Imperfect Desires

Last night, Darren listened to Xiu's chatter until late at night. Since the time she woke up, she kept rambling about random things. It was as if she really felt like she had slept for years and only now got the chance to speak again.

What Darren didn't know was that Xiu indeed felt like it had been years. And her need to speak this much also had a reason. She had a dream that she was stuck underwater. Everything before her was dark and she couldn't breathe. When she opened her mouth to call out for help, water gushed into her body and made her feel suffocated. She didn't know how long she was stuck underwater but she knew she couldn't call for help. It made her feel helpless.

Even after waking up when she recalled that dream, it felt so real. As if she had really experienced it before. But she was certain she hadn't. However, the dream still left her shaken.

Last night, she had slept while talking as drowsiness came over her. Now, that she woke up, she was again feeling like she had a lot more to say. But before anything...

She looked at Darren's bed and whined, "Little tiger is hungry."

Darren's hoarse voice rang out, "Are you sure it's the little tiger who is hungry?"

Hearing his voice, she smiled, "I'm sure."

"Regi!" 

Darren looked over and saw his mother who seemed to have aged a lot in just two days. Francesca ran over to his side but didn't dare to touch him in fear that she might touch somewhere she wasn't supposed to. 

"Mama, don't start crying again. I'm absolutely fine," said Darren when she saw her eyes brimming with tears. It was really distressing to see her like this.

Francesca still choked up, "How can I not cry? Do you even realize how scared I was?" She looked over at Xiu and went on, "You both are all I have. What if something happened to you both? How am I gonna survive?" With her trembling hands, she held Darren's hand and added, "Every minute had been so stressful for me. I kept worrying about you both and here you're telling me not to cry?"

"But Mama, you can see yourself, we are fine now." Even though it was difficult for him to talk, he still did to dispel his mother's worries. 

"It's good that you're both fine or else..." she stopped right there at a loss of words. She really didn't know what to say.

"Mum," Xiu called out. "You can hug me if you want. I'm offering hugs again."

Francesca chuckled at Xiu's words and walked to her side before she hugged her tightly, "Baby, you're okay?"

Xiu patted her stomach saying, "Baby is absolutely fine."

Francesca poked her head, "I'm talking about you, silly!"

"Oh... I'm also fine. Just a little bit hungry."

Francesca rubbed her head lovingly, "Your dad is making breakfast for you." Xiu was stunned for a moment as she continued, "Don't look so surprised, Xin Zemin had been asking your doctors the whole night about what you can or can't eat. Then he even asked Nora about what you like to eat. And he even made a list of nutritious dishes that according to your liking."

"Wow! My Sweets is getting special treatment. What about me?" Darren looked at his mother. "You didn't even think about me, Mama."

"Yes, I didn't," replied Francesca honestly. "I didn't want your condition to get worse with my cooking."

While Darren was pouting like Xiu usually did, the door opened and Zhao Huan walked in with a tray of piping hot food. "Son-in-law, you don't have to feel bad when your mother-in-law is here." Darren kept looking at the meal she placed before him on the table as she said, "I'm here to specially take care of your meals."

Darren looked at Zhao Huan and said, "I always knew you're very sweet but today, you just won my heart, mother-in-law."

Xiu tugged at Francesca's sleeve saying, "Mum, he's is changing sides."

Darren squinted his eyes at her, "If you can ask my mom to dote on you, I certainly can ask your mom to dote on me! Why?"

Xiu shrugged her shoulders, "As long as it makes you happy."

Both Zhao Huan and Francesca chuckled at their antics. It seemed like the clouds of darkness were dispersing. They had spent days in worry and only now, they could relax seeing their children like this. What these two mothers felt right now was something they both couldn't describe in words.

Soon, Xiu's breakfast was also brought inside and her stomach grumbled right on cue. She didn't even feel embarrassed about it as she said, "It smells good." She looked at Xin Zemin and added, "Thanks, dad!"

Xin Zemin patted her head, "For now, I can only do this much for you."

Xiu shook her head, "For me, this is the most important thing." She looked at every dish before her. Although it seemed bland, it smelled delicious. She couldn't resist it. Her mouth was watering now. 

"Why aren't you eating?" asked Xin Zemin in worry. "Is something not your liking?"

"No, it's not that..." she made a face and said, "I can't eat. My arm can't move."

"Sweets, your right hand is working," reminded Darren.

"So? I can't eat with one hand," she argued. "So..." she looked at Xin Zimen who had just entered the room but was about to leave seeing everyone inside when she called out, "Ah-Xin!"

His stepped halted and turned back, "Yes!"

"Since my dad cooked such a delicious meal for me, how about you feed me?" Xin Zimen was stunned to his place. "What? You don't want to?"

Xin Zemin came to his side and dragged him over, "Can't you hear what your niece said? Do it already!"

Zimen stared at his brother, "I don't need you to tell me what to do." He sat down beside Xiu and asked, "There are so many people here, do I have to be the one to do this?" Xiu nodded her head. "Why?"

"Because Ah-Xin is Ah-Xin," was her reply.