Fan Fiction

Silence (Completed)

by Zaire

Chapter 59

Remained Unchanged

It seems that Jiro suffered from arrhythmia and fainted. The paramedics had assured that it was not a serious case as Jiro’s body regulated and he was just out cold now. Chun gazed down at the letter he had extricated from Jiro’s grip. The pain of losing Dolores appeared to be the only explanation for his ailing state. Chun shuddered the thought that love could be so poignantly distressing. He wondered if he would feel the same if it had been Hebe’s demise.

The paramedics shoved Jiro into the ambulance. Neither Chun nor Hebe made a sound. They just looked on intently, as though they were keeping vigil over Jiro. As the stretcher rolled into the ambulance, Hebe had wanted to hop on but Chun’s hand held her back.

“We’ll be driving to the hospital later to settle the procedures.” Chun articulated his point to the paramedics that made him look aplomb. Hebe wouldn’t have been able to do so if it was her. The paramedics nodded in acknowledgment, closed the doors and the ambulance drove off, leaving the pair starkly positioned in the middle of the road.

Hebe withdrew her arm from Chun’s grip, clearly uncomfortable. That act wounded Chun. He thought that now that he had realized how Hebe was connected to Jiro, things would be different between him and Hebe. Judging by her reaction, there’s a high chance that she may still be in the dark about her relationship with Jiro. And maybe, she’s already in love with Jiro, which explains her unwillingness to be touched by Chun.

“He’ll be fine. About last night…I see that you’ve returned home safely, undoubtedly the work of Jiro. You prepare yourself and meet me in the garage in ten minutes.” Chun turned the conversation around rather brusquely. He had wanted to apologize for his departure but he can’t bring himself to. Besides, even if he wanted to, he didn’t know how to put that in words. He turned away and walked back into the house.

Hebe was angered by Chun’s words. How could he have treated Jiro’s concern as a given? How could he be so indifferent to her plight? A retort danced at the tip of her tongue but all that came out of her mouth was air. Why couldn’t she speak? Was it because she had not been using her voice? Or was it because she hadn’t forgiven herself? That couldn’t be. She had released herself the moment she acknowledged Jiro. Jiro had imbued her with warmth and courage. Isn’t it the strength she had been searching for? Why was she still stuck with an apple in her mouth and ever so indecisive? What was she waiting for?
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"The semiotics of a love-struck fool puzzles even the most intelligible."
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