Chanming sat in the ambulance with his face buried in his left hand, his right hand squeezing Aiyu's unharmed hand tightly. He didn't want to think about it, but his mind was so clouded that he couldn't run away from it. The only thing keeping him sane right then was the beating of her pulse in her wrist. She was still alive.
At the hospital, he sat in the waiting room, idle. It kept flashing in his mind, the image of her body covered in her own blood. He saw it everywhere, especially when he closed his eyes. He couldn't stand it. Nothing was able to take his mind off of it.
Why? He wondered. He knew why. But at the same time why? His brows dipped into a frown, and it stayed that way for a long time. Why? Why? He didn't know anymore.
Time seemed to not exist when he sat there. A minute felt like an hour, but an hour felt like a minute.
A nurse tapped him lightly on the shoulder, and he looked up. "She's in room xxx," the nurse said with a sympathetic smile. He nodded and thanked her, then stood up to go see her. He peeked through the small rectangular glass window at Aiyu. That scene, with her lying unconscious in a hospital bed, wearing a hospital gown, was something that he had thought of many times before. It was as if his nightmare was coming true, and he felt like he just let it happen.
He grabbed a wooden chair with green cushion on its seat and back and sat next to her, holding her right hand once again. His eyes felt sore and tired from all the crying he had done that night. "Goodnight, Aiyu," he whispered, leaning his head against the bed as he fell asleep.
-
"C-Chanming...?" Chen Aiyu said softly, her voice hoarse. Her movement woke Chanming up. "Aiyu, you're awake? " He asked groggily, sitting up. "Yea.. what.. " She turned to the side to cough, " ..happened?" She asked. Chanming quickly poured a cup of water for Aiyu. He didn't say anything for awhile. Taking the cup from his hands, she remembered. "Why did you save me?" She didn't look him in the eye, but he looked right into hers. "What do you mean why? In what world would I not save you? You know this... why did you-" He cut himself off, feeling agitated.
It became silent, now Chanming also avoided her eyes. "I'm sorry," she said, breaking the silence. He shook his head, "No, you have nothing to apologise for, I should have-" "Hey, it wasn't your fault." Her thumb rubbed the back of his hand gently. "In fact, I think you were one of the few things keeping me alive." They both spoke so softly, it was almost in whispers.
"I love you guys, but I just wish we were all in Heaven, but I would never force either of you to come with me so I just... " She hiccuped. It was hard to explain. She referred to him and her best friend. He understood, and he didn't say anything more. "Rest, I'll tell Changchang to come." Aiyu nodded and did as told.
-
When Aiyu opened her eyes, Chanming was already up and moving around. He stood by the window with his phone to his ear. "Yes- no, I'm not telling you what happened until you come here. I mean it. Just come for God's sake. Ok, ok, see you then." He put the phone down.
"Changchang?" Aiyu guessed, he confirmed. "She was scared about seeing you." Aiyu laughed. "That is such a her thing to say." Changchang had been Aiyu's best friend since they met in junior high school. She was her only friend at the time. "Morning, by the way. I'll go get the doctor," Chanming said, leaving the room.
A few moments later, Chanming returned with the doctor.
The doctor explained everything to the both of them, but the only thing Chanming got from all the gibberish she spilled was that they stitched up the cuts and that she would have to come to get the stitches removed in a week or so. "You are free to move around, but please be careful of your left arm. I recommend you stay in bed until you are discharged. " To this, Aiyu nodded, but Chanming knew she had every intention to walk around.
The nurse slowly helped her up from the hospital bed and led her away for a check-up. Chanming continued looking out the window, it had a perfect view of the entrance of the hospital. It wasn't long before Aiyu returned with the doctor. "She's stable so far, " The doctor said with a smile. They both thanked the doctor and she left.
"You should go home, " Aiyu said, smiling. "I'll walk you to the lift."
"No, it's fine. I'll stay."
"No, really. Please go home."
"But I-" "Ming, you stink." Aiyu cut him off before he could continue.
Neither said anything. Then suddenly, they both burst out laughing. "Hah, okay fine. I'll go home then. Changchang should be coming soon. And you don't have to walk me to the lift. " Chanming grabbed the little things he brought with him and walked towards the door. "Get well soon, Ai."