Zue was lying on a hospital bed, with a plethora of machines beeping around him. He felt weak and bloated as he tried to move his body on the mattress. It felt like the confines he had never noticed before had started to close in on him.
Zue glanced around the room, his eyes darting from the drip stand to the EKG machine and then to the blank walls. He was alone except for the constant hum of the machines, and the only sounds were that of his labored breathing.
He had a clear view of the outside life, but he was unable to reach it. Every time the door opened, he hoped it would be someone he knew, but the face was always a stranger, a doctor, or a nurse with a clipboard in hand. He knew that he was in a terrible situation, and the reality was starting to set in.
As he lay there, he began to think. He thought about his life and his marriage. He thought about his wife, Sea. He remembered the day they met and how he was smitten with her. They hit it off right away, and before long, they were married.
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He closed his eyes for a moment and opened them slightly. He saw his reflection in the mirror hanging on the wall. He saw his glancing smile and hollow eyes. He knew he had not been the best husband to Sea, always caught up in his work, and never really took the time to show her how much he appreciated her.
Zue took a deep breath and let out a sigh. "Sea," he whispered her name. "I am sorry. I wish I could make things right." He made a promise to himself, a promise to show her how much he loved her, no matter what.
As Zue contemplates showing his love, the door opens, and a nurse walks in, interrupting his train of thought. His eyes darted up to her and met her gaze as the nurse started to fiddle with the machines.
"Mr. Zhang, your doctor will visit you in some time. But till then, I will check your vitals and make you comfortable," the nurse said kindly.
Zue's lips crooked into an apologetic smile. "Thank you," he said and closed his eyes once more, grateful for the nurse's presence in his current situation.
As the nurse left the room, Zue knew that it was time to