Love is what keeps me alive, or perhaps, keeps me going as I am now. 

If it were up to me, I would wither under the roof of my thoughts, blaming myself day after day.

The love of my small family for me, and my love for them... 

The love of my friends for me, and my love for them as well...

Yet, I may fade away if they suddenly drift apart.

If they were ever to leave me alone one day.

Signature, August 28, 2018.

The blue notebook was closed.

Inside the room, the scent of lilacs filled the air, inducing a sense of calm and relaxation.

Lisan placed the pen and notebook on the adjacent shelf beside her bed.

She smiled gently and then walked towards the window.

She calmly felt the breeze of the night.

"There's truly no place like home," she said.

She was wearing a black pajama and her black hair cascaded over her shoulders.

"I think I've slept enough," she said with a smile.

"I'll make up for it by working hard tomorrow," she added.

"I miss my clinic," she said wistfully.

"All right, enough talking. Come on, Lisan, let's go to sleep," she said to herself as if talking to a seven-year-old child.

Lisan quickly fell asleep, as if she carried no worries and had no thoughts. It was as if life was incredibly beautiful, and she had never experienced a dark day in her life. She slept like an innocent child who had not yet tasted the bitterness of life.

The sky looks beautiful on the last nights of summer. The stars shimmer brightly, and the darkness of the night gradually intensifies. The breeze, sometimes slapping you mischievously, and sometimes tickling you, as if a newborn baby is exploring your face for the first time.

The sun rose and the chirping of birds filled the air.

Lisan woke up peacefully at 6:30 in the morning. She stretched her body and lay for a moment, then ran her hands through her hair and examined her facial features in the mirror. She felt refreshed and energized after a good night's sleep. She then headed to the bathroom to freshen up and prepare for a new day, full of vitality and enthusiasm.

After showering and getting ready, Lisan headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. She chose an apple and a banana and made a glass of natural juice. Then she prepared a healthy breakfast that included a boiled egg, toasted bread with cheese, and vegetables. Lisan enjoyed her meal slowly and peacefully, savoring the delicious taste of the food.

After finishing breakfast, Lisan decided to review her tasks for the day. She opened her computer and accessed her task-organizing app. She prioritized her tasks for the day, starting with the most important and ending with the least important. She then said to herself, "Today, Tim will come... he will make my day beautiful." She smiled.

Lisan decided to get ready to go out. She put on her clothes, a white dress, and pink shoes, and took her bag, putting all the necessary items in it. She made sure she had everything and prepared to leave the house.

Before that, she left a sweet note for her parents: "Your flower will perfume the air like a breeze today, enjoy inhaling it."

With that, Lisan finished preparing herself for the start of her new day. She left the house and closed the door behind her. She regained her smile and walked confidently toward her car, ready to face the challenges of the day with enthusiasm and determination.

As Lisan started driving towards her clinic, she noticed something on her left wrist.

Lisan wondered, "What is this? Where did I get this wound from?"

Then she said, "Damn it... The traces of the wound won't disappear."

Feeling overwhelmed with regret, she said, "I'm paying the price for my recklessness indeed... I don't want it to be apparent to others."

She took a deep breath and said, "Well... It will fade with time. I'll consider it my mark... Hmm, a wild dog's mark."

She said, "It's a fitting name indeed," then smiled as she drove towards the clinic.

Lisan arrived at her dental clinic and headed to her office,

It was 8:20 am, and patients were scheduled to be received at 9 am.

She entered her office and started inhaling the air around her. She then said, "The air here is fragrant too, similar to the one at home."

She placed her bag on the desk and opened the closet, then put on the white coat that doctors wear.

She said with a smile, "I'm ready now."

There was a knock on the door.

Lisan: Please come in.

A girl in her early twenties, with vintage features, short black hair, and petite stature.

Reem: Good morning, Professor. Welcome back. Did you enjoy your vacation?

Lisan: Hello Reem, it seems like you didn't miss working with me.

Reem: Of course not! I missed you even more. smiles

Lisan: Alright, we have a visitor today. You will be my assistant.

Reem: Excellent, who is the visitor? I will be your assistant.

Lisan: Tim.

Feeling frustrated, Reem: Why me? That troublemaker is coming today... Why me?

Lisan: Here you are. I told you that you don't want to work.

Reem: I'm just joking, hehe.

Reem is an intern student at Lisan's clinic.

"Alright, Reem. We will start working," Lisan said.

"Please inform the reception desk that Tim's appointment will be at 4:00 PM. Also, please contact his family and inform them of the appointment time," Lisan instructed Reem.

Reem: Okay.

Lisan continued to work with Reem throughout the day. Lisan worked well and always assisted her patients, handling them with gentleness and caution.

This makes her well-received by many people.

As the time for Tim's arrival approached, Lisan and Reem took a break to rest.

Outside Lisan's office, there was noise and shouting.

Reem: He has arrived... His voice scares me.

Lisan: I have somewhat missed him. She smiles.

Reem: You're scarier than him.

Lisan: What do you mean?

Reem: I'm just kidding, I'm just kidding.

An 8-year-old child was pulling a young man by his leg, screaming, ''I don't want to, I don't want to, let's go back!''

The young man was embarrassed by his actions and was trying to calm the child down.

Lisan: Tim, didn't you miss visiting me? She smiles.

Tim: Oh, my dear Lisan...

The child runs towards Lisan and embraces her.

Lisan gently hugs Tim and tries to calm him down, while the young man who was pulling him earlier watches with a wavering smile. Reem also approaches to offer assistance.

The young man then said to himself, "Oh, she's the person who was by my side when I was returning from France."

Bibars: "I hope she doesn't remember me..." He's afraid of feeling embarrassed due to his phobia.

Lisan: Tim, it seems like you came with your father today. Are you feeling well?

Tim: I am fine. He's my uncle, not my father. My parents are on a trip, so my uncle came with me today.

Bibars in his mind: Do I look old enough to pass as this mischievous kid's father?

Bibars smiled and said: Hello, I'm sorry for any trouble Tim may have caused.

Lisan: No worries.

Lisan, while holding Tim's hand, leads him towards her office: Would you like to come in as well?

Lisan: "It seems like you're waiting for an invitation to do so..."

Bibars: Yes, I'm coming...

Bibars, to himself: "She's scary... How can she calm down that mischievous boy in the blink of an eye?"

Reem to Bibars: She's scary, isn't she? Tim is a difficult child to handle, but she calms him down.

Reem: "Please, come in."

Bibars: Okay, thank you.

Before Lisan begins Tim's monthly dental check-up, they engage in a brief conversation.

Lisan: "So, Tim, how's school been for you lately?"

Tim: "It's been good. I've been keeping up with my studies and enjoying my classes."

Lisan: "That's great to hear. Any favorite subjects?"

Tim: "I like science and math the most."

Lisan: "Awesome! Keep up the good work. Do you have any after-school activities?"

Tim: "Yeah, I'm part of the book club, and I also spend time drawing as a hobby."

Lisan: "That's fantastic! It's important to have hobbies and activities you enjoy. Keep it up, Tim!"

Tim: "Thanks, Lisan. I'll do my best."

Lisan: Alright, Tim, are you scared?

''No, I'm not scared," Tim said confidently, "I am aware that the monthly dental check-up is necessary to maintain the health of my teeth.''

"So why were you screaming then?" Lisan asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize my voice was loud. I was just a little nervous, but now I feel like I'm in a safe and comfortable place with you, Lisan" Tim said with a slight smile.

''let's exchange greetings before we start the examination," Lisan said.

"Okay," Tim said.

Tim and Lisan touched noses and rubbed each other's hair, then exchanged greetings.

Tim noticed the wound on Lisan's wrist as she was wearing her jumpsuit, and he asked about the injury.

Lisan said, "Oh, this is...  a wild dog's mark'' 

Bibars said, "I'm not a dog.."