Reincarnation of Love: Being the Guardian Angel of My Stuttering Husband
Episode 8
"No," Raymond shook his head instinctively.
Emily pursed her lips and added, "Here, take it. I bought too much. I can't spend it all."
The gentle scent of disinfectant filled the hospital room, but all Raymond felt was the sweet, warm and pleasant aroma of porridge like a glass of hot chocolate in winter, filling his cold, numb stomach.
He slightly lowered his head.
Under the light of the hospital lamp, the girl's beautiful eyes were clear and sincere, like there was a sparkling star inside.
There was no mercy that Emily showed, there was only a very sincere kindness in the depths of her heart.
In an instant, Raymond's exhaustion dissipated, and his heavy and gloomy heart began to beat uncontrollably.
She knew she couldn't stop looking at Emily's eyes.
Just as she could not control herself to put her whole heart on Emmily.
Late at night, Raymond walked into his home with a heavy backpack on his back.
Without any moon tonight, the house was pitch black, and after a hasty shower, she lay down on her bed, feeling a pain in her empty stomach that seemed to be pierced by something.
After one busy day, porridge in the morning was the only food she ate all day.
By midnight, Raymond was still forcing himself to get up and heat the water.
The kitchen was filled with steaming steam, and he added a bit of cold water to the boiling water, took out one glass of water, finally easing the pain in his stomach.
He drank a few sips while throwing a glance towards the hanging wall clock.
It was already midnight, and when she remembered that she had to get up early to go to school, she immediately went back to lying in bed.
But after a while, the intense pain in his stomach returned.
He narrowed his eyes tightly, hoping to fall asleep soon to face the pain that was engulfing his stomach.
Out there, the cold wind blew, and in the midst of his mind that was in a state of agony, Raymond remembered the warm bowl of porridge in the morning and the girl's alluring eyes.
Emily was the one who had influenced her life just by thinking about it, but now they were so close to each other.
Raymond knew that Emily did not care much about him and forgot about the damned boy who stammered him.
Her previous warmth and kindness were solely because she was a kindhearted girl.
But he was warm and full of vigor, like the winter sun, illuminating his cold and lonely heart.
Emily probably doesn't know how much she means to Raymond.
Inside the darkness, as if getting darker by all his slump, there were times when Raymond could clearly hear his pulse like a high wave echoing in his ears.
For Raymond school life was a dark time.
He was like an undead, hovering around a block, the scorn from his classmates and the indifference from the teachers pierced his heart that was already embraced by the darkness.
But ever since Emily returned to her life, she began to expect moments she had always avoided.
He wished he could sit behind the girl, able to see her silhouette as she sat upright during the lesson. Its presence that could be felt with a faint and elusive aroma.
Tonight, Raymond had a good dream.
*
It's Monday morning, and Raymond wakes up before six.
After waking up and clearing himself, the sky outside was still a bit dark.
He sat at his desk and turned on the table lamp.
A warm yellow light illuminates a dark and narrow room.
Raymond opened his book and began to read the text in a soft voice.
He read his book by slowing down his speed, but still spoke with a pause.
A soft voice, like a smooth and melodious cello sound.
The clock in the bedroom ticks, accompanying the intermittent reading.
When Raymond finished reading this not-too-long passage, twenty minutes had already passed.
He looked up at the wall clock, and his delighted expression somewhat faded.
He's taken so long.
He recorded his time in his notebook, packed his bag, and prepared to go to class.
This was the first day Raymond practiced speaking.
In the past, he never had the expectation to do it, practice speaking.
In his heart, he always avoided the crowd and thought that as long as he did not speak, people would not make fun of him.
But ever since he saw the girl in the hospital yesterday, Raymond's numb heart seemed to have been planted with the seeds of love. He slowly sets his decision—
He wanted to speak fluently, or perhaps more accurately, he wanted to say a few words to the girl fluently.
Raymond knew the girl didn't care much and might have long forgotten about her.
Or maybe Emily herself doesn't know that Raymond has a speech disorder because she doesn't care about him.
He imagined if the next time they interacted, it would not be as bad as a year ago although it was still not very smooth.
The morning breeze was so cold, the morning dew gently swept over Raymond's face.
But his heart burned like fire, and in his mind, he unceasingly imagined himself conversing with the girl with complete confidence.
Just like in his dreams.
*
After the second lesson at Vienna Lantern High School, there was a twenty-minute break.
Most students choose breakfast.
There are not many people in the room during the break. Kirana, a new tablemate, pulls Emily to her side, then says, "Emi, would you like some breakfast together?"
Kirana had heard of Emily.
In her mind, Emily, who was beautiful and friendly, should be arrogant and arrogant, with her head held high, enjoying everyone's praise.
But after spending only two days with her, Kirana realized that what she was thinking was completely wrong.
Emily is a girl who is very easy to talk to.
Emily glanced silently and saw Raymond sitting in his place, reading quietly.
The young man sat upright, resembling a slender tree blown by the wind.
He shook his head to Kirana and whispered, "I won't go."
"Yes already," Kirana replied in disappointment, "I'll go with someone else."
As Kirana sat in the classroom, she gave Emily a pass.
Outside, there were a few fresh birds.
Taking this opportunity, Emily subtly looked at Raymond.
The young man was still down, holding a pen in his hand — long fingers with the tips of his fingers slightly pale.
He's so focused.
Emily squinted her lips, secretly feeling doubtful.
He wanted to talk to Raymond, but seeing that he was busy studying, he was afraid to disturb him.
After thinking for a moment, he lowered his gaze and left.
Behind the classroom, Raymond had yet to turn the pages of his book, his breath filled with the faint scent of the girl.
His heart was pounding like a rabbit was jumping. Expectantly waiting for the girl to start a conversation, but afraid of her own response, which would reveal her stuttering.
However, in just a few seconds, he imagined countless possibilities in his head.
But the girl left, without saying a word.
The front door opened violently, and several people returned from the school cafeteria, carrying fried chicken and bread, eating them while sitting at their respective study tables.
Emily was about to open her book to learn the next lesson when a man next to her offered bread, saying, "Emily, do you want bread?"
"No, thank you," smiled politely Emily.
Kenzo reluctantly pulls his hand and tries to continue the conversation, "Emily, haven't you been in the top class since year one?"
"Yes" nods Emily.
"I used to be in the Ungunal Class, right next to your class," he said with a hint of pride.
Class 1 and Class 2 are the top class. At the beginning of the second year, students are rearranged based on their grades. Those who qualified remained in the seeded class, while those who were not placed in the ordinary class.
He returns from seeded class to regular class, and Emily wonders what this man is proud of.
Emily did not want to continue the conversation, so she simply nodded and said, "Oh."
However, Kenzo did not realize that Emily was not interested in the conversation and continued to pull out the brown box from her desk drawer.
Grabbing to the side of the hallway, he said loudly, "Oh, almost forgot. I brought chocolate. Do you want to?"
Just as Emily was about to shake her head to refuse, she saw someone standing behind her.
