NYSSA
“Thank you for comin’,” I managed to speak. “I didn’t know you would make it here.” I added with a smile that I managed. “Thank you, Kazmir.” I said again, lettin’ go of his hand.
“Why won’t I come?”
I shut my eyes again, wantin’ to sleep.
“What really happened?”
I opened them again.
“Toxic gas came into the house,” I said, turnin’ to meet his gaze so that our eyes locked for moments. “I don’t know what happened and how it happened. I honestly also don’t know what the case is with Lysander. Have you heard from ‘im?”
He heaved a sigh and shook his head. “We shouldn’t be talkin’ ’bout ‘im, baby. I haven’t heard from ‘im either.” He added and I gave a nod, thinkin’ back to a few hours ago when we last saw.
He had walked out on me, not sayin’ a word ’bout where he would be or rather, where he was goin’ to. What happened? From tellin’ ‘im ’bout how I seemed to be gettin’ better, to ‘im walkin’ away and then gettin’ involved in this mess.
What did he do to me?
I looked up to see the gaze of Kazmir who looked like he was waitin’ on me for an answer.
“I don’t know what else would have happened if not for the gas, Kazmir. It came and I noticed it from the room, while I then walked out to ask Lysander what it was ’bout. I think he was in his room and I thought he wasn’t safe anymore. While I was goin’ to call on ‘im, I fell to the floor and opened my eyes in this room.”
The man heaved a sigh.
I shut my eyes again, but I didn’t sleep.
Where was Lysander?
What is goin’ on with ‘im? And where is the doctor in charge of my case? I opened my eyes and shut them again, ready to sleep at this point.
The next time I opened my eyes, it was the next mornin’. I heaved a sigh, feelin’ much better.
Next to me on the bed was someone I was yet to see, but I didn’t need to ask before knowin’ it was Kazmir who must have spent the night with me in the ward. Now I tapped ‘im. “Kazmir?”
He raised his head, looked at me, and asked. “Do you want somethin’, baby? Are you okay?” He sat up and wiped his face with one of his hands. “Good mornin’. I didn’t know it was mornin’ yet.”
Exactly what I thought.
“Did you spend the night here?”
To confirm my imagination, I had to ask. The man gave a nod and then I asked. “Why did you do that? You shouldn’t have, Kazmir. Don’t do it again.” I sat up, realizin’ how strong I had become in a night. “I feel very much better, but can I get water to drink?”
In moments, a glass of water was handed to me. “Thank you,” I sipped and handed it back to ‘im. “What ’bout the doctor?” I also wanted to ask ’bout Lysander, but couldn’t. If not for anythin’, but so that his mood was not ruined. “I want some food also.” I added and just as I spoke, the door to the ward was pushed open.
“Good mornin’, Mrs. Draven,” he walked in with a file. “How was the night? You have such a good husband, you know.” He looked at Kazmir who muttered greetin’s. “Mrs. Draven, you’re free to go back home, you know. I’ll meet Mr. Draven and give ‘im the medications you’ll use in the meantime. It was nothin’ serious. Just that the gas was toxic and you’re not used to inhalin’ such type of air.”
I nodded.
He was right, but where was Lysander?
What happened to checkin’ on me? What if he did when I was asleep? I looked at Kazmir, knowin’ fully well that he would chase the man out of my ward if such a thing happened. “Thank you, doctor. But what ’bout Mr. Lysander? Is he alright?”
“Oh, Mrs. Draven,” he smiled. “Neighbors saw or rather, perceived the gas comin’ from the house. The fire team came on time and stopped the accident from becomin’ a disaster, as well as the ambulance that brought the both of you to the hospital.”
I heaved a sigh.
It was a sigh of relief.
“Thank you, doctor. You said I was fit to leave the hospital. Can we get it done already? I’d love to lay my head on the bed in my room.” I smiled at the man who smiled back, walkin’ closer to ask some questions. “I’m very fine, sir. Thank you.”
“I’ll see Mr. Draven before he gets back to get you home. There are some payments to make and the medications have to be handed to ‘im. And yes, a nurse will serve you food in moments.” He mouthed and that was the last time I heard from ‘im, while Kazmir walked in after some time with a package containin’ the medications.
“Is it time?”
“Yes, baby-” he said and I got on my feet.
“No, don’t do that. I’ll carry you to the car.” And he did, takin’ me in his arms and out of the room while we headed to his car. There was no need to ask ’cause, at this point, I was certain I was no longer safe in the home of Lysander who I suspect so much – even more than Kazmir whose secrets I am aware of.
“Thank you,” I was safely tucked in the car this time, and he shut the door before reachin’ his seat. “How are you? I’m sorry for the stress you must have gone through since last night. I-I didn’t mean for it to happen, Kazmir. I am sorry.”
“It’s okay,” he looked at me with aid from the mirror. “Look, Nyssa. You need all the rest you can get before we can talk ’bout this. For now, I need to get you back home. I’ll get your stuff from Lysander’s home before we arrive, is that okay with you?”
“Yes.”
Even if it wasn’t okay, what choice did I have? We went to the home of Lysander, not so far from the hospital. The next time I opened my eyes, I was in the car and the trunk made a sound from behind.
It was Kazmir who put in my stuff from the house he went into, accompanied by some workers from the fire team who came to check on the apartment. “Are these all your stuff?” He asked. I snapped out of my thoughts, askin’ for the handbag I kept the contact and card of Ariadne in.
After confirmin’ that the card was in the bag, I gave ‘im a nod and said. “All are complete,” I assured with another nod, relaxin’ on the chair once more after carefully placin’ the bag beside me. “Let’s get goin’.” I added and the door to the front seat opened, Kazmir steppin’ in, and the car startin’ once more.
In the penthouse, I didn’t know how I felt to be back in it. “Thank you,” was all I could say to Kazmir who looked at me. “I should rest some more.” I clutched the handbag and walked to the door of the room I used to sleep in before I left.
“Are you goin’ to sleep in that room?”
I turned around. “I thought-”
“I arranged our room when you left. You should stay there so I can watch after you. You can choose to stay in another room when your medications are finished.” He mouthed and I walked to the stairs, climbin’ through and stoppin’ at the door of the room we used to share. Did I want to go into it?