Uncle Austin teared up from happiness, so relieved that Colin survived the catastrophe. His calloused hands patted Colin's head and his shoulder. Affection oozed from his face. When Aunt Mel picked up the call, Felix passed the phone to Colin. "Mom wants to speak with you."

I was close to them, so I overheard Aunt Mel's voice through the phone. Colin tried his best to reassure his mother. Once she learned that Colin was truly safe, Aunt Mel hung up tearfully. "Colin, you haven't eaten anything. I brought milk and bread with me. Have some."

I took the food out of my bag. Colin ruffled my hair and accepted the food. He slowly drank half of the milk and tore open the packaging that sealed the bread. Then, he munched on it.

Leaning against the bench, he was so tired that he didn't even have the energy to chew food. I felt bad for him. Gone was my intention to accost him about the whole thing.

He was Colin, the man I loved the most. Surely, he wouldn't do anything that would break my heart. I trusted him.

After Colin had his meal, Uncle Austin felt very relieved that his son was safe. Age had caught up to him, and he hadn't slept for the entire night. Plus, he had done some laborious work too. Felix was afraid tha his father might collapse, so he brought him back to the motel to rest up.

I did not leave with them. Instead, I sat next to Colin to keep him company. We hadn't seen each other for more than a month. The deep sense of yearning only overwhelmed me when I finally saw him in person. I had missed him so, so much.

I kept staring at him. My eyes could never get enough of him.

Colin noticed my scrutiny. He turned to me and looked at me dotingly. Then, he asked hoarsely, "Why did you come here?"

"I saw the news, and I was worried sick. My boyfriend was trapped by a mudslide. I didn't know if he was dead or alive. I couldn't reach him either. No one knew where he was, so I had to be here."

I snuggled closer to Colin and draped his arm over my shoulders. Then, I hugged his taut waist, taking in his scent that was mixed with mud. Finally, I felt reassured.

All I wanted was for Colin to be safe.

My fingers touched the rough fabric on Colin. The wound stung, and I gasped out loud.

"What's the matter?" Colin grabbed my fingers and saw the wounds on them. His eyes reddened as he kissed my injuries gently with his lips. "I'm sorry to put you through this, babe."

"No, you had it worse than me. Colin, I've missed you so much." I hugged Colin and buried my face on his shoulder, trying to convey my sentiments to him.

Colin smiled affectionately and indulged me. He poked my nose with his finger and tucked a lock of my hair behind my ears. Then, he gave me a peck on my clean face and ears.

His lips were cracked. The dark purple scabs grazed against my skin, sending a wave of tingly sensation to my body.

"I see you've learned to be cheeky within this month. How naughty of you." Colin caressed my cheek with his broad hand.

"I only do this to you, Colin. People want to see this side of me, but I don't show it to just anyone."

After a while, the doors to the operating room flung wide open. A group of nurses ushered a gurney out. Colin got up to ask for more information, leaving me on the bench.

I was slightly lagging behind him because I had to pack up my bag. When I caught up to Colin, the doctor had already finished talking to him. Colin's face was pale, and his head was lowered as if he was thinking about something. He didn't even notice that I was there.

Only when I tugged his pinkie did he snap back to reality. A conflicted expression appeared on his face.

After the nurses settled the patient down in the ICU, Colin and I went in.

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