Before You Say Goodbye

CHP 29: 'I LOVE YOU'

After a while of Cheryl and Michel's conversation, Cheryl received a call informing her that Catherine had regained consciousness and was ready to be visited by her family and friends. Everyone entered the room to meet Catherine and on seeing their grim faces, Cat said, "It's something serious, isn't it? Please tell me the whole truth. I can handle it. I need to know what exactly is wrong with me." All of Catherine's closest people were present in the room, but none of them spoke, none of them knew how to convey this sad news to Cat. Finally, her dad stepped forward, and taking a deep breath, told her what had happened and what exactly was wrong with her. He left no detail and also told her how the doctor had said that she'll be completely fine after the treatments. Catherine tried to stay strong, but this indeed is such a devasting revealing that even the most balanced person can lose their composure, and she broke down into tears. But, after a while of crying and her parents and friends comforting her, she felt alright and was a bit herself now. Cheryl and Michel had arrived a little later than the others at the hospital. Cheryl then rushed to give Cat a big hug. The nurse entered and requested them to let Catherine rest and she also informed that only 1 or 2 people could stay the night and let not everyone make a crowd there. Cheryl asked Mrs.Shawns to let her stay with Catherine for the night so that her parents could go home and rest since Mr. Shawns had hurried here from abroad and even Mrs. Shawns herself had been very upset. She said that even Michel would stay to help out, so there won't be any issue. Mrs.Shawns denied at first saying that they need to be here for their daughter and they are the ones who should stay. She also said that Cheryl should go home and rest rather than staying up all night here. But later, she allowed Cheryl and Michel to stay since the doctor assured her to give them a call right away if anything goes south.
After Cat's parents left, Cheryl encouraged Michel to speak to Catharine, express his emotions, and even read out the letter he had written so sincerely. The words in the letter weren't just alphabets on a piece of paper, they were his feelings, his emotions, all his love for Catherine, all the moments, memories that he had made with her from the time they met till today.
Cheryl ushered Michel into the room and then left them alone so that he could say all that he wanted to Catherine without any hesitation and in his own way. Michel took a deep breath and gathering all his courage, hope, and his love for Cat, took a step towards her. Cheryl couldn't really stop herself from listening to a bit of the conversation, after all, it was a very big moment for two of her best friends. She stood a bit away, but could hear them faintly and could also see them through the glass panel.
Michel sat beside Catherine and started talking, remembering how they had met at the cafe, become friends, how they worked at Bernard's together and how great everything was back then. Michel was talking so passionately and in such a lovely way that they almost relived all their precious memories from day one till today in just these ten minutes. Finally, came the most crucial moment, the moment of Michel confessing. "...And what a journey it has been! We had so much fun throughout and honestly, I wouldn't trade these moments, this time spent with you for anything in the world," said Michel. "Aww Mike, you're getting all mushy aren't you haha. But I like mushy Michel, sorta rhymes too...okay...I kinda ruined the moment, didn't I? Anyways, looks like you're gonna have to make do with only these memories because, here I am now, stuck in the hospital with this shitty disease that's gonna take months to get better" replied Catherine laughing at first, but immediately realizing about her condition. She punched the pillow with frustration, due to which, the IV in her hand hurt her and she let out a shout "OUCH!".
"Be careful yo! I can't just let you get hurt like this! You alright? Are you having pain or discomfort right now? What can I do?? " exclaimed Michel, bombarding Cat with a couple of dozen questions.
"Michel, calm down...I'm fine, really. And you know what? You're too sweet... you care so much about me!" said Catherine surprised, since she'd never seen Michel react so suddenly over something so insignificant.
"Ofcourse I care about you, I love you Catherine," blurted out Michel while looking desperately into Catherine's eyes and taking her hands in his and holding them in general. "I love you too Michel, actually I love everyone out there caring for me. I really love all of my friends! And I know they all like me too...why else would y'all take so much trouble of staying the night, had you and Cheryl not loved me? Haha, also promise you won't leave me, and would stay Forever" Responded Catherine with a smile and then touching Michel's face to reassure him that everything is fine.
"Huh? Uh..Yeah right... I think you should rest now Cat...I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight!" Said Michel and hurriedly walked out of the room, furious at himself for not being able to confess and let Catherine know that he loved her more than just a friend...a lot more than any friend could ever.
"So, how'd it do? You didn't read the letter to her, did you?" asked Cheryl.
"Quit acting Cher, I know you were listening on to everything, right? Trust me, I don't mind you eavesdropping on our conversations, so yeah. Also, I didn't read the letter to her because I couldn't, I don't have the guts to confess, especially when she just almost laughed at what I said. I know I'm maybe just thinking too much and what I'm thinking right now is completely ridiculous, but I couldn't say it to her Cheryl....I just couldn't.... aah!! I'll be sure to confess tomorrow. She's not running away anywhere from the hospital now is she!...I'll think of a beautiful way to ask her out...something more romantic and pretty!" exclaimed Michel and was soon lost in his own world, thinking of what Cat would like the best.
Meanwhile...."Mike. I know what you meant with the 'I love you. I know the way you like me, and honestly, I love you the same way too. I've been liking you for a long time. I was just waiting for you to say it Mike....and today, you did! Maybe not that clear, but I could see your emotions and your sincerity....This is enough for me in life; Someone who really loves me more than I love myself. Thank you Michel. Thank you for being such a sweetheart to me. I love you a lot!" said Catherine to herself, lying in her bed and looking at their picture together, admiring how good they really looked with each other.
What a perfectly fitting couple she thought, as she went to sleep.