Chapter Eight

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"The miracle is that, in most cases, he succeeds - for the powers of survival, of the will to survive, and to survive as a unique inalienable individual, are absolutely, the strongest in our being: stronger than any impulses, stronger than disease."

It was past nine in the evening at the White Cross Rehab Facility when a black van arrived. Maine just finished checking on the patients in the wing assigned to her. It was a Déjà vu moment, bringing her back to that time she first met Richard six months ago, right here in this same spot.

Richard was in a wheelchair, finally awakened from his comatose state after a month in the hospital. His collapse was caused by hematoma in his brain, an after effect of his accident. The hematoma resulted to a blood clot that required surgery again for Richard. Thankfully the surgery was a success.

His blank and listless eyes looked around, as though searching for something. They settled on her, but there was no recognition, no sign that he remembered her. It was like they were back to square one, wiping out all the progress they achieved in the past months.

Maine was just happy he was still alive. There were just two months left on her internship here at the facility but she pleaded with Dr. Sanchez to allow her to stay on for Richard's case. She would do everything in her power to bring him back to where he already was before he collapsed on that fateful night on their way back from the magical weekend they spent with his dad.

She took him to his room, hoping that the familiarity of his surroundings would jolt his memory to remember something. But his gaze remained neutral, no change in his facial expression. As they crossed the recreation room, a patient was watching TV, tuned in to the MTV channel. Her favorite band, Coldplay was on, performing in a concert. They caught a few lines of the song "Fix You," one of Coldplay's emotional ballads.

"High up above or down below

When you're too in love to let it go

But if you never try you'll never know

Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones

And I will try to fix you..."

That's a promise Richard, she said to herself, I will try to fix you. Not only try, but I will succeed, I know I will. Because she was too in love with him to let go, she would be here for him no matter what.

They finally reached his room. One of the male nurses assisted her to get him changed and helped him lie on his bed. He looked around his room, as though trying to remember something. His eyes focused on the Game Boy Advance that Maine purposely positioned within his eyesight, hoping it would yield the same result as it did the last time. She took the Game Boy and put it in his hands, cupping his hand over it.

"You beat me the last time remember? You promised me a rematch, RJ. We'll play again someday."

Still no sign of recognition in his eyes, Richard held the Game Boy in his hands, staring at it. She took the Game Boy from him slowly, but kept it still within his reach, on the nightstand beside his bed. Just in case he wanted to play the game once she leaves his room.

The urge to cry was getting stronger, and she would hate for him to see her break down. She sat on the monobloc chair by his bed. She lovingly ran her hand through his hair, caressing his cheek, missing the dimple that deepened whenever he smiled.

"Remember what you told me in your letter? You said we had the rest of our lives to be happy. Come back to me RJ. I love you too, I hope you can hear me. I will never leave you," She held his hand with both of hers and kissed it. Her tears started falling.

Slowly, his thumb escaped her hand and brushed her tears away.

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