Few days passed away quickly. Mina had been with Chad morning and night watching over him like his mother. She will suddenly wake up in the night to check his vital signs to be sure if he is okay. She will hold Chad's hand telling him to wake up soon and saying: "I have been the one with you ever since you slipped into a coma. Your so-called girlfriend did not come to visit you"
But if only he could hear all her words.
On the other side.
Rachel was not allowed to come anywhere near Chad. Whenever she misses Chad so much and she could not bear the pain been away from him, she will go to the hills and the sweet memories they have shared there will flash back to her mind. She will close her eyes and imagined he was right beside her. She will hug the tree as if she was really hugging Chad, but when she realized she was hugging a tree, she will immediately pull away and go back home.
She will skip dinner and go to bed on an empty stomach. Every night, she will dream about Chad and when she wakes up, She was already crying.
Later at night.
Rachel left the house after everyone has slept. She took a candle and a scarf before leaving. She thought of going to the church to pray for Chad. At least, that will help him recover quickly. When she got to the church, she lit the candle and placed it before the statue of Jesus.
She walked to the front seat and knelt down. She covered her head with the scarf and placed her hands together and then she prayed silently: "Lord Jesus, I want you to heal Chad. Do not forsake him. He has suffered a lot and he can't die just yet. Do not take him away. For in Jesus' name I have prayed. Amen"
After the brief prayer, she opened her eyes slowly and tears slipped down her cheeks. She glanced up and smiled.
If Chad is awake, no one will stop her from seeing him - she thought. All she wished for now is for God to answer all her prayers so that she will finally be able to see Chad again. She also wants to apologize for what she had done to him.
At the hospital.
Chad's finger unconsciously moved. He tried to open his eyes, but he couldn't. Mina who did not notice all of this walked up to him. She stared at his face for few seconds before turning back.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed her wrist. She was stunned.
Is Chad awake?
She turned to see Chad still lying on the bed unconsciously, but he was holding her hand. Maybe Chad is starting to wake up. Mina was happy. She lowered her head to look at his hand holding hers. She sat down on the chair beside the bed and patted his hand gently.
In Chad's dream, Rachel was sitting beside his bed smiling and patting his hand gently. She wore a white top and a blue baggy jean and her hair was tied up into a bun.
But real life...
Mina was the one sitting beside his bed and patting his hand gently.
"Rachel, Rachel" Chad said in a low voice.
Mina was shocked. He was still mentioning Rachel's name even in his coma. Even when Rachel has not been coming to see him, she is still in his heart.
Will her plans ever work?
She thought, What kind of charm did this stupid girl Rachel used on him.
She wished she could just make Rachel disappear from this world. That way he will not think of her anymore. Anger burned through her.
Next morning.
Chad started to open his eyes slowly. He stared at the ceiling for few seconds, then his gaze swept around the room. He wondered where he was.
Yet there was something, distinct scent. The horrible antiseptic odor. Can't they make hospital detergent smell like flowers?
"I am in a hospital, but how did I get here?" He tried to remember, but he couldn't. He could only remember him hitting his head and then he fell. He lowered his head and saw Mina hand in his hand. Her head was resting on the bed. Probably she slept off while patting his hand yesterday's night.
Chad became disgusted immediately. He removed his hand from her hand. Mina felt a warm hand left hers and she opened her eyes. She raised her head and she was stunned. Chad's cold eyes were looking at her. She got up from the chair and shouted, "Chad you are awake! Finally!" she spread out her arms to hug him, but he pushed her away. She felt sad, but continued to smile.
She looked at him and said in a low voice, "I will call the house that you are awake" then she turned and left the room.
After ten minutes.
They were all standing beside Chad's bed. Mrs Torres was happy that her son is finally awake. She sat beside his bed, held his hand and patted it slowly.
"Chad I have missed you so much. We all missed you" tears rolled down her cheeks as she said so. She placed her hand on his head and stroke his hair, then her hands moved down to his cheeks and neck.
Just then, a doctor came in with a medical report in his hand and a female nurse behind him.
"Chad how are you feeling now?" the doctor asked.
Chad glanced up and nodded.
"You need to rest now. A nurse will come later to change the iv and give you your drugs" the doctor added.
"When will my son be discharged" Mrs Torres asked as she glanced at her son.
"In a week to come. His body needs full rest" he paused then continued. "If you need anything Chad, remember we are here" Chad looked up at the doctor and smiled thank you at him. The doctor smiled back and left the room followed by the nurse.
"Did Rachel come to visit me when I was in a coma?" Chad thought of Rachel and asked. He really missed her so much and wanted to see her badly.
Mina's heart started to beat fast. If Chad finds out she came to see him and was not allowed to enter the room, he will be mad.
"No, she didn't come here" Mrs Torres answered before anybody could talk.
Mr Torres gave his wife a confused look. Rachel did come here, but why is she lying.
"But..."
Mrs Torres immediately interrupted her husband. "Hubby, you have to go to work. Right? They will all be waiting for you. Don't worry, we will be here with Chad" she said and pulled her husband out of the room.
Watching them leave the room, Mina let out a sigh of relief. If Mr Torres had just said the truth, Chad would have exploded in anger and most especially, her plans would have been ruined. She turned to look at Chad and his face told a story of how sad he is.
Rachel did not come to visit him. That means she has not forgiven him yet, Chad thought.
Just then, the door opened again and Mrs Torres came in. She has successfully driven her husband away from telling Chad the truth. She stood beside his bed and smiled, "Do you know who has always been by your side day and night?" Mrs Torres asked and turned her head to look at Mina. "It's Mina" she said.
Mina lowered her head and bit her bottom lip expecting to hear Chad's respond to that. Chad glanced at Mina and lowered his head and did not respond. Mina felt a sharp pain in her heart as if she has just been stabbed there with a knife. Her heart sank. She was expecting him to say something, but those words didn't come out.
"Thank you" Chad low, soft voice made Mina raised her head. She was stunned. "Thank you for staying with me, Mina"
He is actually thanking me, Mina thought.
This was the first time he will say a thank you to her.
Mina smiled happily. "You are welcome"
"Don't worry, I will pay you back for your help" Chad said coolly.
Mina immediately waved her hand. "No, no, no, you don't need to repay me... Haha"
Chad glanced up at her and smiled dryly.