What just happened? Is he okay?

I arrived at class just to be met with a guy, panting like crazy and running faster than the speed of light. Still struck with confusion, I took my seat and started reading my new book. A fantasy world where angels exist as real people on earth and come to take care of us humans here. A plot that would definitely interest me. I can only hope that this book is a good read. Before I started on the book, I noticed my phone light up from a notification.

“Maimai today?”

My friend June asked in a group chat. I replied:

“Sure. We end at two today. Meet you 2.30.”

I smiled to myself until I thought about Pierre and Jing. My heart ached when I recalled what happened yesterday. I got a text message late at night from Pierre saying he will finally confess to Jing today. I fortunately only saw this message in the morning or else I would have cried myself to sleep. A flame awoke in my chest. Not one for passion or rage, just one filled with sorrows and loneliness.

Spring comes

Although I really loved you back then

That I wish for the wall, windows and sky to be just disappeared

Never cry

The flame burned slowly as the lyrics came on. Slow but painful. A beautiful flame to see yet it’s so torturous for me. I glanced at my phone again and started to type.

“Sorry cant go today. Need to go home QUICK.”

June replied in an instant.

“Aww thats a shame. @Pierre @Jing yall coming?”

“Yep. But we might be late though, theres some class stuff to settle we need the big creative mind of Pierre to finish it up :3” Jing replied.

I sighed and closed my eyes as I felt my entire body go numb.

Everything will be fine. This isn’t anything new. Even if you did tell him anything, 100% he wouldn’t accept your confession. You might even stop being friends. But with Jing, that’s a whole different story. Better to not interrupt them. I should busk today then.

I opened my book and started reading, trying to brush the thought of Pierre and Jing. The more I tried to ignore it, the more I thought about it and even worse, the more it hurt. It felt like I was going to faint from this heart ache. Quickly drinking some water, I stood up to leave the classroom for fresh air. Slowly, I made my way outside the classroom and breathed in some fresh air but, it still hurt…

Maybe I should go home early today…

Suddenly, my vision started going black. Black spots emerged out of nowhere, as if ambushing my sight. I slid down onto the floor and steadied my breathing before another army attacked my body. I squinted in pain as I felt the gastric burning in my stomach. My hearing slowly got more and more blocked. It felt like I was stuck in a black hole, unable to see or hear anything. Right there and then, I heard a voice, muffled but I could still make out some of the words. “Khim?! Khim can you hear me?”

Who was this? I thought. She sounded familiar. Oh. It’s Jing.

Using up all my energy, I replied with all my might. “C-Can you help get me some water…” My stomach burned more and more. I could feel her footsteps all around me and finally, my hands held my bottle. I quickly drank it and my hearing started to clear a bit. “Thanks Jing.” Though my words were clear, it was the most I’ve struggled just to say two words. “Are you sure you are okay Khim?” I nodded. “I’m all good. Can’t miss a day in sec five man. One day gone and I might just fail my O levels haha.” She facepalmed and brought me up to my feet. “Don’t over-exert yourself man. It’ll be worse to get a three or five day MC cause you didn’t rest when needed.” My fingers rolled into an ‘ok’ “Got it madam Jing. I will be very relaxed today. Oh yea I almost forgot to tell you! Joo came in earlier just now and went back home cause he wasn’t feeling well.” She gave me an ‘ok’ sign and and sat me down. With hesitation, I asked, “What about you Jing? Holding up good from yesterday?” She nodded. “I had an amazing talk with the vice chair about our great responsibilities yesterday and we have decided to bring it up to Mr Yi today but I don’t expect much of a result. He is a pretty stubborn teacher after all.”

I frowned slightly at her whilst putting my hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay Jing. If you ever need help, you can always ask me. I’m practically free every day so you don’t need to worry.” She gave me a slight smile and put her hand on my shoulder. “You do realize how stupid we look right now right?” I asked. We laughed and she replied, “Thanks Khim, I can always count on you.” Right after she finished the sentence, Pierre and the vice chairman, Zhi Xiang came into the class. I could see Pierre’s eyes light up when he looked at Jing. Right there and then, I could feel the fire in my chest burn more and stronger.

It’s nothing serious. Just gastric. Everything is totally fine.

A few minutes pass and all three of them are having a conversation on what Jing and Zhi Xiang needed help with. Since Pierre was an Art student, and highly regarded as one of the most creative people in his class, many sought to him for art help when designing things in our class. Numerous things in our class was designed by Pierre and last year, in secondary four, he would always bring his class to victory for every design competition. For this however, both chairmans needed some inspiration for their class logo. This was not a competition but it was very important to the school. Logos for your class are what make your class’ identity and it also shows how creative the students are to make something different every year. Even though Jing was also an art student, there are many times she would always get hit by an art block rendering her creativity useless. They discussed for a little longer till assembly started.

“School please stand.” The head prefect’s voice came on the school on the PA system. I lift myself up with struggle and stand as still as I could. Soon, the national anthem came to an end and we all greeted our teacher. “Good morning class.” Mr Yi said. “Good morning Mr Yi.” We all replied. He gestured us to take a seat and we all sat down grunting. I took out my book and was about to read only to be interrupted by My Yi. “Ash can I see you outside for a moment?” His eyes looked frantic as he looked at his phone and back towards me. I nodded and walk outside the classroom, feeling as weak as ever.

What did I do? Am I in trouble? Did I do something wrong yesterday?

Mr Yi looked at me solemnly and said in a low voice. “Ash, your father is in the hospital. Pack your bag and come down to the foyer. Your sister is on the way here to fetch you.” A million thoughts rushed through my brain before my eyes started to well up with tears.

What did i just hear?

Though my brain was filled with a thousand thoughts right now, I walked quickly into the classroom and packed my book back into my bag. I could feel my heart racing as if it was running a marathon. “Yo khim- What’s wrong?” Jing nervously asked. I looked at her from the corner of my eye and thought of Pierre. Though I could feel somewhat of an ache, my body felt more numb than ever. “I need to go somewhere right now.” I quickly said and walked out the classroom.

In the foyer, what was actually a few minutes felt like an eternity. An eternity filled with concern, uncertainty, sorrow and pain.

What happened? Why is he in the hospital? When did this happen? Is he okay?

Is… my Pa still alive?

I thought to myself as a scene of my Pa and I played in my head. When he first discovered I liked to busk he was so shocked yet so supportive. He would promote me to our neighbours and occasionally some clients. He would take my recordings and play them in his taxi for his clients to hear. It was not long till I felt the warm, wet tears fall on my skirt and hands. When my sister finally arrived, I could see the tears welling up in her eyes too, “It’s okay. Ma said he’s fine, just sleeping for now. Meet him with a smile.” Though it was good news to hear, I could not stop the tears from overflowing.

We arrived at the hospital sobbing and whispering “Pa.” under our voices. We finally arrived at the ward and gazed upon our sleeping father’s body. Our mom was already there sobbing as well. “What happened ma?” I asked. “He got into an accident when fetching a customer. Thank god for the air bag or he would not be alive right now. But his leg got injured when he smashed it against the pedal.” We sat around him and just stared, as if waiting for a response from him even when no question was asked. “What happened to Pa?!” My brother ran in, sweating profusely with slightly puffy eyes. We all looked at him with no reaction. “He’s okay. Doctor said he should stay here until his leg heals.” My mom replies. We all continued to sit around him and stare, as if he would wake up right away. Soon, my mom and sister fall asleep.

I continued to stay in the ward after my mom and sister went back home to rest. My brother soon left cause he had to study. I was in charge of updating them if he came to. A few hours passed and I checked my phone to saw 300 unseen messages and 10 missed calls. Five from Pierre, Four from Jing and one from June. My eyes looked at the time, “1700”

I opened up my chat with Pierre. I read all the messages he sent and he ended it off at 3.40pm.

“She said yes to my confession! AHHHHHHHHHHHH

THANKS FOR BELIEVING IN ME BUDDY! CYA TMR!”

Weirdly enough, I could feel something burning inside of me again but this time it was a bit different. It was overshadowed by the intense feeling of sorrow.

Soon, I went back home and cried myself to sleep.

Nothing works out. Nothing just ever works out.

-

The next day, I was excused from going to school so I just went to the hospital to visit my dad. Upon reaching, I saw something talking to my dad. A tall and familiar man. However, my eyes laid on my father instead and instantly lit up with joy.

“Pa you’re awake.” I smiled slightly. “Eh why are you here? No school today meh?” I shook my head. “I can use parent’s letter for today no need to worry.” I looked at my side and laid my eyes upon the man. “Joo?” We both stared at each other but somehow, I felt like I was the only one who was shocked. “Oh ya I forgot to tell you, a few days ago we got a new neighbour. He lives at the last house at the hallway. From Korea eh, you like the songs from there right.” My face turned red in a flash when I realized my secret has been revealed.

He noticed my reaction and quickly cleared up. “Don’t worry your father told me before. I haven’t told anyone else.” I sighed in relief. Out of the blue, a thought popped into my mind. “Joo… Are you sure you should be out here today? You didn’t look well yesterday.” I could see him start to panic a bit as he averted his eyes to avoid eye contact. “Oh.. um… I got an MC and medicine yesterday so I’m feeling just fine.”

Just then, my phone ringed and I saw the group chat with Jing, June and Pierre.

“@khim why didnt you come to school today :( you should congratulate my successful confession with @jing” Pierre typed.

I could not help but frown at this message as my heart once again, ached. But this time, I saw something weird.

“Joo… Are you okay? Why are you clutching your heart?”

All I saw, was the sight of Hong Joo, sweating profusely, flushed red and groaning in pain.