and when you go away i still see you,
the sunlight on your face in my rearview
— CIGARETTES AFTER SEX
CHAPTER 42 ORANGES
inside the sterile hospital room, (name) sat by her grandmother's bedside. a small bag of oranges sat on the side table, and the sweet aroma filled the room as she carefully peeled one, her nimble fingers deftly removing the skin.
the sweet aroma of citrus filled the room, mingling with the antiseptic scent that lingered in the air. despite the somber atmosphere, the two engaged in playful banter, attempting to infuse a bit of lightness into the heavy surroundings.
"(name), dear, you're peeling it all wrong." her grandmother teased, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
(name) feigned offense, holding up a particularly uneven peel. "well, if you're the expert, show me how it's done, grandma."
her grandmother chuckled, the sound a melody that resonated through the room. "so, tell me, how's university life treating you? any exciting stories?"
(name) rolled her eyes playfully. "exciting stories, grandma? you know i'm more into books and studying than wild adventures."
her grandmother gave her a knowing look. "come on, (name), i've been around long enough to know that university isn't just about books. what about those boys from your club?"
(name) blushed slightly, her attention momentarily focused on the orange in her hands. "well, they're a handful, as always."
her grandmother's eyes twinkled with curiosity. "tell me more. are they keeping you on your toes?"
the (hair color)-headed girl nodded, a playful glint in her eyes mirroring her grandmother's mischief.
"absolutely. there's this one guy, kazuha, always with a poetic charm and a smile that can charm the birds off the trees."
her grandmother chuckled, clearly entertained by the description. "sounds like quite the character. anyone else catching your eye?"
(name) hesitated, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. "well, there's venti, too. he's like a whirlwind of energy, always making things lively. though, i'm not sure if it's a good thing or not,"
her grandmother raised an eyebrow, encouraging her to continue.
"he's a bit overprotective," (name) admitted with a laugh. "but it comes from a good place, i suppose. it's like having an extra guardian angel."
her grandmother's eyes twinkled with a mischievous glint as she listened to (name)'s stories. "it sounds like you have a lively bunch around you. it's good to know more people are looking out for you. who knows, maybe you'll end up marrying one of them."
(name) paused mid-peel, her eyes widening. "grandma, stop! absolutely not!" she protested, a blush spreading across her cheeks.
the playful banter between them continued as her grandmother chuckled at the reaction. "oh, come on, dear. i'm just teasing you," her grandmother said with a wink.
"but it's heartwarming to see you surrounded by friends who care about you. it's like you've built your own little family at that university of yours."
(name) chuckled, the embarrassment subsiding. "yeah, they are like a family away from home. and while i appreciate their concern, marriage is definitely not on the agenda anytime soon."
her grandmother laughed. "well, you have time, my dear. enjoy your youth and the friendships you're making. and if, by some chance, one of these young men steals your heart, who am i to complain?"
they shared a moment of laughter, the peel of oranges and the rustle of hospital sheets blending into a comforting symphony
however, in a moment that shifted the tone, her grandmother's expression changed, the lines of her face growing serious. concerned, (name) stopped her peeling and looked at her grandmother.
"grandma, what's wrong?" she asked, a trace of worry in her voice.
"(name), my dear," she began, her tone taking on an unusual solemnity. "(name), i want you to know that no matter what happens, you are strong. you are capable of more than you realize."
(name) tried to brush off the seriousness. "grandma, you're going to be fine. you'll be out of here soon."
but her grandmother's eyes held a depth of emotion that hinted at something more. she gently reached for (name)'s hand, her grasp feeble yet determined.
"(name), i love you. always remember that."
before the girl could respond, the hospital monitor suddenly erupted into a frantic symphony of beeps, disrupting the stillness of the room.
panic set in as medical professionals rushed in, but (name) clung to the belief that her grandmother's words were not a farewell but an affirmation of enduring love.
the room, once filled with laughter and the scent of oranges, was now permeated with an eerie silence as the medical team worked tirelessly to stabilize the situation.
each beep from the monitor echoed like a heavy heartbeat, a stark contrast to the warmth and playfulness that had defined their earlier moments together.
a familiar auburn boy, frantic and breathless, had rushed to the hospital as soon as he heard the news about (name)'s grandmother.
the corridor echoed his hurried footsteps, the sterile white walls amplifying his anxiety.
as he approached her grandmother's room, the subdued sounds of sobbing reached his ears, intensifying the heaviness in his chest.
pushing the door gently, heizou found (name) huddled on a chair, her shoulders shaking with unrestrained sobs. "(name)." he called out softly, rushing to her side.
she looked up, her eyes red and swollen. heizou didn't say anything; he simply enveloped her in a comforting embrace. she clung to him, her sobs echoing in the empty corridor.
through her tears, (name) managed to speak, her voice shaky. "w-we were just talking, heizou. i was peeling oranges for her, and then, in an instant, she was just gone. it happened so fast."
he tightened his embrace, his voice a soothing murmur. "i'm so sorry, (name). i'm here for you."
unbeknownst to them, kazuha stood in the distance, having arrived at the hospital as well. his heart sank at the sight of (name) in heizou's arms, finding solace in someone else.
he hesitated, wanting to approach but held back, realizing that the moment was too delicate.
heizou continued to offer words of comfort. "it's okay to grieve. losing someone is never easy, especially when it happens so suddenly."
she nodded, her tears staining heizou's shoulder. amid her grief, she was unaware of the silent observer standing in the shadows.
kazuha watched from a distance, his heart heavy with a mixture of emotions. he wanted to be there for (name), to offer his comfort, but the scene before him held an intimacy that made him hesitate.
he leaned against the wall, unseen, his gaze filled with a pained longing.
as heizou continued to console (name), the hospital corridor seemed to stretch into an eternity of grief, and kazuha grappled with the ache of being just out of reach.
↷ ⁞ END OF CHAPTER 42!
⟶ chapter written; january 16 2024
note. omg first angst of
(name) after 41 chapters???