Even my parents were surprised by my behavior in the past few days. To outside people, that is, my colleagues in the hospital, I was still the plain nurse Drew Storm, but in my free time in home, I sat thinking about my life.

In one such day, as I was thinking and looking at the window, there was a knock on my door. Coming back to my senses, I rushed and opened the door. It was my mom. "What are you doing here, sitting all by yourself?" she asked, frowning.

"Oh, nothing much," I said, shaking my head.

"Of course you wouldn't have constructive stuff to do. The way you've wasted both your life and our money is truly a matter of shame."

"I KNOW THAT!"

My mom stood at the door, surprised. I had never shouted at her before. Even I was surprised, hearing my raised voice. Stepping back, she said in a trembling voice, "You're...you're acting really odd, Drew."

I stood there, panting. It was as if I had lost my voice, and could not say anything. My mom broke the silence by saying, "Have you finally realized that you have wasted your life all these years?"

For the first time, I felt tears rolling down my ears. "Mom," I said, tearfully, "I know that I have totally wasted everything. But, I want to change, and be a better person."

My mom scoffed. "There's no time now, Drew. You should have changed a long time ago."

"Mom, please. I want to change myself for real now. I was born a useless person, but I will die a person whose life meant something."

Mom stared at me. I noticed that she was crying too. She rushed towards me, and embraced me. "All these years, I wanted to hear these words. I don't know what motivated to change yourself, but I hope it's something really good," she sniffed.

I put my arms around her, and buried my head into her chest. Really, hugging mom after ages felt so good. And all this, all of this was possible because of Gina.

*****

I rushed to the hospital the next day, not because of my job, it's because I knew I would see Gina. As soon as I entered the hospital, I saw her standing at the entrance. "Good morning, Drew," she said, smiling, for real this time.

Without listening to her, or greeting her back, I flung myself on her, and embraced her tightly. Her feel on me felt extremely good. She was totally puzzled, but she too, I felt, put her hands around me. I was all in tears, again.

"Thank you, Gina, for you, all of this has been possible," I said, sniffing.

"You did realize that your life was meant for something after all, didn't you?" she said, in a soft voice.

I looked into her pale face. Somehow, she didn't look exhausted like she looked all these days, she looked healthy, happy and young like her age. But, to me, she looked like the prettiest woman on earth. I nodded, tearfully. Gina sighed, and continued, "I was thinking it all over again, maybe I can change too. Drew, if I hadn't met you, would I ever have realized it?"

I gaped at Gina. How did my life motivate someone? I was happy, nevertheless, that someone took lessons from my life, and I took lessons from someone else's. I clutched Gina's pale, beautiful hand tightly. Sniffing, I said, "I believe, together we can change, and go really far. Even if our lives are not good enough by themselves, maybe they'll have a meaning if we're together." Making my grip around her hand tighter, I said, "There's one more thing I wish to tell you, Gina."

"I'm all ears," Gina said, closing her eyes, and looking self satisfied.

Gulping, I whispered, "I love you, Gina. I love you ever since I saw you waiting for your mom in front of the operation theater, and I tried to talk to you because I knew you would be the only person who will understand me."

Gina opened her eyes, and looked into mine. I was still holding her hand, but she hadn't attempted to break free. She sighed and whispered, "Hearing your story, I felt bad too. I ignored you at first, because I thought I would hurt you. But you turned out to be the only person who actually understood my words. And, I'm really grateful because you had listened to me."

I was overjoyed. With my free hand, I held her neck, and neither of us were prepared for what I did next. All I knew was, my lips and hers were locked in a kiss. Gina was puzzled at first, but she was kissing me back. People walked past us, not even noticing. And that marked the beginning of the metamorphosis of our lives.