A Thousand Deaths (Sumettikul's Universe Three)

{19} Surprise?

it’s a while but im back to finish what i started...let’s begin
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Chapter Begins Here
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Tears stream down my face. He’s back. My dad is back.

“Don’t cry, Bui.” Dan’s voice is hoarse. “What’s happening?”

I take up his hand in both of mine and cradle it against my face. “You’ve been in an accident. You’re in the hospital in Phitsanulok.”

Dan frowns, and I don’t know if it’s because he’s uncomfortable with my uncharacteristic display of affection, or that he can’t remember the accident.

“Do you want some water?” I ask, though I’m not sure if I’m allowed to give him any. He nods, bewildered. My heart swells. I stand up and lean over him, kissing his forehead. “I love you, Dad. Welcome back.”

He waves his hand, embarrassed. “Me, too, Bui. Water.” I run the short distance to the nurses’ station.

“My dad—he’s awake!” I beam at Nurse Kellie, who smiles back.

“Page Dr. Sluder,” She says to her colleague and hurriedly makes her way around the desk.

“He wants water.”

“I’ll bring him some.”

I skip back to my father’s bed, I feel so light-hearted. His eyes are closed when I reach him, and I immediately worry that he’s slipped back into a coma.

“Dad?”

“I’m here,” He mutters and his eyes flutter open as Nurse Kellie appears with a jug of ice chips and a glass.

“Hello, Mr. Puttha. I’m Kellie, your nurse. Your son tells me you’re thirsty.”

In the waiting room, Bible is staring fixedly at his laptop, deep in concentration.

He glances up when I close the door.

“He’s awake,” I announce. He smiles, and the tension around his eyes vanishes.

Oh...I hadn’t noticed before. Has he been tense all this time? He sets his laptop aside, stands, and embraces me.

“How is he?” He asks as I wrap my arms around him.

“Talking, thirsty, bewildered. He doesn’t remember the accident at all.”

“That’s understandable. Now that he’s awake, I want to get him moved to Bangkok. Then we can go home, and my mom can keep an eye on him.”

Already?

“I’m not sure he’s well enough to be moved.”

“I’ll talk to Dr. Sluder. Get her opinion.”

“You miss home?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

“You haven’t stopped smiling,” Bible says as I pull up outside the Imperial.

“I’m very relieved. And happy.”

Bible grins. “Good.”

The light is fading, and I shiver as I step out into the cool, crisp evening and hand my key to the parking valet. He’s eyeing my car with lust, and I don’t blame him. Bible puts his arm around me.

“Shall we celebrate?” He asks as we enter the foyer.

“Celebrate?”

“Your dad.”

I laugh. “Oh, him.”

“I’ve missed that sound.” Bible kisses my hair.

“Can we just eat in our room? You know, have a quiet night in?”