where the sun sets | cbx

Chapter 29

When the young lady woke up, the first think she saw, was this ugly lamp over her, that shined in a slight pink, to make the plain room seem friendlier.

Jia didn't feel comfortable at all in this hospital though, nobody did. From all this time she had layed in here, she had forgotten how the sea smelled, how sunrays felt on her skin, how it was to be happy.

The daily visits of Bo, Baekhyun and Jongdae gave her hope, but also depressed her. She wanted them to go home as soon as possible. Bo had seemed so desperate the last days. Her heart broke everytime he forced a smile to make her happy. He barely saw his mother, because she was busy helping out in the hospital, which was urgently required. The people, that were brought here with injuries didn't get less, and most of the doctors were injured too.

They needed help from the state or whoever is responsible for their help, and they needed it badly.

And what Jia badly needed was a bathroom, she felt how her stomach tensed up. Was it from the injuries, that weakened her body, or was she turning ill? Jia hadn't felt well the last days, but today she even felt like she wouldn't be able to walk one step.

Her face whitened with the upcoming sickness and she couldn't see anything, she almost lost her consciousness.

Jongdae catched her trembling body.

"Bathroom."

She gasped heavily and tried to get onto her feet again. Jongdae's arm around her shoulders supported her walk to the toilet, but before she reached the toilet she tried to push him away to prevent him from the following mishap.

Jongdae didn't let go of her, he just held her in his strong hands, keeping her on her feet, when she started to throw up.

"Chen, please leave, this is so gross-"

Under tears she felt the pulp coming up her throat again and she bowed over the toilet to not stain the floor again. His hand glided over her sweaty forehead, to wipe the strands of hair behind her ears.

"It's ok.... You are strong."

His whispering in her ears calmed her down a little and she fell into his arms, shaking from exhaustion. Carrying her in bridal style he brought her to her bed and covered her with the white blanket. Then he sat down next to her and began to clean her mouth with a handkerchief that smelled like him. Lemons, sun and the sea. She had forgotten how it smelled.

She closed her eyes in embarassment. "I'm so sorry, that you had to see this."

"Don't be. It's ok."

He smiled at her, honesty shining in his eyes. He meant it.
After he had finished cleaning her face, he grabbed a chewing gum from the nightstand, and gave it to her. 

"Are you ok?"

She nodded, and pointed to the door: "Look for Bo and Baekhyun."

"I won't leave you. Wait here."

With these words he stood up and walked over to the bathroom, and started to clean the tiles. She stared at him, staggered.

"Stop that, Chen, the doctors will do that."

"They have enough to do, I really don't mind doing this."