Second Chance (PoohPavel)

CHAPTER 12 : UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER

As Krit and Pavel walked, Krit excused himself for a moment. He had seen something he had long wanted to buy for Pavel. He had been coming back to this place hoping to find it again, and today, finally, he did. Krit dashed through the crowded marketplace, searching every stall. Even though their home was far from here, he made the trip repeatedly, hoping it would reappear. Today, he found it—a necklace just like the one Pavel lost on the day he had to fight to prevent the gang leader, King, from separating them. Pavel had done everything King wanted to keep Krit by his side, but in the process, lost the necklace his mother had given him.

Krit finally saw it and hurriedly bought the necklace. He clutched it tightly and ran back to where Pavel was waiting. In his excitement, he didn't notice a van trailing him. Krit called out to Pavel, waving the necklace. They stood on opposite sides of the street, but could see each other clearly. Pavel's eyes widened in shock; the necklace looked exactly like the one he had lost, the one his mother had given him.

As they gazed at each other, a van suddenly swerved between them, blocking Pavel's view. Before Pavel could react, a gunshot rang out. Chaos erupted as the van sped away. People scattered, and it was only then that Pavel saw what he dreaded most—Krit, lying on the ground, bleeding.

Time seemed to freeze for Pavel. He saw blood slowly spreading across Krit's clothes. Krit's eyes were fixed on Pavel, filled with pain and fear. Pavel rushed to his side, screaming for help. People around them called for an ambulance. Pavel pressed his hands against Krit's wound, desperately trying to staunch the bleeding. Panic gripped him as he pleaded with Krit not to close his eyes, not to leave him.

Krit, tears streaming down his face, could see the terror in Pavel's eyes. He was hurt not just by the bullet, but by the pain he saw in Pavel. Krit felt his consciousness fading, despite Pavel's pleas. Just as Krit's eyes closed, the ambulance arrived. Medics quickly placed an oxygen mask on Krit and worked to stabilize him. Pavel held Krit's hand, feeling the necklace still clutched in it. He prayed over and over, hoping for a miracle.

But as the medics moved swiftly, Pavel couldn't shake the fear that he was losing the person he cared for most. He held onto Krit's hand and the necklace, the symbol of their bond, and prayed for Krit to stay with him, the words echoing in his mind as the scene around him blurred into frantic motion.

They arrived at the hospital, with Pavel still holding Krit's hand tightly. However, their hands had to part as Krit was rushed into the operating room. The operation lasted for several hours, with the doctors working meticulously to avoid hitting any vital arteries near Krit's chest. Thankfully, the bullet had narrowly missed his heart and other crucial arteries, but the situation remained critical.

As the doctor emerged from the operating room, Pavel immediately stood up and approached him. The doctor spoke with a serious yet hopeful tone.

"Doctor: The operation was successful, but we still need to monitor the patient for the next 24 hours. He is in a critical stage, and we must be vigilant. If he wakes up within 24 hours or shows no further complications, he should be okay."

The doctor then quickly left to attend to other duties, and Krit was wheeled into his room. Pavel followed closely and settled into a chair beside Krit's bed. He watched over Krit, his heart heavy with worry but filled with hope.

Hours passed, each one feeling like an eternity. Pavel’s mind raced with memories and prayers. He remembered the times they spent together, the laughter and the tears, and how Krit had always been there for him. Now, it was his turn to be there for Krit.

The beeping of the medical machines provided a steady, rhythmic reassurance, but every slight change in Krit’s condition made Pavel’s heart skip a beat. He clung to the necklace, now resting on Krit’s bedside table, as if it were a lifeline. The room was filled with a tense silence, broken only by the occasional murmur of nurses checking on Krit.

Pavel didn’t leave Krit’s side, even as exhaustion tugged at his eyelids. He whispered softly, urging Krit to wake up, to fight, to stay with him. He promised him everything—more adventures, more memories, a future together. His voice was raw with emotion, tears often blurring his vision.

Finally, as dawn began to break, casting a soft light into the room, Krit stirred. Pavel immediately noticed and leaned closer, holding his breath. Krit’s eyes fluttered open, weak but conscious. Pavel felt a wave of relief wash over him, tears streaming down his face.

“Pavel: Krit, you’re awake. Thank God, you’re awake.”

Krit managed a faint smile, his voice barely a whisper.

“Krit: I... saw you... the whole time.”

Pavel held Krit’s hand tightly, never wanting to let go again. The doctor’s words echoed in his mind, but for now, all that mattered was that Krit had woken up. The battle wasn’t over, but they had taken the first crucial step together.

While lying in bed, Krit had Pavel lie down beside him because he knew Pavel hadn't left the hospital and hadn't rested. Krit opened his arms wide, and Pavel embraced him, lying close together. Krit kissed Pavel's forehead and gently rubbed his nose against Pavel's, softly saying,

Krit: "Sorry."

Pavel looked at Krit, held his face gently, kissed him softly, and replied,

Pavel: "It's okay, as long as you're okay, everything will be fine."

Pavel resumed hugging Krit, and while they were embracing, Pavel showed Krit the necklace. Krit gently stroked Pavel's hair as they spoke.

Pavel: "Thank you for getting my necklace back."
Krit: "I was the one who lost it, but I'm not sure if that's really the one because we don't know where it got lost."
Pavel: "It's okay, as long as I have a reminder of that necklace. You know, my mom said I could make a wish on it, and it would come true. I know she made that up when I was a kid, but I want to try making a wish."

Pavel looked into Krit's eyes, gently touched every part of Krit's face while holding the necklace, and made a wish.

Pavel: "I wish for the safety of the person in front of me, the person I want to spend my life with, and for everything around him to be okay."

Pavel opened his eyes and saw the tears in Krit's eyes. He put the necklace on Krit and held Krit's hand, kissed it, and said,

Krit: "Everything will be okay, not just for me but for both of us."

Krit hugged Pavel tightly, despite the pain from his wound, not thinking about it because he knew who their enemy was and what they were capable of. At that moment, Krit secretly promised to protect Pavel no matter what, even if it meant staining his hands. He would never let even a small scratch from someone else touch Pavel without exacting a heavy price.

Krit then gently held Pavel's face, caressed it, and kissed him deeply, as if they were both thirsty, neither wanting to stop. Krit kissed Pavel down to his neck, hugging him tightly, pulling Pavel's body closer. After a few minutes, Pavel came to his senses and stopped Krit, reminding him they were in a hospital and Krit's wound might reopen. He kissed Krit softly and said,

Pavel: "We'll continue this when you're better and not here."

Krit smiled, seeing Pavel's cute expression, knowing he was shy. Krit covered Pavel's face with a blanket teasingly and said,

Krit: "We'll continue when you're ready for it."

Pavel playfully hit Krit's arm wrapped around him, and they fell asleep peacefully. Krit waited for Pavel to fall asleep, then quietly took his phone and sent a text to someone.