vii

137 7 0

by blue2_15

by blue2_15

"Astrid..."

My ears almost huffed with so much life upon hearing your voice. You sounded so frail, like you were the one between us that was fragile and brittle.

I didn't like the sound of your voice – it was raspy, melancholic, and weak. You had never been weak, Laurent. Why now? Why did you sound like that?

"Laurent," I gasped, barely audible. "How are you...?"

It took you painful seconds to answer because you were coughing nonstop. I felt my heart stabbed many times upon hearing you struggle – it was like a wound that lasted forever and imprinted in my skin. It hurts everywhere, from within and beneath.

"I'm fine, Astrid...you?"

I bit my lip as I felt my heart constrict. I held on tight to the phone in my ear, like it was my precious lifeline at that moment. I never imagined that a call would be this painful and raw. I knew we were still in identical cubicles but couldn't talk because of the covers.

I was pretty thankful for the call...for I heard your voice once more.

"I-I'm okay...I'm sorry, Laurent –"

"Hush, Astrid," you whispered my cue to cry. "You weren't at fault...no one was at fault."

"You must promise me everything after we come out of here, Laurent." I heard you chuckle weakly, but it still gave me the butterflies.

"How could I promise you everything...if I have nothing, Astrid?"

"Then promise me nothing."

You let out another round of soft chuckles. "This is suicide...promising with nothing..."

"Then I'm dying with you."

"Okay, I promise, I'll get better soon. Then let's do whatever you want to do after this. Is that okay?"

I sobbed and sobbed. I knew that time I needed to see you after everything. I knew we needed to survive this to see each other again.

"Hold on. We're coming home soon." I whispered.

"Of course, Astrid. We're coming home...we'll have our rest soon from this chaos."

And that moment, I knew I'd had hope, imagining things after this battle – you and I bravely walked home, glimmering with strength after surviving this disease.

Because you never lie, Laurent. You never did.

-----