Unspoken Love

Waking Up

Sir Steven left for his university early the next morning. He was to be in the university till late and had dinner planned with his supervisor after his defense was done.

'Don't worry. I'll be with Eva. Best of luck for your defense dear.' Mrs. Anderson had said before Sir Steven left for the university. 

The nurse was scheduled to come in at half past eight so Mrs. Anderson cleaned up Eva's room before her arrival. She picked up all the notes that Sir Steven had left there. She straightened up the bedsheet. As she picked up Eva's hand to put it underneath the blanket, she felt Eva's finger twitch again. 

Mrs. Anderson was stunned. After one and a half months Eva had finally shown some sign of life. She left her hand and ran to call Philip from his room. He was the only one present at home at that moment. 

'Philip, come and see. I think Eva just moved her fingers. Come quick.' Mrs. Anderson said standing on the stairs. Her excited voice carried around the house as if she was talking in a speaker. 

Philip came running down. 'Are you sure, Mom? You are not mistaken, right?' He asked running down the stairs. They both started going towards Eva's room. 

'Of course, I am sure. I felt it in my hand.' Mrs. Anderson replied almost out of breath with excitement. 

Philip picked up Eva's hand as well but it did not twitch this time. Mrs. Anderson looked disappointed. 

'Don't worry Mom. We should call the doctor. He would recommend something. I hope Eva wakes up before Steven comes back home tonight.' Philip said.

When the doctor arrived he told Mrs. Anderson and Philip that they should continue with their interaction. Stimulation will help her recover. And maybe Eva responded to the touch of the person whose interaction she recognized. 

The day went by. Mrs. Anderson spent most of her time in Eva's room. She did not tell anyone else about what she felt so that no one else felt the disappointment that she was feeling. 

After returning home, Sir Steven joined his family for dinner, although he had eaten with his professor, he still accompanied them and shared the details of his thesis defense. He was visibly tired, having not slept much the previous night. After dinner, he took a shower and changed into fresh clothes, then made his way to Eva's room. The rest of the family had already retired for the night.

Sitting by Eva's bedside, Sir Steven once again recounted the success of his thesis defense, talking to her as if she were awake and listening. He gently held her hand and, overcome by exhaustion, rested his head on the edge of her bed. Soon, he succumbed to sleep, maintaining his unwavering vigil by her side.

For an unknown duration, Sir Steven had remained in that posture, lost in slumber. He was abruptly awakened by a gentle caress on his cheek. Opening his heavy eyes, he was met with the realization that the hand he had held before drifting to sleep now rested on his face.

Stunned and disoriented, Sir Steven sat up straight abruptly and saw Eva lying before him, her eyes wide open. She turned her head, her gaze locking onto his. Their eyes connected after five long years and an electric charge coursed between them, just as it had the first time they touched.

Sir Steven, in a state of disbelief, extended his hand to clasp Eva's, never once breaking their intense eye contact. Though her grip was frail, she managed to offer a reassuring squeeze, confirming to him that this was no dream.

Eva could sense her own weakness and the fleeting strength of her grip. She couldn't keep her eyes open for a long time as well. Tears welled up in Sir Steven's eyes, his hands trembling as he held hers.