Christian

3 hours earlier…

It wasn’t a plan. I hadn’t set my mind on going there, on being present to watch it all play out but somehow, I found myself there. My desire and thoughts had driven my body there. As I stopped and looked up, my eyes fell on her.

“Leaving for lunch?” I heard her question the few employees on their way out.

“Yes.” A male amongst the rest answered.

“Good then we can leave together.” She added before sorting a few stuffs on her table.

“We can’t.” The man was quick to add and that forced a small frown between my brows.

“We can’t?” She repeated and my eyes shifted back to her.

“Um… well, the thing is…” He began in a stutter.

“…I, we don’t think you’ll fit in well with us… I mean, the lunch we usually have is below your standards so… I’m sorry.” He completed before hastening his steps out of the room, the rest followed and I had to turn away to hide my face as they walked past me. I didn’t want them finding out the fact that I watched the entire conversation play out.

I watched them walk away without stealing a glance back and that kind of made me mad. I shifted my eyes back to Harieth who now stared into space.

A minute later, she looked away, clearly playing the role of someone who wasn’t the least bit hurt by their outright rejection of her attempt to accompany them. Deep down, I felt hurt.

Now that I think about it, Harieth didn’t have lots of friends and the two she has, she’s on bad terms with them. The reason wasn’t rocket science. It’s no new information that her personality was a bit difficult to entertain. I wasn’t a fan of hers as well but somehow, something changed and perhaps, I just saw the greater good in her.

I looked elsewhere for a moment. I know I made a decision to keep my distance with her but now, I don’t know if that’s going to be possible anymore.

…And now…

I looked up beyond the menu in my hands and our eyes met, instantly, she lowered them, hiding away behind the menu card in her hands.

A simple smile appeared at the corner of my lips as I lowered my eyes away from her. It’s crazy and funny that we’ve been doing this for over a while now. I know she wants to say something but for some reason, she’s holding back.

“Why’re you being nice to me?” Her sudden question forced my eyes back onto her.

Harieth

With a straight face, my eyes demanded a civil reply to my question. The fact that he’s been treating me a bit humanly recently is great but a part of me can’t help wondering what the reason is.

Honestly, I’m not that used to believing anyone sincerely likes me.
I know ninety-five percent of the people around me wishes I could disappear into thin air so concluding that Christian could be part of the five percent left is a very difficult decision for me. Right now, I’m just a bit confused.

I waited for a reply but all I got was his eyes momentarily staring back into mine and before I could conclude what his stare could mean, he looked elsewhere so I followed.

“Can I take your order sir?” The waiter politely asked and Christian shifted his eyes back to me.

“What have you decided?” He directed the question to me and I was forced to take one more look at the menu. Truthfully, I didn’t go through the menu. I’d been so occupied with thoughts and stealing glances at Christian that I failed to read through it.

With a sigh, I looked back up the waiter.

“You know what, surprise me. Bring me your best dish.” I stated and he replied with a nod.

“Anything else?” He added but I just shook my head before shifting my eyes back to Christian.

He gave a light scratch on his neck, probably due to the tension of making a decision of his own. A part of me fell amused at the possibility that he had gone through the same dilemma as I did. He hadn’t paid attention to the menu.

“I’ll have whatever she’s having and…” He looked my side.

“…A bottle of your finest wine.”

“Yes sir.” With that, the waiter was gone and we were left to each other’s presence once more.

For a while, he did anything else but look me in the eyes and I found that a bit odd. I’m not going to play the dazzled princess who’s in love with a man that clearly doesn’t love her back. They might be my feelings but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a control over my actions that might result due to them.

“Christian…”

“I’m not just being nice to you.” He started as he met my eyes once more, cutting off what I had to say.

He hesitated for a moment and made it seem like he had something heavy to say next, something serious that it kind of made me a bit worried and curious all at the same time.

The expression on his face seemed a bit confusing. His eyes suddenly entailed a strange mirror of fear. Fear? Why would the great Christian be scared? I didn’t know if I wanted to hear what he had to say or not.

“I…” He started but suddenly stopped. His eyes held my gaze and oh how serious they looked. It seemed he was about to confess something grave and yet, they seemed to search for something in mine. How strange. Nevertheless, I anticipated his next words.

Suddenly, he leaned backwards, relaxing his back. “I’m just taking care of my wife.” His statement that followed cut me off guard and it seemed I froze for a moment.
The look he had was gone and was replaced by his usual look.

Disappointment washed over me and I was left with feeling stupid for believing something different was about to happen. It’s crazy how deep down, I thought he might actually like me back and that was his reason for suddenly changing his attitude towards me. Now I know, mountains can never be moved even by faith.

Momentarily, I lowered my eyes away from his and then I recalled earlier at the shoe store.

“You shouldn’t get hurt because I hurt when you do.”

Something stirred up inside me and I raised my eyes back to him.

“Why did you say that earlier? Why did you say…you hurt when I do? What did you mean by that?” A part of me felt determined to find a reasonable reason to everything and yet, the other part felt a bit scared as to what I might find out. Regardless, I was in already.

The food was set in front of me and our attention got distracted as we watched the waiter do his job before he was gone. My eyes were quick to return onto him. His eyes eventually did the same.

I could somehow tell he was holding something back. I waited patiently and a bit on edge for his reply which was apparently taking too long to come along.

His eyes left mine. “Does every sentence need to have a special meaning behind it?”

I fell speechless.

He made an attempt to meet my eyes once more but failed at steading them.

After a sigh, “Look, I don’t think we necessarily need to hate each other. We’re married, maybe not involved in the sort of relationship married couples usually engage in but we can at least be… friends.”

After what seemed like a while, “friends?” I repeated in a bit of disbelief, my eyes refusing to leave him. He on the other hand replied with a nod.

I stared on as emotions and thoughts swirled inside me. I wanted to get up and scream at him for making me go on this roller-coaster of feelings all once but for some reason, I sat still, unable to utter a word or display the needed reaction.

In the end, a light chuckle left my lips as I lowered my eyes away from him. I couldn’t do it. I wanted to hang on to this new Christian. I wanted to believe there was going to be a change and the start of this friendship was a good thing.

Maybe just this once, just once, I’ll let my guard down. After all, patience is the key.

I looked back up to him and with a hand stretched out to him, I stated enthusiastically. “Friends it is then.”

He looked a bit surprise for a moment but was quick to dismiss it.

“Friends.” He added as he accepted my handshake.

It felt warm and soothing. Our eyes seemed locked and our hands glued together for a few moments before he withdrew his hand then lowered his eyes away from mine.

With a bright smile, I eventually withdrew mine like that would ease the awkwardness that just filled the atmosphere. I watched him take his first spoon out of his dish and his eyes met mine once more.

A simple but yet warm smile played on his face that it took me by surprise. I felt swooned and my heart raced a thousand miles.

If all I had to do was be his friend to get him to smile like that then it was well worth it. I have a friend.

Christian

My fingers rhythmically tapped the starring wheel while heading home that evening. A beautiful song played out through the radio and a smile lay out on my face, though my cheeks hurt from doing that since after lunch, I just couldn’t help it. I was in the mood. It rained mildly but even that couldn’t change the mood I was already in.

I caught sight of a familiar face standing still on the pavement and getting drenched under the rain. Even the car looked familiar. As I drove past it, I squinted my eyes to get a better look at who it was. My eyes widened at the realization.

What… what is she doing there?

Without wasting a moment more, I drove to the side and parked at a secure spot. I picked up the umbrella I had left on the floor of the car. Quickly, I pushed the door open, opened the umbrella before slamming the door shut after stepping down. I hurried my steps back to her.

“Harieth.” I called out the first time but no response followed. She just stood still, staring ahead and it seems she wasn’t aware of the rain.

“Harieth.” I called once more as I drew closer and stopped in front of her, shielding the rain away from her with the umbrella but still no reaction followed suite.

Slowly, worry began slipping in.

“Harieth, what’s wrong?’ I asked as I placed a hand on her arm and yet, no reaction. It seemed as if she was frozen, unable to move but clearly still conscious.

I lowered my head a bit so our eyes were on the same level, for her to see who was in front of her. It seemed like she was staring back but it didn’t really feel that way. She blinked at rare times pointing out that she was evidently conscious but at the same time not herself.

“What’s happening?” I questioned in a rather low and worry filled voice. I pleaded for her to speak up, say something, anything to assure me that she was okay but nothing came through.

I wrapped my arms around her, enclosing her in a tight and yet warm hug.

“It’s alright. You’re alright.” I seemed to chant in a rush of breath.

Panic threatened to consume my entire being but I knew I had to stay strong for her. Whatever this was, whatever was happening was just a momentary drawback. She was going to be fine. Everything was going to be fine.

I let go of the hug for a moment to meet her eyes once more but consciousness slipped out of her. Her eyes fell shut and her body sagged but I was quick to hold them well in my arms, she wasn’t going to reach the ground.

I let the umbrella fall off my hand and then I carried her in my arms. The rain poured, drenching us both. I hurried my steps back to my car and only after I set her on the passenger’s seat close to mine and buckled her up with the seatbelt did I hurry my steps over to mine. 

My heart was threatening to burst out of my chest at the pace it was racing, my hands physically trembled from the fear and nervousness that something awfully bad might be happening to her. I gulped down hard as I shut my eyes for a moment.

I’ve got this.

I told myself repeatedly till it somehow managed to calm my nerves and only then did I finally start the car, with my hands on the wheels, I drew in a deep breath then stirred the wheel to drive away.

Harieth

Today felt perfect and it should have ended that way if not for the tyre bust. If not for the fact that I was somehow too lost in dream land to notice the climate change that evening and that I had to step down from my car to take a look at the ruptured tyre.

The first drops fell and only then did I take notice of the weather, only then did the nostalgic feeling of the rain took over. I panicked for a moment but before I could take the first step back into the car, the rain poured down at once.

That awful memory took over for a while and then its after effect followed. I froze. My hearing senses seemed tuned down and my vision went a bit blurry. Everything felt blank.

Then he showed up.

My eyes fluttered open as consciousness slipped back in. I felt in control of myself once more and my senses were back to normal. My eyes searched around for any sign of familiarity in the unfamiliar room but none was found.

My eyes fell on the IV and the needle sunk into the back of my right hand palm. My face squeezed a bit in disapproval but squeezed even more at the gown I had on. Now, I get it. I’m at a hospital but why?

I attempted getting up but felt a slight weight on my other hand, forcing me to look the side I hadn’t. Slowly, whatever frown I had on, disappeared as I stared Christian’s sleeping face. While seated, he engulfed my hand in one of his and rested his head on the little space by my side while he slept.

I felt stunned. I couldn’t stop staring, quite bewildered that he was here, holding my hand and it seems he fell asleep while waiting for me to regain consciousness. I recalled the fact that he showed up at my worst moment. He shouldn’t have been there. He shouldn’t have seen me like that.

But he’s here.

My consciousness pointed out and I hated admitting that was right. Christian is here and this actually says a lot. I forgot the struggle I had for a moment mentally myself to put into action in regards to leaving this place. I fell hypnotized by his face, presence, that I saw myself stretching my hand to him. Lightly, I stroked his hair.

He moved a bit and I was quick to withdraw my hand. He moved a bit more and finally, his eyes opened and instantly met mine. In a sparse of a minute, he instantly raised his head off the bed as he stood up to his feet.

“You’re awake.” He stated which kind of sounded like a declaration. His hand had met my cheeks as if to confirm his declaration. That surprised me a bit that I stayed speechless.

Suddenly, he slowly withdrew his hand as if realizing how different he was being at the moment. Truthfully, I didn’t want him to stop. I mean, he’s acting nothing like the man I married but I never said I didn’t like the man in front of me. I’m just bad at hiding my true reactions in front of him.

“How are you feeling?” His question came through.

“I’m fine. Great. In fact, I don’t think I need to be here.” I addressed as I began my crazy attempt to pull out the needle from my hand.

“Harieth wait...” He tried to stop me but the needle was out already and I was well on my feet off the bed.

“Morning. Why not wait till morning for the doctor to discharge you? You… earlier you didn’t seem fine at all. You…”

“Christian I’m fine. What can actually make me not fine is spending the night at a hospital which is why we need to go home this instant. Where are my clothes?” I added as I couldn’t seem to find them.

In a sigh he added, “there’re in the low drawers” and pointed to the direction.

Without wasting a second more, I rushed over to fish them out of the drawers.

“Four hours, that’s how long you’ve been unconscious.” He pointed out and I stopped for a moment before taking a look back at him.

I get it. I scared him a bit. God knows I scare myself whenever that happens but that’s why I try, I try to make sure it never happens. Earlier had been a wrong time on the wrong day. It’ll never happen again.

“I’ll pay the bills and meet you at the reception desk.” He suddenly added as if surrendering whatever should have come next. I felt bad as I watched him leave the room. Maybe I’d been too pushy about everything. If only I could explain everything to him… if only.

A while later, we’re taking steps towards the main door out of the hospital with me taking the lead and him slacking behind. For some reason, I’m unable to shake off the feeling that he’s upset with me.

I mean I get I must have worried him as a human he is when he sees his fellow human in danger but why won’t he just let it go after I tell him that I’m okay. It’s not as if he’s emotionally attached to me or something of a sort.

I turned to him making him stop on his tracks.

“The rain is gone. How about we head somewhere nice and have a drink?” I proposed with a wide smile, hoping to get his mind off what just happened. He left me with a blank stare so much that I couldn’t tell if he was angry, okay or even irritated by me.

“No?” I questioned as I shook my head and yet, no reaction.

“Fine then.” I surrendered in a sigh before turning away from him to continue walking ahead. I’d barely taking three steps forward when I felt a hand on mine and within a second, I swung around, thrusting into his arms.

I froze as I felt his arm engulfing me into his embrace while his other hand lightly cupped the back of my head. The side of my face rested on his chest and shoulder. I couldn’t make a move. My heart was thumping behind my ribcage and a word couldn’t escape my lips.

“Don’t ever scare me like that again.” His words were low and for my ears alone but something about it sounded more caring rather than an order.

“Scared? You were… scared for me?” I found the words rolling out of my mouth, a desperate attempt to make sure I heard right.

After a moment of hesitation, “yes.”

There was silence, so silent that I started to hear a second heartbeat. Immediately, I knew it was his. I closed my eyes as I wrapped my arms around him as well. The closer I listened, the more it aligned with the beating of my own.

In a moment, our hearts were beating to a similar rhythm.

So sorry about the late update. To makeup for that, the next update will follow this week as well.