CHAPTER 05

The sky was dyed in a scarlet hue. The trees and buildings were tinted glowing red. The birds were now resting in their nest. Shadows of people start leaving the establishments as students begin to take off from the campus.

Only half of the sun can be seen on the horizon. The breeze was a little chilly as night was slowly approaching. Some twinkling dots resurfaced in the east. It was a serene twilight.

Lashes trembling, then aqua-blue eyes blossomed.

ZhengYu's vision was a bit blurry. He blinks to adjust his sight. When his vision was adjusted, he scanned the place.

A white ceiling, an open window with a white curtain parted on each flank, a bedside table with a vase atop, and a sofa near the entrance. Next to it is another door.

Inside that door, a voice can be heard. It was from a woman and a young man. They are both engaged in a conversation.

" He needs some rest. So, once your friend wakes up, take him home. I'll prescribe medicine for him, and make sure he drinks it before going to bed. "

" Yes. Thank you, Miss. "

ZhengYu tries to sit on the bed. He supported his body with his two slightly trembling arms. As he attempts, a gentle hand supports him.

" Thank you, JunHie, " ZhengYu said.

JunHie sat beside him. His eyes were filled with worries. He doesn't have any idea what happened to his friend earlier and why he suddenly became like that. He has a lot of questions on his mind, but those can wait for later. What he must do right now is to take him home, so he can rest.

The two remain silent for a while till ZhengYu speaks first.

" What happened earlier? " He inquires. " Why am I in the infirmary? Where's Zihan? "

" ZiHan has already gone home. He said he had a curfew so he went ahead. He wanted to stay so bad though, " JunHie responds.

For a moment, the young man was hesitant. He doesn't know how to answer his friend's questions as he, himself, doesn't know what happened to him and why he acted like that.

" Don't you remember? You cried earlier like you were having a breakdown and then fell unconscious. " JunHie explained.

ZhengYu frowned. " I cried and fell unconscious? "

ZhengYu couldn't believe what he had heard. No matter what the reason was, he wouldn't cry like he was having a breakdown in front of others, not to mention until he fell unconscious.

ZhengYu was snapped back to reality before he got drowned by his thoughts.

" ZhengYu, if something is bothering you, you can tell me. I will help you. " There was a hint of concern and sincerity in JunHie's voice.

Hearing this, ZhengYu takes his friend's hand and holds it. A warm smile like the sunset appeared on his face. " Thank you for worrying about me. I'm fine now. "

Listening to his response, JunHie pursed his lips, then opened them again. " Then, at least tell me why were you crying like that earlier. "

ZhengYu slowly diverts his gaze away from the other's eyes. He didn't know how to say it to his friend. It's complicated. He might find his explanation weird and unbelievable, but the fact that the reason why he acted like that was because of ZiHan's cousin couldn't be hidden forever. Besides, he was planning to tell this to JunHie, but, today isn't the right time. He needs to figure out the truth first as to why that person who constantly appears in his dreams and ZiHan's cousin are the same. And why does he have a deep attachment to him?

Who is he in his life?

ZhengYu and JunHie have been best friends since middle school. When ZhengYu's father died in a car accident, he was there for him. Afterward, he never leaves his side. He knew his friend's situation. His mom always blames him for what happened to her husband and ZhengYu carries that guilt on his shoulder. A year and a half passed, his mom found a new family and abandoned him. Now, ZhengYu is studying hard to accomplish his deceased father's only wish, which is for him to graduate from college and lead a good life in the future. So, JunHie can't help to worry about his friend after what he has gone through.

" I'll tell you. But, not today. I haven't figured it out myself yet. Can you wait? " ZhengYu's voice was like dandelions in spring, gentle and serene.

Although JunHie didn't know what his friend meant, he nodded. " Okay. I'll wait. But, once you figure it out, you better tell me first. Okay? "

ZhengYu smiled whilst nodding as he responded.

" Anyway, the doctor said you need more rest, so I'll take you home. Do you feel dizzy? Can you walk? " JunHie asks.

" I'm fine. I can walk. " ZhengYu simply replied.

The two young men paced in the hallway out to the building. No one uttered a word and only the squeaking of shoes echoed in between the walls. JunHie was a little restless. He keeps playing with the bag strap while stealing glances at his friend. Meanwhile, ZhengYu just walks with his eyes down on the polished floor. He seems to be absentminded, but in reality, his mind is in chaos right now. He has a lot of things to think of and organize.

" Ah! ZhengYu, are you okay now? " Asked ZiHan, who was standing at the entrance door with an anxious countenance. Once he spots the appearance of his friends, he strides towards them. He put his hands on ZhengYu's shoulder, trembling slightly.

ZhengYu noticed his shaking hands. He never thought that what happened to him earlier would cause this much trepidation in his friends. Although he feels sorry for them for making them worry, still the happiness in his heart overflows from having friends like them.

ZhengYu smiled. " I'm fine. Don't worry. "

ZiHan let out a sigh of relief, though there was still a little concern in his eyes, he still managed to pull his poise. " That scared me to death. You suddenly cried like that and collapsed, I... "

Looking at ZiHan, ZhengYu immediately shook his head. He knew just by reading the expressions of his newfound friend that he felt blameworthy about it. " Don't worry about it. This situation happens occasionally. So, you don't need to feel sorry. "

" But, I feel guilty. This occurred to you just when you met me. I'm sorry. "

ZhengYu let out a sigh. He patted ZiHan's arm twice, asking the young man to look at him straight into his eyes. " It wasn't your fault. It's my problem. I used to be like that when I was a kid. That's why, ZiHan, it wasn't your fault. So, don't apologize. Okay? "

Though he nodded, he still felt apologetic deep inside.