Chapter 171: A Promise to Protect

“Hi.” Suddenly, Kenn entered the room and greeted me in his hoarse voice.

I smiled to welcome him. “Hi, Kenn.”

When I tried to sit up, Kenn quickly helped me and adjusted the pillow to support my back.

He then sat beside me without showing even the slightest smile. “How do you feel now, after refusing to see me for five days in a row?”

I smiled bitterly. “Not just you, Kenn, but everyone.”

“While you were in a coma, I felt like a crazy person. Every day I was tormented by the fear that you would never open your eyes again. I was afraid you would leave me like Hendra did,” Kenn said. “And when you finally woke up, you so easily forbade me from coming in. You almost drove me insane.” Kenn let out a dry laugh, though his voice sounded faint.

I fell silent at once and bit my lower lip. Since regaining consciousness, I had indeed asked Dr. Faisal not to let anyone visit me, not even my own family. I was too afraid that there might be another big secret I had not yet discovered.

Based on the CT scan examination, the doctor stated that there were no problems with my head, bones, or other organs. The temporary paralysis I experienced was suspected to be the effect of psychological trauma and extremely heavy inner conflict.

I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an anxiety disorder that appears after experiencing traumatic events such as the sudden death of loved ones and internal family problems.

“I’m still scared, Kenn,” I said afterward. “Forgive me.” I lowered my head, staring at the blanket that covered half of my body.

Although I had begun to make peace with my guilt since Grandpa and Grandma passed away, until now I still could not erase the anxiety that arose every time the names Mr. Aditya and Mrs. Viona were mentioned.

Forgive me, Grandpa. It doesn’t mean I’m not following your advice, but I’m really not ready yet.

I clenched my fingers. Anxiety attacked me fiercely again. Seeing Kenn look so sad, I was haunted by such deep guilt that I felt unable to look at him. I turned my gaze to my hands, which had begun to tremble. My stomach felt like it was being stabbed. Nervousness, panic, and emotional turmoil started to overwhelm me.

“Frel, what’s wrong with you?” Kenn noticed my confusion and immediately held my fingers tightly. “Hey, look at me. Frel, please look at me.”

Kenn cupped both sides of my face with his hands so that I would look at him. “I’m not angry with you. I’m not sad either. On the contrary, right now I feel very happy because you finally chose me to be the first person to see you in a good condition.”

Kenn stared at me intently. “I’m fine, really.”

I fell silent at once. I looked back into the depth of Kenn’s calm eyes. His smile slowly managed to make me calm again. I nodded and touched his face. He repeatedly whispered comforting words.

“I’m sorry, Kenn.”

“Replace your apology with a promise that you will never repeat that foolish act again. Never intend to end your life, don’t leave me again. I beg you, Frel.”

Rising from trauma is indeed very difficult, but Dr. Faisal said that it is not impossible. No one can heal emotional wounds except ourselves. We will not recover if we keep running away and avoiding the trauma we face.

Over the next few weeks, I underwent treatment and psychotherapy at the hospital. I had begun to talk with Mr. Aditya’s family, although the conversations were more dominated by them while I only responded occasionally.

Tomi and Dara often came to visit me to share stories and cheer me up. Whenever Kenn was there, they always conspired to tease us. Meanwhile, Kenn was mostly quiet and unaffected by their teasing. Sometimes he only smiled slightly or instead kept staring at me until it made me feel awkward.

Many of my classmates also came to visit. My room would become noisy when Udin was around, and sometimes the nurse had to warn us when their laughter became excessive.

Now my condition has stabilized and improved, so the doctor allowed me to go home today. While I was getting ready, Kenn came in and immediately ruffled my hair.

I frowned. “Kenn! My hair is messy again.”

He smiled and stepped closer. “I have a surprise for you.”

“What kind of surprise?”

“There’s someone who wants to see you, and I’m sure you’ll be happy.”

I frowned. “Who?”

“Wait here for a moment,” Kenn replied, then hurried away.

A few minutes later, Kenn returned carrying a small child. His chubby cheeks and curly hair looked very cute. The child smiled brightly when he saw me, and his hands instinctively reached out.

“Frel!” he shouted.

“Abel?” I felt both very happy and surprised to find Abel here, right in front of me.

I immediately pulled him into my arms. Abel hugged my neck tightly.

“Why don’t you call me Mom anymore?” I asked, curious and amused.

“Last time, Reno said that we shouldn’t call Frel and Kenn Mom and Dad anymore. Reno said that you’re still not our real parents. Frel and Kenn are too kind and still young, so it’s not suitable to call you that,” Abel said innocently.

Hearing Reno’s name suddenly made me sad. Abel must miss his brother very much, just as I miss Grandpa and Grandma.

“Are you sad because Grandpa and Grandma passed away? Just like Reno. Kenn said that Reno’s leaving is different from Mom’s leaving. Mom only went away for a while, while Reno went away forever, but every day he can see us from up there,” Abel said while pointing his index finger at the sky.

I nodded while covering my mouth. Should I tell him that the mother they had been looking for all this time was also my mother?

“Don’t cry anymore. Now Abel and Kenn will take care of Frel, just like Reno has been taking care of Abel all this time,” he continued while wiping my tears with his little fingers.

I kissed Abel’s face again and again. “I will take care of you too, dear. I promise.”

“What about Kenn, will you take care of him too?” Abel blurted out.

My eyes widened at once, and I quickly turned to look at Kenn. He only smiled faintly at me.

“Answer it, I’m waiting,” Kenn whispered right into my ear.

My mouth fell half open. Why was Kenn joining in and pressuring me like this?

“Yes, Abel. I will take care of Kenn too,” I finally answered.

I dare swear that two seconds ago, Kenn was grinning at me. He seemed satisfied with teasing me.

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