Unpredictable Connection

40. Hope in the Quiet

3rd person's POV:

Char knew Engfa was angry with her. The cold looks, the clipped words, the way Engfa kept her distance all morning—it was clear. But that didn't stop Char from walking toward her, even if every step made her heart pound like a drum.

Engfa was leaning against the hallway wall, arms folded, her jaw tight as she stared at the floor, lost in her own storm.

Char paused before her, reaching out a trembling hand to rest on Engfa's shoulder. "Engfa..."

Engfa's shoulders stiffened, her gaze snapping up, eyes sharp. But when she met Char's eyes, saw the guilt, the worry, the quiet plea swimming in them, her glare faltered, softening around the edges even if her voice stayed cool. "What?"

Char swallowed, her thumb brushing Engfa's shoulder in a small, grounding circle. "Calm down... You look so restless, it's—"

Engfa pushed herself off the wall, turning to face Char fully, her frustration bubbling over. "You act like you care."

The words sliced through the space between them, leaving Char frozen. Her hand dropped, falling limply to her side as she looked down, her eyes glinting with tears that threatened to spill.

Before the moment could break completely, a warm hand landed on Engfa's arm. Noey stepped between them, her eyes kind but firm. "Not here, Engfa. You two can talk later, okay?"

Engfa opened her mouth but closed it again, pressing her lips together before nodding, turning away, leaving Char standing alone, blinking back tears that fell anyway.

Noey let out a breath she'd been holding, glancing back at Char with a small nod before following Engfa down the hallway. Just then, the door swung open, and the doctor stepped out, tugging off his gloves, a tired sigh leaving his lips as he rubbed his temple.

Everyone turned, the air thick with unspoken prayers and fear.

"I seriously never imagined getting back memories could hit someone this hard," the doctor muttered, mostly to himself.

Mrs. Chankimha stumbled, her breath catching, and Becky quickly stepped forward, catching her by the arm and whispering, "Doctor, please... tell us how she is. We know what happened. We just need to know what's happening now."

The doctor's eyes softened, and he pulled down his mask, exhaling as he spoke the words they had all been desperate to hear.

"She's stable. She's regained her memories... and her consciousness."

For a moment, the world seemed to stop.

Then, like a dam breaking, the tension flooded out in a wave of relief. Engfa's hand flew to her mouth as tears welled in her eyes. Noey's breath shuddered as she blinked rapidly, pressing her lips together to keep from crying. Becky let out a soft, choked sob, clutching Mrs. Chankimha, who was now crying openly, her body shaking with quiet, grateful sobs.

"Can... can we see her?" Becky asked, her voice small, trembling with hope she hadn't dared to hold onto until now.

The doctor checked his watch before offering a reassuring smile. "Not yet. We've given her medication, so she'll be resting for a while. But once she wakes up, you'll be able to see her." His smile grew. "She's going to be perfectly fine."

And just like that, the air shifted.

The walls of the hospital didn't feel so suffocating anymore. The fluorescent lights didn't seem so harsh. For the first time in what felt like forever, hope returned to their eyes, glistening through tears.