The distant look in Liang's eyes was slowly killing her. She felt her heart stuck in her throat.
'Why isn't he reacting?'
'Why isn't he saying anything to me?'
'Does he not remember me?'
All sorts of negative thoughts plagued her mind. Everyone around them were no different. They watched the two with keenness.
Frowning, Meili spoke up, "what's the matter bro? Jinjing is waiting…. Why aren't you saying anything?"
Looking at his sister, who was hugging Jinjing, Liang said, "Jinjing….??? who is Jinjing?"
With that question, Jinjing felt her world come crashing down around her. She blinked repeatedly, not knowing what to do. Her scalp went numb and hands; limp. She would have fallen to the floor, had Meili not been supporting her.
Holding tightly on to the last strand of hope, she moved closer to Liang and asked, "don't you really remember me?" and eagerly waited for his response. Unfortunately, nothing changed. Liang's eyes were still distant, his face stoic.
Jinjing held his hand and gently squeezed it. Worry evident on her face. Her eyes darted on Liang's face, trying to make him remember her.
Irritated, Liang took his hand out of hers and politely said, "sorry lady! I don't know who you are? Are you in any way related to our family?" he was expecting an answer to his question.
Shattered by his obliviousness, Jinjing stepped back in shock. She kept stepping far from him without turning away.
'Is this my punishment for not giving him a chance to explain?'
'Now that I know he was innocent all along…. Will I be able to live without him?'
'this is karma…. I did not let him explain and now I don't get to explain myself.'
The painful thoughts coupled with starvation, Jinjing felt the light dim around her. Her senses where slowly shutting down. She kept treading back until she bumped into Meili.
Meili felt Jinjing weighing down on her. She could sense that Jinjing was probably going to pass out. Reflexively, she supported Jinjing's petite frame and started patting her cheek, "hey bestie!!! Don't.... don't…. I think she is going to faint…. Buzz help!!!"
Even in such a state Jinjing's eyes were focused on Liang. She was still waiting for a reaction from him. Still longing for him to call out her name with affection.
Just before her eyes could close she heard a loud concerned voice…...
"Jinjing! Jinjing…. don't…... I am sorry…... I was just joking…... I remember you love." Trying to sit up, Liang hissed in pain. He frantically said, "Jinjing I am fine…. I was just teasing…... don't pass out please…. Look at me."
But it was too little too late. Jinjing rolled her eyes back and lost consciousness. Luckily, Buzz was now helping Meili support Jinjing, or the two would have taken a fall.
Quickly, Buzz lifted Jinjing up and placed her carefully on the couch, before calling for the doctor.
At once, everyone turned and looked daggers at Liang, who was now scratching the back of his neck. With an embarrassed smile on his face he said, "I did not think this would end like this."
All the loving and emotionally overwhelmed eyes from a moment ago, were currently glaring at him in disbelief.
With all the accusing stares, Liang wished he could hide somewhere. 'should I just pretend to faint???'