The seconds on the clock passed without asking permission from the people beneath them. They clasped one another's hands and prayed to God. Some leaned against the wall, bowing their heads to stare at the floor, while others tilted their heads back and stared at the ceiling.
Farhan's shoulder was tired from supporting Maria's head. The woman was no longer wailing, but tears still clung to her face, dried and crusted. She was exhausted from lashing out at everyone she believed had failed to save her son.
Simon held Stela's fingers tightly. The girl's gaze was empty, tears still frequently escaping her eyes. Every now and then, Stela wiped away the mucus running from her nose.
Bari was no less panicked. He had been pacing back and forth in front of the operating room all this time. His aging legs couldn't lie. He was now sitting across from Maria, staring intently at his ex-wife.
The sound of the rain grew louder. Midnight arrived, and the day was about to change. The cold began to pierce the bones not protected by thick clothing.
Right after being admitted to the ER and receiving initial treatment, R underwent a series of examinations before ending up on the operating table. There was nothing serious to worry about. His spleen simply had to be removed. Maria and Bari both knew this day would come. They just hadn't expected it to come so soon.
Every now and then, Stela stole a glance over. Her heart was still trembling because of Maria's loud outburst at her. The woman had no other target for her frustration besides Stela.
Stela could only stay quiet and lower her head. She was already grateful just to be allowed to wait here for R. Having Bari and Farhan by her side calmed her a little.
"If you're tired, go ahead and sleep, Stel."
Stela shook her head. "I'm fine. I'm okay."
Simon let out a long sigh. Women could be incredibly stubborn when faced with a worrying situation like this. He took off his jacket and draped it over Stela.
The girl smiled and pulled the jacket tighter around herself. "Thanks."
Silence returned. No one interrupted or filled the quiet anymore. Each of them continued reflecting and murmuring prayers to God.
Click!
After several hours had passed, the door finally opened. Maria was the first to run toward it, followed by Bari and Farhan. Stela and Simon merely stood where they were, listening from a distance.
"How is he?" Farhan asked.
The doctor nodded. "Thank God, everything went smoothly. You don't need to worry. You can get some rest."
Maria nearly staggered when she heard those words. Fortunately, Farhan was standing behind her. Stela immediately hugged Simon and let out the sobs she had been holding back.
"Excuse us."
Maria remained standing, waiting for R to come out of the room. She smiled tearfully when several nurses wheeled her son out on a gurney. She immediately approached him and gently stroked R's hair.
Bari held R's hand and rubbed the back of it. The former spouses stared intently at their only son. They took turns kissing R's forehead.
"Thank you for being okay."
The hustle and bustle of the hospital in the morning accompanied Stela's footsteps. Her right hand was busy carrying fruit she had bought at a store near her boarding house. After going home and sleeping for four hours, she had decided to return to the hospital, intending to look after R if she was allowed to.
Stela straightened her clothes before knocking on the door to R's room. She looked at her reflection in the mirror again and fixed her bangs, which were beginning to look messy. She took a deep breath and slowly let it out.
Knock, knock, knock!
Stela opened the door without waiting for permission from the person inside. She entered slowly, slightly bowing as she did. She quickly smiled when her eyes met Maria's.
The woman gave her the faintest smile and made no comment. Stela swallowed hard and walked toward the bedside table. Her heart was pounding wildly. Rather than being welcomed, she was afraid Maria would shower her with abuse like she had yesterday.
"Auntie, I brought some fruit and breakfast for you and Uncle."
Maria accepted them without complaint and set them on the bedside table. "Thanks."
Stela nodded. Maria was still distant, but at least she wasn't being kicked out. She walked to R's left side and pulled over a chair. She sat there quietly without doing anything.
Honestly, her hands were itching to stroke R's hair. She wanted to hold his fingers. Her lips wanted to kiss R's forehead. There were still so many other things she wanted to do.
Maria's gaze was not as sharp as it had been the night before, but it was still frightening. Stela's hands were clenched tightly, and her legs were still trembling uncontrollably. She prayed silently that Bari or Farhan would come into the room soon and save her.
Maria could see how stiff Stela was acting. The girl looked awkward and afraid in her presence. Honestly, Maria was still hurting and wanted to blame the girl for everything that had happened.
But Maria knew who Stela was. This was the girl who had dared to win R's heart, change her son's attitude, and recklessly enter his life. Like it or not, whether she wanted to or not, Maria had to get used to Stela's presence.
"I'm sorry," she said softly.
Stela immediately looked up at Maria. She sharpened her attention and asked herself again: Had Aunt Maria just apologized to her? Stela kept blinking, confused by the situation.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm sorry I was so harsh with you yesterday. I lost control. I was panicked and couldn't control my emotions."
Stela smiled and shook her head. "It's okay, Auntie. I understand. What mother wouldn't panic after seeing her son hurt?"
Maybe my mother.
"Thank you."
The two women smiled at the same time, both a little awkward and embarrassed around each other. Their eyes were now focused on R, who still had his eyes closed, drawing oxygen through the tube inserted into his nostrils.
Ahem!
"R?"
The boy cleared his throat several times before opening his eyes. His head was still throbbing, and his entire body ached. He felt light and weak. He couldn't say anything yet, offering only a faint, sweet smile.
"Hey, champ!"
R took all kinds of medicine Maria gave him. After having his spleen removed, his risk of infection would be much higher. He had to be even more careful about maintaining his health.
After being imprisoned in the hospital for days, he could finally breathe the air at school again. Who knew what had gotten into R for him to be this enthusiastic? Maybe textbooks and teachers were no longer his greatest nightmares.
R was still a mama's boy. He had to follow everything she decided. For one thing, he had to give up riding his motorcycle and driving his own car. He sat with his arms folded across his chest. He had really wanted to pick up his princess.
The car hadn't even been stopped for a full minute before R's feet hurried out without saying goodbye to the driver. His excitement surged when he saw Stela's back passing through the gate. He didn't even close the car door, simply striding away.
"Stela!"
R jogged over and grabbed Stela's hand. The girl stopped abruptly and turned around. She reflexively smiled when she saw R standing before her, out of breath.
"Still alive?" Stela teased.
R chuckled and affectionately mussed Stela's hair. The girl only smiled and didn't protest anymore. Besides, her hair was still neat where it belonged.
"You're so mean! You haven't visited me even once in three days. I've been waiting for you since yesterday. This head needs to be patted, you know."
"Here! Eat this pat!"
Stela smacked and shoved R's head. The boy stumbled backward a little, but recovered when his feet reflexively moved back several steps. Stela giggled and stuck out her tongue. She continued walking, leaving R busy rubbing his forehead.
R quickly followed Stela and grabbed her hand again. Before Stela could protest, he silenced her with his index finger. His hand shifted to gently stroke Stela's cheek, and his face moved closer.
What was he trying to do?
Stela pulled her face back and immediately knocked R's hand away. She quickly left before Immersion's netizens could start speculating about all kinds of things. R only chuckled when the girl began acting flustered after he pretended he was going to kiss her.
"Hey! Don't walk so fast."
"Whatever!"
R laughed again. His cheeks flushed without him realizing it. Good grief, maybe he really had gone crazy.
"Stel!"
"I can't hear you!"
Stela didn't turn around even once. She chose to stare straight ahead, hiding the redness in her cheeks from R. She ignored the students looking at her enviously. Quite a few of them whispered when they saw R walking behind her.
"Stel!"
"Stel!"
"Stela!"
"What?!" the girl snapped.
"Don't walk in front of me like this. If I stop, you won't know."
Stela remained rooted to the spot. R walked up to her and boldly took her hand. The girl stared at the hand that had been taken over by someone else. Correction—not someone else, but her boyfriend.
"You walk side by side like this."
R tugged on Stela's hand and continued walking. The two of them boldly made their way down the school hallway, paying no attention to the eyes watching them. More than a few people even took pictures. Maybe they were R's fans, or maybe they were Stela's haters.
Stela smiled and tightened her grip. Her heart felt warm and calm. Her breathing was smooth and easy. Her smile was no longer restrained; it was open and content.
Don't even think about leaving me, R.