"Is the checkup over?" Zixin asked with a slight impatience.
Jack Si cocked his brow and curiously observed the way Zixin was shifting his body's weight from one foot to another in anticipation. His bluish-grey orbs caught the hint of some secret.
"You seem to be in a hurry."
Zixin said, "No."
He chuckled. "Is it a date?"
Yunru and Serena, who had accompanied him for the checkup, also straightened up at that question. Yunru gasped. "B-Bro, you are secretly dating someone!?"
"No."
Serena clapped her hands. "No, no, you definitely are. Who is it? Who is it?"
He pursed his lips. "It's nothing like that. I just have an appointment with someone, and I don't want to be late."
Yunru grinned. "Is that someone a woman?"
Jack Si shook his head. "Let's not bully him."
Serena mumbled. "I am not really bullying my son..."
He laughed. "Anyway. Zixin's physical reports are okay. His brain scan also shows positive signs. As far as his memories are concerned, there is no rush. We can take small steps and keep showing him things little by little to trigger it," he sighed. "I won't give you false hopes about when his memories might return. We just have to keep doing everything we can and make sure not to overwhelm Zixin."
Serena wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and nodded. "Yes."
She and Yunru left the office and as Zixin turned, Jack Si stopped him. "One moment, Zixin."
"Yes?"
He smiled. "How are things going with your family? I am asking this because as a doctor, I need to know how you truly feel. Are you comfortable? Do you feel you sometimes face any strange episodes?"
He shook his head. "None. As for my family, I feel more at ease now. Though I cannot say I have completely gelled with them..."
"That's okay. Take your time. If you feel uncomfortable at any point in time, report it to me as soon as possible."
As Zixin was leaving, one nurse knocked on the office door and stepped in. "Dr. Si. Here is tomorrow's appointment list."
"Thanks," Jack Si glanced at it and said, "Oh yeah I am meeting Zhou Ai tomorrow, right?"
Zixin just stopped at the door and turned. "Jun's girlfriend?"
"Oh yeah. Jun had called me and then Zhou Ai and I chatted a bit. She was concerned about the mental condition of one of her friends and had some questions. So, I asked her to meet me tomorrow."
"I see..."
For a moment, Zixin wondered which friend it might be. As far as he knew, apart from Jun and his family's circle, Xing Bi, Guiying and Yating were her friends. Nobody really felt like they were suffering from any condition...
Zixin then berated himself.
I should not be judging anybody.
"Zixin, don't forget to come back tomorrow too. There are some remaining tests to be done."
He nodded. "I will."
--
Back at the condo, Jun looked defeated. He stared at Jin, hoping that he would wake up. Perhaps, he might be listening to him and change his mind about his suffering. But he still remained unmoved. But then he noticed his eyelashes fluttering.
"Jin?"
Jin felt as if he was coming out of a long dream. He kept following the cat until he saw a bright tunnel of light shining his way. As he opened his eyes, he saw Jun looking at him with tears slipping down his cheeks.
"Jin..."
"Bro..." Jin weakly said, a dull pain still flowing in his head.
p1ease visi(t) nove1B(in).ne)t
He shifted and tried to get up, but Jun sternly stopped him. "Just lay back. No need to get up."
Ai hurriedly rushed in, listening to their voices. "Jin? He woke up?"
Jun nodded. He couldn't express the relief he felt seeing Jin out of his precarious state now. "He is back..."
Ai beamed. She felt just as relieved as Jun. She went to his side and softly flicked on his forehead. "You made us worry so much. How should I punish you?"
It was weak, but his disdain was still visible. "Stay away from me."
She pursed her lips. "Did nothing change in your heart for me? You would have surely admitted to yourself now that you actually like me so much."
"I will kill you, Zhou Ai."
"So stubborn..."
Jun couldn't help but laugh. Seeing the catfight between them again felt so pleasant now.
Ai cleared her throat. "Oh I forgot! I am still cooking dinner. Let me check on it or I will burn the food." She quickly left, giving the brothers some privacy.
Jun smiled and patted his head. "I know you are tired. Rest for sometime until dinner is ready."
Jin stared at his brother, feeling a little feverish. "Bro...are you running away this time?"
He froze.
"You were saying things about...not deserving my forgiveness. Somehow, I feel we go around the same circles...every time. You feel that you disappointed me, and I feel that I disappointed you."
"How can you disappoint me, silly?" Jun gave a strained smile. "It was always me-"
"No. You loved Shui. I...started to love her too despite knowing this. It was my mistake from the beginning."
"We cannot control who we fall for, Jin. Who our heart chooses is out of our control. You loved her, you held it back for my sake, you never schemed or came in between my way, yet I only admonished you. You always acted more mature than me. I feel ashamed. I failed you in everything, and you cannot change my mind about this," Jun clenched his fists.
Silence fell.
Jin gave a weak smile. "Okay. So let's bring this matter to a close. I forgive you."
He knew his stubborn brother. Nothing would change his mind, and the only thing Jun needed now was forgiveness, which he felt he didn't deserve.
Jun stiffened. "You-"
"You cannot change my mind about this, Bro," Jin gave the ultimatum this time.
"You are being too soft on me," he lowered his gaze.
"You are being too hard on yourself. It's decided. I forgive you, and that's the end of it."