"Do you know I haven't been this happy all my life?"
Both of them stopped in front of a stream. The air was crisp and chilly and the sun was sunny. It was a good day for a walk.
Especially with your loved one.
Tsubaki hummed sweetly, turning around to face the man who was standing a few feet behind her. She smiled as she asked, "Could I really believe that? You're not just saying sweet nothings to me, right?"
The man laughed, his voice was as clear as water running in the stream. His thin lips curled into a smile. "Maybe once, when my parents were still here."
Tsubaki stared at him, the sorrow in his voice couldn't be masked with the smile. She stepped toward him, reaching out for his hands. Her soft palms met his rough ones.
She remembered the time when he had just arrived here. The first time they accidentally held hands together, she had teased him for having soft hands like a girl. He admitted that he had never doing intense labor work before. People would always wait on him, hands and feet. But, he didn't shy away when she suggested he taking the odd jobs when he said he wanted to earn money.
For that, she was grateful because he was willing to learn how to live his new life.
"I won't say anything about your life before as you said you didn't want to return back to your home. But, I hope you'd truly be happy here," said Tsubaki as she inspected his palms. She traced the hard lines on them using her fingers. There was no longer softness on them.
"You are here, that's what I need," he answered smoothly.
Tsubaki laughed, her face radiated as she met his dark eyes. "If I didn't know your personality, I'd really think you're a ladies' man."
"Only for you." He leaned his head down and pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Tsubaki smiled warmly. She was so in love with the man before him.
But.
In an instant, he vanished.
"Ren?" She gasped.
The warmth of his hands in hers faded, leaving a cold feeling behind. She turned around but he wasn't there. The stream disappeared. The sunlight was gone. Everything around her turned dark.
"Ren?" She called out in a panic.
A horrifying scene appeared before her.
It was the scene from her nightmare.
Her heart was beating furiously, her eyes focused at the wrecked black car. The car was totally totaled. No one could escape from its wreckage.
"Ren...?" She softly muttered his name, eyes still on the car. She felt her entire body trembling in fear.
The people around her were running back and forth, all of them in a panic yet she was the only one who stood facing the car. She had just taken one step forward when the car exploded.
Once again she fell into a dark abyss.
Tsubaki jolted awake. Her breathing was ragged, cold sweats broke on her forehead. Bright lights invaded her eyes. She squinted as she tried to get used to the lights. After a while, she opened her eyes properly.
Where am I?
Tsubaki stared at the white ceiling. It was a familiar place somehow. Turning her head to one side, she saw the sky was already dark outside. Traces of rain could be seen on the windows.
This is...
Sensing a familiar warmth beside her, Tsubaki looked over to it. A man was sleeping by her side, his face huddled over the blanket.
It was her husband.
Ren was sleeping while holding her left hand. She had just realized her hand felt numb because of the extra weight. Lifting her right hand carefully, she placed it on his head. With a gentle movement, she stroked his hair.
The touch woke Ren up almost instantly. His eyes immediately laid on Tsubaki's face. He abruptly sat up, looking at her with panic in his eyes.
"Sweetheart? You're awake? Are you okay?"
Tsubaki weakly nodded her head. She smiled slightly, wanting to stop him from worrying.
"I fainted, didn't I?" Her voice was so husky.
Ren nodded. He got up from the chair and went to pour a drink for her. He took the remote controller, adjusting the bed so that Tsubaki could sit comfortably. Taking a small pillow, he placed it against her back.
"Drink first," he said as he helped her with the drink.
Tsubaki raised her hands, wanted to take the glass from his hands but the tremors of her hands almost slipped the glass from them. Ren held the glass, bringing it to her lips. Tsubaki took a couple of sips before she shook her head, refusing to drink anymore.
Ren placed the glass on the table beside the bed. He sat on the edge of the bed, kicking off his shoes as he leaned against the mattress. Tsubaki rolled over to him, she buried her face on his chest. Ren sneaked a hand around her waist while the other hand gently caressing her head.
They sat without saying anything. No one wanted to break the silence.
Tsubaki closed her eyes as she sought peace in her husband's embrace. The nightmare from before was still plastered close to her mind but with him beside her, she found that it was easier to breathe. Ren just sat beside her, playing with her hair and occasionally planting tender kisses on her head.
Time passed as they embraced one another. The faint sound of footsteps approaching the ward getting clearer and clearer. A knock resounded on the door before the knocker slid the door open. As Tsubaki was still closing her eyes, she could only hear the person sighing.
"I was worried to death since your wife hasn't woke up and now I found you guys cuddling?" Toshiro nagged in a low voice as he stepped inside the ward.
"She has just woken up," answered Ren flatly. He still didn't let go of Tsubaki.
Toshiro looked at the pale face of the woman in Ren's embrace. He recalled how bright Tsubaki was whenever they met in the hospital but now she was just laying there weakly. It was like seeing two different people.
"Call me once you're done cuddling. I don't think I could do my work when you're eyeing me like a predator," said Toshiro.
He wanted to check Tsubaki's vital signs but looking at the situation, Ren wouldn't allow him to disturb her. As he knew there was nothing wrong with Tsubaki from his examination before, he wasn't in a rush to check on her.
"Okay," replied Ren briefly.
Toshiro shook his head. He left the room almost as soon as he arrived.
Hearing the sound of the door slid closed, Tsubaki opened her eyes. She was still resting her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeats.
Noticing she had properly awakened, Ren looked down to see her face. "Do you need something, sweetheart? Are you hungry?"
Tsubaki shook her head. Raising her eyes to him, she slowly spoke, "I think... I remember us."
Ren froze. He stared at his wife, speechless.