There she was, immaculately walking towards me. The person I’ve been wishing to see since I regained consciousness.

“Hey, dear.”

“Hey, babe,” she replied as she walked up to hug me.

I hugged her tightly. She was the one I could allow to hug me despite the pain. The joy of seeing her, touching her hair, feeling her face over mine overwhelmed the physical pain I felt.

Her scent, the mixture of cinnamon and citrus, was a smell to savor. My nostrils had adapted to the smell of disinfectants and medicine that seemed to be ever present in the hospital. Perceiving another scent felt like bliss. We continued hugging for minutes. I wanted it to last forever. We fit like a puzzle.

She later broke it off; I assumed her body was aching from maintaining the bending position for too long.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” she said.

“I’m happier to see you, babe,” I replied.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’ve been better.”

“You will be better.”

“I hope so.”

She was so optimistic; she always is, but I knew better than anyone.

“Are you feeling much pain?” she asked with her doe eyes expressing concern.

“Not much,” I lied. I was feeling pain all over.

“Zaidat asked me to extend her greetings. She could have been here with me, but she had a test she couldn’t afford to miss this morning.”

“Tell her I really appreciated her concern.”

“I could have baked a cake, but the doctor said you aren’t yet fit to take solid foods. I was still stuck with Lipton and apple juice. I so much long eating solids again. I missed eating cake, it was my favorite snack. I ate it at any chance I got, seems I won’t be eating it anytime soon. I remembered the newspaper in case I’m alone again.

“Babe, can you help me pick up that newspaper?” I said, pointing to it.

She handed it to me. I placed it on the bed within my reach.

I stared at her with so much joy. She looked so beautiful and elegant. I realized how much I loved her. There was still something that needs to be done.

“Hey, babe.”

She turned to me, staring at me with her doe eyes.

“I’m really sorry for however I’ve treated you in the past. I’m so grateful and happy you stuck with me regardless.”

She opened her mouth to talk but closed it back. I watched her every expression.

“I have been lying down here passively, contemplating my actions. I’m in a state where I really feel like we never happened. I feel really terrible; I don’t deserve you. I just hope you would give me another chance to show you the love you truly deserve. Just because this is our current situation doesn’t mean this is how it has to be. Things change dramatically. I should lay my jackets down for you in the rain; that should be common sense of trying to fix all your problems even when I didn’t cause them, which is what you truly deserve, not be another source of your sadness. I will make it up to you, I promise.”

I saw her smile, and I heaved a sigh. That wasn’t as hard as I thought. I guess listening to Jaden Smith wasn’t such a bad idea. I snuck in a couple of his lines.

“I miss our late-night hikes, staring at city lights from the dark side. I want us to take a late-night ride together in the school; I will get a bike. It will be so beautiful; I promise.”

Her smile widened even further. I knew I was forgiven. I’ve done so much talking my jaws were hurting again.

“And thanks for the blood,” I said with a wink.

“I will take it back if given a chance,” she replied mockingly.

“After the poetry?” I asked with sad eyes.

“Oh, Amir, you really have your ways with words.”

“I know. It’s a gift from God.”

“Indeed it is,” she said.

“Come here; let your heart just rest on mine,” I said, making a gesture toward her.

“Literally or figuratively?” she asked.

“Both.”

“You will cry if I try to sleep on you.”

“Try me,” I said.

She made a movement to sleep on me.

“Oh, no you don’t,” I said, raising my better hand to try and push her away.

“Are you trying to kill me?” I exclaimed

She laughed out really hard.

I watched her laugh; it felt really nice making her smile. She really deserves it.

The door opened again, and Rauf entered. I’d forgotten he only escorted Rasheed outside. They greeted each other; they were close before, but they seemed to have gotten even more acquainted over the past few days.

I watched as they both joked together. Two of the people I cherished the most getting along with each other. It triggered a soothing feeling that washed over me; I was free of all anxiety.

I closed my eyes and finally got the sleep I was looking for, but I woke up soon enough; I had a dream. I was back in the chair tied up; Mr. Ali was pummeling me all over again, before pulling out his gun and aiming it at me. I was pulled out of the trance by Zarat’s voice before he pulled the trigger; she was calling my name as I jolted back to life again.

I was sweating heavily; she and Abdulrauf stared at me; they looked disturbed; I knew I’ve been sleep talking again.

“Did you have a nightmare?” she asked.

“Yeah, babe,” I replied.

I was still shaken; I dreaded sleeping again; once I shut my eyes again, I would find myself on the chair again.

I asked Rauf to let us write the statement now; he obliged.

I dictated while he wrote; I was yet to tell anyone; they both listened with piqued interest. I stated all that transpired with Mr. Ali and I.

I told Rauf to adjust the fact that I probably went back in time, stating that would make the statement inadmissible in the investigation or serve as evidence in court. I was still a bit unsure myself if I dreamt or went back in time; the former sounded a bit probable; the latter sounds ludicrous.

I asked him to write how I heard it anonymously; I cited my conversation with Mr. Ali, everything I could remember I dictated; he wrote while she listened until there was nothing more to remember.