Xia Na's POV
Picking up a pastel purple dress from the corner, I put it on my chest and asked, "Tang Xue, is it looking good on me?"
She looked at me, raised both hands, and gave me a thumbs up. "Everything looks good on you."
Grinning, I gave the dress to the lady and asked her to pack it for me. I moved to the counter and paid for the dress. I picked up the bag and walked out of the shop.
Today, after months, we went on a girls' date during the weekend off. But we were not cheerful enough, as missing even one made the group seem incomplete.
"I wish Xingyue was here with us." Tang Xue murmured.
"I know, I'm missing her too. If only her mother had not come, she too would have been with us," I explained.
"I hope we can go on the next date all together."
We were walking towards the cafeteria while talking when we heard someone shouting from behind.
"SOMEONE, PLEASE HELP!"
Looking back, we saw a crowd gathering at one place. Glancing at each other, we immediately ran towards it.
While being respectful, I sided people to look at the owner of the voice. But an old lady lying on the floor caught my attention. I quickly made my way to her and squatted. I put my fingers around her neck and checked her pulse.
My eyes almost popped out as I turned back and asked, "Tang Xue, call the ambulance. It's serious."
She nodded as I turned again and opened my purse, trying my best to save the lady.
I was almost done when I raised my head to glance at another lady standing and sobbing. For a moment, I couldn't believe my eyes.
"Ling Xiao's mom?"
My attention shifted back to the old lady when the ambulance arrived. We quickly wrapped up and took her to the city hospital.
...............................................
We all stood silently outside the operation theatre.
She emptily stared at the floor, losing her sense. Her eyes were moist. The cheeks got dry.
I pitifully glanced at her, but I could do nothing to comfort her. Even if I wanted to support her, I failed to muster up the courage, knowing she didn't like me.
Looking down, I turned my head towards Tang Xue when we heard a familiar voice.
"MOM!"
We all turned towards the sound and found Ling Xiao and Xi Song standing there. He rushed to his mom and pulled her into a hug.
The pain she was holding onto burst when he hugged her. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she wept again.
"Ling Xiao, Mom..."
He gently caressed her head, pressing his lips together to keep his emotions in check.
"It's okay, Mom. Granny is out of danger. You don't need to worry anymore."
His eyes shifted to mine as he smiled slightly at me. He made his way to me and embraced me. He rested his head over my shoulder as I caressed his back.
"Thank you, Xia Na. If you had not helped her, she would have been more serious this time."
My lips curled up as I hummed.
He broke the hug and glanced at his mom.
"Mom, you should go and rest. I'll take care of Granny."
"But Ling Xiao-"
"Mom, don't get sick. Please go home and rest a little. You can come back tomorrow."
"No one can win against you. Fine, I'll go."
He giggled, and while facing me, he urged, "You too, rest, Xia Na."
I nodded and headed towards the exit door along with Tang Xue.
We had just come out when his mom called me and requested, "Can we talk?"
............................................................
Author's POV
Xingyue was having lunch, sitting opposite her mom, when her mom started talking about divorce.
"Are you really going for a divorce? Think about it again."
"Mom." She stopped eating and put the bowl down, looking at her in disbelief. "Can you stop now? After knowing the truth, how can I live with my sister's lover?"
"So, you know the truth?"
"Wait, did you know about this?" Her silence answered her doubt as she gasped in amazement. "And yet you made me marry him? Mom, I can't just believe what you did to me."
Her mom knew it hurt her the moment she got up and locked herself in the room.
But she could do nothing, as she was at fault too.
Knocking at the door, she put an envelope near the door and explained,
"Xingyue, I know Mamma hurt you. I know what I did was wrong, but it was the last thing I could do for Li Shing. You can take out your anger on me. You can blame me, but don't hurt yourself. I always wanted to give you this, but I think I missed the right time. You can see it now if you really think what you know is the entire truth."
She took her purse and glanced at the door until she left.
Wiping her tears, she haltingly opened her door and found the hall empty.
Her gaze lay on the brown envelope as she took it and headed towards the room again.
...................................................
Xia Na's POV
We were sitting on a bench in the hospital garden itself. There was silence for a long time. Neither she nor I could say anything.
We were just staring at the sky, totally lost, when she finally uttered a word.
"I think I told you to choose between my son and your career."
"I remember it."
"Did you make a choice? Is my son your choice?"
I gave a lopsided grimace, sighing. "I tried my best to stop myself, to stay away from him. But the more I tried to run away from him, the more I found myself falling in love with him. Even when he was not near, I saw myself forming his image and driving back to our memories. Later, I found out he never left my mind, not even for a second. The moment I met him again, I felt so helpless. I could do nothing but love him. When I noticed the pain and loneliness in his eyes again, I knew I couldn't run away anymore."
She carefully listened to my words. Perhaps that's what she wanted to hear from me that day as well.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Ling, but I can't stop myself from loving him. I'm willing to suffer if it comes with him."
Her lips formed a tiny smile. She gasped, looking at the stars.
"I never cared about anyone other than my son. He is too precious for me. The moment his dad and he fought over his career, I stood against everyone to support his dream. I wanted my son to be happy by doing whatever he loved to do. But I always saw him as lonely and isolated. He kept his thoughts to himself."
Pausing, she glanced at me and added, "When I saw you with him, I noticed what my son's real smile looks like. When you broke up with him, I saw him getting isolated again. I was scared to lose my lively son. To me, my son comes before any status. Promise me, you'll not let go of him. Once you hold him, make sure he doesn't feel broken or lonely ever again."
She held my hands, looking at me with pleading eyes. I nodded my head, assuring her. "I promise you."