𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚. yeonji

𝐬𝐨𝐢𝐱𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞-𝐬𝐞𝐢𝐳𝐞

-.--.-..-.-...-

As there was only the two of them alone in the room, the atmosphere felt intimate.

Kali softly caresses Chand's hair, making sure to clear his face from the few strands that had fallen on his face. Now that her eyes had adjusted to the darkness, she could make out Chand's handsome face.

"Why are you here?" Kali mumbled so low that it was impossible to hear. Yet, Chand stirred in his spot. It might've been because of the movement from his hair but no matter, Chand woke up.

Unsurprisingly, he never let go of Kali's hand.

Chand looked around and noticed that it had already gotten dark but his eyes hadn't adjusted yet. He could now feel his stomach rumbling lowly and he realized that he hadn't eaten anything since this morning.

"Haven't you eaten yet?" The soft feminine voice coming from the person in front of him made him look at her.

"You're awake," the lad said in a trance as he stared at his ex-lover laying on the hospital bed. He couldn't seem to shake his gaze away from her when his eyes easily adjusted and made out her form.

"You don't say," Kali answered in a sarcastic manner but Chand didn't mind it. He even smiled after hearing her answer.

That was when Kali noticed him holding her hand the entire time. He had given it a slight squeeze, unbeknownst to him.

A momentary silence passed between the two.

It made Kali a little awkward so she tried to shift in her spot, wanting to sit instead of lying down just to shake off some jitters that she's starting to feel. Chand helped her as gently as he could.

"Why didn't you say anything?" The question escaped Chand's lips before he could stop himself but Kali knew it was bound to come.

She had already came to a situation where it was unavoidable. So she decided to speak honestly for the last time, "I didn't want any of you to know."

'Why' was the question hanging at the back of Chand's mind and Kali could read it just by seeing the expression on his face.

"Because I didn't want to burden any of you knowing that I'm sick."

Kali's answer was enough for Chand to feel a heavy heart. He looked down at their interconnecting hands and brought it close towards his lips. He gently kissed the back of it.

"Why would you ever think that you'd become a burden to me—to us?" As Chand faced Kali, she could tell that Chand was deeply hurt from this.

"I'd rather you didn't kept your condition as a secret and told us upfront. We could've at least helped you. Maybe then..." Chand continued but soon trailed off, his words were now replaced with silent sobs as tears rolled down his pale cheeks once again.

Chand broke down.

It was a side of him none of his friends had ever seen apart from his beloved Kali.

And this sight broke Kali's heart for Chand was never one who easily shed his tears. It pains her knowing she was the cause of this.

Kali wipes his tears and both of her hands cups his soft cheeks making him look at her while Chand's big hands covered hers, a reflex whenever she does that action to him.

The girl smiled sadly, tears were also brimming at the edges of her eyes, and softly shook her head. "Even if I did tell you and the others, it would've already been too late," she uttered, trying hard for her voice not to shake.

Kali's heartbreaking words caused Chand to cry a few more tears.

And even with her aching and weakening body, Kali hugs the young lad while she continues to rub his back rhythmically, also kissing his tears away as she knew this always helps in soothing him.

They stayed like that, they didn't know for how long nor cared, because all they wanted was the comfort of each other's presence against their tragic tomorrow.