Chapter 49

Sky's legs felt numb as he was forcibly ushered out of the room by nurses. His hands trembled, his mind unable to process what was happening. The last thing he saw before the doors shut in his face was Nani's unmoving body surrounded by frantic doctors.

"No, let me stay! Let me stay with him!" Sky fought against the hands pulling him back, his voice hoarse with desperation.

"Khun Sky, you have to wait outside!" One of the nurses tried to reason with him, but Sky barely heard her.

Win and Dew were gripping his arms before he could rush back in. "Sky, stop!" Win's voice was firm, but his own hands were shaking. "You have to let them do their job!"

Sky's chest heaved as he struggled, his body refusing to accept what was happening. "They took him away from me!" he shouted, voice cracking. "He—he collapsed, Win! He—" His words dissolved into a choked sob.

Prim reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly. "He's strong, Sky. Nani won't leave you. He promised, didn't he?"

Sky clenched his jaw, his eyes stinging with unshed tears. He turned toward the doors where Nani had disappeared. Every second that passed felt like an eternity.

After a while, the door to the operating room opened. A doctor stepped out, his face unreadable. Sky was on him in an instant. "How is Nani? How are the babies?"

The doctor hesitated. "We are doing everything we can—"

That hesitation was enough to send Sky into a panic. He grabbed the doctor by the collar, his voice shaking with fury and desperation. "What do you mean you're trying your best? You will save Nani. That is the only choice you have!"

Win and Dew were on him in an instant, trying to pry his fingers loose. "Sky, stop!" Win hissed, pulling at his arm, but Sky refused to let go. His world was crumbling, and this doctor was the only one standing between him and the person he couldn't live without.

The doctor, though startled, remained calm. "Mr. Sky, I understand. But please, let us do our job. his condition is critical, but we are not giving up on him."

Sky's grip loosened just enough for Win to pull him away, but his whole body was still trembling. He could barely breathe, barely think. The fear was suffocating.

Prim, her own eyes filled with unshed tears, reached out and gently held Sky's wrist. "Nani is strong" she whispered, her voice steady despite the way her hands shook. "He's going to fight through this. He has to."

Sky swallowed hard, his chest rising and falling with uneven breaths. His gaze locked onto the doors that had swallowed Nani whole.

He had to believe. He needed to believe. Because the thought of a world without Nani was a nightmare he wasn't ready to face.

Evening

Sky stood outside the VIP room, his gaze locked on Nani through the glass. His chest ached as he watched Nani's slow, shallow breaths, the oxygen mask still covering his face.

The quiet beep of the machines echoed in the silent room, making everything feel heavier, more painful.

It was a relief that Nani was out of immediate danger, but Sky couldn't shake the image of how fragile he looked.

Sky wanted to be by his side, to hold his hand and tell him everything would be okay, but the doctor had been clear—no visitors yet.

The babies. They were part of the reason Nani had pushed himself so hard.

The second baby's survival had been touch and go, and it was only because of Nani's determination, his refusal to give up, that both of them had made it this far. The thought that Nani had risked his own life for their children filled Sky with a mix of awe and terror.

He wanted to shout at Nani, why he had been so stubborn, but he knew deep down that it wasn't something Nani would have ever done any differently. He had wanted both of them, his babies, more than anything.

"Sky" Win's voice broke through his thoughts. "Are you okay?"Sky didn't respond right away. He couldn't tear his eyes away from Nani, even though it hurt to look at him like this.

Win's footsteps were soft behind him. He didn't push, didn't demand answers, just stood there, offering his silent support.

"It's hard" Sky muttered, his voice low. "I don't know how to do this... how to stay strong for him."

Win stayed quiet, letting Sky speak. He knew better than to interrupt when his friend was this vulnerable.Sky's voice cracked as he continued. "He's been through so much already. He's always putting others first. Even our babies now, I'm scared that this will be too much for him."

Sky finally tore his gaze away from Nani, glancing at win with a shaky exhale. "I just need him to wake up. I need him to be okay."

Win didn't say anything more, but he stayed close, knowing that sometimes, the most important thing was simply being there.Sky's eyes drifted back to Nani, his hand pressing against the cold glass as though he could reach through it and touch him.

He would wait. He would be strong for both of them, for the babies and for Nani. Whatever it took, he wasn't going to lose him.

Next morning

The doctor finally gave the go-ahead for visitors, and Sky never left Nani's side for even a second.

When he saw Nani's eyelids flutter, he nearly breathed a sigh of relief. The moment Nani's eyes opened, Sky was there, his hand gripping Nani's gently but firmly. He leaned in closer, his voice full of urgency.

"Nani... are you okay? Should I call the doctor? Do you need anything?"

Nani's weak smile made Sky's heart twist painfully. Even in this fragile state, Nani was trying to reassure him.

"I'm fine" Nani whispered, but the strain in his voice told Sky otherwise.

Sky's face tightened with worry. He wanted to say so many things, ask so many questions. But when he looked at Nani—at his exhausted eyes, his small smile, and the faint laugh that followed—it made Sky want to cry all over again.

He swallowed hard, trying to steady himself as he held Nani's hand.

"You scared me." he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Nani's smile widened slightly, even though it was strained.

"I know you'll be mad at me" he said weakly. "But I couldn't... I couldn't give up on them."

Sky felt a lump rise in his throat. How could he be mad? Nani had done what any parent would—he had fought for their babies with everything he had, even at the cost of his own life. Sky's heart ached with admiration, but also with fear. The thought of losing him was unbearable.

"I'm not mad" Sky said, his voice thick with emotion. "I was just so scared... I don't know what I'd do without you, Nani."

He lifted Nani's hand to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss against it, tears falling as he buried his face into Nani's hand.

Nani's eyes softened, and despite his weakness, he reached his other hand up to touch Sky's face.

"I'm not going anywhere." he murmured.

Sky closed his eyes for a moment, pressing into the warmth of Nani's touch. But when he opened them again, his gaze was pleading.

"Promise me" he said, his voice breaking. "Promise me you won't do anything like this again. I can't lose you, Nani."

"I promise, Sky." he whispered. "I'll take better care of myself... for you, for them."

Sky let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, then leaned down and pressed his forehead against Nani's, savoring the feeling of him being here, alive, with him.

"Thank you." Sky whispered, his voice full of emotion. "For not giving up. For being strong, even when you're hurting. For being my everything."