Chapter 17...Chapter 17...
Fei: Good evening to you, too, Miss Chan.
It had been a month since the shooting incident, and Quin still lay in a coma. Ching Ching had long since left for England. Fei came to visit everyday without fail. He spent hours talking to her, reading to her, being by her side. He never gave up hope. He knew if he waited long enough, someday, Quin would surely wake up. Fei was willing to wait for that day for as long as it takes. Fei eased himself into the chair by Quin’s bedside.
Fei: (taking Quin’s hand) Kwan, I brought you flowers again. But…you know that they are not allowed in your room. There, in the vase outside. Do you like carnations? You never told me what flowers you liked. Remember the first time I gave you flowers? You called me old-fashioned (lou tou). It may be “lou tou”, but it was, it is, a gesture of sincerity. Surely you can see that.
Fei: (determined to be cheerful) You know what? I already checked out a few tour packages. When you wake up, where do you want to go? Paris? Las Vegas? I…
Fei: Call the doctor! Something’s wrong with Kwan!!
Doctor: (impatiently) Wait outside, please. You will only get in the way.
The nurse gently pushed Fei out of the room and drew the curtains around Quin’s bed. Fei stared at the room door. He began to pray. Please God, don’t let anything happen to Kwan. Please…Minutes ticked by torturingly. Finally, the curtains were drawn back and the doctor exited the room.
Fei: (rushed to the doctor’s side) How is she?
Doctor: (smiled) I have good news. Miss Mo’s out of her coma. She’s just sleeping now. She should wake up anytime.
(Fei felt his knees weakened with relief. He let his brain digested the doctor’s words. Kwan is going to be okay. She’s going to wake up.)
Fei: (in wonder) Kwan is going to wake up.
Fei: Kwan is going to be okay!
Laughing happily, he sprinted down the hall to tell everyone and anyone that would listen to him the good news. After telling Chi San and the others, Fei hurried back into Quin’s hospital room. He wanted him to be the first one she saw when she opened her eyes.
Fei: (squeezing Quin’s hand) You’re going to be okay.
Quin’s eyelids fluttered. Her fingers twitched. Fei felt tears building up behind his eyelids. After waiting for so long, Quin was finally out of her coma. Quin opened her eyes tiredly and looked at Fei. She smiled. Fei looked into her beautiful eyes and felt his tears spilled over.
Fei: You’re awake. Oh, Kwan, do you know how worried I was?
Quin: (still smiling but looked a bit puzzled) Who are you? Do I know you?
Man hurried up the hospital steps. She could hardly believe it when she received Fei’s phone call. She was so happy she screamed into the phone. She stepped into the lift. Suddenly…
A Man: Wait up, please!
Man obligingly held the lift door opened. The man hurried in, and all color drained from both their faces.
Man: Chi San?!?!
Chi San: (at the same time) Man!??!
They looked at each other uncomfortably. They haven’t really talked since the day Chi San took off like a rocket jet when they nearly kissed.
Chi San: Ummm…Fei said that Quin’s waking up…
Man: (at the same time) I’m here to see Quin.
An awkward silence lasped between them. Chi San desperately wanted to apologise, but he didn’t how to speak out. Man kept her eyes trained on the wall. Ding! The lift stopped. Man immediately rushed out without a backward glance. Chi San stared at her retreating back. He mentally cursed himself. You, Kong Chi San, are a major jerk.
Man practically ran to Quin’s hospital room. I’m just eager to see Quin. A little voice admonished her. Really? Or you just want to run away from Chi San? Man cleared her thoughts and reached Quin’s room. She saw Fei sitting outside, a blank look on his face.
Man: Fei…has Quin woken up yet?
Fei: (tonelessly) Yes. The doctor is with her.
Man: (scruntinizing Fei) Fei, are you all right? You don’t look very excited. Nor very happy. I thought…
Fei: Kwan…she…
Man: (Panicking) What’s wrong with her?
Fei: She…has…amnesia.
Fei: She has amnesia. She doesn’t remember me. She doesn’t remember anything.
Chi San: (questioningly) Fei? Quin…she…
Quin: (groggily) Why can’t I remember anything? I…don’t…
Doctor: Miss Mo, your amnesia is probably caused by your head concussion. I also have to reason to believe that due to your long period of unconsciousness, the condition of your brain cells might have deteoriated.
Quin: Miss Mo? My name…I am Miss Mo?
Doctor: Amnesia is not an uncommon illness. I assure you you have a high chance of being able to recall your memories. But you have to be patient.
Quin: When will I remember…?
Doctor: (looked grave) I really can’t say. May be a day, a week, a month or even a year.
Quin: A year? That long? But…
Doctor: I suggest you have a good rest now. Don’t feel too overwhelmed. You just woke up from a month long coma.
Quin: Rest? How can I rest? I don’t even know who am I! (her voice rose to a hysterical pitch) Who am I?
Doctor: Nurse, give her a sedative, quickly!
Doctor: Her boyfriend, I presume?
Chi San: Who, me? No…that will be him, out there.
Doctor: Is any of Miss Mo’s family present?
Chi San: (looked outside) Her father and brother. And her stepmother.
Doctor: I need to see them in my office. (looked at Chi San) If you’re a close friend of Miss Mo’s, I suggest you come along, too.
Kit: My sister…what happened?
Doctor: (held up his hand) I suggest you all come to my office. I will slowly explain to you.
In tbe doctor’s office…
Man: But…but…how could that be? She came around to call Tsui Fei’s name when she was at the hospital at the day of the shooting…
Doctor: One doesn’t get amnesia immediately, Miss Mun. Like I told Miss Mo, her amnesia might have been caused by both her head concussion AND her long period of unconciousness.
Kit: But she WILL remember, right?
Doctor: (gravely) It’s hard to say. Overall, most amnesic patients are able to recover and remember. But there is also a small percentage that couldn’t remember anything at all until the day they depart from this world. I would like all of you to remain optimistic and help her through this ordeal. At this moment, she needs the people she loves around her. Try to help her rediscover herself. But don’t rush her. Take things slowly as they come. (his eyes landed on Fei) Mr.Tsui, as her boyfriend and as someone she loves, you will play an important part in helping her, as I’m sure you’ve, well, in one way or another, had some impact on her life.
Doctor: That is all I have to say.
Heung: Oh, my poor Kwan…what has she done wrong in her previous life?
Man: (suddenly lashed out at Fei) Damn right you made an impact in her life. A horrible impact.
Man: (chasing after him and grabbing his sleeve) Tsui Fei, listen to me. I’m not finished here. She did everything she could for you. She wanted you to be happy. You, you, you. It was always you. Never herself. You, who never appreciate her and her sacrifices. Even now. She’s lying there, with no memory or whatsoever about herself, it was also because of you.
Chi San: Man…don’t. Fei is already hurting.
Man: (her voice rose) Hurting!?! Does he even know what is hurt? Do you know how badly he hurted Quin? For 2 years. For 2 whole years, Quin never had a good night’s sleep. For 2 whole years, she had never been truly happy. Why did she get mixed up with that lunatic, John? Because she wanted to forget you ever existed. Because she wanted to stop hurting. But no, she cannot.
Man: (sobbing) I don’t know why she loves you. Damnit, God knows why she would love someone like you. You don’t deserve her. You are not worthy of her love.
Fei: (his voice barely audible) I assure you, Mun Yuen Lan. I will make it up to her. I just want you to know. Regardless of what you said, let me tell you, I love her. I love Kwan.
Tears blinding his eyes, Fei turned and walked away from them. He felt an intense pain. It was too much for him. He had thought that with Ching Ching gone, everything would be fine the once Quin woke up. He waited so long. And now the doctor had to tell him Quin had amnesia. Looks like the ruthless fate hadn't had enough yet. Their love had to endure yet another hurdle.
One month later…
Nurse: Good evening, Mr.Tsui! Here to visit Miss Mo again, huh?
(The heart machine beeped. Quin remained motionless.)
(Suddenly, the beeping of the heart machine speeded up. Quin’s fingers moved slightly. Fei stared in wonder. Leaping out from his chair, he immediately threw himself towards the door and yelled at the nurse on duty.)
(The alarmed nurse immediately paged for the doctor. Moments later, the doctor came running in. He pushed Fei aside.)
(Suddenly, he grabbed the surprised nurse and gave her a hug.)
(Fei dropped his head in his hands.)
(Man covered her mouth with her hand. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Just then, Chi San hurried up. He saw Fei’s red-rimmed eyes.)
(Man shook her head speechlessly. Chi San threw them an exsperated look and entered Quin’s room. He heard snippets of conversation…)
(The nurse immediately inserted a needle into Quin’s arm. Her agitated expression calmed, and soon, she was in a deep sleep. The doctor exited the room quietly. He saw Chi San.)
(Chi San pointed to the hunched-over figure of Fei.)
(The doctor came out to the main hall. Immediately, everyone gathered around him.)
Doctor: Now, don’t panic and listen to me. I have verified Miss Mo’s case as amnesia. She will not remember anything at all about the past and present.
(Man turned and glared at Fei angrily.)
(All of them trooped out of the doctor’s room. Quin’s stepmother, Heung, was sobbing silently.)
(Fei turned and regarded Man silently. Then he strode down the hall towards Quin’s room.)
(Man was sobbing, her anger towards Fei building. Fei just stared at her, his face expressionless.)
It looks like a long road to recovery for Quin. Will she ever remember her life? And will Chi San learn to put down the burden of Tong Sum he is carrying?
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Yong June-Ling
Copyright 2001