Chapter 16: Hope within Reach,,

Arthur sat in the quiet of his secret room, dialing the number to headquarters. The silence around him was thick, oppressive even, as he gripped the edge of the table tightly, a deep frown etched on his face.

“Ring... ring...” A calm, respectful voice finally answered on the other end. “This is one of the telephone operators from headquarters. May I have your name and the reason for your call, soldier?”

“This is Colonel Arthur. I repeat, this is Colonel Arthur,” he replied, his voice carrying an air of authority.

The soldier on the other end sounded surprised. “Good evening, Colonel Arthur. How may I assist you?”

“I’m facing a dilemma,” Arthur said, his tone steady but tinged with urgency. “A close acquaintance of mine is in the terminal stage of leukemia. She needs treatment immediately. Given the resources and intelligence at the headquarters, I’m ordering you to find a hospital capable of treating this disease.”

The soldier’s voice became even more respectful. “Yes, sir. I’ll begin searching immediately. Please give me a moment to consult our facilities.”

The call ended, and Arthur leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. The weight of his thoughts grew heavier with each passing second. His lips pressed together tightly as he gripped the chair with white-knuckled intensity. The air around him seemed to thicken, charged with guilt, frustration, and an all-consuming sense of helplessness.

He closed his eyes, a shaky breath escaping his lips as he hid his face in his hands. “The war ended a year ago, but the aftermath still lingers, infecting everything I touch. How much more suffering must I endure to see peace? Just when I finally start to feel something again, it all becomes too much to bear.”

Just as the weight of his thoughts threatened to pull him under, the phone rang, snapping him out of his reverie. He answered it immediately, eager, almost desperate.

“Good evening, Colonel Arthur,” the soldier’s voice came through, steady but with an underlying respect. “As you requested, I’ve located a hospital with a potential to cure leukemia. However, the costs are quite high. Would you still consider it?”

Arthur’s heart skipped a beat. The sliver of hope he’d been clinging to was within his reach. His eyes, once clouded with sadness, now flickered with a spark of joy.

“Yes, tell me everything,” Arthur said urgently. “The location, the transportation costs, the monthly expenses... all of it. I need to know how much it will take to cure her disease.” His voice tightened with a mix of desperation and resolve. The thought of losing Alice was unbearable, and now, with hope before him, he couldn’t afford to let it slip away.

“Understood,” the soldier replied, his voice low but filled with determination. “Please take note. It’s going to be a long list.”

Arthur’s fingers tightened around the phone as he prepared to write down every detail. “Thank you, soldier,” he said, his voice softening, gratitude seeping through. It was a small gesture, but it meant everything. He was one step closer to saving her.

In a field of blooming flowers, a figure of a woman stood, mesmerized by the beauty around her. Her white hair swirled gently in the wind as her eyes took in the scene. A wave of nostalgia washed over her, and the sight of the flowers brought her back to a time long past. It was the same field where her younger siblings used to play. Suddenly, a voice broke through the stillness.

“Sister, have you ever seen flowers blooming simultaneously?” The voice was childlike, full of energy and joy. It was so familiar to her.

She turned towards the voice, her heart skipping a beat. Standing there with a wide smile was her younger brother. "It’s been a while, Sis!" he exclaimed.

Her breath caught in her throat, and she took a hesitant step forward. "Am I... in heaven now?" she whispered, her voice trembling. A smile tugged at her lips as she looked at him, but it was tinged with sadness.

He shook his head, his smile unwavering. "No, you're in your dreams. It’s not time for you to die yet," he said, his voice dropping in weight.

She was caught off guard by his words, a sense of confusion flooding her. “What do you mean by flowers blooming simultaneously?” she asked, her gaze fixed on the vibrant blossoms around them. She reached out, gently brushing the petals with her fingertips.

He smiled warmly, his expression bittersweet. "You’ll know soon. This is the last time we’ll see each other. I'll pray for your health and happiness, Sis."

Before she could respond, the world around her began to blur, her brother’s figure slowly fading. She smiled through the tears that welled in her eyes. “Wait for me... I’ll come soon.” Her voice was soft but full of meaning—an unspoken promise.

His voice echoed back, firm yet gentle. "Don't come here too soon. Live your life to the fullest. It’s not your time yet."

His words were vivid in her mind, but she didn’t fully understand the meaning of it. She knew, deep down, that death was drawing near. As she woke up, her heart still heavy, she found herself staring at Arthur, who had fallen asleep in the chair beside her bed.

Her eyes widened in surprise, and a faint smile crossed her face as she gently sighed, careful not to disturb him.

“Are you okay?” His voice was gentle but laced with concern. She hadn’t meant to wake him, but her ragged breathing had done so anyway.

Her gaze softened. "Yes... and it's all thanks to you," she replied, placing her hand over his as she closed her eyes, seeking comfort in his presence.

Arthur pressed his lips together slightly, his face tight with worry. "I have something to say... can you hear me out?" he asked, his tone steady but betraying an underlying urgency.

Alice opened her eyes, curiosity flickering within them. "What is it? I'm all ears," she responded, her voice full of warmth.

Arthur hesitated, his next words coming out in a rush. "I found a hospital that might be able to cure your disease. It's far from here, but we can go... We can get you the treatment you need."

Her eyes widened, surprise overtaking her features. "I don’t have the money for that, Arthur." Her voice dropped, the weight of the reality settling in.

He shook his head, the desperation in his eyes palpable. "I’ll pay for it. I suggested it because I want you to live. I can’t just stand by and let you go without fighting for you."

Her chest tightened, and she shook her head again. "You've already done so much for me... I can’t just accept without finding a way to repay you."

Arthur clenched his fists, frustration overtaking him. "That should be my line," he muttered, gripping his shirt near his heart. His voice lowered with intensity. "The reason I want you to live is because, for the first time, I can feel something. It’s all because of you. And now, knowing you're in danger... what do you expect me to do, Alice? Pretend it’s okay?"

His voice cracked, and she could see the turmoil inside him. "No... No way I can just sit here and watch you slip away. What’s the point of getting my emotions back if you're going somewhere I can’t reach?" His tears welled up, his words raw with emotion. "I’d rather die with you than live alone again."

Alice’s heart shattered at his words. She didn’t expect this—didn’t know how to handle it. Tears welled in her eyes as she reached out to him. "I understand... but please... don’t say that. It hurts me more than you know."

Arthur immediately took her hand and pressed it to his cheek, closing his eyes as he let out a shaky breath. "I don’t care about the cost. But if you care, then when you’re cured, stay with me. Stay until our hair turns grey, and our vision fades. Stay until the very end of our lives."

His words were so genuine, so full of emotion, that Alice couldn’t help but feel the sincerity in his voice. Her eyes widened in shock. "Are you proposing to me?" she whispered, her voice full of surprise.

Arthur’s eyes widened too, but a soft smile spread across his face. "Yes," he said simply, his tone full of warmth and love.

A faint blush crept up Alice’s pale face, and her heart raced. She had never expected this moment, yet here it was, and it was more than she could ever have dreamed of. She took a deep breath and smiled, a radiant glow returning to her eyes. "If you’re okay with me... then I’m glad to be with you."

Arthur smiled back, his heart full of hope. "You're more than enough for me, Alice. You always have been, and always will be." He gently leaned in, and their lips met in a tender kiss, the warmth of their love filling the room, making the world outside feel a little less cold