Cagalli walked slowly along the corridors of the Archangel. People were murmuring and whispering to each other as she passed. She wasn't listening. She was thinking. She slowly entered the ward that Athrun was in. She was braced for what she saw. Meyrin, the red-haired, cheerful and youthful girl was sitting by the bedside where Athrun lay, taking in deep breaths and flinching once in awhile, due to the pain in his wounds.
Cagalli watched quietly as Meyrin dabbed at Athrun's forehead with a wet towel to cool him down. The girl had not noticed her presence. She slowly took in Athrun and Meyrin's appearances. Athrun looked tired and drained. After all, who wouldn't during the war? Meyrin held Athrun's hand in her own, as she dabbed at Athrun's forehead with her free hand. Meyrin was everything Cagalli wasn't. Meyrin was pretty, youthful, bright and wasn't tied down with duties. Meyrin had a family that Cagalli never had. Meyrin had a perfect childhood that Cagalli never had. Meyrin was perfect. Cagalli was rough, boy-like, and indecisive and was tied down with duties of a country that she called home.
Meyrin turned around to wash the towel when she noticed Cagalli standing at a corner, watching her. She gasped, and dropped the towel she was holding. Cagalli smiled and walked over. She bent down and picked up the towel, then placing it in Meyrin's hand. "Remember to wash the towel. The floors are never clean," Cagalli said calmly.
Meyrin was shocked. How could the older girl remain so calm after seeing her own boyfriend hurt and having another girl caring for him?!
Cagalli sat down on the chair beside Meyrin and said, "You're wondering how I can remain so calm. Because I believe." Meyrin was puzzled by the older girl's statement, what did she believe in?
"After Athrun left for Zaft, he left me a promise. A promise that said he would be back, back with us. It was what he told me. He told me that he would be back to fight with us, but never with me. He's back, as what I can see. But not in perfect shape, but back nonetheless. He's back to us. During the period of time when he was gone, my stand wavered. I made silly and foolish decisions. I nearly married Yunna. I made that silly decision because at that time, I had no one. Kira and Lacus weren't here. My father was dead. All the ministers had gone over to Yunna. I was doubted to be the real representative.
I know what Athrun would say if he heard me telling people I had nobody. He would tell me that I had him and Kira and Lacus. But he never understood what I meant. When I said I had nobody, it didn't just simply mean that they weren't in Orb with me. It meant that I wasn't supported by people I trusted. Kira and Lacus, although they don't admit it, had at one point lost their trust in me. Because I made silly decisions, I made people disappointed. Athrun, well, he wasn't with me all this while. Not physically, not mentally and not spiritually. He believed that I had lost, that I had gone and betrayed him.
I'm not finding excuses for myself. It's just a little something I wanted somebody to know. When the both of you appeared on the Archangel, I wasn't surprised. I wasn't even one bit worried that Athrun got hurt. I wasn't hurt that he turned up with you. I was just… numb. I didn't know what to say. So I went to the control area.
Then Kira and Lacus came over to me, telling me that Athrun was hurt badly and now in a coma. I just listened, I didn't say anything. Then they asked me to go and see him, claiming that he needed me. I knew that that wasn't the truth. Athrun didn't need me then. So I simply told them that I would come over later. Kira was angry with me, he yelled at me, he shouted at me, he blamed me and then, he cried. Lacus didn't shout. She thought I was jealous of you. But I wasn't. She told me to give Athrun time. But I did not need to give him time. I had given enough, and I don't want anything in return.
When Kira saw I was not reacting, he left. Lacus simply gave a sympathetic smile and left," Cagalli paused, as Meyrin opened her mouth to say something.
"But aren't you angry? That Athrun had turned up with me? Wasn't it an act of betrayal to you after the relationship you two had?" Meyrin asked.
"Betrayal meant nothing to me. He never promised me anything, so in what way would it be deemed as betrayal? Our relationship simply existed. It didn't mean anything. It was just there. Nothing more than that. I believe that he will do better with you around him. You can give him what I'll never manage to give," Cagalli said, as she took off her necklace.
Meyrin watched as the older girl take off her necklace. It was a red ruby and a ring. She watched as Cagalli place the necklace around Athrun's neck and then whispers something. She then stands and turn towards the door. Before she walked out, Meyrin asked one last question. "When you said you believed, what did you believe in?"
"I believed in love. Have a nice day," Cagalli said simply with a smile and stepped out.
Meyrin was extremely impressed with the older girl's attitude. Although she gave the impression of someone who was cold, hardcore and strict, she had so much more to give within her.