✒ Chapter 48 : Worst heartbreak

Two months later

"Hey Khein, any news from Rei?" Ethan asked with a concerned look. His relationships with Center became stronger. The spoiled brat even started giving hints about wanting a daughter in the future. He was asking his uncle about the best villas and houses. He started listing down the places he wanted to go with Ethan. As for the good guy, Ethan kept reminding Center of enjoying their current relationship and don't think too much about the future since they are still young.

"Still none" Khein replied with a deep sigh. Center has been considerate towards him and not starting a fight ever since Rei deserted Khein. Center knew the feeling of being abandoned despite doing every right thing. Thanks to ethan, he became a better man. Maybe he couldn't comfort Khein like how Ethan could but at least, he was not an annoyance to his former cat-dog partner.

"Say Khein, what do you think is his reason this time?" Ethan asked as the three of them decided to walk on the way back home.

"I have no idea. Rei's unpredictable and I don't know what's on his mind all the time." Khein replied. He smiled bitterly while bowing his head, kicking the tiny stones with his feet on the ground. He kept on looking for Rei everywhere but he still had no idea where the guy had gone to.

"It's amusing that you are looking for him this time. You used to never care whether he is around or not before. You must have fallen hard for him, right?" Ethan asked. Khein remained silent and mentally agreed. He would never looked for Rei if he wasn't captivated by him that much. He would have never stopped playing games and cry every night if he wasn't head over heels for him. He would have never begged desperately at Rei the last time they had sex if he wasn't crazy for him.

"Maybe, this is his way of running away when he couldn't do anything. Maybe he's leaving me again for my own sake. Maybe, he's doing it again because he thinks this is the better way for both of us. Maybe he loved me too much that he had better plans for our separate lives." Khein said and sighed deeply.

"This may sound ridiculous and selfless, but I still want to see him again. Whether he'd leave me again, disappear in the air like a bubble or abandon me like a lost puppy, I still want to see him." Never in Khein's life he had ever imagine he could be so martyr for the sake of someone he loves.

"Let me tell you this, I almost gave up with him." Center said with a bitter smile and pointed Ethan.

"But the moment that he returned my feelings, all the hardships I have gone through instantly became worth it. Nothing's more precious than being loved back by the person you treasure the most." Center said and smirked at Khein.

"A piece of advice, when you see him again, punch him in the face real hard that he would never dare to leave you again." Center laughed evily, he just wanted to spoil the mood since the atmosphere was getting heavier and lonelier.

"Not just punch, I'll kick his damn face so he would remember and never do it again." Khein said while cracking his fingers.

Two weeks passed and Khein decided to take a break of finding Rei for one day. He caught a slight fever and took care of himself. His mother had been taking care of him and luckily he got better pretty sooner. He tried to entertain himself by skating again some other times, hoping he would spot Rei along the crowds one day. He started playing games again but not too late since Rei kept reminding him before to take care of himself. He studied harder so he could be better when he sees Rei again. He didn't want to look like a loser in front of Rei like before. He began to socialized a bit towards other people and would hang out with them some other times so he could lessen the nights where he cries. Every place that he and Rei had been to kept reminding him of the memories he had together with him.

It has been three months and Khein never heard a word about Rei. Rei's house was always open for Khein since the caretaker knows him. The caretaker too had no idea where the young master had gone.

One day when Khein was Lying on Rei's bed, Rain was standing on the door while holding a recorder.

"I should not be doing this since my brother told me not to tell you. But I can't bear to see him suffer and get lonely any longer." Rain said as his tears streamed down his face. He gave the recorder to Khein and said to listen to it at his house. Rain didn't want to hear his brother's message in the recorder again. Khein immediately went home and closed the door in his room. His mother was still at work and he decided to play the recorder. After half an hour of listening, Khein had drowned himself in tears. He dialed his phone and called Ethan.

"Hey?" it was Center who answered the phone. Khein bit his bottom lip as he tried his best to clear his throat.

"Ethan's still at the faculty room because the teacher asked for him. What's the problem?" Center asked with his usual gleeful voice.

"Can-can you come over, I'm at h-home" Khein's crying and trembling voice was enough for Center to rush towards the rebel guy's home. After a few minutes, a knock on Khein's door could be heard. Shaking, Khein managed to open the door only to see Center's panting figure.

"What's wrong, dude?" Center asked with a concern voice as he saw Khein almost choking his own saliva out of crying too much.

Without a second thought, Khein hugged Center tightly he could hardly believe he was hugging the spoiled brat who used to be his mortal enemy.

"Rei is dying, he has End Stage Leukemia." it was as if both of them were showered with ice cold water. Center too cried when he heard the news. Khein kneeled on the floor and continued crying, he started hiccupping and choking. Caughing hopelessly as he could not accept the unbearable pain piercing his chest.

"He's staying at the private hospital with only medical staffs and caregiveres looking out for him." Khein said while sobbing. Center kept rubbing Khein's back in a circular motion to comfort his friend while keeping himself no to cry too.

"He needs me right now" Khein said while crying, Center nodded.

"He needs me by his side. He needs my care. He needs my love and affection. Yet he never told me. Because he knows that I'll get hurt seeing him suffer. He hates seeing me unable to do anything for him. He doesn't want to see me crying." Khein cried loudly as he leaned against the wall. Center bowed his head and nodded.

"We'll go there and see him soon, dude. Put yourself together, 'kay?" Center said and sniffed the clear snot in his nose. He helped Khein to stand and offered him a ride to the hospital. He texted Ethan about the situation and arrived with Khein at the hospital.

Heart pounding ever so loudly, Khein twisted the door knob only to see the fragile body of a guy lying on a hospital bed. Upon recognizing Khein's face, Rei's tears escaped from his eyes. He looked so skinny and tiny red spots could be seen all over his body. His lips looked so dry and his skin looked even paler that it almost turned bluish. Khein looked at his poor puppy while biting his trembling lips.

"How are you..." Khein's voice cracked as he kneeled on the floor, he held Rei's hand and rested his cheek on it.

"...I'm here for you now..." Khein's voice was too soft it could almost be unheard

"...Baby..." Rei spoke softly which made Khein's heart shattered into pieces.

"Yes, it's your Kheiny" Khein sobbed.