30 days of love

The Dreaded Hospital -- Day 25

I woke up in the hospital once again in a daze.

"What happened?" I ask as I rub my eyes.

I look around to realize that nobody is in the room. After this realization, I sit up, finding a red button that says Press me for assistance. Quickly becoming scared of being alone, I press the button. A few seconds later, a nurse runs in.

"Hi sweetie! I'm so glad you're up!" She says cheerfully. "There is a man here to see you, can he come in?"

"Yes!" I immediately respond, thinking it's Tom. Though, to my surprise, an unfamiliar man who I've never seen before walks in.

The man had jet black hair, styled into a taper cut hairstyle. He was tall, standing at around 5'9 to 6'1 feet, though it was difficult for me to tell his exact measurements. A stubble of a beard marked his face, along with his light brown eyes staring into mine.

"Hello Marie, it's so nice to finally meet you."

"Um." I pause. "Who are you?"

He looks at me startled. "I'm your dad, Thomas."

I look at him, doubtful. "My dad died when I was five, you can't be my dad."

He looks down at me. "I was just away for a little while, chickpea." He murmured softly.

"A little while?" I stare up at him. "A few years is a little while, huh?" I forced a light-hearted tone into my voice, though it soon fell flat.

"Aren't you glad to see me?" He spreads his arms in a wide gesture, as if for a hug.

I wanted to jump into his arms, yet... I couldn't move.

"I am..." My voice hitched. It suddenly became all too difficult to speak. I cleared my throat. "I am." I repeated.

My mind swam. Is my dad really here? Alive? I clench the hem of the hospital bed sheet. Of course he is... how else could he... be here? Unless... No, I'm okay. We're all okay. This isn't another coma world, it can't be.

Carefully, I shifted closer to the side of the bed, letting myself rest in my dad's arms as they circled around me, pulling me into an embrace.

All this time, I thought that he was dead. Tears pricked my eyes. But he's alive... in front of me. He's alive... he's alive... he's alive...

A knock sounds at the door. I allow myself to recline in my dad's arms for a little while longer before pulling away. A drop of disappointment splashed within my chest. I blinked away what remained of my tears.

The nurse enters the room, a bright smile plastered on her face. "Marie, you'll be all set to leave tomorrow." She beamed.

I frowned. "All set to leave?" I asked. "As in..." I trailed off.

"As in what you think I meant." The nurse replied, merrily.

A smile tugs at the corners of my lips. I can leave tomorrow... with my dad. My mind grew giddy with the news. Everything seemed so perfect... like a dream. No. Perfect, like a dream come true.

My dad ruffles my hair, creating a tangled mess. "I'll see you tomorrow sweetpea." He said, his voice as soft as cotton candy.

He straightens, walking over to the door. I wanted to call out to him, to ask him to stay, just for a little while longer. But sleep dragged on my eyelids. Soon, before I knew it, I dozed off as his footsteps pitter-patters away.

Whirls of voices swirled in my mind. I float endlessly through the pitch black space, no sound, nor sight, nor smell, nor touch. The voices fade away, like a drifting breeze...

                                   "Marie..."

"...Marie..."

"...Marie"