CHAPTER 8 – Fading Memories
1434 Words
A Month of Silence
It had been one month, yet Juen still hadn’t woken up.
Every day after work, Zackarya would stop by the flower shop, carefully choosing a bouquet—sometimes white lilies, sometimes sunflowers, sometimes blue roses, Juen’s favorite.
He’d visit the hospital as if it were his second home. He stayed by Juen’s bedside every single day, refusing to let go of the hand that once held his.
Every minute mattered.
Because at any given moment, he could lose Juen forever.
Juen’s close friend, Jiang, would also visit every afternoon—bringing fruits, stories, and silent prayers that his friend would open his eyes soon.
“Juen… how are you?” Zackarya whispered softly, his voice trembling as he brushed a strand of hair away from Juen’s pale forehead.
“If only you knew how much I miss you—your smile, your hugs, your cooking…”
Tears rolled down his cheeks as he gripped Juen’s cold hand tighter.
The room was quiet except for the slow rhythm of the heart monitor.
Then, Zackarya began to hum the song that used to make Juen laugh during long drives.
🎶 Heart beats fast, colors and promises… how to be brave? How can I love when I’m afraid to fall? 🎵
🎵 I have died every day waiting for you, darling, don’t be afraid… I have loved you for a thousand years… and I’ll love you for a thousand more. 🎶
“Juen, please… wake up.”
He shook his head, sobbing harder. “Wake up, please, I’m begging you… even if it takes a hundred years—
even if it takes another lifetime—I’ll find you again.”
Eventually, Zackarya fell asleep in the chair beside the bed, still holding Juen’s hand close to his chest.
The Miracle
The next morning, Zackarya stirred awake when he felt something move.
He looked down—and froze.
Juen’s fingers twitched.
His eyes fluttered open slowly, blinking against the light, and then—he looked directly at Zackarya.
Zackarya’s heart stopped for a moment.
“Juen… you’re awake! You’re—” He bolted out of the room, shouting for the doctor.
Doctors and nurses rushed in. Machines beeped, papers rustled, and voices filled the room.
After a few minutes, one of the doctors turned to him with a smile of disbelief.
“Mr. Fuentes, this is a miracle. He’s been unconscious for over a month, yet he woke up.”
Zackarya’s relief was quickly replaced by confusion when he saw Juen just staring at him—expressionless, almost blank.
“But… why is he looking at me like that? He doesn’t even recognize me,” Zackarya asked, his voice trembling.
The doctor sighed.
“Mr. Fuentes… I already discussed this with your parents. There’s a possibility that Juen has developed post-coma amnesia. He might not remember anything from before the incident.”
Zackarya’s world froze again—this time not from shock, but heartbreak.
The Day After
When Zackarya visited the next morning, he found Juen awake, sitting upright, watching TV quietly.
He walked closer, smiling gently. “How are you feeling?” he asked, his hand softly brushing Juen’s cheek.
Juen flinched and removed his hand.
“I’m fine… but—who are you?”
Zackarya froze.
Just then, the door opened, and Mr. Fuentes, Zackarya’s father, stepped in.
“He’s your brother, son,” his father said quickly, trying to ease the moment.
Zackarya’s heart dropped. Brother?
He looked at his father, but the older man avoided his gaze.
Juen smiled faintly. “Oh… I see. Thank you.”
Then he added, “I actually wanted to thank the man who kept bringing me flowers. The nurses told me someone always left them here while I was asleep. Can I meet him?”
Zackarya’s throat tightened. He wanted to speak—to tell Juen it was him—but he couldn’t.
He just nodded silently.
Moments later, the door opened again.
Arthit entered, holding a fresh bouquet, followed by Kaoro with a basket of fruit, and Jiang, cheerful as ever.
“Ni hao ma!” Jiang greeted playfully, waving his hand. Juen just stared blankly.
“Ni hao~ maaaaa?” Jiang repeated, trying to make him laugh.
“How are you feeling?” Kaoro asked softly.
“Better now,” Juen replied, smiling brightly when Arthit handed him the flowers. “Thank you. They’re beautiful.”
The whole room felt lighter—everyone smiled except Zackarya, whose eyes dimmed as he quietly stepped out of the room.
The Drive Home
Jiang and Kaoro followed him outside.
“Why… why doesn’t he remember us?” Jiang asked, his voice cracking.
“He has amnesia,” Kaoro replied flatly.
“Then why didn’t you tell him the truth? That it was you who brought the flowers?” Jiang demanded, looking at Zackarya.
But Zackarya just stayed silent—his eyes fixed on the hospital floor.
“Come on, Jiang,” Kaoro said quietly, pulling him away.
As they drove home, the car was filled with Jiang’s frustrated rambling.
“Kaoro, think about it! Juen lost his memory, and all those months Zackarya stayed beside him—just gone, like it meant nothing! All those flowers, the songs, the prayers—what now? He’ll think Arthit was the one who loved him!”
“Kaoro! Are you even listening to me?” Jiang yelled.
Kaoro didn’t respond. He just drove in silence, his jaw tight.
When Jiang kept ranting, Kaoro suddenly stopped the car in the middle of the quiet road.
Jiang blinked, startled. “W-what? Why’d you stop?”
Kaoro leaned closer until their faces were inches apart.
“Instead of worrying about everyone else… why don’t you ask yourself why you care so much?”
Jiang’s eyes widened. “W-what do you mean?”
“One more question,” Kaoro whispered, smirking slightly. “Answer honestly—or I’ll kiss you.”
Jiang scoffed. “You think I’m scared of your bluff? Please. You wouldn’t dare, old man.”
Kaoro grinned. Without warning, he reached down and reclined Jiang’s seat.
Before Jiang could react, Kaoro was on top of him.
“Still think I won’t do it?” Kaoro murmured.
“H-Hey! Wait! Stop! You’re not funny!” Jiang stammered, pushing him lightly on the chest.
“I don’t joke,” Kaoro said simply—then kissed him.
Jiang froze, eyes wide, cheeks burning.
“Y-you stole my first kiss!” he shouted, voice cracking as Kaoro chuckled.
“That was my first kiss! And you—you thief!”
“Then here’s the second,” Kaoro whispered, kissing him again—slower, deeper.
Jiang’s face turned bright red. “Y-you’re crazy! You and Zackarya are both insane!”
Kaoro smirked. “Then maybe I should take you somewhere private for the third.”
“Private?! You pervert! You’re not taking my virginity!” Jiang yelled.
“Oh?” Kaoro teased. “So you’re still a virgin?”
Jiang froze. His face went from red to crimson.
“Of course not! W-what do you take me for?!” he stammered.
Kaoro laughed softly. “You’re adorable when you lie.”
Jiang crossed his arms, pouting. “Just take me home already, please.”
But instead, Kaoro drove in the opposite direction.
Jiang frowned. “W-wait… this isn’t the way home!”
“To my place,” Kaoro said calmly. “Relax.”
“Relax?! Are you insane?!” Jiang hissed, glaring. “Erase! Erase! I’m erasing everything that’s happening right now!”
Kaoro chuckled as Jiang continued to mumble under his breath. When they arrived, he said, “Feel at home.”
Jiang, still flustered, stepped inside hesitantly. “If you try anything—”
Kaoro held up his hands. “I’m not like what you think, My Baobei.”
The word Baobei—his precious one—made Jiang freeze. His heart began to race uncontrollably.
“W-what did you just call me?” he asked in a whisper.
Kaoro leaned in closer, brushing his lips lightly against Jiang’s.
“I said… my Baobei.”
And this time, Jiang didn’t pull away.
Jiang’s POV
At that moment, everything around me disappeared.
The world went quiet.
Our lips moved in rhythm, our hearts pounding in sync—it felt like time stopped.
So this is love, I thought.
That word I’d only ever read in books—The Intertwined Night—suddenly made sense.
It was soft, wild, and beautiful.
And in that fleeting instant, I wished the sun would never rise again.
- Writer
