Chapter 5
I took a deep breath then slowly opened my eyes. I heard beeping from somewhere and I wasn’t sure how long I was sleeping.
My vision was still a little fuzzy and I tried to narrow my eyes to help it focus. I looked around and saw someone hunched over on the side of the bed.
I tried to move my hand but I couldn’t move it, this woman was holding on to it. I tried to raise my other hand and now I’m just more confused than ever.
Is that an IV drip?
I took another deep breath
I have an oxygen mask?
I looked around and it dawned on me, I’m in a hospital room. I slowly and lightly shook my head then gingerly moved my hand that this woman was holding but failed. She started shifting then slowly lifted her head up.
Asami
“Korra! You’re awake! Thank God you’re awake!” she bolted out of her chair and yelled “Nurse! She’s awake! She’s awake!”
“Sa…mi…” I said barely a whisper
“Shh Shh! Don’t talk. You’ve been in a coma for the last 24 hours” Tears started brimming her eyes but I shook my head
“I can talk, a little” before I could say anything, the nurses came in and started checking all my vitals. They also removed the oxygen mask on my face and switched it to a nasal cannula. Once they were gone, Asami and I were left alone once more.
“Asami, I” I started trying to build up the courage to tell her what I really want to tell her
“Kor, please. We can talk more once you’re feeling better. For now, just get some rest” she placed a loving hand on my cheek making me want to give in and follow what she’s saying but if I do… I don’t know when I’ll see her again.
I lightly shook my head then looked her in the eye.
“No, I need to say it now before I run away again” I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath. Ava’s smile crossed my mind and that’s all the reminder I needed to get through this.
I confessed about everything but had to take a few sips of water in between my spiel.
I told her how I personally didn’t want to break up with her in the first place. That I broke up with her with her best intention in mind. I did it because Iroh could give her a better and a more stable present and future compared to an author like me. That my books may sell or maybe they won’t but it’s not as stable as Iroh that her dad picked out for her. That she’s settling for less if she chose me.
However, even with all of that in mind, I was honestly just running away from everything and that wasn’t fair to her. I ran away from what could have been and settled with what it was without consulting her. That I made the decision unfairly and would understand if she doesn’t want to be with me because of everything that I’ve done so far.
On top of all of this…
“Asami, I may have screwed up in more ways than one but believe me when I say” I looked up and met her gaze “I love you. Still do and forever will but I will understand if you don’t feel the same way anymore. That I’d understand if you chose Iroh over me. Just please, tell me now so I know what to do” There was a slow trickle of tears dripping down my cheek that I hastily wiped it away with my free hand. I blinked a few times to try to keep it at bay but when I looked up, I saw Asami’s eyes shining from the dim light of the hospital room. She had a small smile on her face, her eyes brimming with tears and right then and there, I knew that I had lost someone very important to me.
“I’m so sorry Sams”
“Thank you” Asami said as held my hand “Thank you for finally telling me all of this” her smile never wavered even with the tears falling from her face “I had a feeling you were only trying to protect me but I didn’t want to assume” She took a deep breath trying to keep her tears at bay. I reached out and wiped them away with my thumb. “I stayed with Opal for a little bit to give you your space. Let you think and figure out what’s going on. I’m just glad you told me everything” She placed her forehead on mine
“I’m so sorry for putting you through all of this, Sams… I really am”
“Shhh… shhh… It’s okay. I understand… just get some rest for now, okay?”
I nodded then slowly closed my eyes.
The next time I woke up, I was in the recovery room. I saw Asami pacing the on the side, her eyebrows furrowed with her phone stuck on her ear.
“Thank you so much, officer. Yes, that’s it. Thank you again” She took a deep breath then sat on the chair next to me.
“Everything okay?” I whispered making her look then a smile started spreading on her lips
“More than okay, babe” She leaned closer then placed a soft kiss on my forehead “They caught the person that shot you. They also questioned him to see what was happening and why they shot you.” She took another deep breath prompting me to hold her hand
“Take it easy, babe. I’m here, I’m okay” I smiled
“Thank you but” her gaze dropped to our hands “apparently they were after me. They wanted to get to my dad but you” she looked up and met my eye “you literally took a bullet for me, why?” she asked tilting her head to the side
“Why? Is that really a question” I chuckled
“Not funny, Kor. I appreciate it but I was also scared to death not knowing if you’ll wake up” Her eyebrows furrowed making me chuckle once more
“Babe, I told you before, didn't I? I will do anything and everything in my power to protect you. No matter the cost and my body kinda moved on its own when I saw that guy point that gun at you. I don’t think I could ever forgive myself if I let him shoot you like that”
“I have no words, Kor. I just… I’m sorry you have to go through something shitty like this”
“Oh please, I put you through something worse. A little extra hole in my body’s not enough to express how sorry I am about the shit I put you through” Asami’s frown deepened
“This is not something we can take lightly! I almost lost you!” Asami responded, her eyes sharp
“I’m sorry, it’s just…” I took a deep breath “let’s just put this in the past, okay? Then let’s move on. Together this time” I smiled “I’m sorry for the crass joke but let’s just try to stay together one step at a time, okay?”
Asami took a deep breath herself
“No more lies, no more stupid stunts”
“Cross my heart. I’ll be truthful to you, forevermore”