Healing echos

Chapter 9

Days passed, and Ray slowly improved, gaining more and more strength during his physical therapy sessions. Each small victory was a step closer to regaining his independence, but the absence of Sand weighed heavily on his heart.

During this time, Sand never visited him once. Ray felt a hint of guilt for yelling at him so harshly, but he reminded himself that Sand had lied to him. Sand's betrayal still stung, and Ray struggled to reconcile his feelings.

Yet, despite everything, Ray's heart still fluttered every time he thought of Sand. It was a confusing mix of emotions—anger and hurt intertwined with longing and affection. Why did he still feel this way about someone who had deceived him?

As he lay in bed one evening, exhausted from another grueling session, Ray's thoughts drifted back to Sand. He remembered the way Sand's smile could light up a room, the way his touch had always brought comfort. These memories clashed with the image of Sand kissing Sun, creating a storm of conflicting emotions within him.

He sighed, rubbing his temples. He knew he needed to focus on his recovery, but his mind kept drifting back to Sand. Maybe he needed closure. Maybe he needed to understand why Sand had lied

Ray sat in his hospital bed, poking at his own meal with little appetite. Mew's words stung, though he tried to mask his feelings behind a stoic expression. The tension between Mew and Sand had always been palpable, but it was becoming more evident how deeply it ran.

"I don't know why you feel so bad for the guy; he led you on," Mew said, stabbing his fork into the salad he brought. His frustration was evident, and it only made Ray feel more conflicted.

Ray glanced at Top, who had come to visit as well. Top's calm demeanor was a stark contrast to Mew's agitation. "Maybe he had a reason?" Top suggested, trying to offer a more balanced perspective.

"Whatever that reason may be, it was stupid!" Mew scoffed, shaking his head. "He really didn't tell you anything?"

Ray sighed, his fingers tracing patterns on the bedsheet. "He said he cared about me and didn't know how to tell me the truth. He panicked and thought pretending might make it real."

Mew's anger softened slightly, but his disapproval was still clear. "That's no excuse, Ray. He should have been honest with you from the start."

Top placed a hand on Mew's arm, trying to calm him down. "Mew, let's not make this harder for Ray. He's been through enough."

Ray appreciated Top's attempt to mediate, but the situation still felt like a heavy weight on his chest. He looked at Mew, seeing the concern behind his anger. "I know you're upset, Mew. But Sand... he's not a bad person. He just made a mistake."

Mew sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I just don't want to see you get hurt again, Ray. You deserve better."

Ray nodded, understanding Mew's protective instincts. "I know. And I'm not saying I've forgiven him. I just... I need time to figure it all out."

Mew squeezed Ray's shoulder gently. "We're here for you, no matter what you decide."

Ray was grateful for his friends' support. "I think I might have to just talk with him. Do any of you have his number?" he asked, looking at Mew and Top. Both shook their heads.

"Are you sure?—" Mew started, but Top cut him off.

"I'm friends with his roommate. I'll give him a call and see what I can do." Top exited the room, slipping into the hallway. He scrolled through his contacts and pressed on Nick's number. The phone dialed for a couple of seconds before it picked up.

"Hello, Top?" Nick answered, sounding confused.

"Nick, I know it's been a while, but it's serious. Where is Sand?" Top asked, his voice subtly demanding.