CARMELO
Two months later.
"Hey, baby. Your man is back. Sorry I took longer today." I grabbed the curtains and pulled them aside. The sun lit up the room. "I'll go and grab you a change of clothes." Storm said, standing by the exit. "You have your own room in heaven, Storm." I replied. "Stop being dramatic. And cut the hunger strike the hell up, you look like a malnourished prick. It's not like she'll wake up if you stop eating." I sneered at her.
"Can't you be nice to her for once?" She rolled her eyes and left the room. I shook my head. I wonder what story these two had in the past that made them bitter to each other.
Yesterday, her employees came to see her. They brought her a bunch of flower baskets and cards. I kept them all stacked away on a table. I'd read the cards to her and got emotional like a bitch. They loved their boss.
The female employee. What was her name again? Sia? Safiya? She cried a lot and raised both her palms in front of her face and recited a prayer for her. Her husband said it was a 'dua' they made for a sick person. Then she proceeded to wipe her palms all over her limbs. She said it helped with healing in their beliefs. At this point I didn't care what God people prayed for her. I just wanted her to wake up already.
I took off my jacket, draped it on a chair and went to wash my hands. Then I started to massage her right leg, gently from the top to the bottom.
Her doctor said I could do it when I'd suggested it. He said it was going to reduce risk of bedsore, muscle stiffness and joint contractures. He also said it was going to improve her circulation, provide comfort and a sense of human connection. If only he knew, our connection was deeper than just a touch. He insisted on avoiding the IV lines, her wounds and her surgical site. Then the nurse proceeded to tell me more about how I needed to watch out for reactions and all.
"So, I have some good news to share with you. Do you wanna hear it? Okay, I'll tell you." I grinned. "My company finally signed a contract with the Heaven colors. We are finally working together and I'm so glad I listened to you. Their paints are magical for the walls. The clients are happy. I made a lot of money so wake up already. We haven't shopped for months now." I moved to the left leg.
"You know, I was thinking… We have to go on vacation too. You can pick whatever you want to go. Honestly, I can't wait." My phone vibrated in my pocket. I reached for it and it was Freddy.
"What? I'm busy." I deadpanned.
"Sorry sir. But what about this evening's meeting with the investors?"
I glanced at Chichi's face. "Cancel it."
"What? But sir—"
"Cancel it and don't call me until I call you. If anything comes up, consult my father." I hung up and pocketed the phone. "Idiot!" I mumbled resuming to massage her leg.
"So, where was I again, love?"
"Where you just wasted a huge amount of money."
"That's right. So the money that I lost—" My hands stopped moving along with my heart, gasping. No way! "My ears hurt from listening to you yapping every day." My head snapped to her, I staggered back. Tears rolled down as I stared at her face, holding the ventilator on her one hand. "Breath." She uttered and I sucked in a deep breath. I wasn't breathing at all.
I pressed my hand on my chaste. Blinking over and over again to see her well. I was blinded by the tears that refused to stop falling. Her eyes became teary as well.
"Oh my God." I breathed out. This wasn't a dream at all. "Why are you so far away? Aren't you going to hold me? I thought you said you missed kissing me." She said.
I laughed in tears. "You heard that?" She nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I heard everything. I missed you too. And I love you too. So much."
I covered the distance swiftly and leaned down to hug her. It still wasn't enough. I got up, watching the machine carefully and then lifted her up, pressing her hard against my chest. Her hands wrapped around me. Both sobbing in silence. My heart felt like it could beat normally again. I could breathe again. I buried my face on her neck. "Oh, you scared me to death, tesoro. I thought—I thought I was going to lose you."
She tagged me to pull back. Her hand weakly raised and cradled the side on my cheek. "I thought that I would never see you again. I was scared to death. I could hear you but not touch you or see you. It was a torture." I held her face, rubbing her lips.
I moved in and captured her lips with mine. Slowly, kissing her. The knot in my chest loosened when she kissed me back. Finally. Her hands gripped my shirt in my chest. Oh, how I missed her. Our foreheads pressed as we caught our breaths. "I love you." I uttered. "I love you too, my love." She replied.
I pulled back, staring at her, "Call me that again." She smiled, the one that I agonizingly missed. "My love." She rasped. I could feel my face stretching with the big smile that broke on my face. We kissed again and again. We kissed for hours and then I called the doctor. He examined her and gave me the report in private.
She was recovering well, the doctor said. I was even happier to hear that they were closely going to watch her and see if she was ready to go home or not. Chiara asked me not to inform any of our families about her waking up yet. She wanted to have today for us only. And oh, how I fucking loved that idea.
A moment later. We laid on her hospital bed. She was on top of me, playing with my fingers. Something that I missed too. Holding her close and letting her have her way with me. I still couldn't believe that she came back to me. I kissed her hair, my free hand rubbing her back, gently. The doctor said not to apply so much pressure on her wound even though it was healing well.
"Melo," She started.
"Hmm?"
"I'm sorry. For lying to you."
"I have already forgiven you, tesoro."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Thank you."
"So where are we going for vacation?" She blurted after a short silence.
I laughed, she heard everything indeed. "I told you to pick the place."
"I'll think about it soon."
"Whenever you're ready, tesoro."
"Melo."
"Hmm?"
"I feel sleepy. Is it the meds that the idiot doctor gave me? I slept enough already, for fucks sake."
I chuckled and kissed her hair again. God, I really missed this woman. "Rest, my love."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"What if I don't wake up again?"
My heart hammered in my chest. I smiled anyway, "Then we'll both be sleeping beauties on this hospital bed."
"I'm serious." She slapped my chest lightly. I chuckled. "Baby, so am I."
"Ugh!" She uttered and buried her face further on my chest. I rubbed her back slowly.
"Go to sleep, tesoro. I'll be here whether you wake up or not." I kissed her forehead, "And if you dare not to wake up, I'm coming with you."
She scoffed at my last sentence, "You promise?"
"Promise, baby."
"I love you, Melo." She uttered, drifting away.
"I love you, tesoro." I pulled the cover up and held her closely until sleep pulled her completely. I turned my face to the other side, tears sliding on the corner of my eye and the other one across my nose as I shut my eyes and smiled. "Thank you, God." I whispered.