ADAPTED

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©️ Emrys Noah 2021

BETILLA

I headed for the Main Hospital, it was a little bit farther from my house so I wasn't aiming at getting there anytime soon. I tried calling the number again but it went straight to voicemail. I cursed under my breath when I got caught in traffic, just my luck. I rushed into the hospital once I found a place to park in their filled up parking lot. I asked for Archer and they directed me to a waiting room. I scanned it quickly and my eyes latched on to a familiar face. His mom. I heaved a sigh of relief but then frowned when I realised Archer wasn't with her. Was he the one in the hospital? 

I walked to meet her and my frown doubled when I saw her teary eyes. "What's happening?" I managed to mumble. "I'm sorry," She says before answering. She wiped a tear that escaped her eye. "Archer got in an accident." I froze and tried to process what she said. Archer got in an accident? Because of me? I hope not. I sat down at the edge of the chairs. She walked up to me and embraced me in a hug and then the flood gates were opened. We stayed there in each other's embrace. I didn't know when I fell asleep. It was really late and I was tired.

I opened my eyes to still find myself in the hospital's waiting room. Only that, Archer's mom was nowhere to be found. Moments after I had woken up, the doctor walked to me. I realised it was about Archer. I rose to my feet and scanned the surroundings for his mom. Where was she? "You don't have to be worried anymore, Archer is okay." I sighed heavily. Thank God for this. "Can I see him?" He nodded and showed me the way. I followed him eagerly. I stopped at the door of his room. I saw his figure, he looked awfully good for someone who had an accident. I walked coyly into his room and he hadn't noticed me yet. He was staring at the ceiling on top of him, singing a little jingle too.

I walked up to him. I nudged him and he looked at me, a smile broke out on his features. "Hey there," I whispered before kissing his forehead. He reached up to me kissed my lips, passionately. Our lips moulded together igniting the feeling of life within me. I sighed when I pulled away to breathe. I hugged his neck. He chuckled. "Fancy meeting you here though, this isn't the gym." He sassed. I rolled my eyes and laughed. "I want you to hold me." He said sounding pained. I wasted no time in wrapping my hands around his torso. 

When he felt comfortable, I started, "Archer, about what happened-" He cut me off. "Shh, sleep." I frowned at that but then I was really tired and Archer's embrace was really comfortable so I did. But a tiny voice was saying something wasn't right. I slept for a while then I heard Archer calling me in the distance. He couldn't possibly be up yet. I opened my eyes to see Archer's mom calling me. I was back in the waiting room. I never left in the first place. I was crushed to the bone. 

It was time to see him, for real this time. The doctor was standing in front of us. "Archer was really lucky he was brought in the time he was. He has a cracked rib and a broken collarbone, we've run some tests and he had shown signs of mild traumatic brain injury, meaning, he may not be able to recall some details in his life. The TBI may last up to six months. I'll prescribe medications to help with headaches and pain generally." He said. I looked at his mom and she was just staring at him with tired eyes. "Can we see him?" She asked weakly. He nodded and started showing us the way. 

"You know, he's a lucky soul. With the impact the car made on his body. It's a miracle how he survived with no major injuries to his vital organs." He added and I kept quiet. My mind was replaying, "He may not be able to recall some details in life." My dream was very different from this. What if he didn't remember me? Could that happen? As if Ariana ended my discomfort, she asked, "If he does have amnesia, how long will it last?" I looked at her sending her silent thanks. We had reached his room when he replied, "That we are unsure of, it could last days or even weeks or months. For people that experienced similar situations like him, their's lasted up to 6 months. It's rare to see a quick recovery. But it's not impossible." He ended with a smile. At least, it's not permanent.

He opened the door and let us enter closing the door behind him. I looked at him, he had his eyes closed, unlike my bloody dream. Ariana approached his bed and took a seat neat him. I just stood there staring at him in horror. I watched as his mom carefully stroked his face. His eyes fluttered open at the small movement. He looked at his surroundings. I took that time to analyse him. He didn't look good. He was so pale, his eyes were dull. He had terrible eye bags not to mention the tiny bruises on his face. He had a brace on and an arm sling. He looked so tired. 

"Mom?" I could barely hear his voice. She reached for his hand to hold. My heart was hammering in my chest as I watched their encounter. Soon he realised there was another person in the room. Me. I felt my eyes widen as I watched him analyse me with a confused look. That wasn't what I was expecting. Reality really differed from dreams.