Third Person POV

"Oh, I almost forgot that I brought something for you," said Can, "I left it with the nurses at the nurse station. Can you excuse me while I go fetch it?"

"Of course," said Tin.

Can disappeared for a few minutes and then came back carrying a big basket of what was called an edible bouquet because it did look like a floral arrangement, except that in place of flowers there were pieces of cut up assorted fruit that were arranged into a bouquet form.

Tin's mom accepted the basket for Tin and said to Can, "This was very sweet of you. You really didn't have to, but thank you so much. Can I take a piece already, this strawberry looks so sweet and juicy."

"Of course, mom," said Can and then covered his mouth in embarrassment, "I meant to say Mrs. Medthanan," he corrected himself.

"Oh, please, just call me mom so that I can call you 'my son'," said Tin's mom and quickly popped a piece of strawberry into her mouth.

"Mmm, this is indeed sweet and juicy as I expected," said Tin's mom appreciatively.

Can stole a glance at Tin and noticed that he had a happy smile on his face. Can was glad that at the moment whatever painkiller had been given to him through the IV bag had taken away his pain. He felt some guilt and sympathy looking at Tin all bandaged up. He wondered how long it would take before he would fully recover and go back to his old routine.

Tin's mom asked Tin which of the cut up fruits in the edible bouquet he wanted to eat.

"Cantaloupe," Tin answered.

Tin's mom looked at her son in shock. Her jaw actually dropped  and got speechless for a few moments. She had known earlier that Can's name was the shortened form of Cantaloupe.

"Mom," Tin said patiently, "there are cantaloupe pieces in that bouquet. Could you please pick one for me?"

Can quickly walked over to the bouquet and pulled out one stick that was holding a slice of cantaloupe. He then went over to Tin and said to him, "Open up."

"Aaahhh..." said Tin and Can stuffed the piece of cantaloupe into his mouth.

Tin's mom was looking at both of them, still remaining speechless.

When she found her voice, she asked, "Is there something going on between the two of you?"

"No, ma'am no!" from Can.

"No, mom, no!" from Tin.

Mrs. Medthanan shook her head with a knowing smile, "If you both say so," she said and winked at Can.

Can's cheeks turned as red as a freshly cooked lobster's shell.

Suddenly, Can's phone started to ring.

"Uh-oh," said Can, "it's my mom. I had promised her that I wasn't going to be gone for too long. I hope you don't mind if I take my leave now."

"No problem, son," said Mrs. Medthanan. "You had better go before your mom starts to worry."

"Thank you again for the edible bouquet. I hope you can come back to visit Tin again," Mrs. Medthanan continued to say.

"I will try my best," said Can as he walked over to Tin. He bent down to give Tin a small hug but Tin pulled him down and planted a kiss on Can's lips.

Can pulled back, exclaiming, "Tin! Your mom is here!"

"I wasn't looking," said Mrs. Medthanan, "in fact, let me step out of the room for a minute so you guys can say a proper good bye to each other."

As soon as Mrs. Medthanan stepped out of the room, Tin pulled Can once more and started kissing him, pushing his lips open so he could slide in his tongue.

"It's time to remove your IV line," announced a nurse who had just walked in.

Can and Tin pulled apart guiltily.

"We have noted that you are now able to take nourishment orally, so you don't need your IV for hydration and medications anymore" said the nurse. 

"Just be careful what other things you take orally," the nurse added, looking pointedly at Can.

"Good bye, Tin," Can said hurriedly, and ran out of the room.