A Graduation Gift

Cassandra was startled, as were all the people around her.

The baby slept soundly, as if nothing had happened, oblivious to the act of motherhood by which he was saved. Somehow, the mother had squatted with him in her arms, protecting him against the falling boulders with her own body.

Cassandra's mouth fell open in horror, surprise, gratefulness. All at once, these emotions were so hard to process that her hands started to tremble.

Something seemed to cross her mind abruptly but only for an instant. She couldn't hold on to it no matter how hard she tried.

The mother had protected her baby, keeping all the dangers at bay. This truly, was the power of love and love alone.

Dylon snapped to his senses, still recovering from the shock of what had just happened. He sprung forward to test the blood pressure and pulse of the baby, then carried him to the ambulance which had just arrived at the scene. Standing by the ambulance, he saw the father of the baby, wailing helplessly, knelt down on his knees.

Cassandra didn't know what to look at, the destruction or the distancing of loved ones. She felt solemn, stirred and numbed by the misery around her.

Naturally, the night was disturbing. Cassandra lay in Rufus's arms, snuggling against his chest. Her eyes were stuck to the wall, as if it was a canvas on which was playing all images from the events of the day that she couldn't get out of her head. She didn't realize but she was now mumbling. Rufus arched his neck to hear her better but he couldn't make out any proper words.

Soon, thereafter, she fell asleep. Sleep was equally appalling. She dreamed of a strange woman, holding a baby in her arms, crying in horror, looking right into her eyes.

"Don't come closer!" Cassandra yelled, alarmed. "Stop!" Louder, this time.

She could not make out their faces. They might as well have been made out of sand sifting through the wind.

All Cassandra saw was the woman clutching her baby, as if she was holding the most valuable treasure that ever existed. The most disturbing thing was the hostility and hatred with which she stared at Cassandra.

Cassandra felt tremendously sad and helpless. The sadness hit her oddly, making her desperate to ask for an explanation. Why did the woman hate her so much? She wanted to ask, yell, shriek but no sound came out of her wide open mouth.

The dream tortured her the entire night, coming and going in flashes, like memory left behind by terrible things. She was grateful to have been woken up by some noises in the morning.

The moment she opened her eyes, she saw Rufus lying next to her, looking straight at her. There were concerns and a sweet sense of care in his eyes.

"Did you have a nightmare last night? I know you didn't sleep well."

Rufus initiated an exchange, hoping she would release some of her stress and anxiety. He brushed his hand across her cheek, then held her by her bare shoulder.

"It's nothing. It's just...because of whatever happened yesterday."

it was a premonition for something. She didn't want to talk about it. One, describing it would mean reliving the horror of it; and two, she didn't want Rufus to worry about

really weak right now. You won't be able

about her health. He wished she would leave as soon as possible and spend some time

many people are still trapped underground. How can I leave at such

hesitation. It didn't matter how she felt. The situation at hand was much

The streets that were usually boisterous with people and activities were now carpeted with rubble, dishevelled hair and dusty faces. If

she won't dither, he pulled her into his arms. There was something about her

headed for the things she believed in and yet so kind, giving

the days that followed, Cassandra kept working with the rescuers. Rufus stood

supplies to distribute in the disaster-struck areas, which solved many burning problems—hunger, hygiene, and

a few days, Cassandra became one of the toughest volunteer in the crew. She didn't talk much and only

her professional knowledge in the field, she could bring many reliable solutions for the rescue which not only were less time-consuming but also improved the overall security. The rescuers were

missions were completed, some rescue teams gradually withdrew. Only some special search-and-rescue teams stayed for aftermath of the earthquake. Cassandra was too exhausted to

she quit from rescue and

night they spent in Garden Villa after going back, Cassandra finally slept

the sun-lit, off-white walls, Cassandra felt like she

let me know next time you plan to leave the

chest. A strange

as compared to the task at hand. But as soon as they got back

"Hmm..."

and snuggled further into him, feeling

seemed like having been in a hell-like battlefield. But she was wrong. The happy time was

in the Tang Villa, Jill paced right and left,

felt happy to discover Rufus was on a business trip, being the

came back from the hospital. In fact, he

it was because he was ill. She kept trying to encourage him every now and then, but it

why didn't you take those projects? How could

Rufus left, he realized how much he relied on him for the smooth running of

Dawn Star Group's tactical moves had won them several project contracts right under Tang

control. What could I do if they had bigger and better moves? Now, they have the economic

he didn't know how to compete because of his own limitations.

go handle the situation, now that Rufus is not here. Don't make any