Through my eyes||Dino

-14-

Sara's hospital room was quiet now. The faint hum of machines and the soft tap of rain against the window were the only sounds. It had been a few days since the accident--days filled with painkillers, visits from the other members, and, most of all, her constant thoughts swirling around Chan.

She had asked for time to think, and in some way, she had made progress. She knew that Chan's confession--his raw, vulnerable words--had shaken her. He wasn't like anyone she'd ever met He was open, kind, and, for some reason, he had been so patient with her. But what she hadn't expected was how much he had changed her, how his presence in her life had forced her to confront things she hadn't been ready to face.

Her past, her insecurities, the fear of being hurt again. it all felt so overwhelming. But every time she thought about him--about them--the weight seemed just a little bit lighter. Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft knock at her door. Before she could respond, the door creaked open, and in walked Chan, waring a white hoodie and grey sweatpants, his hair a bit messy from running. His smile was softer than usual, the eyebags under his eyes from the restless nights he was having, but still, his eyes held the same intensity, the same longing.

"Hey," he said quietly, sitting at the edge of her bed. His fingers slightly brushed the side of her cast. "How are you feeling today?" "Better" They are saying I'll be out of here in a couple of days." Sara smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. She was trying to keep it light, but the truth was, she was struggling. She wanted to talk, to open up, but the words were stuck in her throat. She wanted to tell him everything--about her past, her fears, the wall's she'd build up--but something held her back.

Chan noticed the shift in her mood. His gaze softened, his voice a little more gentle, "You've been through a lot, Sara. But you know... you don't have to do this alone. You don't have to keep everything bottled up." Her heart skipped at his words. He was always so patient, so understanding, she just wanted to get out of that bed and just hug him while letting everything out, but she was afraid to let him see that side of her. "I know..." she whispered, looking away. "I just... it's not easy for me, Chan. The person I considered to be my everything, broke me--broke my trust. Since then I've never been good at trusting people with... all of me"

Chan reached for her hand, gently rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. "You don't have to tell me everything all at once, Sara. But I need you to know that I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere." There was no pretense with him--he was raw, honest, and willing to be vulnerable. And that was exactly what she had always struggled to do."You're not like... the others," she said softly, her teary eyes flicking up to meet his. "You don't just say things because you think it's what I want to hear. You mean them. and I... I don't know how to handle that.

Chan tilted his head, studying her. "You don't have to handle anything, Sara. Just let me in. Let me be a part of your life. I don't want to push you, but I want to be here for you, even if that means just listening." She swallowed, trying to steady her racing heartbeat. "I don't know how to do that." she admitted, her voice shaky. "I've never been good a letting people see the real me. I though, maybe if I changed my apereance and tried to look better, maybe...maybe then I could be loved. But everytime someone cared, I didn't know how to let them. I thought they's leave me, just like he did" She hadn't realized how much she had led that experience shape her.

Chan's expression softened, and he leaned closer, one hand caressing her cheek, wiping the tear she had tried so hard to hold back. 'You don't have to change for me. I like you--all of you. The good, the bad, the messy. And I want you to know that it's okay to be vulnerable with me. it's okay to need someone."

And with that she decided, to finally let him in. She started telling him about Matt, and how much he affected her self confidence, her belief in love. Chan's face fell, his thumb still caressing her cheek, his eyes full of sympathy. "Sara.."

"That event made me build up walls. I told myself that I didn't need anyone, that i didn't deserve anyone, and then I met you.." Her voice trailed off as she met his gaze, a mix of fear and hope in her eyes. "And now you are here, and I'm s-scared, that I'll lose you the same way I lost him" Chan's expression was one of pure tenderness. This time he cupped her face with both his hands, while he leaned in, leaving a gentle kiss on her forehead. " Sara, I'm not giving up on you-"

"But why me?... I'm nothing compared to all the other girls" Sara said, tears leaving her eyes, trying to understand. "Sara, you are everything to me, I just wish you could see yourself through my eyes. I want you to let me care about you--fully, But you need to trust me, just like I'm trusting you." She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. When she opened them again, she met his gaze, her eyes filled with uncertainty but also a glimmer of hope. "Okay," she whispered. "I'll try. I don't want to push you away anymore. I want you to be part of my life Chan. But I still need to figure things out."

Chan smiled softly, a mixture of relief and happiness in his eyes. "That's all I need, Sara, I'll be right here. waiting. We'll figure things out together, I promise." This time, Sara felt like maybe, just maybe, someone truly saw her. All of her. The good, the bad, the broken pieces--and loved her anyway. And for the first time in her life, she felt like she was finally ready to let someone in.