tell him to wake up

The 24-hour deadline was soon nearing, the anxiety within the family was on the rise with every passing second.

Except for Jinjing, she sat holding Liang's hand calmly. Well that is what everyone saw. Only she knew the turmoil within. Ever since old man Fu told what Liang said last, she has been praying silently to the Lord to give her one chance, to make up for her stubbornness.

She looked at Liang's serene face. He lay there peacefully. "aren't you worried about me?" she spoke gently. Kissing on his forehead she fixed her gaze on his lips, which were dry and chapped. She dipped her finger in some water and traced the wetness on his lips to make them moist. She exhaled deeply and asked, "don't you want to kiss me. You would take every opportunity to steal a kiss." She bent slightly and pecked on his now moist lips.

Trailing her gaze to his hand with the intravenous, she imagined how his slender yet masculine hand will be bruised due to the needle in there. She placed a little kiss on the back of that hand. Jinjing squeezed his hand tenderly, but got nothing in response. "come on Liang, I want you to hold my hand in front of everyone. Forever and ever."

His unresponsiveness made her cry. Silent tears rolled down her cheeks, which had lost their rosy color due to stress and not having eaten anything for more than 24 hours.

She periodically closed her eyes and put her head down next to him on his bed, not letting go off his hand.

Mrs. Sheng noticed every action of hers and she was overwhelmed with guilt and happiness at the same time. Happiness because someone loved her son sincerely and guilt because, her foolishness caused them pain and separation. Now she only wished for Liang to get well and the two to spend a long life together, full of love, peace and happiness.

Jinjing heard the monitor beep change, she sat up alert and looked at the monitor but could not understand anything. She looked back at Meili and Mrs. Sheng who were sitting on the couch.

As if conversing with their eyes, Meili nodded and Jinjing turned around instantly and pressed the call button once again. Her swift movements caught Mrs. Sheng's attention as well and she came up to the bedside in hurried steps.

Seeing the doctor and nurse rush in, Buzz and Mr. Sheng, who were standing out also made their way in. Giving the doctor some space, Jinjing moved to the back. She could understand Liang's parents disposition, and wanted them to stand close to Liang.

The nurse checked the vitals, whereas the doctor checked Liang. Sensing an improvement, the doctor spoke in a low tone, "Mr. Sheng…. can you hear me?" Sometimes, the patient needed a little push to come over to this side.

Hearing the doctor, all in the room had a renewed faith flash in their eyes. Mrs. Sheng caressed her son's hair and with a lump in her throat said, "Liang hun…. wake up my dear…. We all are waiting for you." Placing a hand on his wife's shoulder, Mr. Sheng gestured her to be strong.

Meili said pretty loudly, "dude! Enough of your antics… okay??? I am getting married soon, let the attention come back to me…" like her usual self she tried to lighten the tensed air in the room. Mrs. Sheng chuckled lightly, shaking her head to her daughter's words.

Suddenly. She turned behind and looked at Jinjing. "dear… come ahead tell him to wake up…. he might listen to you."

Taking Mrs. Sheng's advice, Jinjing moved to the front. She sat on the edge of the bed, once again held onto Liang's hand and in a melodious voice said "Liang wake up, like you asked, I have been waiting for you. wake up Liang!"

The initial enthusiasm, was starting to wear off. The hope the family had built up was starting to break. Their expression turned glum. Not giving up, Jinjing tugged at his hand and repeatedly kept murmuring under her breath, 'wake up…. wake up…."

Just as the doctor was about to leave, Jinjing said excitedly "he fluttered…. His eyes…. he fluttered…." She was giddy with excitement and could not form a coherent sentence.

The doctor jolted towards Liang and lifting his eyelids, shun a light to check for activity. Content he stepped back waited for a minute. The entire family was watching with batted breath.