Day Two Thousand One Hundred and Ninety Two

Another morning I wake up to the sound of the bell ringing, from a nearby church. 6 o' clock in the morning, the clock beside the bed lamp said. It was too cold outside to come out of the warm duvet I was packed in. I scrolled through my social handle, watching the Christmas posts and wishes from all around the world, as the clock ticked thirty minutes past six and my time under the duvet was over. I had to make and have my breakfast before I leave for my band  by eight.

••••
Jack woke up to find the other side of the bed to be cold.
Eva felt kisses pressed on her neck, as she continued stirring the pasta she was making for breakfast.
''Good morning babe'' Jack said, his face nuzzled in the crook of her neck.
Eva returned the greet with a kiss on his cheeks.
••••

As I settled down on the dining table, the breakfast microwaved, my sight caught hold of Eva, second time within two hours, in the same dress. She was clad in a black skirt that reached half way her knee and a polka dotted top, her obsidian hair untied, cascading down her back. She was looking ethereal but her eyes held fear.
''Jack'' she mouthed.
I got up, trying to go near her. But with each stride I take, she moves one step back, our distance remaining the same.
''I love you'' she would say with each step back.
When I reached her, she was pinned to the wall. I forwarded my hands to cup her face, and she was there no more.
''NO!'' I cried out, ''NOT AGAIN'', I whispered, reducing to my knees. The cruel reality hit me. She was never there.
She was nothing but my subconscious projection of her, a trick my brain plays to deceive me. She was a happiness of some seconds that wasn't even worth the seconds because she left me craving for more, each time.
Drops of tear escaped my eyes.
I felt suffocated, broken and weak.
I made an exit, my breakfast still on the table, untouched. As I walked down a vacant street of London, I felt nothing but loneliness. The shops alongside had decorated christmas trees on show. My mind wandered to the first meeting of two unknown.
••••
''Jack!'' Nathan called out, as he came out of the trial room to find him missing.
•••
''Hi!'' A girl approached Jack, infront of the trial room.
''Hello! Any help?'' Jack asked, his face buried into his phone.
''Could you please help me choose which dress should I pick up?'' She asked showing him two gowns.
Jack looked up and chose the red one. It would compliment the milky skin of her.
''Jack.'' He forwarded his hands.
''Eva.'' She shook her hands with him.
••••
As I reminisced about us, my lips curved, a sad smile displayed my. Walking down I reached the main road. Constant noise of people reached my ears before I saw the christmas crowd. And it was enough to spoil my mood. Five years ago in this day, I had woken up in a hospital and the cause being a huge crowd.
••••
I opened my eyes, and tried to make sense of my surroundings as I found myself in an unknown territory. A strong smell of antiseptic and disinfectant, continuous beeping of machines keeping track that I was alive, hit my senses. The clock on the wall in front had its hour hand at two, the minute hand at five and the second's hand swept from twelve to nine as I tried to call the nurse, dozing off in the chair at the end of my bed. As my mouth opened to call her, a sharp pain shot up my head. It was hurting like hell. My free hand, the left hand as a reflex went to my head. It felt the bandage tied around my head.

Series of images flocked my mind.
Getting up at dawn, with the constant bugging of Eva.
Having our breakfast in a record time.
Going to an orphanage.
Gifting the kids.
Baking cakes and cookies.
Dinner party.
Car. Crowd.
Sharp turn. Barricade.
Sirens of Ambulance.
Incessant Chatters.
Eva's lifeless form.

Even in the season of winter, beads of sweat formed on my forehead and my throat parched as my mind recollected the accident.
•••
While returning from the dinner party, there was a huge crowd on the road. I bent the car around them sharply and the car met a barricade.
Before I lost my consciousness, I saw Eva. Her form unconscious, blood dripping down her forehead. Before my vision zoned out I heard sirens of ambulance and police cars and incessant chatters of people gathered around.
•••
Minutes later, Jack was seen with his band mates in the lobby of the hospital, his head bandaged and strides faltering. Tears dropped from his eyes, occasionally. He was released after his friends did the required formalities.
''Eva Taylor, victim of car crash on the Armstrong bridge, was hit on her head leading to brain haemorrhage. She is undergoing surgery.'' The doctor said to Nathan as he asked him about Eva. ''Hope for the best and be prepared for the worst.'' The doctor had stated after he said that they were not sure that she would be able to make it out.
•••
Hours later the light of the OT went off. Doctors came out and Eva was transferred to ICU.
''Mr. Smith?'' Jack looked up. A doctor stood infront of him, seriousness plastered on his face. He faltered and steadying himself, he stood up. ''Are you Taylor's husband?''
''No, her boyfriend.''
''Mister, you need to be strong now.'' The doctor told him gently. '' We tried hard but'' Jack's heart missed a beat, ''she slipped into coma. There were many injuries on her body and much to our chagrin, a lot of blood was also lost. She is alive and can hear you but is unable to move.'' Jack tried hard not to have a breakdown but as he felt Nathan's hand on his shoulder his suppressed tears meant no stop.
And from then on he hated crowds, especially christmas crowds.
••••
Jack's show was scheduled late night, starting probably at ten thirty or eleven.
He had come to the hospital, to check up on Eva.
''It's our band's first Christmas concert, babe. Will miss you.'' Jack whispered to Eva. Drops of tear fell on their entwined hands. She just squeezed his hand in reply.
After two years in the hospital, Eva still was not responding. The doctors told Jack to leave hope for her but he was persistent on his word. Slowly, fourth year onwards she started responding.
••••
''Eva, if you are able to hear me, then squeeze Jack's hand.'' The doctor said, looking at their entwined hands.
As the doctor finished, Jack felt a gentle squeeze.
''She did! She did!'' Jack almost jumped in excitement.
''This is amazing!'' The junior doctor in assistance exclaimed.
''This is truly a miracle Mr. Smith. We believed Ms. Taylor to have a brain death. I expect Ms. Taylor to open her eyes soon.'' The doctor smiled, feeling content, at his happiness.
••••
An hour later, Jack was seen in the church amidst the varieties of Christmas trees and cribs depicting the place of birth of Jesus Christ, a cattle shed, were set up on the premises of the church. He sat in the church, praying for Eva's health. Every year in christmas, after Eva slipped into coma, he would come here and pray for her, hoping that he could spend the next christmas with her.