Lady Wolfe | The Beginning | • Wattys 2022 •

17 - Her Own Hands

The next few days were quite torturing for both of them.

Victor woke up one morning coughing blood. He pushed Meela away and called his servants. But Meela stayed by his side, not letting him go. He was embarrassed that she had to see his state. The doctor, Lord Aidan gave him some medicine to help him with the pain but it didn't work.

As days went by, Victor became worse. First, it was the bloody cough, then he was fainting. Everyone began to learn about his condition, even the villagers. They were kind enough to visit him every chance they got, offer him some medicines of their own. But it was insufficient.

He would moan in pain at night as his body and head ached. He couldn't take it. Meela tried making him drink some liquor, hoping it would dull his senses but it only brought him relief temporarily.

As a result, he was given heavy doses of sleeping draughty to keep him asleep. It was better when he slept. He couldn't feel the pain.

Meela hasn't slept in peace for days. Every night she would wake up if he gave as much as a yawn. She would be watching him, rubbing some ointments the doctor gave, she would place a wet cloth on his forehead whenever he was too warm.

Victor knew she was losing her peace. So he decided to send her to her own room. Of course, she wanted to argue but his condition forced her to listen to his wishes. She didn't wish to bring him any more suffering. So she obliged his requests. She moved into their old room while he stayed at his own quarters.

She wished so badly that he would let her in. But he didn't. He wanted to face it all alone and she didn't want to force him, so she kept quiet.

She could sometimes hear her husband yelling and screaming in pain. She would cry in her own room, trying to soothe herself. There was nothing she could do. Sometimes she would just barge into his room and just hold his hand through the pain. Once he was up, he would beg her to leave his room, wishing to be alone. Some days she would try to peek into his room but somehow Victor would catch her and make her leave.

She was deeply hurt by his actions. She knew he was in terrible pain but she wanted to see him. She wanted to be there. She wished she could share the pain. But she couldn't. He was always there for her but she couldn't do the same for him.

Soon he refused to ate. He refused to let anyone speak. The mere noise of doors opening agitated him. Even chewing food was painful for him. He couldn't stand or walk, he was bedridden. He grew pale. He lost quite an amount of weight making his lanky frame even smaller. His lips were too dry and his blue eyes seemed like there was no life in them.

He was in so much pain but still, he didn't want her to feel any. He still wanted her to be safe and happy. He still wanted to be alone, to take the pain with him.

Victor didn't want her to suffer at all. He didn't want her to be tormented like him. He refused to see her. He pretended like all the screams he gave out were nothing and that he was completely fine.

....

'How is he?' She asked the doctor.

He was seated on his own desk looking very comfortable while Meela looked awful. Her hair was disheveled and messed up. Her robes were wrinkled. She was sleep-deprived and infuriated even with the smallest things.

While she was looking like a pile of mess, Lord Aidan was ignorant, too concentrated with a book that read 'Maps and Inns of Cagrard'. He was clearly very uninterested in her question and she was trying her absolute best to keep calm.

'Can you not hear me? I asked you about my husband..'

'It's still too early to tell anything...'

She smacked the table hard grabbing his attention. Her palm stung with pain because of it but she made no move to wince or rub her reddened palm. Although he pretended to be calm, she saw a slight fear that escaped his face.