A Four-Letter-Word Called LOVE (COMPLETE - ENG Translation On-Going)

Act Fourteen

Chris:

                                "I'm sorry, Chris. I do sincerely apologise for what Mhairi had said and acted towards you. Your Auntie Jeanette and I thought—"

                                "N-No, Uncle. I—I understand." I chimed in blithe to interrupt Uncle George. "Y-You don't have to worry at all."

                                "Chris..."

                                "Uncle, I'm okay."

                I fainted with a reassuring smile to let him know that I'm true to my words. Mum genially squeezes my arm to make me feel that she's there to comfort me. She now knows I'm in love with Mhairi, so she must've been worried about me from what happened. I put my hand on top of her hand and carefully holds it while returning my gaze to her.

                                "Mum. I'm fine, absolutely fine. Look!" I put a sweet yet, cheeky grin on my face, trying to show her I'm alright even though I'm just putting that brave face to cover the emotions I'm feeling right now. "I'm good, so nae worries!" I added.

                She tried to feign a smile, but I don't think I convince her enough that I'm okay.

                According to Uncle, Ate Mhairi was in a coma for six months after they transferred her to Chicago. They thought she couldn't make it because six months was such a long wait for her to wake up. He and Auntie were about to decide to cut her life support – since she's been on life support for half a year – when her vital signs suddenly came back. They couldn't believe it at first, because they thought they're going to lose her. All the hardships and painful griefs they've endured for the past six months had dissipated when she gain her consciousness again. But that happiness was suddenly cut short when she acted so different from what she was like before;

                She suddenly didn't recognise or couldn't remember her parents and was so scared to look nor speak to them.

                The guilt and misery from 10 years ago suddenly daunt me for the umpteenth time. The pain from the accident lingers on every bit of me once again, especially the moments when I blame myself every day for what happened to Ate Mhairi.

                If only I were not an absolute pain in the backside that time, she might not get involved in an accident on that day;

                If only I didn't follow that wee dog that crossed the street 10 years ago, the raging bus might not hit her that will result in being unconscious and lifeless for six months;

                It was my fault in the first place why she couldn't remember anything about me at all.

~Flashback:

                                "Please, don't let go of my hand, Chris! Be a good wee lad, okay?"

                I nodded while grinning from ear to ear as soon as we stepped out from the bus. Ate Mhairi hold my hand while we take the exit from Edinburgh Bus Station. My Mum's working dayshift, and Ate Mhairi's babysitting on me since no one could look after me. And since it's the last school holiday today, she decided to take me to Edinburgh to have a mooch around. She's going to be very busy with her studies after the school holiday, which means I'm going to see her less often. And the worst, I might not see her at all that makes me feel sad.

                Ugh! Forget about that for now, Chris! Just enjoy your day being with your Ate Mhairi, yeah?

                We went into various shops on Princes Street, and we take a walk along the Royal Mile after. We even went to Edinburgh Castle to look around the scenic view of both the old and the new town. I didn't enjoy our last school trip that much before when we visited this place. But now, I feel so ecstatic and upbeat because Ate Mhairi's with me today—