Chapter 34

The two women shuffled uncomfortably on the bench.

"I brought you lunch," Hana said, pretending as if nothing had happened. Mori's mother followed in suit.
"And I had a good discussion with Hana," the elder woman added, cryptically.

Mori raised an eyebrow at the two, but did not comment any further.

"Well, I should get going and leave you two to it," Hana gathered her things, suddenly feeling intrusive. "It was nice seeing you again, Morinozuka-san." She bowed at the mother and gave a small smile to Takashi before taking her leave.

Neither of the two Morinozukas stopped the woman from leaving, watching as she scurried down the hall.

"You didn't have to badger her like that," Takashi murmured when she was out of sight. "She's under a lot of stress, Okaa-san."

The mother raised an eyebrow at her son. "She seemed to take it alright, don't you think?"

Takashi shrugged. Of course she would seem fine. But Takashi knew otherwise.

"She's a good person," he defended.
"I never said she wasn't," the mother shot back.
"I never said you did," Takashi answered just as quick. "I trust her," he was firm in his words. "I know her."

Morinozuka-san could only nod. "I trust your judgement, Takashi."
"Do you?" the son raised an eyebrow.

The woman tilted her head. "Why shouldn't I?"

Takashi shrugged. He too, couldn't quite pinpoint why he was so defensive. It just irked him. Usually, it took quite a bit to make him irritated. But today didn't seem to be that day.

"I heard her grandfather isn't doing so well," her mother changed the topic.
"It's taking a toll on her," he explained. "The past few years haven't been very… good, to put it lightly."

The woman nodded in understanding, offering no words. "Very well then," she settled. "I came to say hello."

Takashi nodded.

"Hana came to surprise you," his mother explained. "It was very sweet of her, actually. You should go after her. She probably hasn't gone very far."

The son looked down the hall, his legs itching to leave but not before his mother.

"I'll see you sometime later. I have another client to meet in about an hour."

Takashi's mother patted her son's arm, telling him to go. The son grabbed the sandwich and tea off the bench and went well on his way without another word.

He found her sitting on a bench outside of the building, hidden beneath the cherry blossom tree. Her legs were crossed, her head tilted as she watched each petal fall with the wind. Hana exhaled and closed her eyes.

Takashi made his way over quietly.

"Hana," he called out to her, eliciting a startled response. She jolted in her seat, her eyes shot wide open. She should have known that it was his voice, but it didn't make it any better when she was not expecting his company. Takashi looked down at her, offering a small smile.

"I thought you needed to spend time with your mother," Hana smiled back.

Takashi shrugged. It wasn't a big deal.

"She's nice," Hana softly told him. "Very pragmatic. I respect that." She was thinking about what had happened earlier.

His hand naturally weaved his way into her own. Hana stopped fidgeting with her phone and let his hands envelope her cold palm. Takashi leaned forward and kissed her on the temple.

"I'm sorry," he told her.

Hana shook her head in confusion. "Sorry for what?"
"My mother," he sheepishly answered back.

"Oh," Hana was unsure of how to respond. "I don't blame her. She had every right to ask those questions, Takashi."
"Didn't mean she had to," Takashi came to her defense. He could tell that Hana felt quite uncomfortable after that discussion. Her mind swirling into a god knows where.

There wasn't much he could do but all he wanted to know was if she was alright.

Hana beamed up at him. "I like your mother – even if she put me on guard for a little bit. But she's right. I need to deal with the issues at hand."

Takashi was skeptical but did not refute her statement. He leaned back on the bench and began eating the sandwich that Hana had bought. They sat in silence, enjoying each other's company without needing conversation between the two.

"I'm going to resign," Hana blurted out.

Takashi stopped chewing and glanced at her.

"It sounds crazy right? I worked so hard to be taken seriously by everyone and now… now I don't want it… I want none of it. I had written a letter of resignation months ago… I just – it's just been sitting in the drawer of my desk."

"Why?" Takashi took another bite of his sandwich, listening and soaking in her rationale.

"In a year or so, Kyouya will inherit the Ootori Group. He'll get full autonomy. I won't. I don't know what they want to do with me – but there is no growth in this company. No matter what I do, I'm at a disadvantage. I'm… nothing but a pawn, or a figurehead to put it nicely."

"So what will you do?"

Hana blinked. "I won't… resign now. It's not a good time."

"What about… your family?"

The young woman sighed. "After Ojii-san… I really don't have any family except for Hiro. I don't think… I'm useful in the company to begin with. To be honest, the President doesn't seem to want to hand off the company to me and I don't want it either. We've been at a stand off ever since I began working."

He nodded in understanding.

"The President can decide what he wants to do with the company. It's his, after all. It was never mine to keep. It is only my mother who is concerned about keeping the Sawada name in-tact. I… I'm tired of trying to do the right thing. Of trying to please the world and..." Hana sighed. "Feeling afraid of being a complete hypocrite for wanting to be the heir and now I'm backing out like… a coward."

Hana leaned back onto the bench and rested her head on his shoulder. Takashi's arm wrapped over to her own.

"I wish I were braver. I wish I could handle all of this – but I can't. I bit off more than what I could chew. I'm raising the white flag. I don't want to do this anymore. I wasn't made for this. To play the games of the upper class, to scheme my way out of this. I'm walking away instead."

Takashi kissed the top of her head.

"Cutting your losses is a strategic move, Hana."

She sighed. "Am I being… I don't know. It feels right to walk away. Yet wrong… for being cowardly. I just want time to… figure things out, you know? Time to find what's right."

"Am I not right?" he teased.
"Career-wise," Hana clarified with a small smile. "You're right for me. I wouldn't ask for anyone else."

Takashi smiled as he rested his chin on the top of her head. She tucked right into him, closing her eyes. It felt like home. Peace amongst the chaos that she was shrouded in.

"I think you're brave," he told her. "You were always brave. Brave enough to venture across the world on your own, brave enough to take on the responsibilities that I couldn't ever think to do."
"Yet still… I bring no honour to the Sawada name," Hana mumbled. She sighed into the crook of his neck. All she wanted to do was crawl into a ball and forget about it all.

"Don't think like that, Hana. You brought plenty of honour to your grandfather. He never stops talking about you."

He was met with silence.

"He talks about me?" she whispered, looking up at him. Her eyes were brimming with tears before she blinked them away and looked elsewhere.
"Always," he squeezed her shoulder.

Hana sniffed. "Shit. I just feel like… I lost so many years abroad. I just… I can't even turn back time or… do anything."

Takashi patted her back in comfort. "You've done more than enough, Hana."

It was hard to get through to her. Hana wouldn't believe the words, even if they were repeated a thousand times. Takashi could only wait until she would snap out of her own thoughts. He would do what he did best: stay. He sipped on the lukewarm tea while they sat on the bench. He was done his hours for the day.

He looked at her lovingly, tucking a strand of her loose curls behind her ear. His heart skipped a beat. Takashi never failed to be in awe of her large eyes and the eyelashes that were curled to perfection. Her lips were a matte pink hue, while her cheeks had just enough rosiness to complement the pastel hues of the sakura blossoms.

"You're very pretty." The words rolled off of his tongue, quietly under his breath so only she could hear. Hana did a double take, as if she thought she was hearing things.

"Hm?"

"Your dress. It's nice," he cleared his throat.

Hana looked down to the skirt of her dress and ironed out the hem of it.

"Thank you," she chuckled to herself. "I haven't worn it in a while."
"I like it."

She smiled up at him and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"That's very sweet of you to say." The sudden change in topic was very much welcomed by Hana.

It made him feel embarrassed. How she took everything so gracefully while he uttered these sentences out like a robot. But she squeezed his hand and laughed.

"Sometimes I feel jealous of your students," she admitted. "I feel like they get more one-on-one time with you than I do."

Takashi grinned and shook his head. "I think they are more jealous of you." He leaned back on the bench and remembered how his last student stuttered over her words about a really pretty girl waiting outside for him.

"Me?"

"A student said you were waiting for me. She awkwardly inquired about whether you were my girlfriend."

She smiled. "Well, what did you say?"

Takashi shrugged.

"You just shrugged?" Hana crossed her arms and pouted. "Thought I'd be worth uttering a yes, she's my girlfriend kind of thing. But then again, I've never liked that term."

"What would you like to be?" Takashi was curious.

"Something… more than that. Significant other? Maybe. But you've always been my best friend… so I could settle on that."

"Wife?" Takashi suggested with a sly smile. It was after all, always in the back of his mind – traditions were always something he could not shy away from.

Hana paused. He would always be her best friend, first and foremost. Hana never liked the formalities. But there was something about being so sure of wanting to spend the rest of her life with him, if she was allowed to.

"Yeah, one day," she softly admitted. "One day…"

He kissed her hand and nodded.

"One day," he promised.

They took their time around campus, him pointing out the buildings while she listened intently. He held her hand tightly as she swung their arms to the pace of their tour. People walked past them, not caring to even look. They were in their own little bubble.

"Maybe I should go back to school," she told him.

"More school?" Takashi raised an eyebrow at her.

"Then I could spend more time with you, yeah?" Hana smiled up at him. He couldn't tell if she was joking but he laughed anyway.

"Whatever you like," he shrugged. Takashi wouldn't have minded some more time with her. "How did you get off work so early?"

Hana shrugged. She didn't want to question it. "I leave tomorrow for my business trip so…"
"Ah," he nodded.

Hana watched as he stiffened at the thought. He relaxed after a second and exhaled. His shoulders dropped slightly, letting Hana set the pace of their walk.

"I'll be back in a little more than a week," she reassured. "You won't even notice me gone," Hana promised.

But he would. It was irrational to think that she would never come back, but there was something comforting in knowing that she was always nearby. He wouldn't see her every day, or to walk her home. Hana too, could not deny the sudden empty feeling she had at the thought of leaving after she had finally settled.

Takashi didn't say anything.

"Hey," Hana tugged on his arm gently. "I'll come home. I promise."
"I know," he gave a small smile.
"You're home," Hana reminded him. "Okay? You're my home."

Takashi nodded again and tucked her under his chin. "I'm not running anymore," she softly whispered. He ran his hand through her luscious locks, letting the silky strands flow under his fingers.

"I won't stop you," he comforted. If she wanted to run, he'd let her run. He would never hold her down.

She held onto him a little tighter. "I leave at 6 AM."
"Okay."

"Stay?" she looked up at him. Whatever that meant, he didn't care. Stay with her for the rest of the day? Forever? He'd stay regardless.

"Okay."

She was busy chopping up the onion as he waited for the oil to heat up. Her thin fingers were nimble and quick. She was trained well, and Takashi could only imagine what other tricks Sawada-san had taught her with that knife. It was always best to never anger a Sawada.

Domestic life was boring. But somehow, very comforting.

"Pass me the mushrooms," Hana held her hand out for the bowl. Takashi quickly obliged. Kaina began circling the kitchen for scraps of food. Between prepping for their meal and trying not to step on the paws of their dog, the two stole glances at each other and grinned to themselves.

The two didn't feel like eating elsewhere but home. Instead, they spent the rest of the afternoon grocery shopping and running errands. Trips to the bank, picking up some last-minute travel essentials for Hana, and stationary for Mori.

The two were not master chefs. But they learned enough for both of their grandparents to suffice a well homecooked meal for the two of them. Sitting at the table in the kitchen, the two silently ate their food before Hana broke the silence.

"Is this what you imagined?"

"Hm?" Takashi looked up from his bowl.

"Life with me," she clarified. "Coming home from work. Cooking. Taking out the dog. Marking assignments. Reading. Going to sleep."

"With you," he added.

Hana rolled her eyes but smirked at the addition. "All with me."

Takashi shrugged. To be honest, it was ideal for him. "What about you?"

Hana blinked. "I guess I… I never really thought about… life. Things are always so… fast-paced I don't get the time to sit down and to think about what a simple life would be."
"Does it bore you?" Takashi asked.

She tilted her head. "It might?"

"Well, I guess this isn't the life for you then," he chuckled.

Hana frowned. "No, that's not what I meant. I mean, as a kid I always imagined being an adult to be more exciting. But it truly… isn't what it's chalked up to be. Real life is mundane. Real life is the same clockwork every day until you die."

Takashi nodded. That was life. That was his life. Takashi didn't hate it, to be honest. There was something very comforting in having a routine. Hana was different: she was used to having to adapt to differing scenarios. Something new every day. Always on the run. Always ready to fight.

"Do I bore you?" Takashi wondered aloud.

Hana shook her head. "No."

"Why not?" he narrowed his eyes, curious to hear her explanation.

"Because… you listen. You don't bore me. If anything, I bore you. But you listen to me. You hear me. And yet, you still stay."

Takashi stuffed another mouthful of rice, listening intently – as per usual.

"See, even now," Hana pointed her chopsticks at him. "You're just listening. Tell me what you're thinking about!"
"It's rude to point your chopstick at someone," he mumbled in between bites.

Hana reluctantly put her chopsticks down. "Okay. This is good. Keep going," she encouraged. Hana took a bite of her own rice.

"I don't like peppers," he said, while taking a bite of the peppers in the stir fried dish.

Hana watched as he ate the said pepper with widened eyes. "Why did you eat that?"
"It's part of the dish. Can't be picky," Takashi shrugged. They were not raised to be picky about their food, after all.

Hana didn't mind peppers. Ojii-san always put bell peppers in their stir-fry, and she never complained.

"Okay…" she only stared at him, curious to know about what he was going to say next.

"Muji pens are actually the best pens," he blurted. "I keep running out of the red ones after I mark each round of essays."
Hana blinked. "Okay." She smiled to herself. "Noted," she told him as she looked back down to her bowl.

"Your eyelashes are really long," he commented. Takashi always took note of them whenever she looked down. "It's nice," he told her nonchalantly.

Hana nodded again, a permanent smile on her face. She pursed her lips to stop herself from laughing. This was the most he had ever spoken in one go. All the thoughts that ran through his mind, with no filter – darting everywhere from one topic to another.

How could she ever be bored?

"I love you."

Her chopsticks were at the edge of her mouth before she could respond with just a nod. He stared at her, trying to read her expression. She was a little perplexed at the sudden burst. But she melted into the thought and softly smiled down at her bowl.

"I don't tell you that enough."

Hana shook her head. "You tell me with other ways, Takashi. I know. You don't have to say it."

He could only nod.

Takashi was always fascinated by the bottles on the counter of the bathroom. The ones that Sawada-san had always complained about whenever Hana came back to live with him. Each bottle was different for some reason. Skincare was a part of Hana's night time routine and she never skipped a day of it thanks to her old habits from modelling. It was ingrained in her routine.

Her hair was tied up in a bun, held back by a headband. The makeup was removed and her face was washed multiple times. Takashi would be lying if he said that he didn't notice a difference. But there was something very beautiful in her raw form.

"Are you staring because I'm that ugly in my natural form?" she teased.

Takashi shook his head. "No."

"What is it?" she asked, patting in the toner to her forehead. Hana had her glasses sitting on top of her head after she had taken out her contacts. Takashi was just a blur behind her, leaning on the pane of the doorway as he waited for her to finish her routine. He had already laid down the futon and Kaina had already gone to sleep.

"You're… raw."

"Raw? Like sashimi?" Hana shook her head and narrowed her eyes. That's not something anyone wanted to hear at their no-makeup face.

"The mountains and the sea do not have to try to be beautiful when they are majestic and breathtaking all in its raw form."

Hana let his words sink in. She paused and turned around. "Do these lines just… come to you? Or do you write them down and keep them in your pocket so you can find a chance to use them?"

Takashi chuckled. "Whatever you want to think."

Hana shook her head and continued on with her eye cream. Takashi made his way over to her, leaning on the counter beside the woman who was inches away from the mirror.

"Is this really necessary?" Takashi asked – like any other man, he did not understand why all these bottles were taking up so much counter space.

The girlfriend nodded. "Yes. Do not question me. If I want to keep looking like I am somewhat of a living being, this is necessary."

Takashi could only accept that this was just another part of her life and observed her. Hana glanced at him and laughed. "What? Is this interesting to you?"

"It's new," he tried to explain. "I'm trying to understand it."
"Then just ask," she laughed.

She taught him the foundations of skincare. She patiently pointed out her cleansers, her toner, her moisturizer, and serums that were placed meticulously in order. Takashi only sat with his arms crossed, his body leaned forward as he listened diligently to her speak. His mind was open to whatever she said or did.

"And that's how I don't look like an old haggard," Hana explained.

"Don't say that," Takashi shook his head at her.
"I won't look this young forever," she reminded.
"Neither will I."

Hana paused. This was true. Society had ingrained her to feel obligated to look young and beautiful. She had grown up to her mother looking like she hadn't aged over 40. She was thrust into a superficial industry based purely on society's values of beauty. It was rather saddening. But one could not deny that Hana had come this far, at least partly based on her attractiveness.

"You alright?" Takashi's voice brought her back from her daze.

Hana nodded. "Yeah. Had a moment there, sorry."
"What was it?"

She frowned. "How society has conditioned me to become the way I am."

Takashi tilted his head. "I like the way you are."

Hana leaned up against the counter to plant a kiss to his cheek. "Thanks." She weaved her fingers into his own and led him back to their living room. They fit comfortably in each other's arms, propped against the couch as they sat quietly with each other. Neither of the two wanted to sleep.

"I wish I could slow down time." She wanted to stay like this for as long as she could. Forgetting about the burdens on her shoulders – with work, her grandfather, the future.
"You can," Takashi told her.

"What?" Hana squinted her eyes at him.

He shrugged, snuggling closer to her. "Time is a construct of the mind."
"Are you telling me I'm capable of controlling time?"
"To a degree, yes," Takashi smiled at her. "You're capable of many things, Hana."

She only shook her head at him. "Thanks."

"Hm?"

Hana looked up at him. He tilted her head at her, staring straight back into her eyes.

"For always being my rock. My unconditional support. I don't tell you that enough." She rested her head in the nook of his neck. She breathed deeply, matching his own breathing. Her hand grazed over his chest, feeling the pulse of his heartbeat. It felt like they were one.

She tried her best to quietly slide out of his grip before dawn. His strong hands were quick to pull her waist back when she tried to roll away.

"Your alarm hasn't even gone off yet," he whispered, cherishing the last few minutes they had before he had to let her go. He kissed the top of her head and pulled her closer.

Hana sighed, relaxing under his grip. She drifted back to sleep briefly, before being pulled back to reality. He felt her tense in his arms, her breathing quickening. His long arms reached over and easily turned off the alarm for her.

"Stay," he said.

Oh, how tempting it was.

"I want to," she groaned. "I want to stay."

Hana buried her face in his chest. "I'm so tired," she admitted. "I'm so tired of pretending of being something I'm not. I'm selfish. I'm a coward. I'm just a fraud."

Takashi opened his eyes to find her curled up beneath him. She was so quiet. Broken into pieces that he had to try to puzzle together. Her voice hardly travelling through the covers that cocooned them.

"You're human," he reminded. "But you were raised a warrior."

"That's what he used to say," Hana mumbled. "I was no warrior. I was just an obedient child."

Takashi ran his fingers through her hair.

"Why are you being like this?" his voice even. He was not here to lecture her.

"Because… I'm allowed to be. Just with you. Only you," Hana admitted. Her voice was as quiet as the squeak of a mouse. She would have never let herself feel this way on her own. Not when she had a day to conquer and a job to do. She was allowed to fall apart in the rare moments that she could afford to.

"Okay," Takashi nodded. He could understand that. He held her a little tighter, patting her back in comfort. Her hair smelled like jasmine flowers and she shifted so she could kiss his jaw.

"I can't remember how I lived without you," Hana grumbled.

"Me neither," he admitted. She just became a part of his life. Seamlessly. "I'll come with you to the airport."
"I might as well smuggle you to Singapore with me," she chuckled. He laughed with her.

This was bliss. Waking up with your best friend. Laughing over silly things. They fixed each other. Mended the cracks while providing strength when the other needed it most.

A wave of relief washed over Hana.

"I'm okay," she told him. "Stay here. Tell Morinozuka-san I said hello. Take care of Kaina for me while I'm gone."

He nodded. She slithered out of his grip like sand slipping through his fingers. Mori rolled over to his back and felt an eerie sense of emptiness. He looked over to the bedside that she left a hole in. Takashi got himself up and took care of the bedding while she was in the bathroom.

He slid the bathroom door open to find her putting on mascara. He watched her intently, leaning on the door pane and tilted his head at the difference mascara made on widening her eyes.

"Sorry for hogging the bathroom," Hana tried to quicken her pace. All she needed to do was to pack her toiletries and she would be out the door. Her fingers moved quickly so that Takashi could use the sink. Hana turned around but found him standing in her path.

"I'll get going," she tried to get out of his way, only to be enveloped by his firm arms. She stood in his grip with her bag of toiletries in her hand, leaning into his chest before he let go.

"Call me."
"Okay," she promised.

"Or text."
Hana nodded.

Takashi washed up. Hana changed out of her pyjamas and packed her travel documents. The dog was quick to greet the bustling adults early in the morning, waiting patiently to be fed as part of her regular routine.

Hana petted Kaina one last time at the doorstep before Takashi gave her one last hug.

"Stay safe."

Her itinerary was packed with business meetings and dinners that followed on a nightly basis. It was two more sleeps until she would reach Japan. Hana had never longed to go back, not until now. Not until she had a reason to. She wondered how her grandfather was faring, but assumed that no news was good news.

Her phone buzzed.

It was Takashi.

She texted him good morning while he did the same at the end of the day. He sent her pictures of Kaina. She sent him pictures of her hotel views and the food that she ate. Hana took a selfie in the afternoon, smiling against the backdrop of the marina, wishing that he was there beside her.

Pretty, he responded.

Me? Or the view? She quickly responded, jokingly.

The view. He wrote back, just as fast.

Hana rolled her eyes and shook her head. Within seconds, there was another text.

I like that colour.

Of what? Hana texted back, perplexed.

Your lips.

She looked at herself in the reflection of her phone and smiled.

It reminds me of the pink roses in the garden, he added, lighting up her phone. The Morinozuka property had a beautiful garden that his grandfather tended to every summer, so long as his back allowed for it. The weather was getting warmer and the gardens slowly began to bud. Takashi leaned back on his office chair, imagining her eyes lighting up at the sight of the garden in full bloom.

I miss you, she wrote back. His phone buzzed.

Also, you were supposed to say that I was pretty too, Hana added as a quick after thought – hoping it would make him chuckle.

He did chuckle to himself.

You're stunning, he quickly typed. But then he erased those words. It didn't seem right. He wanted to tell her this in person. He wanted to pull her close and to kiss her so that she'd understand that he found her absolutely gorgeous – in every way possible.

Hana was the one to end the conversation.

I'll see you in a few days. Good night.

He sighed. It felt like he had missed an opportunity. He always did.

Love you, Hana sent her last text of the night.

Her heart leapt at the feeling of touchdown. She had taken hundreds of flights all over the world. The life of the rich and privileged… Hana took flights for work, for school, for leisure… but nothing felt like this. A sudden relief of weight off her shoulders. The thought of comfort being just around the corner.

Japan had been her homeland – but never her home. Wandering from place to place, each year abroad she spent without direction.

Not that she had much direction now, but it was nice to have a compass to point towards a north star instead of an endless abyss of a maze she never came close to navigating.

Hana managed to step through the doors of the Sawada residence late evening. Kaina pranced over to the door, excited to see her – as any loyal dog would. Hana crouched down to scratch the animal's ears before dragging her luggage into the home.

Takashi poked his head out the kitchen door – he was wearing an apron and his hair was shorter. Hana smiled. He didn't tell her about the haircut. Her heart still leapt. Her stomach jumped in excitement. He nodded at her and let her settle down while he cooked.

She showered before changing into more comfortable clothing. Hana took a peek into the kitchen and quietly slipped her arms around his waist as he stood by the stove.

Takashi smiled and welcomed the affection that he dearly missed.

"Did you cook all this for me?"

"And me," he added.

Hana could only chuckle before letting go to set the table. Takashi was quick to bring over the dishes before filling their respective bowls with rice. Kaina waited patiently by her food bowl – it was also her time to eat as well.

She leaned comfortably against the kitchen table, watching him intently.

"What?" he asked after setting down the food.

Hana didn't know what to say. Her heart swelled up with so much happiness and bliss. She only smiled at him and tugged him down for a kiss. She could feel him lean down, smiling against her lips. He too, missed her. They had only been apart for a little more than a week. It was silly and they both knew it.

"Let's eat."

She was finally home.

Hana slept soundly until she woke to the vibration of her phone. This was unusual.

It wasn't her alarm. Her eyes shot open at 3:23 in the morning and her arm reached out begrudgingly.

"Hello?"

"Is this Takashi Sawada's secondary guardian?"

Hana shot up from the warmth of her covers. The cold was the last thing she worried about.

"Yes. What happened to the primary guardian?"
"He is with us," the line replied.

"What do you mean?"

"Sawada-san is currently on the premises to accompany the patient."

Hana had to remember to breathe. "Why?"

"It was asked of us to inform you of the patient's state—"

It felt like her stomach had fallen into an abyss into the deep sea. Her heart raced, her breathing hitched. Her knee-jerk reaction wasn't to stay calm. It was to panic. She was terrified.

She hoped that this was a dream. The kind of nightmare she had every once in a while, every few weeks where she would wake up and realize the sun had not risen. That everything was still the same as it always had been.

Hana waited.

And waited.

Hours passed by, in hopes that she would wake up at any point. A nightmare that had gone past its due date.

The sun had risen and she had been awake the whole night.

It was the beginning of the end.

A/N: The past few months have also been a blur for me... apologies for the sporadic updates, but - you know me, especially if you've been following the story since day one. Of course, much love to all of you who have taken the time to continuously read my work.