“You have to eat a lot so that we can already go home,” Fire said as he hand me sliced apples placed in a bowl.
I took it from his hands and smiled to show my appreciation. I really appreciate his gestures now that I’m awake because he’s been taking good care of me while others are sleeping at the couch.
“Sorry for this inconvenience,” I apologetically said to him.
I really don’t want someone to feel some inconvenience because of me. I don’t want to bother anyone to do something for me, even our maids, because I really can’t take the thought that I’m taking someone else’s time just to do me a favour.
“If there is someone who needs to say sorry here, it’s not you,” he said. “Sorry because we are the reason why you’re here in the first place. If only we didn’t try to argue with you, you couldn’t have walked out. Or at least, we should’ve followed you when you did but we thought that you’ll need your time alone,” he added.
What happened to me actually made me realize that they have a point. That still, this is such a dangerous university where a lot of things could happen in an instant.
“You’re right. Leaf’s right. I was nuisance,” I admitted and we both laughed because of it. “I’m sorry for taking your concern as a bad thing,” I added.
“From now on, we’ll protect you and we’ll be your first line of defense,” he assured me and I felt it when he gently held my hand.
He let go of my hand to reach for a banana. He then peeled it off and handed me.
“Here. Have some more.”
It’s funny how he was so concerned about me that he made me eat a lot of fruits. The doctor said that I shouldn’t have hard meals because I haven’t eaten anything since I lost my conscious so now, he’s making me eat a lot of soft foods to recover what I have lost.
Suddenly, the door opened and I saw Stone’s squad entering my room.
“You’re awake,” Adlerie stated the obvious. “Is it still hurting? Do you need anything?” A look of concern is what I can see in him right now.
I laughed because he really looked so worried about me but I appreciate it.
“I’m okay. I don’t need anything,” I answered his questions. “Thank you for your concern.”
“You should avoid troubles from now on. Everyone’s so worried about you,” Greg said and I can’t figure out if he’s scolding me or just caring about me.
“I didn’t search for trouble. It searches me,” I tried to joke around but it is truly what it is.
“You could transfer to our unit, you know? These gangsters will risk your life,” Greg added which is already offensive for me.
Good thing that the other guys are sleeping and only Fire is awake to hear those things. I saw him avoid his look because he’s guilty of what Greg has mentioned. I know that he was hurt because he just told me that it was their fault and Greg reminded him of that.
“It was not their fault and they didn’t want that to happen,” I defended them. It’s not like they told those kidnappers to get me and shoot me.
“That’s the problem with you, Hans! You’re too kind so they take advantage of your kindness,” I was shocked when Lyndel raised his voice which woke up the other guys.
They looked so curious about what happened and was about to ask but Fire stood up and faced them.
“Can’t you see that he’s healing? Why don’t you just respect that fact and not add into his stress right now?” Fire asked those guys. “I’ll accept your blame because even before you blamed us, I’m already blaming myself. Go on! Blame me! Tell that in my face and I won’t say a word because I would even agree with you,” Fire added and I can already feel the anger in his voice. “But you blaming Hans when he’s recovering from the trauma is unacceptable.”
I saw guilt on Greg’s and Lyndel’s faces after that statement by Fire.
“Sorry, bro. We’re all affected by our emotions now and we all need to chill,” Adlerie butted in. “We’ll go for now. We’re really sorry,” he apologized in behalf of his friends.
“Don’t hesitate to contact us once you need anything,” Stone added before they go out.
Once they’re gone, the curiosity of the guys hasn’t faded yet and basing on his face right now, I can feel that Fire is truly blaming himself from what happened to me.
“Fire, it’s not your fault,” I reassured him. I’m not blaming him for what happened to me because it is entirely the kidnapers’ fault and not his.
“It is, Hans. It is.”
I don’t know the right words to say just for me to comfort him. Instead of saying anything, I hugged him to ease whatever’s hurting. I hope that this hug could at least make things feel lighter for him.