Letters From The Sky (JoongNine AU)

Chapter 35

Nine

"Who are you looking for, Nine? Joong?", my colleague asked when he saw me lurking around in the medical ward. I nodded. My work prevented me from taking care of him for the whole time. Only after my shift ended for the day, I could visit him again.

"He was already discharged this afternoon; ermm, he didn't tell you?". The question left me in confusion too. I didn't see any missed call or even a message on my phone.

"I haven't had time to check my phone, yet, full day today", I tried to play down the truth, any trouble in our relationship shouldn't be aired to others.

"Oh, okay. But, don't worry. His condition was due too demanding physical activities, but not getting enough rest or eating regularly. I'd already talk to his manager upon his discharge, and advised him to take a few days off to fully recover back his health. Maybe, you could help too, please make sure he eats on time and take enough rest. And Nine..."

"Yes?"

"That last advice, it is for you too. You're not looking well these few days and the nurse told me that you had a nose bleed yesterday. If you want further check-up, just come and I'll do it for you". I just gave a small nod, thanked him and went out to the lobby. I walked with the intent to go back to my home, yet my heart felt heavy, and I stopped midway. He took this separation phase seriously. I thought that it was just a jest, or a test, but now it seemed, he wanted me to decide. Leaving the hospital unannounced, clearly showed his stand. The wind had gradually become stronger, it's going to rain soon. Which route, Nine? To step forward and just continue to walk home, or to go where your heart really wanted to?

The rain dropped, little by little, I could feel the droplets on my skin. I didn't like the feel of this coldness that surrounded me. For three weeks, I felt empty, tired and, lonely. I looked at the bathroom mirror every morning and saw no light in my eyes, no energy to go through the day. I went back home every night and felt drain, there's no sound of a call or a message coming from my phone, to let me vent my burden out to someone; whose soothing voice and positive attitude always recharged me for another day.

I walked and stood at the walkway edge, and raised my hand to stop a taxi that was on the road, getting near, immediately chose to leave any doubt of where I should go; and just as the taxi moved, the rain was pouring down too.

Joong

P'Tha already bought me plenty of food to last the day when he dropped me off this afternoon, and pleaded for me to not skip eating anymore. He said, he would weigh me in before allowing me to return to work, to force me to recover the few kilos I lost in these 3 weeks. My sunken cheekbones were noticeable. I knew he did it for my health, not to reprimand me. It was already 10.00 at night, but I didn't have the intent to eat anything. Because, I was sulking with a certain someone that didn't visit me again after the brief visit when I first awaken. I wanted to say much more, but even to my ears, I sounded incoherent and lagging, until I couldn't stop the darkness that consumed me. I must be too tired.

I was lying down on the sofa, with arms behind my head, remembering about the dreamy illusions while I was unconscious, yet again, just as the previous incident. How come my dreams kept returning and becoming some sort of continuous "storyline"? Where is this story coming from anyway? It's not even my genre of acting, well maybe a bit about the being in the army part, but the rest? I must have such an active imagination to create such story in my head. I closed my eyes and tried to remember. Who was that again who took me up to... where was that...after life? Yes, the after life...focused Joong, you heard his name...Oreo? No, he was not named after a snack...no...Areo? Yes! Areo. He knew Nine, but how? He didn't answer my question...but, wait a second...I missed something, that blank serious look, so familiar, the hospital, Nine's friend? Again? Why did I keep dreaming about Nine's friend, this is ridiculous! Another one, the smoky room, too much smoke, comparable to haze, but it's moving, cloud, yes, more liked clouds... and the old man, yes? What did the old man say again? What had I told Nine? Gosh! Why did the memory become vague once I woke up, damn, of course, how much of your other dreams you remember anyway?

I tried to focus again, but the sound of the door tried to be opened, alerted me to stand up from the seat. I took speedy steps towards the door, preparing myself to knock the intruder to oblivion, and almost did so; to the surprised face of my beloved and the opened mouthed shock on mine; and immediately diverted my punch towards the nearest wall.

"Ouchhhhhh....", I shouted and crunching my face to the pain. Damn, I almost knocked my baby off.

"Joong! Gosh!", Nine immediately took my hand and rubbed carefully to lessen the pain that hit me. His hair looked a bit damp, the work attire meant he came here immediately after work and the pale face let me know he hadn't eaten yet.

"Nine, don't ever surprised me liked that again, I almost crushed your face!", I didn't mean to, but I sounded mad and harsh.

"Say the one who left without telling me, at all", he retorted back and snorted.

"Why? Weren't you not looking for me too since morning, so why bother now?", I said petulantly and left him at the door and back to my seat. Nine was calmer than my sulking self; he just closed the door slowly, and went into the kitchen. I could hear the movement but refused to look what he's up to, until he sat beside me and took my hand. I still refused to look at him. But, turned my head when I felt something cold and soothing was being pressed on my injured knuckles.

"Tell me if this is too cold and you're numb, I'll remove it", Nine just looked down and kept the pressure. His calmness made me feel guilty for being childish.

"Will you...leave...after treating this?", I asked hesitantly. Don't say yes, please, Nine...I'll go crazy!

"What's the point of coming all the way here just to be "almost" punched? My hair is still damp, I might get a headache without a shower", he answered without looking at me still.

My chest felt too tight, I tried to take calming breaths but the tightness didn't lessen. "Sorry Nine, I couldn't stand this...", I said and pulled my hand away from his hold. He looked at me in confusion, one hand still holding the makeshift ice pack. Right at the moment, without waiting for any more second to pass, I grabbed his small face between my palms and gave a hell of hungry, consuming kisses to the unsuspecting lips; that gradually, kissed me back after dropping the ice pack on the floor; and laid back down on the sofa, bringing me down towards him, and embraced me close.