The Mysterious Rose (KhunFany)

35: Trace Stevens

35: Trace Stevens.

Hours later. . .

"Thank you, boys. Really. It'd be best if you all go home for now, your mothers must be worried sick! You can come by again tomorrow." Lin Hi said with a smile as she warmly took Nichkhun's hand. The lad, who had never looked so stressed out before, nodded as his eyes gazed at Tiffany as she peacefully slept on the bed.

His heart sunk at the sight.

Fatigue. That was what the doctor said earlier. When they busted in the hospital, both boys were so frantic at the front desk. It was a good thing that they were attended to immediately. The doctor gave Tiffany supplements and vitamins that would help strengthen her and for now, she was sleeping soundly in the hospital room that Nichkhun and Drake had reserved.

"It must've been traumatizing, huh?" Lin Hi asked, a soft smile still glued on her face as she noticed how both of boys were gazing intently at her niece. "Tiffany used to be sick all the time when she was still young. That's why my sister always looked out for her since she was prone to illnesses." She said as the memories of her and Tiffany's mother gave such a bittersweet feeling.

"Drake, you have my gratitude. Thank you for always looking out on her." She added as Drake, who has just returned to his senses, gave her a smile. "And you too, Nichkhun." She added as Nichkhun gave her a smile too. There was a moment of silence among the three as Lin Hi softly gazed from Drake to Nichkhun. Oh what would I do without these two? She asked herself as various worst-case scenarios came fluttering in her mind.

"I guess. . . we'll be back by tomorrow morning, aunt." Drake said as Nichkhun looked at him and then nodded. "Oh, uh yes. We'll bring some food too." Nichkhun added as Lin Hi grinned. "Alright. Take care, you two." She said as she escorted them out of the room.

Before taking a step out of the room, Nichkhun took one last glance at his girlfriend and soon, they could be seen heading off to the parking lot.

As moments flew by, Nichkhun and Drake were now on their way home after ordering food from McDonalds.

"She must've been working too hard." Nichkhun said as he remembered Tiffany sleeping soundly earlier. Yes, Drake. Think rational reasons and not. . . . . absurd ones. Drake told himself. "I guess she wasn't able to rest well after Busan, huh? I could still feel the exhaustion from those two days." Nichkhun continued as Drake silently watched their surroundings pass by.

He was having a hard time concentrating since Nichkhun came clashing with his thoughts. Mystical realms, huh. He thought as he, too, recalled Tiffany sleeping soundly.

"Have you ever thought about the mytstical realm of our world, cousin?" Drake asked all of a sudden. The music that played in the background had its volume reduced when Drake spoke. Nichkhun took a short glance at him as he felt taken aback at the sudden change of conversation. Being the nerdy guy he was, he shookt his head. "No, not recently." He replied as his cousin let out a sigh. "Have you. . . ever believed in deities, reincarnation, curses or magic?" He further asked.

"Deities. . . as in gods? Goblins, grim repears?" Nichkhun asked as one hand flew in the air for gestures. "What're you on, Drake? It's unlike of you to talk about these things when you, yourself, don't even believe in them." He added as hus cousin shrugged. "I don't know, Nichkhun. I used to think that they were all dilly-dallyers but what if. . ." Drake trailed off as Nichkhun turned a left. "Oh, forgetful me. The what if questions are back." Nichkhun mumbled as he watched the gates being pulled apart.

They now arrived at home.

"What if they're real, Nichkhun? All those deities and sorts?" Drake asked as Nichkhun busily parked the car in their garage. "I'm not sure, Drake. They may be or may not be." Was what he replied. He was evidently uninterested with the topic. "Come on now, we need to rest since we'll be back by tomorrow morning to check on Tiff." Nichkhun added while turning off the car then opening the door.