ARLAN’S POV
I tried getting some sleep but it was impossible as my mind ravished with the thoughts of Saraya. I thought about what she could be doing but I couldn’t mutter the courage to call her, not with what I saw at the airport.
“You’re such a coward, Arlan. You don’t deserve her.” I turned on my side again.
Her smile seems genuine and I couldn’t remember the last time she smiled at me that way. All I remember was her tears and struggles whenever she was with me.
I sighed and sat up. Restlessness took over me but I knew drinking wasn’t an option. Not with Matilda, who is due with our baby anytime from now. For their sakes, I have to be sober.
I decided to keep myself busy by going to my study to sort out the stack of documents that had been left untouched for days.
I took off the bed cover and got off from bed. My study is attached to my bedroom so I grabbed my phone and headed there.
I sat down and placed my hand on the stack of documents and I cursed my procrastination as I got to work.
Soon, three hours passed. The pen twirling between my fingers as I leaned back, staring at the ceiling. Despite feeling exhausted, sleep was still very much far from my eyes. “Fuck,” I cussed and dropped the pen on the table. “Maybe I should just take a walk, it just might help clear my head.” I suggested.
Then my phone buzzed on the desk, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I picked my phone up, frowning at the screen. A number I didn’t recognize. ‘Strange. Who could this be?” I debated ignoring it. Unknown numbers rarely brought good news. But curiosity won out. I swiped to answer.
“Hello?”
There was a pause, and then a voice I hadn’t heard in about two months came through the line. My breath hitched.
“Is that really you?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “Tell me I’m dreaming.”
“It’s me,” the caller confirmed. “Arlan, I have a favor to ask. I need you to come see me. Right away.”
I didn’t hesitate and stood on my feet almost immediately. “I’m on my way.”
I hung up and bolted out of the study like a man possessed. My heart was pounding so hard, I fear it would explode from the adrenaline surge and disbelief it was experiencing.
“Arlan?” Matilda’s voice rang out from the living room. She stood up from the couch, her brows knitted in confusion as I strode past her. “Where are you going to in the middle of the night?”
“Shouldn’t you be sleeping in your room?” I asked.
“I find the cushion here more comfortable.” She replied. “Now back to my question, why do you look so worked up?”
“I’ll explain later,” I said, grabbing my car keys off the counter.
“Explain later? What’s going on?” she pressed, trailing after me. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost!”
“Matilda, not now,” I snapped, more harshly than I intended. Guilt pricked at me, but I didn’t stop to soften my tone.
“You’re not seriously running out without telling me what’s happening!” she protested, her voice rising.
I paused for the briefest of moments, hand on the doorknob. My mind raced. I wanted to say something to ease her worry, but I felt like time was running out.
“Trust me,” I said finally. “I’ll explain everything when I get back.”
Without waiting for her response, I dashed out the door and in less than forty seconds, I was in my car. My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as I pulled out of the driveway.
My thoughts swirled as I sped down the road. “Who could have guessed this day would take such a turn?” I had mixed feelings as I drove. Didn’t know what to expect but at the very least I needed to show up.
*
ALEX’S POV.
I sat up on the bed, the stiffness in my limbs reminded me of the weeks I had spent in bed.
I should be getting out of bed more often since I regained consciousness but I couldn’t, not with everything that I had seen while on lying on my sickbed.
The stiffness of limbs and the body pain were totally worth it though it broke my heart. I had to play along while devising means to counter what’s going on.
My heart had broke when my mother visited me and had unintentionally moved a finger to a touch but I dare not move it again when she requested it again. Poor mom must’ve thought she was hallucinating but little did she know it was because of Mary.
Even after Mary had left, I still couldn’t bring myself to move, I was scared it would be a lot for her and she wouldn’t be able to contain her emotions. That could put her in harm way. I had feared how unpredictable she could be and what she could have done. What more? I’m still very much weak. I can’t even protect myself, how then do I protect others?
The sterile smell filled my nose, but I had grown used to it.
“You never can know someone completely, can you?” I asked myself. “Who would have thought Mary had sinister thoughts of her own?”
The nurses had been kind, and the doctor…well, he had reluctantly agreed to my request to keep my recovery quiet.”This secrecy isn’t helping you or your worried family. You’re sure about this?”
“I’m very sure.” I had replied firmly. “Please.”
I had taken my time to think of who could help me restrategize and the only person I could think of was Arlan. Though, he broke my trust, I was certain he would protect Saraya.
The door creaked open, and I turned my head. My chest tightened when I saw Arlan standing there, his hand frozen on the doorknob. His wide eyes searched my face as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“You’re awake…” His voice cracked, and before I could say a word, he crossed the room in two long strides and pulled me into a hug.
“Arlan…”
“I thought we lost you!” His grip on me tightened as his voice trembled. “Alex, I was so scared. So, so scared.”