Just acquaintance

Chapter 4

I went to pick up the plates when I saw him. Without a sound, I dropped to the ground laughing-crying at the scene in front of me.

He turned himself, facing down with his knees on the bed and his butt up in the air. He arched his back to be able to eat the half-eaten apple, while the ropes pulled his hands.

I kept laughing till I started wheezing and coughing. On hearing me he swiftly changed his position as if what I saw never happened.

"Don't worry, I am back. I will feed you. You need not be on your knees for that."

It's amusing seeing him embarrassed. He opens his mouth trying to refute but couldn't say anything. I continued snickering while feeding him.

Now it's time to change his bandages. I brought the supplies to him. He raised an eyebrow as I took out a pair of scissors.

"Are you gonna cut me open?".

"What? No!!!". What is going on in his head? "This is to cut the old bandages off."

"Oh! Good.".He sounds relieved. "Already had enough of that", he mumbled.

He is taking a deep breath with his eyes closed. His hands start shaking. I hold his sweaty hands to stop it. I expected him to pull but he held on even tighter.

"Julian", I say in a low and hopefully soothing voice.

"Huh?". That brought him back.

"What did you call me?". His expression is hard to decipher. Didn't he hear me? Should I not have said that? I try to find my answer off his expression, But it's more conflicted than me.

"Julian?". His face is clearing up and giving me a charming smile, trying to mask the previous one. Now I realize what that was, I hit his sore spot but he is almost happy?

"How do you know my name?". Why wouldn't I?

"Isn't it common knowledge? You can easily find it on the internet."

"Heard it after a long time". Isn't that his name? Questioning this doesn't seem like a good idea.

"Okaayy".

Neither of us said anything and I just continued treating his wounds.

"All done", I said, patting lightly at his arm.

"Ouch! Are you trying to kill me?"

"I barely touched it! Don't be such a drama queen". I said, rolling my eyes.

"Anything else?"

"For?"

"I mean, does it hurt anywhere or any discomfort?", I ask to determine if RTH3 has any side effects.

"Ummm...". He wriggles his hands and legs a bit to check. "Nothing".

As I took my first step he interrupted. "Wait". I turned back to him.

"I sometimes hear ringing in my head. You know, like little bells."

According to what I know, his head is fine. Did I miss it? I move closer to check.

"Ya like that". I examine his head and nothing is wrong, just as I remember.

"When do you hear it?". Is this a side effect?

"When you are around". What is that supposed to mean? He is making fun of me?

Oh wait, I tap a foot 2 times. "Like this?", I questioned.

"Exactly like that". Euphoria!!. I can't believe this is so stupid.

"That's my Payal". I tap 2 more times to confirm.