to help Spark. He scolded him and persuaded him. But the musician refused to listen. The only way to treat anxiety was to confront or covet the very thing or person causing the patient's depressed state. But at this point, it wasn't likely for Spark's condition to be treated because he could never have the person he desired.
From a nurse, Harrow learned that Spark had gone to the hospital garden. After finishing his business with Emp, he went out to look for him. Harrow stood a long time at the corner of the path watching Spark chase after intimate couples with his eyes. All of a sudden, Harrow felt a sharp, stabbing pain.
After taking a deep breath to ease the pain, he approached Spark and Manny. He handed the insulation barrel containing the tonic diet to Manny, who glanced at Spark. Sadly, he shook his head in resignation before reaching for the insulation barrel in Harrow's hand. Spark pretended not to see Harrow. Two days ago, he felt disgusted after seeing Harrow. Now, he felt better even seeing him, or maybe he no longer cared about the person at all.
If Spark chose to behave like the living dead through his future to escape his past, Manny would rather have the violinist ponder about his past with hatred and resentment the rest of his life and live, not just exist.
"Molly's been away for several days," Harrow spoke in a low voice. The mention of Molly's name only rubbed salt on Spark's injury. Harrow chose to ignore Spark's sudden shaking and continued, "Has she ever expressed concern for you after she left the last time?" There was no reaction. "Has she ever said even a single word to you?"
Spark gave Harrow a wicked look. He was red-cheeked with fury. But the rage didn't last. He controlled himself and turned to look at the pedestrians while vowing to turn a blind eye to Spark.
"You let her go, yet you still can't control yourself," he accused. Now flustered and exasperated, Harrow declared, "You look forward to her visit every day, or you want to visit her yourself. You wait for her to call or text her all the time. But what do you have to show for it now? No one except Mark visits you on weekends. Molly never comes. She and Brian are busy keeping each other company. You do know they were legally married in QY Island, don't you? The wedding ceremony happened yesterday!"
Squinting to keep tears from pooling, Spark suddenly laughed like a fool. Hoarsely, he admitted, "Yes, I am upset! Are you happy now?"
The pain reflected in Harrow's eyes was excruciating. How could he be happy knowing his own brother was so desperate? How dare Spark speak that way! If Spark had not been his brother, Harrow would punch him in the face then throw him to feed to the wolves.
But he said nothing, only roared in his head! He had to bear Spark because he was his brother.
Suddenly, Spark yelled in pain, "You have never loved, and you know nothing about love!" Spark had no idea how unfounded his words were. "Disappointment can sometimes be a form of happiness. You're disappointed when you have expectations not satisfied. Then you expect it more even after you get disappointed. Even as it hurts, you can enjoy the feeling. Many people will not understand what you're feeling, that mixture of pain and happiness. I love Molly. I don't know whether I will love her forever or not, but right this minute, I know that I love her very much. It doesn't matter if I hurt myself doing so, I will keep on loving her."
His declaration worried Manny and Harrow, who didn't know what they should do about Spark. Should they praise him for his passion for Molly that was beyond reason? Or should they give him a severe beating for his silly love? Manny knew very little about Molly, while Harrow was fairly certain that Molly would never break up with Brian. Many people thought the love between Molly and Brian was short-lived. But Harrow knew, for a fact, that nothing or no one was appealing enough to separate the two!
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