The night was quiet, only the lights in the hospital room were dim, accompanied by the sound of the machine that sounded as if it was counting every passing moment.
Well was still sitting by the bed while thinking about his memories with Vivian years ago. He didn't eat, drink, move or sleep. He just sat next to Vivian. He was waiting for Vivian to wake up. His hand had been tightly gripping Vivian's hand since earlier. Well lowered his head slightly, his forehead almost touching the back of Vivian's hand.
"Honey..." His voice was slow, hoarse and tired.
"Wake up..." There was no answer. Only the sound of the machine. And this time, the sound was no longer soothing but painful. Well's heart was beating fast, trying to hold back something that was increasingly pressing on his chest. All this time he thought he had been through a lot in his life. The pressure of work and loss. But nothing felt like this. Slowly, his hand stroked Vivian's fingers. Soft and careful as if he was afraid of hurting her even a little.
"Honey, I haven't had time to apologize to you yet." "I haven't had time to fix everything and love properly." Tears began to flow from his eyes. He tried to hold them back but failed. A drop fell into Vivian's hand. And after that it didn't stop. He closed his eyes tightly, his shoulders began to tremble slowly. "Oh God..." His voice was broken and weak. Not like his usual self. "Oh God... don't take her first..." His hand gripped Vivian's hand tighter. As if he could stop her from leaving. "I'm not ready yet..." He kissed Vivian's forehead for a long time. Tears continued to flow. He didn't care anymore.
Ego and dignity disappeared at that moment. All that remained was the fear of losing Vivian. "I know I made a lot of mistakes..." "I was angry with her... I blamed her... I distanced myself..." "But... I never stopped loving her...", his voice was slow and full of regret. His hand slowly rose, touching Vivian's cheek. Cold. Not like usual. And that made his heart break even more. "Please... give me a chance..." He bent closer, his forehead touching Vivian's hand. "I promise... I'll take care of her... I won't let her go again." There was no answer. Only the sound of the machine continued to sound as if it was witnessing the most honest prayer of his life. Time passed slowly. Well didn't know how long he had been sitting there. Everything felt the same. His eyes were red and his face was tired. But his hand still didn't let go of Vivian. And then, Vivian's finger moved.
Well was startled and immediately raised his head. His eyes were focused on the hand he was still holding. "Honey?" "You're awake." He held his breath in relief. And a few seconds later the finger moved again. More clearly. Well's heart was beating fast. "Vivian... did you hear me?" His voice trembled. Hope and fear mixed into one. Vivian's eyelids slowly trembled. Like someone struggling to come back. And finally opened. Her vision was blurry and empty but alive. "Well..." Her voice was barely audible.
But for Well, that was enough. She sighed long, as if she had just been freed from drowning. Tears fell again. But this time not from fear but from joy.
"Hey... I'm here..." Her voice was soft. Her hand gripped Vivian's hand tighter as if she was afraid this was all just a dream. Vivian looked at him. Her eyes were still weak, but there was something there. Something that never goes away. "Well..." He called again, slowly. Well smiled, even though his eyes were still wet. "Don't say anything else... rest." Vivian shook her head slightly. Slowly. Stubborn. "I hear..." Vivian paused for a moment, taking a breath. "I heard what you just said." Well was taken aback. His heart stopped for a moment.
"Huh?" "So you realized I kissed your forehead." Vivian smiled weakly. "Yes." "Your voice was so loud that you cried." Well wiped away her tears in embarrassment and shock. He was embarrassed to be seen crying by the Vivian he loved. Before he could deny it, Vivian's hand once again held his hand. Weak but clear. And that made Well fall silent.
"Don't let go..." Vivian whispered softly. Well looked at him. This time, without hesitation. He shook his head and kissed Vivian's hand and said "I will never let go." The answer came calmly but meaningfully. And for the first time there was no distance between them. No more ego and no more walls. But there were only two hearts that finally chose not to let go of each other.
A few minutes later, the atmosphere in the room was still quiet. Vivian was still lying weak, but her eyes were fully open. Although her face was pale, there was a calmness that slowly returned.
The door to the room was knocked gently before it was opened.
A nurse stepped in, followed by a doctor. They smiled professionally, but were clearly a little surprised to see Vivian awake.
"Oh, good… you're awake," the doctor said as he approached the bed.
Well immediately got up a little, but his hand still didn't let go of Vivian's hand.
The doctor began to examine her with a small light shining into her eyes, checking her pulse, and asking a few simple questions.
"Your name?"
"Vivian…" he answered slowly.
"Do you know where you are now?"
"The hospital…"
The doctor nodded, smiling contentedly.
"Your condition is stable. It's just that your body is still weak. You need enough rest."
The nurse helped adjust the pillow, making sure Vivian was more comfortable.
"Well, you can calm down a bit now," the doctor added while looking at her.
Well just nodded, but it was clear on her face that all the heavy burdens that had been pressing on her chest had begun to lift.
A few minutes later, after making sure everything was fine, they left the room.
Vivian looked at Well who was still standing by her side.
"We'll go back…" she whispered softly.
Well frowned slightly.
"Are you sure?"
Vivian nodded slightly.
"I don't want to sit here for long…"
There was a subtle, spoiled tone in her voice that hadn't appeared in a long time.
Well smiled.
"Okay."
He helped Vivian up carefully. Every movement was slow, full of attention.
Soon, they walked out of the hospital together.
Vivian's steps were still slow, but this time, she wasn't walking alone.
Their hands were still intertwined.
And for the first time in a long time, their steps were in sync.
However…
Will everything go smoothly from now on?
The answer… is… not that easy.
Their relationship may have become close again. Old wounds may have begun to heal. But the world outside them… is still the same.
There is still an unresolved past.
There are still people who will not be happy to see them together.
And most importantly
Vivian is now at a major crossroads in her life.
The company.
Undecided responsibilities.
All of that… will put pressure not only on her, but also on their relationship.
Love can be empowering but at the same time, it can also be tested.
Well may have promised not to let go.
Vivian may have chosen to return.
But…
the journey after this is not just about "being together".
It is about
whether they are strong enough to stay together, even when the world tries to tear them apart.
And far ahead…
the test is already waiting.
Is their relationship going smoothly without any obstacles?