The Art of Letting Go - ENGLOT

Chapter 23

Micah's POV:

I slowly opened my eyes, my vision blurry and my head throbbing in pain. Confused and disoriented, I tried to sit up but my whole body felt heavy and my arms trembled at the effort. Then I saw my mom, her back turned to me.

"M-mom?" I croaked out, my voice hoarse.

Her head snapped at my voice and she turned to me. "Oh, Micah! You're awake! Thank God!" she cried, running forward to engulf me in a hug.

I struggled to speak, "Wh-what happened?"

My mom's face contorted with grief as she explained, "You were in a car accident with Celestine. You've been in a coma for over a year."

I groaned in pain and my mind started racing. Why haven't I seen Celestine yet? Is she okay?

"Wh-where is Celestine?" I asked urgently. Panic bubbling inside me as I searched for any memory of her condition.

"She's okay, Micah. She's been waiting for you to wake up."

Tears streamed down my face as I took in my mom's words. I felt heartbroken and guilty. It was my fault that I caused the accident. I should have been more careful.

"I need to see her. Please mom." I begged, my words barely audible.

"Of course, honey. But you can't go anywhere. You need to be cleared by the doctors first," my mom replied, wiping my tears away.

I lay there in silence, my mind consumed with guilt and worry. What if Celestine blamed me for what happened? Would we be able to move past this?

"Call her mom, I need to make sure she's alright." I said.

"Of course, sweetheart. I'll go call her for you," my mom said, getting up to leave.

...

Mom returned to the room a few moments later and I caught the last of their conversation before she passes the phone to me. "He wants to talk to you."

Mom left the room, closing the door slightly to give me some privacy.

I grasped the phone tightly in my shaking hand, "H-hey baby..."

"Micah," Celestine's voice came through the phone, I exhaled a shaky breath. "Oh my god, Micah."

"I missed you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I missed you so much."

"I missed you too," she replied, voice shaking. "I missed your voice."

"I know it was hard for you. But I'm here now. And I'm not going anywhere."

"Thank you," Celestine whispered, I closed my eyes tightly at the shakiness of her voice,"Thank you for finding your way back to me."

"I knew you were waiting for me," I said, my voice growing clearer.  "I love you."

A pause followed, I could hear Celestine's breath hitched on the other side of the line. My brows furrowed. "I—me too." She finally said clearing her throat, "I'm coming to see you."

"Hurry, I can't wait to see you." I sighed, my head throbbing in pain.

As I waited for Celestine to arrive, I couldn't help but think about what had happened. How could I have been so careless? How could I have put Celestine's life in danger like that?

I was lost in my thoughts when Celestine walked into the room. She looked different, but still beautiful. Her hair was longer and she seems thinner, but she still had that same smile that made my heart skip a beat.