The Compassionate Caregiver: NYSSA
Myself and Ariadne were seated on a couch late in the afternoon. Our gazes were fixed on the screen of the television when a piece of news popped out while she searched for the right station where a movie could be seen.
“One moment, Ariadne,” I cried. “Can you go back a little? I can swear I saw somethin’ I think I know ’bout. Like a face or somethin’.”
“Oh, okay.”
Life with Ariadne had been more than peaceful since I moved into her house. Her husband, Michael did not mind for a moment whether or not I was a stranger and took me in with them. I snapped out of my thoughts and fixed my gaze on the television, shakin’ my head in disbelief.
“What?”
It was Ariadne. “Is this some sort of joke?”
“I don’t think so,” adjustin’ on the couch, I craned my ears. The man who gave the news spoke words I could hear, with a picture of Lysander by the corner of the screen. What was that ’bout?
“Mr. Lysander, an art icon in the country, was involved in an accident a few days ago. This is in a bid to reach out to someone – anyone who knows ‘im in person. Whether his family member or a friend. His time to leave the hospital is near and the doctors are lookin’ for a way, unless of course he’ll be taken to the special care unit.”
“Good for ‘im.”
Just what I expected Ariadne to say.
“I should have known he would get rewarded for all the things he’s done to you.” Addin’ to it, she said some other words I did not hear.
My gaze centered on the screen of the television, my ears listenin’ to the words of the man on the news.
“If anyone wants to take ‘im in, whether a family member or friend. He or she should make it to the hospital, and meet with the doctor so they can sign a document before he is released. Thank you for listenin’.”
Another news came on the screen.
When I turned, I met the gaze of Ariadne fixed on me.
“There’s no way I would let you do that thing you have runnin’ around in your head, Nyssa.”
“Shouldn’t you be happy that this is happenin’? You get the peace you deserve and he gets punished for messin’ with you.” Adjustin’ on the couch, she touched my shoulder and I met her gaze once more.
“He needs help, Ariadne.”
Scoffin’, she got on her feet – facin’ me. “Are you not so unbelievable, Nyssa?” Takin’ her seat next to me again, she heaved a sigh. “I don’t know what to tell you.”
Why did I feel concerned?
I should be happy ’bout it, shouldn’t I?
The accident I had, looked like it was his handiwork.
What could I say or think? A sigh ran out of my mouth and I turned to face Nyssa who still moped at me. “Look. I know what to do. At least, let’s be certain he is safe in his house. I could live with ‘im too.”
“My goodness. Nyssa!”
“I know,” I cried. “I can always come back here, can’t I? If it gets messed up. But he’s not even sane. He doesn’t know what’s goin’ on which is why I want to help ‘im.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“I’d love to take ‘im under my win’s, Ariadne.”
“I still don’t believe you. You’re goin’ to leave your safe space with all your things to a place you shouldn’t be in. Is that not what you’re tryin’ to say?”
“He needs help, Ariadne. Come on.”
She kept mute.
“I don’t know. I don’t think it’s safe there. What if what happened the last time takes place again?”
“Nothin’ will happen, Ariadne. You get scared a lot and I don’t like this part of you.” With a smile, I got on my feet and walked to the door of my room. “I’ll get ready. You’ll go with me so we can get ‘im back to his house.”
“Yes, Nyssa.”
Days later, I walked out of the room I stayed in when I once stayed with Lysander.
He sat on a couch in the livin’ room, lookin’ at the ceilin’ while his head was placed on the couch. At the sound of my footsteps, he sat up and turned to face me.
“Hello, Lysander,” I sat on a couch farther from his. “Are you ready to eat?” With a smile on my face, I asked and got on my feet, changin’ my mind and sittin’ next to ‘im on the same couch. “How ’bout water?”
He still shook his head.
“What?”
Again, he shook his head. “I don’t want to eat, Linda.”
“Nyssa-” for the umpteenth time, I corrected ‘im. “My name is Nyssa, Lysander. You still don’t remember me, do you?” I asked, shiftin’ closer and lookin’ into his eyes.
Accordin’ to my thoughts, it should work.
But it didn’t.
“No.”
“I thought as much,” I smiled even in frustration. “Are you sure you don’t want to eat somethin’ too? I made pasta. You used to make it when I stayed with you months ago.”
His eyes lit up.
“Did we live together?”
“Yes, Lysander,” I got on my feet and touched his face slightly. “I’ll be back with your meal. You just have to eat. You haven’t eaten since we got back yesterday.”
“It’s ’cause I’m not hungry, Linda.”
“Nyssa.”
“Nyssa.” He corrected with a nod. “I’m sorry, Nyssa. But I’m not so hungry. I think the doctor did somethin’ to me and my system.” He confessed to me who didn’t speak, but walked to the kitchen where I dished his meal.
“Thank you.”
And he ate.
Didn’t he say he wasn’t hungry? I wondered and recalled the same thing had happened when I came out of the hospital. “Do you like it?”
Lookin’ up, he met my gaze. “Yes.”
Just what I thought. “I’ll join you soon.”
Leavin’ his sight, I walked to the room. My phone was beepin’. It was Ariadne, worried as usual. “Are you okay? Why wait so long before takin’ my call?!”
“I was with ‘im, Ariadne. Why are you so scared all the time?” I heard her when I settled on the bed. “How are you and how is he doin’? Does he recognize you already?”
“No. He calls me Linda.”
“Good for ‘im.”
“Ariadne!”
“I just hope you’re safe, Nyssa. Are you okay?”
“I am very well, Ariadne. You have nothin’ at all to worry ’bout and I know you know that.”