Night had fallen when Vanessa went back to Kiran's hospital room. They watched TV together and took turns taking a bath, as the hospital had given Vanessa a set of cotton pajamas.
Several nurses enthusiastically volunteered to help Kiran wash himself because his upper body was still bandaged, but Kiran refused them all.
In the end, he went into the bathroom by himself and came out looking like he had personally battled a fearsome monster. Vanessa couldn't help but laugh when she saw him.
"I told you to accept their help," she pointed out. "What's with the bruise on your forehead? Did you slip?"
He nodded with watery eyes.
Vanessa laughed again. When he acted childish like this, he appeared even more younger than his current age. She raised herself on her tiptoes and absently patted h
