As I spoke, Christopher’s finger suddenly twitched slightly, and I jumped in shock. Thinking he was about to wake up, I ducked to the side and fell silent. After awhile, he continued lying still.
He always needed to hug something when he went to sleep as if it made him feel safer. The moment I laid down once more, he reached out and hugged me. He even nuzzled into my neck before falling still once again with an arm around my waist and one hand in mine.
I nestled my head into his chest, and the sound of his firm, strong heartbeat nearly sent tears to my eyes once again. All I wanted was to stay in the embrace of this man; I never wanted to let go.
I stayed in his arms the whole afternoon. I knew the sun was moving and as our shadows stretched along with it, I knew they were always entwined no matter how long and far they extended. I picked up my phone and took a picture of Christopher’s sleeping face.
Even if I couldn’t see, I could at least protect this little bit of happiness. Once I left, I could always keep this fond memory with me on my phone.
The thought of having to leave the hospital ward crushed my heart like a steamroller, and I felt physical pain at the thought of walking away from him. Perhaps Christopher and I were truly connected at heart, because the moment I tried to take my hand away, he clutched at it like a drowning sailor at sea holding onto a piece of driftwood.
He was murmuring in his drug-induced sleep, “Eve, don’t go. Please don’t go. Don’t leave me, Eve…”
I finally managed to wrestle my hand away. The moment I left, my tears cascaded down like a waterfall, and I could barely hold back my wails. I was sobbing his name even after I left the hospital. The entire way, I couldn’t bear to turn and look back in Christopher’s direction.
I was terrified that I would change my mind if I was near him again.
Darius had planned everything out perfectly. He found Jenny, a caretaker to watch over me. All of my luggage was packed and prepared by her, and since I was still blind, she was the one who wheeled me through the airport.
My surroundings were raucous with chatter, and my head started to hurt again. I started to grow nauseous and even retched slightly, but nothing came out.
Of course. I haven’t eaten anything the whole day. There’s nothing for me to vomit.
“Are you alright, Ms. Tanner?” Jenny passed me a handkerchief to wipe my mouth with as she looked at me in concern.
“I’m fine. Let’s hurry in. I don’t want us to miss our flight,” I replied mildly.
Julia and Darius followed behind me. They stayed silent the whole way to the boarding gate; the only sound they made was whenever Darius’ phone rang, after which he would quickly shut it off and continue following.
Suddenly, someone rushed toward me and clutched at my shoulders firmly. The person panted heavily as if they were out of breath, and I felt them glaring at me. I felt as if their stare was about to pierce through me. Soon after, I heard Sabrina’s voice chide, “Yvonne, how could you? Why didn’t you tell me anything? Do you even see me as a friend? I’m never talking to you again! How could you leave me to worry? Is that what friends do?”
“Sabby!” I gripped her hands tightly and felt tears well up in my eyes once again. “I didn’t want to keep it from you, but I didn’t know how to tell you. I’m sorry.”
“I don’t need your apology! If Darius hadn’t called me to tell me you were leaving, I would never have known! You silly girl, how could you treat your friend like that? I know your favorite brand of underwear! Do you really think you can keep anything from me?”
Sabrina’s voice was harsh, and she was yelling as if she hated my guts, but I could feel her tears splashing on my arm and cheek the whole time as she held me tightly.
I would have felt like laughing before this, but now all I could do was hug her back wistfully, knowing I would never be able to hear her reprimanding me playfully after this.
“You can’t leave, Yvonne. Are you insane? I’d never let you leave just like that.”
