Chapter 41: A turn of events
The concert carried on and all of us were having the time of our lives. The crowd's arms were raised in the air as they waved from left to right so we did the same as we sang along.
Shin was giving me the signal that the final song, which is a love song medley, is about to be played. I started to feel the nerves as it meant that the surprise for Yukino's birthday was about to commence shortly. We all looked into each other giving approval that all of them were ready as well.
I asked them to wear a coat before meeting up since that will be essential to hide the props they are going to reveal later. I'm glad that Yukino wasn't suspicious about their rather identical outfits all this time.
As the second to the last song was about to end and Yukino was so focused on enjoying the concert, the others started preparing for the surprise. Then came the last song.
The intro started playing up to the pre-chorus of the song. As soon as the pre-chorus started playing, the others formed a circle around Yukino and I which seemed to surprise her.
One by one, they gave her a piece of rose that they revealed from their coats. Yukino started accepting them. The chorus came and I held her hand for a dance. We danced through the song still surrounded by the others in a small circle. I'm starting to get embarrassed as some of the other fans noticed our little event and they started cheering for us.
The vocalist seemed to notice and made his way towards us as he continued singing the song. We continued to dance till the end of the song and the vocalist gathered the attention of the arena as he asked for a round of applause for us.
"Clap for this couple right here!" And so did the fans.
I reached out to my pocket and opened the small box containing the rings I got for the both of us. I put the ring on her left ring finger as I greeted her.
"Happy birthday Yukino" Said I as I kissed her on the forehead.
The vocalist gave me a wink before going back to the middle of the stage.
"I thought you forgot about my birthday!" Said Yukino while getting all teared up.
"You didn't even tell me. Thank god I asked uncle!"
Yukino hugged me. After doing so, she grabbed the other ring and put it on my ring finger.
"Thanks guys!" Said Yukino. As the others teased us.
"What's written on it?" Asked Haruto.
"Mine and Yukino's name."
"Aww how sweet!" Said Shin, hugging the two of us.
I noticed how Yukino fell silent after all that happened. The band made their way backstage giving the fans a final wave saying "Thank you for coming! I Glad you enjoyed tonight's performance! Goodnight!"
I looked at Yukino once again and she was sweating really hard and her face was turning pale.
"Hey are you alright?"
Yukino didn't answer which started to worry me. The group's attention was still locked on stage waving back to the artists. Yukino started to breathe heavily and she fell to her knees which transformed me into a state of panic.
"Yukino? Yukino? What's wrong?" Asked I but she was too busy gasping for air as if the enclosed and crowded place was getting to her.
"Guys! Call for medic right now!" I gathered the attention of the others but only Haruto heard me so he rushed to tell the others and called for a medic. The other people noticed what was happening and they fanned Yukino to help her.
Unfortunately, neither the stretcher nor the wheelchair couldn't get their way to us because of the crowd. Yukino collapsed, her eyes closed so I panicked even more and carried her to the medic as Haruto helped me.
She was put in a stretcher and rushed to the nearest hospital. Yukino was put in an ambulance swiftly as I rode inside shouting to the others "I'll text you the hospital come as quickly as you could"
On our way to the hospital, Yukino opened her eyes slightly. Her face still pale as she wore an oxygen mask to help her breathe. Still gasping for air, Yukino said.
"Where am I? Did the concert end? Why are you crying Aoi?"
"Don't talk right now, just focus on breathing."
"I see, I collapsed. I hope the others aren't worried." Said Yukino before closing her eyes once more.
"How long till we reach the hospital?" I asked the nurse.
"We're almost there sir. Don't panic, everything will be alright?"
"How will everything be alright? Just drive faster already!" Said I while bursting out in tears as the other attendant comforted me.
We finally reached the hospital which felt like an eternity before arriving here. Yukino was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit on a stretcher and I wasn't allowed inside.
I sat in front of the room for minutes that felt like forever waiting for an update on her condition. I tried to stop myself from crying but I wasn't able to. I let out a scream and cried myself to exhaustion as if it would help. Please! If there is a God! Please help Yukino, that's all that I could think of. I don't want to lose her just yet, there's still many things that the two of us wanted to do together. How could it end this way? Please, God, if you can hear my cry. Please let her spend more time with me, with us.
I called uncle, still crying.
"Uncle please, come here. I don't know what to do anymore."
"What's up kid? Are you crying? What happened?"
"Yukino."
"What about her?"
"She collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. Please come here uncle."
"Calm down kid, be strong. I'll be on my way. Wait for me there."
A few minutes later, the others arrived with a worried face as they saw me crying and rushed to hug me.
"Shush, everything will be okay Aoi okay? We're here." Said Shin, still hugging me while I continued to cry.