My Ex is my Bestfriend

Ww have arrived at the Yuxiang Children's Hospital. It's a hospital specifically for kids with cancer. Every month, the kids and I visit here to offer support and give happiness to children. It gives the kids a sense of being helpful towards our community. Recently, the hospital expanded their scope in supporting children by taking in street children and orphaned ones.

We enter the facility through a wide wrought iron swing gate. In our first visit here, the kids thought we're going to meet the princess. Yes, it looks more like of a palace than a medical facility. On the entrance, you would meet a huge fountain with koi swimming at its waters. The whole left and right side are filled with benches and bushes with white and red roses, arranged in a systematical order. And then at the center is a 4-storey-high mansion. Yes, not your typical building in the city, its a mansion. Like the White House. Although it's not white. On its outside walls are murals depicting a happy life, of children playing, and of complete families. Sliding windows start on the second floor, with little flower boxes under it. And within those windows, smiling faces of children are looking down on us. I can hear them shouting happily and the kids here on the bus are on a frenzy too. Oh they missed their playmates. This is such a happy scene.

We parked at the back where the playground is located. The playground is really huge. It has the typical playground with slides, monkey bars, swings and all. On the left side is a kiddie pool. At the back of the pool is a mini obstacle race for them. The place is also filled with dogs! Pets are considered a very great friend to our dear kids. And furthest at the back is the newly built annex building where the orphans live. It's bungalow type, light blue painted with a mini garden at the front. When the children saw our bus, they enthusiastically ran towards us. I can't help but smile at these young people who never cared about each of their backgrounds and welcomed all of them with such gentleness and warmth. I wish adults could be like this, the feeling of not being judged or ridiculed because of a certain trait or aspect that the society doesn't like. I wished adults could be with people without prejudices or bias. But I could only wish.

"Okay kids!" I face the happy smiles of my kids. They are all restless to go down and meet their friends. "No fighting okay? We are here to have fun. Also, teach the kids what you all have learned at school." They all saluted me. Salute! Why are these kids so smart. And off they went. I followed them and was immediately met by the hospital director, Mr. Ryan Tan. He's a gorgeous fellow with beautiful brown eyes. He's now aging I suppose, because I could clearly see white strands of hair.

"Miss Cassidy. "

"Mr. Ryan. How have you been?"

"Oh still alive and eager to live. I don't want to leave these children behind yet. "

"Oh don't you say that! You've still got a hundred more years to live! "

"Hahaha you are such a funny thing Cass. But, could you please accompany me inside? Don't worry about the children, my staff will be looking out for them. " I glance at the kids. Sure enough, some of the staff are helping children set up for their monthly talent show. Some others are making sure that no one jumps to the pool, yet. It's not yet time for the pool party. I look back at Mr. Ryan. He's wearing a happy mask today for the children. But in his eyes, I only see sadness.

----

He leads me up on the third floor. He chats with me occasionally, but I can see his heart is not into it. I understand. Mr. Ryan only feels like this if something happens to one of his children. And I have a bad feeling about this.