Saka stood outside the vending machine and stared at it vacantly.
He wanted to clear his head before facing Vira again.
Too many things had happened. Was Vira really serious about his confession?
He sighed.
He touched his ear, blushing at the memory. He shouldn't be doubting Vira's seriousness. He was quite explicit.
He collected the food and drinks from the machine and sat next to it on the vacant bench, drawing out his mobile.
His brother had tried calling him a few times. Roma had tried too.
Bracing himself, he called back Laika.
"Hi Laika."
"Where the heck are you?"
"Don't get too mad... just listen to me."
Laika said nothing from the other end as Saka told him everything that had happened, right up to the point they reached the hospital.
Laika sighed heavily.
"I knew you were an idiot, but not to this extent! If you were just a student to him, would he have come to see you in the middle of the night? Or introduce you to his grandma? He made a point of spending every free minute with you! Did you know the thought and effort that went into getting your present? And you go and break his bones."
Saka was silent. He did feel like crap. At that moment, his logic seemed to have failed him.
"What did he get me?" Saka asked.
"See for yourself if he still feels like giving it to you." Laika was not in the mood to be nice.
Saka didn't comment. Instead he asked, "Laika, could you get us a pair of clothes for tomorrow? And Roma's car?"
Laika replied, in a stiff voice, "I'll get our bike."
Saka said in a small voice, "A bike can't fit the three of us."
"Who said three? You are walking back, young man. Take the time to cool that hot head of yours."
Saka said nothing.
Laika had cooled down. "Look here, next time be a bit more level-headed. Fight things out, instead of running away. Get that?"
"Yes Laika, I won't ever hurt Sen."
Laika didn't pursue the subject anymore. His brother was truly sorry, and that was that. "Hmm... How is Vira by the way? Is he awake?"
Saka replied, "Yes, and he is acting a bit weird. I think it is the fatigue." He still blushed thinking about how naughty Vira had been.
Laika didn't press him for any information. "Rest up. I'll come to pick you guys up tomorrow."
Saka sat next to Vira, and as they munched on their cold sandwiches, Saka took notice of the bruises on Vira's hands. They were shallow wounds, but they were scratched and swollen nonetheless. He wondered where else Vira was hurt. His body must have a few scratches as well. He must be aching all over.
"Vira, shall I ask the doctor for a painkiller?"
"Are you hurting somewhere? Is it because of carrying me?" Vira asked, looking concerned.
Saka shook his head. "Not for me, you must be in a lot of pain; you seem scratched from head to toe."
Vira looked relieved. "Oh, no, I'm good. I have my medicine right here," he said, pointing to Saka. "A whiff of my medicine instantly relieves me of my pain."
Saka felt himself blush. "Stop it."
"Why should I? Only thing more effective than the whiff is the taste," whispered Vira, as he leaned close to Saka.
Saka scuttled back, which made Vira burst out laughing. "Stop teasing me, please!" Saka exclaimed, frustrated with himself for reacting to Vira's words.
"Tease? I mean every word I say."
Saka chose to ignore him because he didn't know what to reply. His emotional outburst had brought a 360-degree change. For the last six months, he had given no reaction whatsoever. Now he was being overly romantic, all of a sudden. It was too much for Saka to handle.
Saka cleaned up Vira's bed after their dinner and mumbled that he would sleep on the next bed. It was empty.
"I need a bolster to place my broken leg."
"I'll get you a pillow."
"Nope, you are better." He gently pulled Saka to his side.
****
Saka had fallen asleep. Maybe he was tired, maybe he was at peace... But he had fallen asleep.
Vira sat on the chair next to the bed, watching Saka sleep. He was lost in his thoughts. It was early morning, the sky still looked grey. It would start raining soon.
He was no longer concerned about what was right and wrong. He had been agitating himself over the last six months, but had ended up hurting Saka, and that had been very clear to him.
So now that he had made up his mind to officially date Saka.
Laika walked into the room. He saw Vira sitting, his head resting on his hand.
"Vira, are you alright?"
"Ah, Laika! Yes, I'm fine, all thanks to your brother."
Laika looked half worried and half relieved.
Vira stood up, leaning on Laika for support. "Let's talk outside. Saka has been through a lot because of me, and I want him to sleep as much as he can."
Laika nodded and helped Vira move out of the room.
A nurse spotted Vira and rushed towards him with a wheelchair. She helped him with it and offered to take him around, but Laika insisted on doing it himself.
They headed towards the garden area. There wasn't a single soul in sight. They weren't expecting anyone either.
Vira broke the silence. He didn't beat around the bush. "Laika, I want to date your brother."
Laika was certainly not expecting that from Vira. He looked stunned.
"Huh?"
"I know I said I'd wait until he graduates, but I have only ended up hurting him. I want to formally and freely date Saka."
Laika smiled and responded with a shrug. "Sure, I'll root for you."
"Huh?" Vira wasn't expecting immediate acceptance.
Laika burst out laughing. "Why do you look so surprised? My brother loves you, his family loves you, what more?"
"Also," Laika continued, "you were destined to come to this island, just so my brother could find his happiness."
Vira was touched. "Can I hug you?"
Laika bent over the chair and gave Vira a tight hug.
"Saka is now in your care. I hope he can make you as happy as you make him."
Vira tightened his hug and whispered back, "He makes me a hundred times happier than I can ever make him."
Laika smiled to himself. Vira was so obviously in love.
To Vira, he said, "Time to go back to your room. Saka might be feeling anxious, with you suddenly gone."
They entered the room to find Saka still asleep.
Laika said, "I'll finish the discharge formalities and wait in the car. Bring sleeping beauty with you after you are done packing."