I looked at Pond, whose eyes were teary.
"Pond..."
"I'm fine. I'm just.. you have no freaking idea on how much this Yes means to me."
"Why..why are you sobbing.. you shouldn't. Not cos of me.."
"I'm sobbing because I am happy. I'm happy that my favourite brat has finally said yes to me."
"Hey!"
"I do love you a lot, but it doesn't change the fact you are a brat."
I chuckled hearing Pond nag. I just burrowed into his hold, hugging him tightly.
"I like this version of you."
"Well, there are more versions of me. Do you want to see them all?"
"What other versions are there?"
"The kind that knows how to seduce you completely and drive you nuts."
"I want!"
I just laughed, pinching Pond's cheeks. "You are like a little puppy. Ugh, I just want to keep you in my pockets."
"And in your heart too."
"Definitely in my heart. There is no doubt about that."
Pond just hugged me tightly.
"Thank you for being mine, Joong. I promise to always protect you with my heart. You deserve it and more."
I nodded, my eyes becoming teary myself.
We didn't end the night on a spicy note if you all must know, but I knew I slept well again for the first time in a long while in Pond's arms.
The following morning, we woke up, got ready, and hit the local shops for a bit, buying fresh fruit and flowers before heading to the hospital to see my mom and sister.
My stepsister was finally awake and thrilled to see me. It was comforting to see her and assured she was ok. We were with her, spending time when suddenly my stepdad called me to go over to my mom's room. I felt panicked and wanted to go but did not want to leave my sister alone. Pond told me he would accompany her and told me to go first.
I nodded, promising my sister I would be back and ran towards my mom's room! I opened the door and rushed in, only to fall to my feet in shock.
She..she was awake. She was awake, very weak but definitely awake, eyes open, and looking at me while lying down. She extended her hand out to me slowly. I cried hard and in complete relief when I saw that! My heart nearly burst in joy!
I stood up, going over to her and wanting to hug her tight but knowing it was not possible now. Instead, I opted for holding her hand and kissing it endlessly. We both cried like crazy. My stepdad was shedding tears of his own as he beamed. He video called my sister, and Pond held the phone for her. Both of them were absolutely thrilled to see my mom awake, and they started ugly sobbing, too.
It was by far my best day in a long while, and I couldn't be happier. We spent the rest of our day in the hospital. My mom got to meet Pond, too, and I finally introduced him as the boyfriend.
My stepdad beamed in happiness, and my sister and mom were equally as thankful and happy I had someone who was just there for me. Me?
I was just plain happy that the most important people in my life were alive, safe, and sound. Though Pond and I finally went home, I couldn't help but realize and know that Pond had moved to that list of important people, too. I leaned on his shoulder as my stepdad drove us home.
Pond just hummed in response and kissed the top of my head before holding onto me, as securely as possible, as usual.
We got back home and shared the happy news with my maid, too, who was thrilled for us. She scuttled back to the kitchen while all of us went to shower and change and came back to the living room only to be greeted by her brandishing a bottle of the locally brewed liquor for us to celebrate with.
I was completely bemused and declined it, but my stepdad told me to enjoy it and also let Pond try as it was indeed a happy occasion.
We all knocked back glasses of it. My dad and I were used to it, so we handled it well, but it was Pond's first time, so boy got tipsy on a few glasses. I laughed as I realized he was even more affectionate and puppy like that it tickled me completely.
I told my dad I would bring him to the room to sleep it off, and he nodded. I brought Pond back to my room, and he just sat on the bed, stoned. I went to him and wanted to take off his shirt for him when he held onto my waist tightly and looked up at me.
"Pond.. are you ok?"
"Uhm, uhmm. Yea."
He muttered incoherently a bit. I patted his cheeks gently as I told him I wanted to pull off his shirt so he would be more comfortable as he looked flushed.
He nodded and obediently lifted his hands up so I could pull off the shirt. Once I did that, I wanted to go get a cloth to just wipe him down a bit when he held onto my hand.
I turned to look at him and ask if he wanted something.
"What is it Pond? Do you need something?"
He nodded his head as he attempted to pull off my shirt. I was stunned. He stood up, facing me as he pulled off my shirt.
"Now..now we are even."
I was baffled. What the heck! This guy.. did he just take off my shirt so that we both would be shirtless and even in his drunken opinion?
The urge to laugh was so real. I looked at him, placing my arms around him.
"Why are you even this cute?"
Pond looked at me, then wrapped his arms around me as he muttered, "Because you are thiiiiiiiiiissssssss cute."
I just blushed irrevocably at his words. I leaned forward to kiss him gently on his lips, whispering I love you.
He looked at me for a long bit. I thought he would just repeat the same actions again as he had been doing but suddenly he pulled himself up straighter looking at me.
"Did you just say I..I love you?"
I nodded hesitantly, wondering where he was going with this.
"It's.. it's the first..time you have said something close or even that."
I nodded.
"You..you mean it?"
I was absolutely confused now.
"Where..where are you going with this?"
"You..you mean it? It's just..you mean it's just not me in love with you? You..you return my feelings? I.. this... makes me so happy. You know a part of my heart and brain wondered if I ever forced myself or was too pushy in my feelings with you that maybe maybe that's why you said yes. The brain of mine. Overthinks. You are too good for me. Do you know I was jealous of you and Dunk? Then I was soooooooooo happy when you said even Dunk...habah had not come here. I'm special.. haha I'm special. But you said you love me. That's...great. I love you too."
Pond just muttered incoherently nonstop when he finally closed his eyes and laid on me. The alcohol must have really gotten to him. I placed him on the bed slowly and tucked him in.
I sat down next to him, wondering what had spurred that train of thoughts and realized maybe he had been battling insecurities too. Just because he didn't show it didn't mean he didn't have any.
My heart warmed even more at this guy's honest to goodness innocence. I didn't know whether he deserved me or not but I knew I didn't.
He was way too good for me. And I only plan to express my gratitude for that for life.