Seventy Four

Ruby

This time, I slept for a longer period.  I could tell that much as I grudgingly sat up. I was rubbing some sleep remnants off my eyes, when I felt a hand on my head, its fingers pushing back the strands of my hair in a very loving way.

I know that touch!

With happiness instantly overriding the sadness that had followed me into my long sleep, I fully opened my eyes and smiled widely at the man whose eyes watched me with affection.

My throat felt heavy and tears threatened to come again. My eyes squinted and my forehead creased while I tried not to break into another bout of tears. But I was just so happy to see him. I was so glad that he came back to me. I was glad that my bad thoughts didn't come to pass after all.

Filled with more and more emotions as seconds went by, I held onto his hand which sent soothing waves down my spine  “Adonis…” I called him, my voice cracked as I couldn’t disguise the tears anymore.

“Hey, Peanut.” His other hand leaned against my cheek and I rested my head on his palm.

Eyes closed, tears now falling, I said, “I thought I had lost you. I thought you wouldn’t come back.”

”Why would you think such?” He let out a little scoff to show how amused he was by my thoughts. “Don’t let paranoia get to you Ruby, I will always be here.”

”Promise?”

He shifted his stance, and the next thing I know, he is planting a long kiss on my forehead and I just couldn’t help the tears even more.

“Promises are overrated Peanut,” his soft voice caressed my ears to my delight, “ but I will continue to try to protect you. I will always love you and I will always be with you, even when you feel alone.”

I snuggled into his touch on my cheek some more. I wore a big smile on my lips as I said, “I am so glad you didn’t die back there.”

“Hmm.” He kissed my forehead again.

“But how did you escape?”

”You should rest Ruby, all your questions will be answered later.”

”You are not running away, are you?” I was feeling sleepy again.

“I wouldn’t dare.” His large hands cupped the sides of my waist and he gently laid me down. I watched, with the big smile persisting, as he pulled the floral blanket over my body.

Adonis kissed my lips for a long number of seconds before he wished me a good sleep and went to have his seat on the chair beside my bed.

As I closed my eyes, I thanked the heavens for that moment. Thanks to the fact that Adonis was back, I could now enjoy my sleep. And with the assurance that he was right beside me, watching me, I can now have good dreams and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me in that dream world.

~

I felt beyond relieved as I finally woke up.

I did have a good dream. And, of course, Adonis was with me in that dream. It was a pleasant one, no doubt.

With a big smile and eagerness to see my man, I sat up.  But he wasn’t seated beside me.

My Mom was.

With a slight frown, I took my eyes off the woman who looked deep in sleep and checked out the room I was in. My frown deepened as I realised that it was not the same room as earlier. Even the blanket was not floral but plainly coloured. The place reeked of a particular scent and Adonis was nowhere to be seen.

“Ruby!” My Mom’s voice tore my eyes away from the surprising setting I have found myself in. “You are finally awake!” she said as she rushed towards me and engulfed me in a big hug.

Contrary to her excitement, I was still confused. Well, more confused because she said that I was finally awake.

“Oh my God, I thought you would never wake up. You scared me so much, Ruby,” she said with fright mixed with excitement in her voice.

“Uh…” I swallowed hard as it seemed hard to talk for a second. “Mom?”

“Yes, my darling?” Mom dissolved the hug partially and looked into my eyes. When she saw the confusion embedded in my eyes, she wore worry instantly. “What is it? Are you feeling some pain?”

”Where is Adonis?”

”Ruby…” she softly called and I sensed sadness in her voice.

I managed a smile as I craned my neck in the direction of the door I earlier saw. A small smile on my lips, i said, “He came in earlier and he tucked me to sleep. Has he gone somewhere?”

”Ruby-” Her voice cracked before she could advance her talk.

“He went somewhere right?” She shook her head and I did the same, a small wrinkle on my forehead as I slightly frowned. “Adonis must have gone to deal with Bryan. That psycho deserves whatever he does to him.”

”Ruby…” I was trying hard to dismiss what the sadness in her eyes and voice was telling me. I wanted to believe that what happened earlier was real.

No… it felt real. He touched and kissed me. He told me he loves me. I saw his beautiful eyes smiling at me.

It was definitely real…

Right?

“Ruby,” Mom took some steps back, her hands tangled with each other as her lips contemplated what to say, “this is the first time you are waking up in days. And-”

I chuckled. “I woke up earlier, I told you. Adonis was here to tuck me in, he kissed me and… and…” The heaviness in my chest multiplied and it began to feel as though I was being crushed.

“Ruby, there is no way Adonis could have come here.”

”But, he can right?” I asked a hopeful look that contradicted the tugging in my chest, in my eyes. “He can walk into this place to see me.”

She shook her head and I scoffed lightly before a sniffle followed.

“Ruby, that factory burnt to the ground.” My eyes twitched when she uttered that statement.

“So?” I asked. I was so adamant to prove that nothing had happened to Adonis. I wanted to show her that the sad look in her eyes was a waste of emotions. “Did something happen to Adonis?”

”I’ will tell you later,” Mom said as she sighed instantly.

“No. Tell me now,” I said firmly.

“Ruby…”

”Tell me.”

”Adonis is…” She sighed again. “… it is very likely that he is dead, Ruby. No one made it out alive.”

I felt a strange tickle inside me. Not the kind that makes you happy, the kind one feels when disbelief has befallen a person.

“What are you saying? He must have found a way to escape, or did they find his body?”

“No. It’s kind of hard to tell and-” The woman in front of me drew a sharp breath. Then, she rushed towards me. Holding my hand as she sat on the bed, she said, “Ruby, let's talk about it later. You need to rest.”

”Right? Adonis can’t be possibly dead. He won’t do so unless he is so sure that I am safe and alive.”

”Ruby, please,” she begged.

“Pfftt… of course, he is fine.” I chuckled, then sighed. “He is fine.”

At that point, I had successfully ignored my mom’s words and she knew that.

”You should get some rest, Ruby. The surgery you had requires you to take absolute rest. Do you need something to eat?” she asked as she got up. “I will get you something to eat. Does porridge sound good?”

I nodded.

She planted a kiss on my forehead before she stepped out.

As the sound of the door closing hit my ears, I let out a really long sigh filled with tremendous shuddering. As I looked down at my hands which were shivering, there was no denying it.

Whatever happened earlier was just a dream. It was a happy dream that I must have conjured to make myself believe that Adonis is okay.

But, Adonis is not fine.

My eyes were immediately clouded with tears, I became afraid, I could feel my heart breaking and bleeding, and I felt so torn apart.

What if Adonis is really dead? What happens? How do I survive the crazy sadness that would befall me if he is really dead? How would I ever be in my right senses?

How can I-?

The questions in my head made me feel sadder as time passed and, before I knew it, I was wailing.

I buried my wet face into my palms and I cried. The pain in my heart was too much to bear anyway, it would be dangerous if I didn’t cry.

So, all I did, even when my Mom came in and wrapped me in her arms, was cry while hoping that soon, Adonis would indeed walk into the room or into my life.

And, that better happen fast. I love that man too much, I don’t think I can bear losing him to death.