Time slipped away like a fleeting dream, and a week had whisked by before he knew it.
Xin's therapy had made steady progress, evident in his newfound ability to walk without stumbling, write with steady hands, and speak without the burden of gasping for breath.
To Xiaxia, the improvements seemed almost futile. Her brother had always been a man of few words, choosing silence as his preferred companion long before the coma had claimed him.
His reserved nature and inscrutable expression had often frustrated her, leaving her longing for a glimpse beneath the mask he wore.
She could understand him even without the words, though. They were twins, after all. She understood him the most.
Even now, as Xin regained his physical capabilities, his demeanor remained unchanged. His face remained an enigmatic canvas, betraying no hint of the thoughts and emotions swirling within.
As the sunlight gently filtered through the curtains, illuminating the room, Xiaxia, sat at the bedside, methodically peeling an apple. Her eyes were filled with a mix of concern and curiosity as she broke the silence that enveloped them.
"What are you going to do once you're out of here?" she inquired. With their mother absent, Xiaxia had taken on the role of caregiver, shouldering the responsibility of tending to Xin's needs.
Xin's gaze was fixed on the glowing screen of his phone, absentmindedly twirled a long strand of his stark white hair between his fingers. His lips twitched with a hint of contemplation as he pondered her question, his mind searching for an answer amidst the whirlwind of thoughts and emotions that consumed him.
A faint sigh escaped his lips as he finally responded, his voice carrying a trace of uncertainty, "I'll . . . think about it."
With his long hair cascading past his waist, Xin thought of the idea of getting a haircut first once he was free from the confines of the hospital.
He idly twirled a strand of his pristine white locks, knowing all too well that Xiaxia held a deep disdain for their unusual hair color. It had often been the target of teasing from their peers, and does Xiaxia opted to wear bold color to escape such comments and attention.
Their mother, who possessed a natural mane of rich brown hair, had clearly not passed down this distinctive trait. The origins of their striking hair color lay in their father, a topic Xin had long chosen to avoid delving into.
The thought of their father's absence and the mysteries surrounding him brought a pang of discomfort to Xin's heart, and he quickly pushed it aside.
"You could start school again," Xiaxia proposed. "You could take an advancement exam and break free from the confines of the same year."
Xin listened intently to her words, his expression unreadable. Deep down, he understood the significance of her suggestion. While she and his peers had already embarked on the journey of college life, he was left behind, frozen in time by the four-year gap that had stolen away his youth.
It was a bitter reality that he had to confront.
The idea of returning to school at the same year before he had an accident didn't sit well with him. He contemplated the possibility of taking an advanced exam, an opportunity to bridge the gap and catch up to his peers.
However, he knew the limitations of such an endeavor. Even if successful, it would only propel him forward by a mere two years, leaving him perpetually trailing behind.
A heavy weight settled upon Xin's shoulders as he grappled with the disheartening truth. The world had moved on without him, leaving him in a state of suspended progression.
The thought of returning to high school while his peers ventured into the realms of higher education gnawed at his self-esteem.
Xin dispersed the depressive thought. He should be glad that he was still alive.
He paused when he stumbled upon a familiar name on his phone.
"Hey, are you listening to me?" Xiaxia asked, "I said that you don't have to think so hard. It's still early in the semester, and if you pass the advancement exam, you can join me at Fate Academy."
"Where's Meilyn?" Xin asked instead.
The room was suddenly filled with a sharp, jarring sound as metal knives clashed together, drawing Xin's attention towards his sister.
Xiaxia's countenance had darkened, her face etched with tension as she gritted her teeth in frustration.
"Forget about her," she declared forcefully, her words laced with an unmistakable disdain.
Xin's eyes met Xiaxia's. He knew all too well that his sister held no fondness for Meilyn, but he couldn't help himself. Meilyn was his girlfriend, after all.
"When will she come?" Xin pressed on, undeterred by his sister's outburst which he dismissed as a mere display of immaturity.
Xiaxia's frustration grew evident as she glared at him, but Xin's expression remained impassive, determined to get an answer.
Avoiding his gaze, Xiaxia huffed, her voice filled with a mix of annoyance and disappointment. "No, she hasn't visited you in nearly three years."
Perplexed, Xin persisted. "But why?"
Exasperated, Xiaxia clenched her fists and let out a frustrated growl. "Stop asking me about her!"
She abruptly stood up and stormed out of the room, the sound of the door slamming echoing through the air. But before the door shut completely, she couldn't resist one final outburst.
"Forget about that girl! She's the reason why you ended up in this state, you fool! She doesn't care about you anymore!"
The words from Xiaxia reverberated in his mind, drowning out the echoing sound of the door.
'She doesn't care about you anymore!'
Xin couldn't accept her declaration.
Despite the forcefulness of her statement, he couldn't bring himself to believe it. Meilyn was more than just a girlfriend; she was a childhood friend. They had shared countless moments together, long before she gathered the courage to ask him out.
'Even if you don't want me anymore . . . I'll still be here for you.'
Those were the words she often spoke.
The image of her warm smile and kind eyes remained etched vividly in his mind.
It was as if it had happened just yesterday. He recalled the day he was running late for their date, rushing to their designated meeting spot when he had slipped and fell.
Yet, he had never held her responsible for the mishap.
Not even for a moment.
Driven by a surge of longing, he instinctively reached out and pressed the call button, his eyes shimmering with a glimmer of hope.
Time seemed to slow down, each passing second feeling like an eternity as he anxiously waited for the connection to be established.
But instead of the familiar ringtone or the sound of her voice filling the air, a cold and detached robotic voice abruptly shattered the silence.
'The number is out of service.'
His heart plummeted, sinking like an anchor into the depths of his chest.
But he couldn't blame her if she moved on and forgot about him. He was dead four years ago and might never wake up. Who would want to stake their future on a person who might never wake up?
The uncertainty and depression might have taken a toll on her, and it would have been better if she did move on and continued with her life if that would make her happy.
Despite the disappointment, Xin's longing to see Meilyn remained unabated. A flicker of hope danced in his eyes as he contemplated the idea of paying her a visit at her house when he got out of the hospital.
The thought of their potential encounter brought a small, tender smile to his lips, a rarity in his recent days of solitude. The mere prospect of seeing her again stirred a mix of emotions within him, and an unfamiliar sense of excitement bloomed in his chest.
As he envisioned their reunion, a surge of anticipation coursed through his veins. It had been so long since he had felt this kind of eagerness. The possibility of reconnecting with Meilyn ignited a spark within him, dispelling the heaviness that had lingered for too long.
Xin paused when he saw something popping on his notification.
[Guildbane: Battle for Domination's four-year anniversary event is coming!]
Guildbane?
When he recalled before his comma, that virtual game was heavily promoted and popular to the masses.
He wasn't into games, so he wasn't interested at that time, but now . . . it was all the news talk about.
Xin turned off his phone and decided to sleep.
He was too tired lately, maybe because of his medications.
Falling asleep, he dreamt of the time when he was with Meilyn.
Those were the happiest days of his life and the only time that he could show emotion, even a little bit.
He and Meilyn went through a lot . . .
Surely she couldn't just forget about the years that they were together.