Games Of Hearts

35. Bitter Truth

As I lay in bed, I could feel my wounds slowly healing, the stitches itching slightly as they began to mend. The doctors had been clear: no water until they were fully healed, so I gently wiped down my body with a damp towel, careful not to get my stitches wet.

My mom had been cooking up a storm in the kitchen, filling the house with the delicious aromas of her signature dishes. She had been taking care of me nonstop since I got home from the hospital, making sure I had everything I needed to recover. She had even done research on which foods would help me heal faster, and had carefully avoided serving me rice, which she had learned could slow down the healing process.

As I rested, I was surrounded by the love and support of my family. My relatives and cousins had all come to visit as soon as they heard the news about my surgery, and they had been dropping by regularly to check in on me.

As I lay on my bed, I couldn't help but feel a pang of loneliness wash over me. I reached for my phone and began texting Joshua, hoping to fill the void with our usual banter. He responded immediately, and we chatted back and forth, his witty remarks and teasing making me laugh and forget my solitude.

But as the conversation went on, I noticed that Joshua's responses began to slow down. Sometimes, he would take ages to reply, leaving me wondering if he was too busy.

I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the upcoming Freshers party, which was just a week away. Joshua had promised to come visit me then, and I couldn't wait to see him. I missed his physical presence, his charming smile, and his infectious laugh.

As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but feel a little wistful, missing Joshua's banter and the easy camaraderie we shared.

As I slowly opened my eyes, I felt a familiar hand on my arm, and my gaze met his warm, gentle smile. For a moment, I thought I was dreaming, and I closed my eyes again, wondering if I was still asleep. But when I opened them wide, Joshua was still there, his eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled at me.

I sat up with a start, my heart racing with excitement, but a sharp pain shot through my stitches, making me gasp and fall back onto the bed. I winced, clutching my side, as Joshua's face filled with concern.

As I sat up too quickly, my stitches protesting with a sharp pain, my mom rushed to my side, scolding me gently. "Eva!!! Be careful! You need to take it easy."

I winced, clutching my side, as Joshua's eyes widened in concern. But then, a hint of a smile played on his lips, and he raised an eyebrow. "Looks like someone's excited to see me," he teased, his voice low and playful.

I blushed, feeling a little silly, but couldn't help smiling back at him. "Shut up," I said, trying to sound stern, but my voice came out weak and breathy.

My mom chuckled and shook her head. "Well, I'm glad to see you're happy to see Joshua, dear. But please, take it easy. You don't want to open up those stitches."

I nodded, still smiling at Joshua, who was now grinning at me, his eyes crinkled at the corners. "I will, mom. I promise."

Joshua leaned forward, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "I'm sorry, Eva. I didn't mean to startle you. I just wanted to surprise you."

I shook my head, feeling a little better now. "It's okay. " As my mom closed the door behind her, I opened my arms wide, inviting Joshua to hug me. He leaned in slowly, carefully, making sure not to jar my stitches. I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him close, and buried my face in the warmth of his neck.

I breathed in deeply, taking in the familiar scent of his body, a mix of cologne and something uniquely him. My hands roamed over his back, feeling the contours of his muscles, the warmth of his skin.