Bed Partners

Interval

(DAYU)

I thought we will stay awake all night but Qing and I eventually fell asleep. I woke up first though. I slowly get off the bed to avoid disturbing his sleep. I took my phone, that I turned off during the night, and went out of the room.

I opened my phone at the kitchen. It flared to life and I saw numerous calls from the same number. My mother had been calling me.

I look at the clock. Decided that 7 am is a decent time to call her back.

She answered on the first ring, "Dayu? Where are you?" She didn't even let me say hello. She is so like me.

"With Qing," I said softly. My throat felt raw. I took the water heater and put some tap water on it. After plugging it, I sat on the dining table to wait for it to boil.

"You are with Qing? In his place?" Mama asked. "How is he? How are you?"

"Yes, yes, he is fine. And I am fine." I answered all her question.

I heard shuffling on the other line and Papa's voice. "Ato called us last night. He said Qing can now remember. Is it true?"

"Yes," I replied.

"Are you still leaving for Europe, Dayu?" Papa asked.

"Yes,"

"Does Qing know that you will leave?"

"Yes," I bit my lower lip. "We already talked about it."

"Good." Papa sighed of relief told me that he really want to support me and my decision. "Don't worry about Qing, I will be with him. You go and be well, son."

Son. He truly think of me as his son. I nodded, "Thank you, Papa. Can you, take my luggages here? I will stay here with Qing until I leave tomorrow."

"Of course. We will go there. Your Mama is already getting ready. We actually want to go last night but Ato assured us that you two are together so we stopped ourselves. We decided to call but both your phones are off. We are actually waiting for your call."

"I am sorry about that. We have to turn our phones off..."

"That is okay. As long as you two are fine. Thank you for staying with Qing last night, Dayu ah. We will get there in an hour. Wait for us." Papa said.

"Okay," I heard shuffling again and Mama came back on line. "I love you, Dayu ah." She said.

That put a smile on my lips. As the water on the heater started to boil, I also felt warm seeping into me. "I love you too, Mama. We will wait here,"

I ended the call and send messages to my friends to tell them I am fine and that Qing is fine.

Then I put down my phone so I can start making coffee. I stood from the chair and when I turn, I saw Qing standing a few feet away.

We stared at each other.

Qing looked so young in his shirt and sweatpants. His hair is down. His feet are bare. He stood there and for a second, he looked lost.

"I thought you left. I woke up and you were not there." He said in a croaked tone. Like me, his voice is a bit hoarse. Probably from crying.

I smiled at him. "I am here..." I said.

He nodded, "You are here. And I still can remember. This is not a dream, right?"

I chuckled at the genuine puzzled look on his face. "Do you want me to punch you to see if you are dreaming?"

Qing touched his nose that I punched last night. It's a bit bruised but all around fine.