Chapter 3. Finding Tee

"Tae"!!!!! Tae heard a faint voice but he couldnt find the source and direction of the voice.

"Teeeeeeee"!!!! He shouted again and this time heard a bit clear voice of Tee coming from his left side. His heart leaped in his throat when he registered that Tee must be hanging towards the steep side of the cliff.

He switched on both the torches for a clear view before he took calculated steps.

"Tee. Hang in there. Dont move okay". He kept a conversation to make Tee aware that he wasnt alone.

"I... Uhhh. Taeee". Tee was tired, hanging off the little edge for long. His arms were sore and his legs were stiff. His body was getting limp every passing minute.

"I am coming Tee. I am coming". Tae assured him pulling the rope from his waist. He moved with caution and peeped down. Tee was not far away. At an arm length. He sighed in relief.

He laid down on the ground and extended his hand.

"Hold my hand Tee. I will pull you up". Tee looked at him with reluctance but there was no other way but to trust the man.

He pulled out his own hand and held Tae's hand strongly. Tae held his hand and then extended his other hand too.

Tee balanced himself and quickly held Tae's other hand too. With just a bit of effort, Tae carefully moved himself to sit in a kneeling position.

"Taeeeee"!!! Tee screamed in fear as his body hung in the air for a brief second.

"Calm down Tee. Am here. I got you. Hold on". Tae was breathing calmly. He knew, one single mistake and they both will fall down thousand feet down. And no one would even find the pieces of their bodies as he knew there were sharp pointed rocks in the water not deep from the surface.

He pulled himself back inch by inch and soon Tee was pulled on the ground in strong arms.

He was trembling with fear. Shaking. His body lost all its strength after god knows how long hours of struggling.

"Ssshhh. Am here. I got you. Ssshhhh". Tae was trembling in fear too. Fear to lose Tee. Fear of him being late. Fear of all the what ifs running in his mind.

"Tae. I... I....".

"Teee....". He panicked again when Tee fainted in his arms. He looked around. It was pitch dark and he knew in no time the bats would wake up of their sleep.

The torches were switched on, still the night was too dark for his liking. He knew if he called someone to come up, they would take hours and he didnt have much time.

Tee was unconscious, he was lacking water. His body would be tired and he knew it was the after effect.

He thought for a while before hugging Tee tight in front of him like a kid and secured with a rope. He took a deep breath and started his journey down.

His clock dials were shining 8 pm. But there was no other option.

*************

Everyone on the base was in a state of worry and panic. They tried to call Tae several times but may be the signals were poor that they could no get him.

Max and Tul were trying to keep everyone calm but it was hard when Copter was crying hard in Thanitt's arms. He should have gone with Tae to look for Tee. It had been nerve wrecking more than 3 hours since they reached the base. They could hear the hushed, whispering sounds of bats flying from above.

Singto clenched his fists in worry. But there was nothing anyone could do. He held his mobile before looking at Max, Tul and Kristo.

The final solution. But before he could dial the number, they all turned to hear the rustling sounds of dry wood crackling under heavy boots.

"Taeeeee". They all rushed to find Tae climbing down the mountain and almost fell down on the floor, face side, but his instincts tol him that he was carrying an unconscious Tee and had to take care of it. ..

He staggered on his feet as Thanitt rushed to hold him while Krist un did the rope from their bodies. Singto and Copter held Tee in their arms to put him down.

Tae saw Tee was secured. Safe. He didnt let a single bruise hurt him. He had brought him down safely to his friends. The last thing he saw with barely open eyes was Tee being taken to the tent and there Tae lost the last string of consciousness he was holding..

************

Tee tried to flutter open his eyes. After a few attempts he managed to open them and gasped to see himself in the hospital.

His both hands were pinned with I/Vs, filled with fluid. He could feel his body aching at places. The whole memory of him, slipping off a stone and fell off the cliff. How hard he tried to pull himself up. How tired he felt. How scared he was to fall down. He was just his close to lose all his hope but then ....

"Tae"!!!! He shouted. His scream woke up Thanitt who was sleeping on the sofa.

"Tee. You are awake. Tee. How you feeling? We were so worried". Thanitt was shedding happy tears, cupping Tee's face. He could see Tee upset. Worried. His eyes were frantically looking around. His face contoured with fear and pain.

"Tae... Tae... Where is Tae"? He held Thanitt's hand. "Whe..re is Tae"?

"Tae is here too. Calm down. Let me call the doctor. You were out for two days Tee. Your legs were cramped and so were your arms. You were dehydrated.. We...".

"Shut the fuck uppppp. I said where the hell is Tae"????? Tee shouted on his lungs. He had the faint memory of how Tae pulled him. How he secured his almost limp body. He had those on and off dozing moments when he felt Tae securing him to his chest to bringing him down.

"Tae. He. He is still unconscious. He .. He.. Lost some..blood. The bats attacked him as he was bringing you down". Thanitt told as a fresh trail of tears passed his eyes. So was Tee.

He shut his eyes tightly, thrashing his head. Only if he had been careful.

"Take me to him please. I want to see him Thanitt". He was begging but Thanitt shook his head. He pressed the call button for the doctor to visit him. "He is under medicines. No one is allowed to visit him yet as he caught some infections. We have to wait".

Thanitt explained in a bit calm tone but it wasnt helping Tee. He wanted to see him. Tae had told them about the blood sucking bats up there. He was cursing himself for being the reason of how much Tae had suffered.

"Please Thanitt". He clasped his hands but Thanitt caught them in his hands.

"Hello Tee. How you feeling"? They turned to see the doctor coming inside.

"How is Tae doctor? Hows he please tell me"? Tee asked the doctor who smiled a bit before checking his vitals. He instructed the nirse, accompanying him to change the I/Vs and inject the medicines.

"He is a bit better than when he was brought in. For now, no one can visit him because of him in ICU. Not that he suffered any major injuries, but he caught some infections due to the bites and nail scratches.

You can visit him once he is out of the red line. Also, you need to stay in the hospital for at least 3 days. The medical certificate for you and your friend, Tae, had been submitted. I will see when anyone would be allowed to visit him, i will let you know. Till then i expect you to cooperate with us yeah"? The doctor explained Tee who listened everything biting his lips to avoid crying.

"Thanitt, i havent added sedatives yet. He needs to wake up a bit. He is improving dont worry. The staff nurse will visit again after 3 hours to change the medicines. I will see if required we would suggest sedatives or may be not.

For now, bring juice for him. And chicken broth. Rest he is all set. Okay"? The doctor patted Thanitt's shoulder and left the room.

"Tee"....

"Its all my fault. Only if i was careful. I didnt do it on purpose Thanitt. I swear. I was following you all after relieving myself. But i lost the direction. And in haste i didnt check and stepped over some stones.

I.... I fell off the cliff. I didnt mean to. He must be in pain. I should have taken anyone with me to keep a check. All my fault".

"Its not your fault Tee". Thanitt and a wailing Tee turned to the door where Tae's friends were coming inside.

"It was an accident and you are not to be blamed. Tae, he would never blame you. So dont get upset over it. He will recover soon. It would be the last bottle of blood to be defused for him. And then we have to wait for the antibiotics to cure the infections". Max came forward and patted his shoulder with sympathy.

Tee turned to all then at Thanitt who nodded too.

"Tee, you awake. Thanks god". Just then Copter came inside and hug Tee on the bed. "Stupid. Dumbo. Couldnt you say to wait for you huh? Or you were that innocent to take care of your private parts in front of me.

You idiot. I was so scared you know. And there you were sleeping soundly here in the AC room. Stupid Tee". He was cursing and crying.

Tee smiled at him. Copter may look rude or sassy, but only he and Thanitt knew how much he loved them. And it was just his own way to express his care.

"Awe Cop. I love you too. See Thanitt, he was worried still didnt forget to buy me flowers unlike you". Tee stuck his tongue at Thanitt.

"Brought flowers my ass. These were placed outside your dorm. 5 bouquets that i had to throw away like you do. But this had a card of get well soon. So i brought here". Copter handed him the card.

Tee sighed and tossed it away as it was computerized and ofcourse no clue.

"So, we are going to cafe. Need anything you all"? Singto broke the awkward silence in the room.

"Oh no need. I brought in take aways. Come join us. Thanitt there is soup and crackers for Tee and Tee, i would charge you every single penny mind it". He huffed a fake anger making every one laugh.

***********

Tee was discharged from the hospital after 3 days, once the doctor was relieved and gave him a green signal. He insisted to visit Tae before leaving. The doctors were reluctant still they allowed after a word with the attending nurses.

He was instructed to wear full mask, gloves and plastic shoes and a robe before entering.

He scrunched his nose smelling the heavy antibiotics sprayed in the room and took a moment to adjust to them before taking steady steps towards the bed where Tae was sleeping under medicines.

There were wounds that had turned into bruises on his arms, neck and face. His face was a bit paler than before, indicating lack of blood. But he knew the doctors can transfuse blood to a certain limit only and rest his body would help.

"Thank you Tae. I am forever thankful to everything you did for me. And yes i would wait for you to start win over my heart". He smiled before blowing a kiss in air.

He was feeling better after looking him with his own eyes. He knew Tae would recover soon. And he just had to wait for the day.