Unbreakable Duty

Personal Battles

Over the next few days, Earn visited Fahlada almost daily, balancing her work as a fashion designer, with her need to be by the captain's side. She often stayed for hours, bringing her work to the hospital or simply sitting with Fahlada, reading or chatting to keep her company. Sometimes, Bow and Tan visit their friend and are surprised to see Earn in her room—the two act like fools giving obvious signals to Lada to make a move to Earn.

Fahlada's recovery was slow but steady. The punctured lung had been a serious injury, and now she was facing the grueling process of physical therapy to restore normal lung function. The therapy sessions were challenging, both physically and mentally, but Fahlada approached them with the same determination she applied to everything in her life.

One day, Earn accompanied Fahlada to her therapy session. The therapist explained the exercises Fahlada would need to do, including diaphragmatic breathing exercises, where Fahlada had to lie on her back and breathe deeply, focusing on expanding her diaphragm rather than her chest. It was harder than it sounded, each breath sending a sharp pain through her side as her injured lung struggled to keep up.

Next came the incentive spirometry, where Fahlada had to inhale slowly and deeply through a device that measured lung capacity. The goal was to take deep breaths that would help expand her lungs and prevent pneumonia. Fahlada gritted her teeth, determined to meet the target, while Earn watched, her heart aching at the sight of the captain struggling but refusing to give up. But Earn was unaware that her scent drove Lada crazy, every time she inhaled the air that they shared.

As Fahlada progressed, the exercises became more challenging. The therapist introduced shoulder and arm stretches to help maintain mobility in the upper body, which had been stiffened from lying in bed. Fahlada also did gentle cardiovascular exercises, like walking slowly on a treadmill to build her stamina, even though it left her winded and exhausted after just a few minutes.

Throughout it all, Earn was there, encouraging her with every small victory. Sometimes, Bow or Tan will accompany her to cheer Fahlada during her sessions. They saw the pain in Fahlada's face, the way she struggled to hide it, and it made their heart break a little each time. But they never showed it, instead, they offer a steady stream of positive reinforcement.

"You're doing great, Lada," Tan said, as the captain completed another set of breathing exercises. 

"I know it's tough, but you're making so much progress," said Earn.

Fahlada nodded, her breathing labored as she leaned back against the pillow. "I have to keep going," she replied, her voice hoarse but resolute. "I need to get back to work, back to..." 

"Back in Earn's arms." Bow mischievously interjected.

Fahlada caught the plastic bottle on her bedside table and threw it precisely towards Bow, hitting her friend on her forehead. "Ouch! That was unnecessary, Cap!" 

Tan snickers as he picked up the plastic bottle, to throw it in the trash can before it became a weapon of mass destruction inside Fahlada's room.

Earn smiled because of the trio's banter. "You need to focus on getting better first, Fahlada. I can handle myself for a little while."

Fahlada looked at her, something unreadable in her gaze. "I know you can. But it's my job to be there for you."

Earn's expression softened as she reached out, brushing a strand of hair from Fahlada's forehead. "Just let me be here for you this time, okay? You don't have to do this alone."

Fahlada suppressed her emotions after she heard what Earn said. She can't help but remember the time when she was alone in intensive care. No one was there for her, as the person she entrusted her life forgot the promises that they made. 

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As days turned into weeks, Earn's routine became almost ritualistic. She would spend hours with Fahlada, attending therapy sessions, working on her designs in the hospital room, and even staying late into the evening, often falling asleep on the small sofa by the window. It was a comfort to be close to Fahlada, to watch over her as she recovered, even if it meant neglecting her own rest.

But the nights were not peaceful. Earn's sleep was often disturbed by vivid, unsettling dreams that left her tossing and turning on the uncomfortable hospital couch.

One night, as Fahlada lay awake after another grueling therapy session, she heard Earn murmur in her sleep. The murmur soon turned into a whimper, and then a scream - a sharp, terrified sound that cut through the quiet room. Fahlada pushed herself up, ignoring the pain that flared in her chest and looked over at Earn.

Earn was thrashing slightly, her face twisted in distress as she muttered something incoherent. Fahlada's heart clenched. For many nights she secretly observed Earn during her sleep, she had seen this before, but lately, her nightmares became constant in her sleep.

"Earn," Fahlada called softly, trying not to startle her awake. But Earn didn't respond, her breathing growing more rapid as she whimpered again.

"Earn," Fahlada repeated, louder this time.

"Earn, are you okay?" Fahlada asked, her voice laced with concern.

Earn blinked, trying to shake off the lingering fear. She rubbed her face with both hands as if trying to wipe away the remnants of the dream. "It's nothing," she finally said, her voice thick with exhaustion. "Just a nightmare."

Fahalda didn't press, but she could see the shadows in Earn's eyes, the way her hands still trembled slightly. "Are you sure?"

Earn nodded, avoiding Fahlada's gaze. "Yeah, it's just... just a bad dream."

But Lada knew better. The fear in Earn's eyes, the way she woke up angry or scared - it was more than just a random nightmare. It was something deeper, something that had been haunting her for a long time.

And Fahlada had a strong suspicion of what it was. Memories from the attack last year, the one Earn couldn't fully recall but seemed to remember in her dreams, no matter how much she tried to bury it.

Over the next few days, the pattern repeated itself. Earn would doze off on the hospital sofa, only to be awakened by the same haunting nightmares. Sometimes she would scream; other times, she would wake up with tears streaming down her face, her breath coming in harsh, panicked gasps. Each time, Fahlada would ask what happened, and each time, Earn would either shrug it off or say it was nothing more than a nightmare.

But Fahlada knew that these were not just ordinary nightmares. They were fragments of a past that Earn had lost, memories that were too painful to face. And as much as Fahlada wanted to help, she knew that this was something Earn had to confront on her own, in her own time. She wished she could do more, but for now, all she could do was be there, offering silent support as Earn fought her internal battles.

A/N:

Wow! I never thought that this story in my head would attract readers. Thank you for your appreciation of this story. I have already outlined three chapters and I am still thinking if flashbacks would suffice LadaEarn's back story. Or I'll write a prequel. 

Anyway, I do hope you still enjoy this chapter! :D