It had been two weeks since the accident, and Ping had barely left Keng's side. He talked to him, cleaned him,and cried whenever the emotions got too heavy.
Unknown to Ping, Keng's parents always visited, but only from afar. Every time Ping was around, they stayed in the background, watching quietly. Keng's mother often wanted to approach him, to thank him, to check on Keng, but her husband would always stop her. They would only step closer when Ping wasn't around.
But Ping barely left. He only stepped out when he had to attend lectures. He had wanted to skip them entirely, but Rain had insisted he shouldn't. "Keng would be upset if you missed class," Rain had reminded him, and Ping had agreed.
One evening, after a long day at school, Ping came back to Keng's side.
"Hia, a lot of things are happening at school," Ping said softly, brushing Keng's hair back. "Actually, a lot of guys have been asking me out. Of course, I told them I already have a boyfriend… but you know how persistent they are. So wake up and come take your place, Hia."
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, Keng's fingers twitched slightly.
Ping froze. Maybe I'm imagining things… he thought.
But when Keng's fingers moved again, more obviously this time, Ping's heart skipped a beat.
He quickly pressed the alarm button, calling for the doctors.
"Hia… Hia, are you awake?" Ping asked, gripping Keng's hand tightly.
The doctors rushed in and began checking Keng, but he was mumbling something under his breath. One leaned closer to hear him.
"Ping… ping," he whispered weakly.
The doctor turned to Ping. "Who's Ping?" he asked.
"I'm Ping," Ping replied quickly, his voice trembling.
"I think you should talk to him," the doctor said, stepping back. "We'll come back to check on him, but from what I see… he's awake and stable now."
Ping's chest swelled with relief. "Hia… it's okay, I'm right here. You're safe now," he whispered, tears running down his cheeks as he held Keng's hand tightly.
"Don't cry," keng said weakly, raising his hands to wipe the tears from ping's face.
"I'm not," ping replied, smiling faintly. "I'm just… happy."
"I'm fine now," Keng added, sitting up slowly and resting his head against Ping's shoulder.
"You scared me, Hia," Ping whispered, wanting to cry again.
"I'm sorry… I was just overwhelmed with too many emotions when I had an argument with my parents, and then I ended up colliding with a big truck. I don't know what happened after that," Keng said, keeping his head pressed against Ping's.
"You're fine now," Ping said, hugging him tightly.
While they were wrapped in their embrace, Keng's parents quietly entered the room.
Ping froze, shocked. He stood up, adjusted his clothes, and didn't know whether to leave or stay.
Keng's mother approached him gently and gave him a warm hug.
"Thank you, Ping, for taking care of my son," she said softly.
Ping, flustered, could only force a small smile.
"Ping, can I have a moment with you?" Keng's father's deep voice broke the silence.
Keng opened his mouth to protest, but his mother gently stopped him.
"It's fine," she said, nodding.
Ping followed Keng's father out of the room.
"Thank you for taking care of my son," Keng's father started, his tone serious.
"But… how do you know it's love you have for him?"
Ping hesitated, but then remembered his mother's words.
"Well… I'm willing, more than willing, to take care of P'Keng for the rest of my life," Ping said, his voice steady. "He's like a storm, but at the same time, a light that brightens my little world. I'm so lucky I met him."
"Don't you care… both of you are guys?" Keng's father asked bluntly.
Ping laughed softly. "In a world where there's love, why do we have to bother about gender?"
"But… aren't you worried what people will say?" Keng's father pressed.
Ping shook his head. "A relationship is between two people. If we let homophobic words stop us, we wouldn't be together. If it's with P'Keng, I don't care." He smiled confidently at Keng's father.
Keng's father let out a long sigh, then laughed softly. "You two are alike… is it because you're in love?"
Ping blinked, surprised to see him laugh.
"Your response has put my mind at ease. I'm glad my son is in love with someone like you. No wonder he was even willing to risk his life for you," Keng's father said, patting Ping's shoulder. "Please… take care of my son. And if Keng ever makes you sad, or if you need anything… come to me."
Ping felt a warmth in his chest he had never felt before. For the first time, Keng's father didn't look irritated by his presence. The fear Ping had carried melted away, replaced with a deep sense of relief and happiness.