ELAYNE

Arcane

Have you ever felt your chest growing heavy just at the thought of something that is extremely hurtful?
I couldn't see anything. I was caught in a web of my own thoughts. The last thing I saw was the ground below me.
My hands felt a warm sensation.
My chest was growing heavier as I forced to open my eyelids. Tears were already filling in my eyes, burning like fire.
I started blinking rapidly until I could see a faint light. The world was blurry, the light was intense. I took my whole strength to open my lids as wide as I could. An annoying beep was heard from time to time and the strong lotion odour filled my senses, making me puke.
Somebody ran towards my bed with a container before I threw up. My hands were trembling while my whole body felt weak. I closed my eyes again praying to fall asleep again. I felt dizzy and nauseous, a numbness along with chills, as hard as it sounds.

...

"Ina..." A soft husky sound woke me up from my deep sleep of pain. As soon as my eyes met hers, there was a comfort surrounding me.
"Lola." I couldn't let out any more words. My throat was strained, my shivering voice was breaking.
"Don't worry... You're alright." Lola kept her hands on mine, tightening her grip without disturbing the injections and trip tubes.
I kept my eyes closed, gritting my teeth, as my head began to hurt.

"Ina.."
...

...

"Ina... Wake up."

..

.

"Ina.. Someone came to visit you.''
I slowly allowed my lips to open as soon as I heard those words. I didn't know why I felt a sudden burst of energy at the thought of visitors.
I blinked a couple times and opened my tear filled eyes meeting a black orb. A beautiful pair of brownish black eyes staring right into my soul. He seemed lost yet determined.
The tall figure came and sat near my bed. I furrowed my eyebrows questioning myself if I've ever met him before. The sight of him calmed something inside me.
I was suddenly becoming more tolerant to the stresses inside my body. His aroma took away the dampening sensation around me.
"Hey.." He spoke. The raspy deep voice sent shivers down my spine, making me lost in a fantasy I've never thought I'd deserve.
"Hmm..?" I uttered after swallowing the lump in my throat.
"Are you feeling better?" He asked.
I nodded and gave him a smile.
Lola was standing at the corner with her swollen face and reddish ears. She was weeping from time to time inaudibly but I noticed it even though she tried her best to hide it from me.

"Ina.." He was about to say something but my curiosity took over my words.
"Have we met before anywhere?" I asked him. I could feel my stomach growling with anxiety when the words slipped out of me.

He paused and stared at me with the same lost look in his eyes. His eyes fell down to the ground and then again met mine. He sighed and curved his lips to let out a scoff.
"Why are you laughing?" I asked restlessly.
He nodded a 'no', keeping his regard. Something from his face told me that he was feeling dejected.
Lola started to snivel, looking sad and stunned. "Ina.. He was your friend. Don't you remember?" She asked.

I pulled my head up from the hospital bed, passing glances to both of them who are standing by my side.
"My friend?... Pardon? I'm sorry I don't remember." I replied.
I felt sorrowful for forgetting someone I once called as a 'friend'.
I turned to the guy, my eyes filled with guilt. "I'm sorry.. I feel bad that I can't remember you. " before I could continue, he cut off.
"Oh no no.. It's fine. It was a long time ago.. Don't feel bad about that." He let out a chuckle. "We still got time to catch up though." He said.
"SURE! I'd like that." I exclaimed as a huge smile reached my eyes.
I was feeling weird again almost suddenly. I settled myself back on the bed, drifting slowly into a trance.
I heard his voice faintly asking me to take care.

Lola visits me from time to time. She brings me home cooked meals and nutritional drinks every morning and evening. I attend the classes on my laptop and make sure to go through all of them everyday since I've got a lot of free time right now.
I blacked out at home and woke up at this hospital. My constant nightmares are worsening day by day.
The first time I've come here, my parents were still alive.
A few moments back, the doc informed me about my test results. My body is healthy right now except the deficiency of certain vitamins for which, he offered me a diet.
I can get discharged next morning. I asked Lola to purchase the prescribed medicines from the drug shop.

..

My phone suddenly buzzed with a bunch of texts.
"Woah calm down.." I took my my cell and read the notifications. It was from Clave. My head was hurting from the bright flash on the screen. I dialled his number and waited for him to pick up.

"Helloo... Mr. Clave" i said.
"Hey Ina.."
"Sup?"
"Did you read my texts?"
"No. What's the matter?"
"Oh.. Ina... Listen... Let's go somewhere next day. It's important.
Get ready. "
"Huh? I have classes."
"No excuses. Do you have any health issues right now?"
"No... I'm better now."
"Hmm.. Anyways, take Lola with you too."
"Mm.. Okay?!"
He hung up.

"Oh wow. What's he even upto?"
I shrugged the thought off and went back to the bed.