Bed Partners

Waking Up Like This

Qing's Tape 6, Side B

Dra.Yen: Belated Happy Birthday.

Qing: Thank you.

Dra.Yen: You look happy. What did you did yesterday for your birthday? Did you throw a party again?

Qing: No. I granted Baba's wish to have a simple birthday this year. I had dinner with our family. Just the four of us.

Dra.Yen: And is that the reason why you look content today?

Qing: Nope. Dayu.

Dra.Yen: Ah Dayu. Yes. He is source of your happiness nowadays. Did you received a great present from Dayu for your birthday?

Qing: He spent the day with me. He also took a day off to be with me. Working extra days before my birthday to get an off. He is sweet.

Dra.Yen: Yes, he sounds lovely. So when will you tell him?

Qing: Tell him what?

Dra.Yen: That you love him.

Qing: Soon.

                    ..........................

(QING)

I cannot sleep again.

I thought I was getting better. But it looks like my fear of sleeping has visited me again tonight.

Days after I woke up from the coma, I developed a sleeping problem. I fear closing my eyes to the thought that I might succumb to coma again. And put everyone in despair.

But these past week I find it easier to fall asleep at night. The doctors assured me that it will be impossible for me to get into coma again just for sleeping at the end of a normal day. That it's all psychological.

"Mr.Wang, you are on your way to recover your full health. No need to worry. Just eat and rest well and you will go back to your normal routine in no time. It was really a miracle, your recovery from coma." The doctors assured me.

I phoned my psychologist, Dra.Yen, and she said the same thing. "Just relax and stop thinking too deeply. Take it easy. What you have gone through is not a simple matter, Wang Qing. It's comatose. For almost seven months. Be patient with yourself. You are doing just fine."

But I guess my mind is not yet fully convinced that I am healing well. I can't sleep again.

Usually, I stay in my room when this problem occured. I don't want to disturb my parents while they are resting. Baba used to worry that I am not sleeping well after waking up from the coma but I told him that it's my problem and I will deal with it.

But Baba said...

"We will deal with it. You are my son. I am here. Your Maman is here. Qing, when you were in coma, I realized something. You are a grown up, sure, but I am still your Baba. And I will look our for you even if you are a hundred years old man. I will still be your Baba and I care for you. So, we will deal with this together. As a family. If you need anything, just tell me. If I can't give it to you, then the least I can do is stay with you."