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."

didn't know what it meant or whether 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 to make it. Just go home and

leave as soon as possible and spend some

you saying? I can't leave! You know they are short of hands. We don't know how many people are still trapped underground. How can I leave at such a crucial moment? I'll

she felt. The situation at hand was much

streets that were usually boisterous with people and activities were now carpeted with rubble, dishevelled hair and dusty faces. If she left now, she wouldn't be able to forgive herself for the

her so exhausted. Knowing she won't dither, he pulled her into his

headed for the things she believed

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

boxes full of emergency supplies to distribute in the disaster-struck areas, which solved many burning problems—hunger, hygiene, and shelter being the primary of them.

She didn't talk much and only spent her energy

which not only were less time-consuming but

Only some special search-and-rescue teams stayed for aftermath of the earthquake. Cassandra was too

by Rufus, she quit from rescue and went back to G City with

after going back, Cassandra finally slept soundly. Sleeping

walls, Cassandra felt like she was back to the human world from hell.

time you plan

she buried her head in his chest. A strange mix of feelings oozed in his heart as he recalled how hard she had worked to rescue the affected people.

them in those circumstances seemed too little and insignificant, as if it held no importance as compared to the task

"Hmm..."

made an affirming sound and snuggled further into him, feeling his warm skin on her own.

thought they finally had some time to relax after what seemed like having been in a hell-like battlefield. But she was wrong. The

Tang Villa, Jill paced right and left, comfortable

business trip, being the man she was most disgusted by.

came back from the hospital. In fact, he seemed much more depressed than

was ill. She kept trying to encourage him every now and

and confront him directly when Lionel approached him, "Lionel, why didn't you take those projects? How could you let Dawn Star Group get

he realized how much he relied on him for the smooth running

ordinary businessman. 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 strength to begin several projects in parallel. We

was convinced he was innocent. Sometimes, he didn't know how

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