....
*rustle* *rustle*
*breathing sounds*
*movements*
A void keeps expanding despite someone trying to overcome it. Escaping it seems impossible.
It is only then escaped when the body wins over the mind.
"Jiejie!"
*eyes shoot open*
*breathing heavyily*
"Aigh, you scared us so much! Why weren't you waking up?" Mrs Lu asks her, holding her arm over the bedsheet draped on her.
"Ma, she's burning up!" Meiran snaps touching Muyan's forehead.
"What?!" Mrs Lu exclaims, touching Muyan's neck, forehead and cheek.
"No wonder she didn't wake up today. I was thinking for once she decided to sleep more but look at her!" Mingxia fumes, "Jiejie! You're too mean to your own body! Look how this is affecting you! Why do you overwork so much, you don't need to be so perfect everywhere! Ugh!" she continues.
"Mingxia tone it down. Muyan? How are you feeling? Does it hurt? Are you dizzy?" Meiran asks as their mother runs out of the room to get cold compress.
Mingxia sits close to Muyan.
Muyan doesn't answer at all. She just stares at her before her eyes go wide and she pushes herself up from the bed and hugs Mingxia real tight. Mingxia almost loses balance trying to steady herself and Muyan together.
"Jiejie?" Mingxia manages to speak while holding Muyan, who is hugging her so tight it almost hurt.
"Muyan, hey, what-" Meiran couldn't finish her sentence while carassing Muyan's hair as Muyan speaks up.
"You." Muyan says this much before breaking the hug.
She looks at Mingxia who is completely confused. Meiran is no better.
So I was dreamimg, she thought. Somehow she gets more relieved visibly as her shoulders sloutch down. Her eyes go towards Mingxia's bed, desk and then to her own desk. There was that family picture, very clear and intact with all five of them in it. Mingxia in it.
Muyan holds her head and sighs out.
"You should lie down. You're running a fever." Meiran says, trying to make her lie down.
Muyan is about to talk when their mother comes in with a towel and a bowl of water.
"Oh Muyan." Mrs Lu says stroaking her hair.
"What time is it?" Muyan asks, trying to see the desk clock.
"What about time? It's morning." Mr Lu speaks up, sitting beside her bed as well.
"It is past 6 AM?" she asks again while her mother does cold compress on her.
"Lu Muyan, are you seriously timing your day again, even in this state?! You have fever!" her mother yells.
"She's impossible." Meiran adds.
Muyan just gulps and closes her eyes to open again.
"I'm fine. I'll just take some meds after breakfast. Ugh make some way, I have to start getting ready for school." Muyan protests.
"Wha-, are you seeing this?!" Mrs Lu snaps at Mr Lu.
"Agh Muyan, you're really pushing us past our breaking point." Mr Lu adds.
"Me? What did I do?" Muyan asks.
"Can't you just take a day off, you're sick. When was the last time you fell sick and skipped school?" Meiran thinks and gestures. "Hah, I can't even remember! Shut it and rest!" she snaps.
"I can't. This is my finall year. One day's classes are worth losing ten days of progress." Muyan explains.
Meiran points to say something when Mr Lu talks again.
"Girl don't test my patience. You're taking today off, and if you don't get better, tomorrow also." he adds.
"Baba!" Muyan pouts.
"And the day after tomorrow." he replies.
"But-"
"The day after that day." he keeps adding more.
"Why do you keep increasing it?" Muyan speaks up annoyed.
"I'll keep increasing it as many times as you try to demur me." he speaks as Mrs Lu stands up with the bowl.
Muyan closes her eyes and getures her hands in defeat.
"Hao hao, I will take a leave. But just for today." she speaks. The whole family relaxes hearing that.
"That's my good girl. Don't worry, I will talk to school myself about your absense today." her mother says before pulling Mingxia away. "You come, get your clothes from outside before going to shower." she adds.
"M-ma..." Mingxia stops her on tracks.
Meiran, Muyan, the Lu couple, all of them look at Mingxia.
"Um, I was thinking....since jiejie isn't going, can I take a day off as well." she asks timidly.
"Aigh look at this one. What you need a day off for? To go wander with your friends?" Mrs Lu points.
"Ah, ma. I also haven't missed a single day at school like jiejie. Do I have to fall sick as well to have a break?" Mingxia says sadly.
"Wha-" Mrs Lu couldn't complete.
"Aigh aigh don't talk like that. Of course you can stay as well. Laopo, let them both stay." Mr Lu says holding Mingxia's shoulders from behind.
Mrs Lu sighs and gives up.
"Okay, I will worry about this pea brain if she goes to school without Muyan anyways. Stay stay, but don't you dare wander off. Study and if you have some free time, help us in some chores." she says. "I'll get breakfast done. Muyan, rest dear." she adds before leaving.
Meiran follows her out after patting Muyan's head. Their father follows last. Mingxia comes to Muyan and sits beside her, beaming with happiness.
"Well look at that smile." Muyan says.
"No books, no same old food, no screaming teachers for a whole day. Who wouldn't be happy?" she explains.
"Didn't ma just tell you to study?" Muyan says poking Mingxia's nose.
"Yeah yeah I will study for a bit. Not like she's going to keep an eye on me all the time." she points out.
"Sneaky." Muyan laughs.
Mingxia laughs too. But then her smile fades a bit. She holds Muyan's hand and shifts a bit closer to her.
"Jiejie..."
"Hm?"
"You were crying when I tried to wake you up."
Muyan goes silent.
"And you have a fever. Also you hugged me so tight. Are-....are you really okay?" Mingxia asks, concern laced in her voice.
For some moments, Muyan thinks hard if she should tell her about the dream. But then she retreats thinking it was just a dream....a nighmare to be precise. Why trouble her?
"I am okay. Now that you're here." Muyan answers, smiling.
"Pfft, jiejie I am always here, aren't I?" Mingxia snorts.
Muyan shakes her head, understanding that it is a very normal reaction to her words.
"Hey." Mingxia adds, "I don't know why you're sick suddenly or why you cried in your sleep. But I must tell you, I am always right beside you jiejie. Just like you are right beside me in everything." she smiles saying it.
For a brief moment, Muyan's eyes start to water. But she quickly stops it, nodding her head.
"Hao." she says squeezing Mingxia's hand. "We're here for each other, for jiejie, ma, and baba."
Mingxia smiles and nods as well.