Chapter 16 Embrace
Jayad’s surprise was audible and from the heart. He was genuinely happy for me, thinking that if I became a doctor, I would have a stable life in the future. This was simply the humble wish of a youth from the slums.
Unfortunately, this was impossible. I couldn’t understand any whispers, nor did I hear any medical knowledge. My instructions were merely based on common hygiene knowledge from my previous life, far from real medicine.
On the other hand, Jayad’s unquestioning belief in the rumor sounded suspicious. Who would whisper medical knowledge? It was probably just some strange urban legends. Jayad actually believed it to be true.
Just then, the water in the pot finally boiled, interrupting our conversation. I didn’t bother to correct Jayad’s thoughts. I needed him now and couldn’t let him become suspicious and leave me. Where else could I find such a useful tool?
I instructed Jayad to use a bent piece of wood as a spoon to skim off as much oil from the boiling water as possible. Would this make it relatively better?
I took a sip. It was okay; the strange taste had reduced significantly. Although I still couldn’t tolerate it, especially the water that might have contained a corpse, I couldn’t afford to be picky when I was sick. I endured the scalding heat and drank slowly, the chill in my body gradually dissipating.
It is said that in ancient times, when medicine was extremely backward, it was better to drink more hot water than to trust strange Witch Doctors, as it could solve many problems. So, I made an effort to drink most of the pot of hot water.
After all this trouble, I finally felt a bit better. This time, I could finally lie down properly. The mental fatigue from being sick quickly sent me back into a deep sleep.
As expected, it was the same indistinct murmuring whispers and countless gazes that seemed to be staring at me,fixed and full of malice. The murmurs also seemed to be instigating me to do something.
I opened my mouth to breathe deeply, but I couldn’t seem to catch my breath. My body trembled uncontrollably, feeling hot and cold by turns. The owners of those countless gazes seemed to be leaning in, staring at me at zero distance.
Just as I was in a state of despair, a warm embrace suddenly held me tightly. A pair of rough hands clasped mine. It felt as if I were drifting in an endless ocean, and then I saw the light of a lighthouse, with a warm port below.
The murmuring whispers and gazes gradually disappeared, and I finally found a rare peace. Moreover, his embrace was so warm; I finally stopped feeling cold. My exhausted consciousness could finally rest.
I slept soundly for the rest of the night, with no more nightmares or sudden awakenings. I slept until dawn, and when I woke up, bright sunlight streamed in from the cave entrance.
“Ah?” I let out a soft exclamation because I wasn’t lying alone in the blanket. There was someone else holding me, and it was Jayad.
Recalling the feeling of being half-asleep and half-awake during the nightmare last night, it seemed that Jayad had held me then, and I fell asleep?
If a third person were watching us, they would see a boy holding a little girl, a normal and heartwarming scene.
But I felt a bit awkward. To me, it was a same-sex boy sleeping beside me all night, holding me tightly. I stirred slightly uncomfortably, and Jayad immediately woke up.
“Ha~ Parul, you’re awake? Good morning,” Jayad yawned and got up groggily. I noticed his eyes were bloodshot, clearly indicating he hadn’t slept well last night.
“Um, why were you holding me?” I asked, feeling a bit self-conscious.
“Last night, after you lay down, you started groaning and trembling again. You seemed to be having a nightmare, and you also seemed very cold. I heard that hugging you like this could warm you up, so I could only hold you like this,” Jayad said.
