As Tsubaki fall asleep, she was surrounded in a chilly darkness.
She couldn't see anything nor hear anything. She just stood in the darkness until something came into her view. She was shocked when she realized it was a scene of an accident. She could even see several people running back and forth in front of her.
A black car was wrecked beyond repair. The front of the car had crashed against a much bigger vehicle. Small fire had started to engulf the car as people were shouting for help. She wanted to step forward but her legs felt wobbly. She turned her head and looked at her side.
There was a taxi beside her. Its door was opened on her side. And it looked like the taxi too had crashed against something. A big tree remained sturdy in front of the wrecked taxi. She looked down and slowly raised her hands.
They were red with blood staining her palms. And she could feel hot liquid trickled down from her temple.
"Someone is still in the car!"
She quickly looked up from her hands. Dread started filling up her heart as she watched the people before her looking frantic. She didn't understand why but her heart felt like it was shredded to pieces. Her eyes focused on the black car.
No... No...
She stepped forward, one step at a time. Her walk was painfully slow as her body shivered in fear.
Don't... Don't go...
Tears started to clouded her view. In the blurry sight, an explosion of fire and metal happened right in front of her followed by a loud sound. She stiffened as her eyes widened in shock. Her eyes were still on the exploded black car as she suddenly yelled out loud.
Her scream was filled with anguish and grief.
Her surrounding turned black again.
And when she opened her eyes, she saw his face.
"Love, I'm back."
His handsome face was smiling at her. And before she knew it, she lunged forward to hug him tightly.
Tsubaki didn't realize for how long she had been crying in his arms. As her tears had gradually stopped, she pulled away slightly from him and looked up to met his eyes. Her sight was still blurry due to her tears yet she could really see him in front of her.
"Ren... Ren... you're here?" Her voice was so small as she placed her palms against his cheeks.
Hearing her voice filled with fear ached his heart. Ren forced himself to smile. "I'm here."
"You're really back?" Tsubaki asked again.
She was still unconsciously reminded of the horror of her nightmare from earlier. Even when she had felt his warm touch against her skin, she was still afraid of this being another dream.
Ren nodded. He leaned closer and kissed her forehead gently. "I'm really back. I'm here right now, with you."
Her tears began trickling down her cheeks once more. Ren didn't say anything. He just silently hugging her close to him, trying to tell her that he was really here. Tsubaki clutched the back of his jacket tightly, as if he would be gone if she let loose of her grip.
When she had finally stopped, her eyes were puffy and her cheeks were blotchy red. Ren ran his slender fingers under her eyes. He didn't understand why did his little wife being so emotional like this at this moment. She looked so afraid and fearful of something.
What did she dream earlier? It didn't look like a simple nightmare.
Ren reached for the collar of Tsubaki's jacket. He gently removed it as her body temperature rose. Tsubaki just let him did whatever he want. Her eyes never left his face. After he removed the sleeves of the jacket from her arms, she quickly clutched at the edge of his jacket. Her reaction made Ren frowned in confusion. He gently held her hands as he returned her gaze.
"Sweetheart, are you okay?"
Tsubaki nodded weakly before she shook her head and nodded again. In the end, she lowered her head. She looked so lost and his heart tightened painfully again seeing her in this state.
"I'm going to the bathroom for a moment, en? I want to get some water and a towel. We need to wipe your face," he said softly. He let go of her hands and rubbed her head before turning around to stand up.
Ren had just gotten off the couch when Tsubaki reached out again and hold one of his arms with her two hands. Ren looked at the hands that were tightly holding on him before his gaze shifted to her fearful face.
"Sweetheart..."
"Where are you going?" Tsubaki asked. Her voice was still small but desperation couldn't be concealed from her words.
"I'm going to the bathroom. You stay here for a while, en?" Ren patiently replied. He didn't shrug off his arm from her hands.
Tsubaki shook her head repeatedly. "Don't go! Stay here! Please..."
Ren stiffened before he swiftly bent down and scooped her up in his arms. She quickly reacted by wrapping her arms around his neck. Tsubaki buried her face in his chest. Her body had started to tremble again. Ren didn't say anything as he kissed her crown. Carrying her in his arms, he brought her to the en-suite bathroom.
The bathroom was so big and luxurious. It even had a jacuzzi in the middle of it. Ren sat Tsubaki down on the bathroom counter top. She was a bit reluctant to let go of his embrace but Ren softly coaxing her. Tsubaki just watched Ren silently as he moved to get a towel from the cabinet beside the counter top. He then wet the towel before he gently wiped her face.
His gentle touch helped to ease her restless heart for a little bit.
After he was done, he carried her out of the bathroom. He walked into the wardrobe. Since there was no women clothes here, he could just make do with his sleeping robes. Tsubaki was still in silent when Ren undressed her and changed her into a much bigger robe than her petite body. He smiled as he tying the sash around her small waist.
"I'll ask someone to bring some clothes for you later. I'll change my clothes too. Wait for me here, okay sweetheart? I'm not going anywhere."
Ren pecked her lips. He quickly grabbed another sleeping robe from the wardrobe and undressed himself. He had just tied his sash when his wife's slender arms wrapped around his waist. Ren turned around as Tsubaki pressed herself on his back.
Ren smiled sadly. He gently removed her arms from his waist. He carried her to bed and laid down beside her. And again Tsubaki was clinging to him tightly. Ren felt his heart was broken as he watched her fall asleep in his arms.
What is she afraid of? What did she dream?
Ren silently tightened his hold around her. He placed a kiss in between her eyebrows before he too closed his eyes.