60 3.17- The Visitation... (1/2)

Time ticked by slowly and I was stirred into attention as my alarm went off at exactly 7 am. I reached in my pocket and retrieved my phone and snoozed the alarm. I subconsciously stared at the phone's wallpaper and cherished the moment I had with Akira for the past week.

I called the landlord of the dormitory and explained why I hadn't returned home and narrated on the whole incident. He asked if I need anything from my room but I do not want to trouble him with small matters at all so I declined his offer to get some necessities from my locker.

I reminded the landlord to inform his wife as well and he told me he'd come to the hospital after all the students had left for school. I thanked him for his concern.

I flipped back my phone and looked back at Akira who was in a deep sleep and waiting for her Prince Charming to kiss her and awake from the terrible curse. I stroked her head once more and ran my thumb on her thick eyebrow... Hoping for a minuscule twitch on her face... And my tears involuntarily flowed from the corner of my eye and left a trail down to my lips.

I called the School's Head of Department and introduced myself to the recipient and told her that I would be taking a leave of absence. I related to her the reason for the sudden leave of absence and I can feel the recipient was utterly shocked and lost for words.

I narrated the whole incident and she assured me that she will inform the Principal as well as the teacher in charge of Akira's class. She later told me that arrangements for well-wishers would be made soon after school's hours today.

I thanked her and hung up the phone and as I stroked Akira's forehead, I whispered that her friends from school would come by after school. I smiled for her and kissed the part of the forehead that was not being covered by the bandage.

Time ticked by and doctors made their rounds while I moved away giving them the space needed to examine their patients. After their examinations and assessment, they came to me and asked who I am to Akira and told her that I was a ”very close friend” with her. The doctors told me to go home and freshen up since they received news from the nurses that I had come in right after the ambulance brought Akira to the emergency department yesterday afternoon and had not left since.

I told them I would leave in a bit and left my mobile number to the nurses stationed there in case Akira showed any progress. I explained to them that I'm going to get some clothes as well as toiletries nearby.

When I left the solitary observation room and went to the lift lobby, I can't help to overhear the nurses saying that, ”It's a pity for the young man to wait for a bud of a rose, but in the end failed to bloom and withered in the progress.”

Their words stung at my heart like a broad-edged tip arrow that had pierced through it. I went inside the lift and descended to the ground level and look for convenience shops that sell toiletries and such.

I returned to where Akira was and bowed slightly at the nurses on duty there. I walked up and peered through the door as I opened it up; half expecting Akira to be sitting at the bed and smilingly greeted me.

It was already past 10 am and I went into the bathroom which was attached to the room and took a quick shower. I had bought some disposable briefs, a small face towel, and some pairs of tanktop set with matching coloured shorts, a pair of Japanese flip-flops and toiletries.

The hot shower was very welcoming and refreshing as it helped to wash away my last night's sorrows. I changed and placed my soiled clothes into a paper bag and decided to head down to the self-service laundrette later.

I placed my toiletries set in the bathroom and slipped my barefoot with the Japanese flip-flops that I had bought earlier. The paper bag filled with my soiled clothes was placed on the floor near the bathroom door.

I sat next to Akira on the bedside and held her hand... Mine was cold from the shower and into her warm yet unresponsive hand. The door creaked open behind me and the dormitory's landlord and his wife entered. I stood up and bowed at them and the landlord came up to me and embraced me.

”Shiro-San, always be strong in both faith and health. Akira will need to see you strong and healthy as the first time she has seen you. You need to pray for God's miracles to pull Akira out from her coma. The doctors had told me and it would be a miracle if Akira would pull through... Don't worry, Aki-Sama and Chomi-sama will be here when you need us. Just give a ring... ”