Golden Era (Book 2)

10. Getting His Wish

Hearing Ayuna's voice, Sachi's back visibly stiffened. He stood up and turned around slowly, but made no move to approach her. From behind him, Ayuna noticed that the faint glow came from an upright flashlight, a pale yellow orb illuminating total darkness.

Even in the hazy lighting, Ayuna was stricken by Sachi's haggard appearance. His eyes were lackluster and sunk deep into their sockets. Her gaze then moved to the food tray in his hand—a different spread from the breakfast she'd seen before.

How long have I been down here?  wondered Ayuna. However many days it had been, Sachi was the one coming down here: the crown prince silently doing a servant's duties. 

Meeting her gaze, Sachi spoke, "Noa told me you're down here searching for the past. She thinks it's best to leave you undisturbed."

Ayuna continued staring at him. 

"But I can't stand by and do nothing—I'm worried about you being down here alone with an injury. Let me at least do the basics, then I'll leave to give you the space you need..."

"You don't have to do that."

His shoulders stooped. "You don't want me around."

"No! I don't think you should have to look after me like this..."

"Are you pushing me away because you don't remember me?"

Ayuna gave her head a tiny shake. "I know who you are, and I know who everyone is..."

"I realize. But you aren't clear on our history, are you?"

"I've been able to piece together parts of the past."

Setting down the tray, Sachi walked towards her and knelt down until they were at an eye level. There were books and reams of paper scattered around her. Cautiously keeping an arm's distance, he looked into her eyes and asked, "You found records of the past, but you don't feel connected to them, do you?"

This time, Ayuna couldn't answer.

He reached out for her hand and Ayuna didn't pull away. There was a dark flame behind his eyes that stilled her. "And you don't feel connected to me. I'm as good as a stranger. That's why you want me to leave."

Sachi saw Ayuna open her mouth, yet no protest came out. He could tell that even physical contact made her uncomfortable, and this divide somehow felt worse than the uncertainty of her coma. Still, he resolved not to let go.

"I can see that it's been difficult for you to be here again and it might be even harder for us to return to the way we used to be..."

"I'm sorry, Sachi. I—"

"I don't want you to be sorry," Sachi cut her off softly. "I want you to get to know me again. You've cared for me when I was at my worst. Now, I'll do the same for you. I'm willing to wait no matter how long it takes."

As he spoke, his mind traveled back to two years ago, to the morning after that unfortunate shooting.

***

Sachi woke up on a hospital cot. There were cardiac leads stuck to his chest and a drip needle buried inside his wrist. His shoulder was casted and he was bandaged like a mummy. When he tried to move, his head hurt as if his skull had cracks. 

While his eyes adjusted to the ivory lighting, Sachi tried to move, yet his arm refused to budge. That was when he noticed someone else at his bedside: Ayuna lay sleeping in a precarious-looking bed pieced together using two armchairs. Even in her sleep, her hand was on his arm.