In the end, only those who are in it know the true meaning of a relationship. Whether it brings happiness or tears, what others see from the outside never truly reflects reality.
"What about Velia?"
Not expecting to be asked that question, Lucas fell silent for a moment. He lowered his gaze and looked at his palms. He gave an expressionless answer.
"She decided to end everything."
Jeff could only sigh. Now it was him who could not say anything. Especially when Lucas decided to rise.
"You need to rest."
Lucas helped Jeff to lie down. He adjusted the position of the blanket and made sure his father was comfortable for the night's rest. Afterward, he left, carrying the torment that continued to gnaw at him from within.
*
"This is clearly more difficult than I imagined before."
Velia's smile widened in response to the complaint. It came from a man who was exhausted from just finishing post-coma therapy. He felt his stiff legs and the difficulty in moving them.
"You will recover completely soon."
He was Harry, the fiancé who had been trapped in a coma for months.
"Thank you."
Velia was wiping the sweat off Harry's forehead. The light blue towel stopped moving, and her smile grew wider.
"Not for this towel," Harry added. "But thank you for staying by my side."
Velia's smile faltered. Her face turned stiff in an instant.
"Don't talk like that. You have always been there for me in the most difficult times of my life. It's only fair that I do the same."
Harry was taken aback. Velia's words made him gaze deeply for a moment. Was it a feeling due to post-coma shock, or was it true?
"Is this some kind of gratitude?"
Velia blinked, reflexively shaking her head. "Of course not like that."
Harry fell silent. A hint of discomfort arose and nagged at his mind. However, he tried to calm himself. He already knew about it during the consultations. Coma had an impact not only physically but also psychologically.
Exhaling, Harry decided to change the subject. There was another thing that had been occupying his mind all this time.
"So, how has your life been during this time? You must have felt lonely while I was in a coma."
The topic of the accident was something Velia had avoided all this time. She had never discussed it. Harry interpreted Velia's attitude as relating to the unpleasant and horrifying nature of the accident. Perhaps she did not want to remember those dark times.
Nevertheless, Harry could not help but be curious. Especially with his condition of being in a coma and requiring intensive care, he wondered. How had Velia been living her life during this past year?
"You must have suffered. Alone and having to think about the cost of my treatment."
Velia shook her head. "Harry."
"I'm lucky to have you in my lowest moments," Harry said, gently holding Velia's hand. A smile full of emotion spread across his face. "Not many people would take the risk to do what you did. To endure all the uncertainty."
Indeed, that was the case. Even families could become strangers when it came to money. Moreover, in the realm of gray areas, Harry could either wake up again or the opposite.
"Let it go. You don't need to think about things like that. You just need to focus on your recovery. You need to become the Harry you were before."
Harry looked at Velia with sparkling eyes. He reached for Velia's hand to give a gentle kiss on her palm. Fleetingly, he noticed her empty finger. Instantly, a sense of disappointment arose. The engagement ring did not last long in their relationship.
"We lost the engagement ring."
"It's okay," Velia reassured. She smiled and nodded repeatedly. "We can think about it later."
Velia's acceptance made Harry feel guilty. A hint of self-doubt crept in, prompting him to ask.
"Do you still want to marry me, Ve?"
The question made Velia's heart seemingly stop beating. It was sudden, and she was surprised. Her face instantly became stiff, unbeknownst to her.
"With everything that has happened," Harry continued, staring into Velia's eyes. He looked without blinking, clearly seeking not just an answer on her lips, but also in her eyes. From her heart. "Do you still want to marry me?"
"Of course, Harry. Of course, I still want to marry you."
Once again, Harry fell silent. A fleeting sense of emptiness flickered in Velia's eyes. It was clearly not the desire of a woman who wanted to marry her beloved, but rather, it resembled resignation without any desire.
Maybe it's just my imagination.
Unfortunately, the two answers Velia gave only made Harry feel uneasy. Velia's response didn't meet his expectations. Although it could not be said that there was anything wrong with her answers, there was something amiss there.
Harry was not sure. However, he felt it clearly.
"I will come again tomorrow. Is there anything you want me to bring?"
The day was turning into night. Velia helped Harry lie down before leaving. It included checking everything that Harry might need.
"You don't need to bring anything. Your presence is more than enough."
Velia smiled. "Tomorrow, I will bring your favorite chicken soup."
At the right moment, Harry's hand moved. Before Velia could actually get up and leave, he held her back.
Velia turned around. She looked at Harry, and the man spoke with deep emotions.
"I love you."
For a moment, Velia froze. Then she blinked. It seemed like she needed time to comprehend Harry's words.
"I know," Velia said softly, nodding once. She made sure Harry's blanket was neatly arranged for the last time. "Sleep well."
Harry let Velia leave without saying anything else. He only exhaled with a growing sense of unease. Clearly, something was different about Velia.
Velia did accompany Harry. Velia was almost always with him. There was not a single day without Velia's presence by his side.
However, Harry felt Velia's emptiness when they were together. Velia spoke only when necessary and smiled only casually.
Without any emotions. Without any desires. It was as if Velia was a creature without feelings. And that's what continued to make Harry wonder.
What has happened to you all this time, Ve?
*