Winter in Hokkaido
Chapter 25: The Waiting

Last week my heart was so shaken. In plain sight, I saw Ken being persecuted. Blood gushed from his head as a result of being hit many times into the wall. I almost fainted, because I couldn't bear to see her moaning in pain.

When I tried to help, Add hurt Ken even more. He threatened me helplessly to rescue me. Fortunately, there were some people who came to help and called the police. At first, the more approachable Add gets, the more violent Ken hurts. There I was terrified, and Ken chuckled on the floor soaked with his blood.

I screamed over and over again for Add to release Ken. Especially when Add says no one should have Ken if he can't have it. The atmosphere is really gripping. My tears can't even come out anymore. Luckily, Ken's life can be saved after the police bend Add from behind with a guerrilla.

Ken was taken to the emergency department. He's lost a lot of blood. Doctors even said Ken's condition was critical. I panicked too. I was afraid to tell Uncle Yamada.

So I decided to tell my father first. The father then contacted Uncle Yamada. In the afternoon, Uncle came from Tokyo with Aunt Ayane and the family.

At the time of the incident, Uncle sent me a WhatsApp message to bring Ken breakfast. Of course I don't mind. But that morning, then, became a very gloomy morning. A blood breakfast that I never want to see again.

Doctors said Ken's life was helped, but it still took time for his consciousness to recover. After almost 24 hours of waiting for Ken to wake up, the signs were missing. His heart rate is unstable. The situation made the Ken family sad. I also became the person who felt the most guilty, because when the incident could not quickly save him.

Doctors diagnosed Ken's consciousness with the GCS or Glasgow Coma Scale which included eye assessment, verbal response, and motion (motoric) response. Ken is ranked 5. That means Ken's in a coma. In the diagnosis if the value of the patient is 3-7 then it is said to be a coma, and the maximum value is 15.

Ken's condition then made us even more devastated, especially his family. Aunt Ayane even fainted twice. First when seeing Ken in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) room and second when the doctor sentenced Ken to a coma. Ken experienced this due to a hard impact and many times that make injury to his brain or traumatic brain injury.

The days that Ken and I took turns waiting for him to wake up. We tried to get him to chat and play his favorite Jazz music, but there was no response. In my life, it's the saddest memory that doesn't want to happen to the people closest to me.

Ken has awakened. It makes us very happy and grateful. Add has also received a fair reward. I'm forced to lie to Ken's family if a stranger just comes along strangling and injuring Ken. I also asked my father for help to cover up the case. Though it's not Ken's fault, I understand Ken doesn't want the matter to be known to his family.

Dad, then, managed to convince Ken's family not to go see Add. He is in prison on assault charges.

The most important thing right now is to take care of Ken.

***

After waking up from a coma, Ken underwent treatment for three days. His health condition is growing rapidly. The doctor said, it was because Ken's own willingness to recover was very high. Ken also said he no longer wanted to be sick and trouble others. The events that happened to him were indeed very unexpected. We'll always be there whenever and under whatever conditions are there for you, Ken.

“Thank you so much May has been willing to take care of me as long as I'm sick. You helped me too,” Ken said upon arriving at his home. His smile when he said that sentence melted my feelings.

“I should have done that, Ken. Now that I'm home first, I'm back tomorrow morning. Don't forget to take your medicine and rest!”

“Iya, May. You also have enough rest yes.”

His sentence reply made my heart beat twice as fast, plus he also rubbed my palm. I felt the smell of happiness would be stronger covering my day. Hopefully!

When I arrived home, I immediately asked about my happy-looking face. Ken's good condition is definitely a happiness. Besides, I haven't been able to tell Dad much.

Behind the tragic events that befell Ken, I remembered how he hugged and kissed me. The thing that I could only imagine before, I dare not believe it will happen.

He touched my lips gently, sending warmth all over my body. Before, I was afraid that she would take Add's challenge to kiss him.

Unexpectedly, Ken turned around and did that to me. It made Add angry, and then his anger grew when Ken said he would marry me soon. Like being showered with millions of love, I can't express happiness when I hear Ken's statement. Although he was cut off by cruel events, but now he is healthy, and the person who has injured him will never come back here.

Tomorrow morning I'll see Ken back. I thought about making sure of what he said at that time. The thought came to mind that Ken once said he could never love me more than a friend. Is tomorrow a good time to talk about this? But I can't wait for this happiness to hang on any longer.

If Ken's statement was just for Add to leave, why would I feel his kiss so good?! Not only did Ken stick his lips together, he also played a taste in them. That's what makes me sure Ken's feelings I can get through. He also did not clarify that it was not serious. There's no way that Ken kissed me just for fun. He can't play with someone's feelings.

Although it wasn't my first kiss, it was the first one that made my heart melt. True, my parents said, time and patience can turn hard rock into soft sand. Ken's heart has been opened.

The next morning, I came to Uncle Yamada's house with a bright smile. It was snowing pretty hard, but I didn't feel the cold. The power of love is incredible, it can turn things around and bring joy.

“Again, Uncle!

“Morning, Mayumi. You look very cheerful today.”

“Hehe…. Ken's awake, Uncle?”

I can't wait to see Ken.

“Still asleep. Last night his sleep was interrupted, because he complained of a headache.”

“What's worse, Uncle?”

“Seems not. After taking the medicine he can sleep again.”

“Oh thank goodness then.” I can't help myself not telling my happiness. At first, I wanted to keep this news until I got confirmation from Ken.

“Uncle, can I tell you?”

“Of course.” Uncle was so enthusiastic.

“Begini, Uncle. Before the incident Ken comma..” But I suddenly hesitated and was afraid. “Ken says he will marry me soon. What three days has she been telling Uncle that?”

“Really? Ken hasn't said anything about it to Uncle”, Uncle's response confirmed.

“Do I look far-fetched, Uncle?”

Uncle smiled in response.

“Not so Uncle meant. Uncle was so happy to hear this. Then later Uncle immediately asked him if he was awake.”

“Maybe because the situation has not recovered, so Ken has not told this. According to Mayumi, Uncle don't ask Ken. Let Mayumi make sure of it again.”

“Why are you now in doubt? Ken is firm. He is quiet. But if he said that, it would be true. Ken never messes with his words.”

“Iya, Uncle.” Uncle's words add to my happiness.

“Oya, have you told your father and mother?”

“Mayumi hasn't told anyone, other than Uncle.”

“Uncle is very happy to be the first to hear it. Oya, Uncle wants to see Ken first for a while yes it looks like he's awake.”

“Iya, Uncle. Mayumi prepare breakfast first then.”

Ken was seen coming out of the room with his right hand holding the glass, and his left hand holding the head.

It seems like he wants to get some drinking water. I quickly approached and brought it.

“Thank you, May.”

“Your head still hurts, Ken? If you need anything, call Uncle.” Uncle tried to put Ken on the couch.

“All breakfast yes, Ken. I'll bring it to you soon.” I offered a little pushy, because Ken had to eat on time so he could take the medicine on time.

I tried to bribe, but Ken refused.

“You've had breakfast?” tanyakanya.

“But.”

“Then, why would you bribe me?”

“After you have breakfast, I also have breakfast.”

“Better we have breakfast at the dining table together.”

Ken brought his food back to the dining table. His attitude never fails to make my heart melt.

After breakfast, Ken returned to his room. His condition this morning seemed more sluggish. I wish my vision was wrong. I was sad to see him in pain.

Intention to make sure Ken says, I'm pending first. It's not a good time to ask Ken for an explanation regarding his intention to marry me. Take it easy Ken, I can wait until you recover. At that time, we will tie the promise of living life. My fingers are impatient to be immediately pinned by the ring on the altar later.

“May, Uncle go for a minute. Uncle must go to the hotel because there are guests looking for.”

“Iya, Uncle. Be careful on the road,” I said while cleaning up the rest of the breakfast.

Sayup-sayup heard Ken was on the phone when the house phone rang. I hesitated to pick him up, but Ken was busy as well.

“Halo...” I finally got the courage to pick up the phone.

“Morning, Mayumi! How is Ken's condition today?”

“August, Auntie! Ken's condition has improved.” I knew it was Aunt Ayane because her voice was familiar to me.

“Thank God. If there's anything tell Aunt Mayumi!”

“Sure, Aunty.”

“Then Aunty hangs up her phone first huh. Later please tell Ken to call Auntie!”

“Good, Aunty.”

As I hung up the phone, Ken surprised me by suddenly being behind me. “What Auntie called?”

“Ken...” I stroked my chest.

“Sorry, I surprised you huh?”

“It's okay. Auntie just asked about your condition. Keep saying later you are asked to call back.”

“Okay.”

Then Ken sat down on the couch. I went back to the kitchen to finish the work that was delayed.

The two with Ken in the house were very happy. I can't wait to enjoy this situation every day.

To melt the atmosphere, I tried to turn on the television. While Ken was busy staring at his phone screen. For some reason, I felt awkward to invite him to a chat.

“Ken, said Uncle, your head last night suddenly hurt again? Today we go to the hospital ya.” I finally got the topic too.

“Oh, it’s not a big deal. I've recovered.”

“Thank God then. But, I think later in the day you have to keep control yes!”

Ken nodded. Then he put his phone on the table. “Oya May, there's something I want to say.”

I hope what he wants to say is what I think. “Please, Ken!”

“May, I'm sorry about the incident.”

“Which means?”

“That's it...”

It seemed to be about the kiss, but why did Ken's expression seem unhappy. I try to avoid looking at his face. I don't want to be influenced by reading that look.

“Iya, Ken?”

“So..al my sass at the time. To be honest I want to say it again from yesterday, but..”.

“You said it was serious, right, Ken?”

Ken was silent. I glanced at him, and he was playing his phone again. Looks like I'm replying to a message. His finger was dancing on the screen. I'll just wait until he's done.

“I..iya, May…. “

After saying those two words, Ken stood up, then walked to his room.

“Sorry, I charged my phone first yes.”

“Iya, Ken.”

I want to scream happily. Many times I pinched my cheek to convince myself that Ken was right to say “Iya”. It's an incredible feeling. True said Uncle, Ken could not have said the sentence if he was not serious.

I waited for Ken to come out of his room, but he seemed busy calling. I don't want to bother him. I just focus on watching TV.

Sent up Ken's voice speaks about the apartment, the price, and the amenities. Has Ken gone that far thinking about where to stay after we got married? I can't wait to call my mom. Also, want to come home soon to deliver this news directly to Dad.

I don't have a goal to get married at a certain age. My parents don't ask that often either. But after meeting Ken, the desire to get married just strengthened. I want to spend my life with him forever.

My wish became real. Things that initially felt difficult, even as impossible, were already confirmed by Ken it would happen. Without expressing his feelings, Ken immediately wanted to marry me. It's obvious he's a loyal man.

For the date and place of the wedding, I leave it to Ken and my family. Watashi wa anata o aishite Ken. (I love you, Ken).