Across the ocean

TWO

"I'm not hungry. If I eat, I swear I'm going to throw up," I murmured to my mom, my voice barely above a whisper, hoarse and cracked from days of coughing. I lay cocooned in layers of blankets, my body aflame with fever. Each cough felt like a battle, stealing my breath and leaving me gasping for air.

"You have to eat something; it's been three days since you last had a proper meal," she insisted, her eyes shadowed with worry as she perched on the edge of my bed. I could see the worry etching deeper lines on her forehead as she rose and moved toward the window. A chill gust swept through the room, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.

"What did I tell you about this window?" she scolded gently, her voice firm yet caring. "You won't get any better if it's freezing in here." With a decisive motion, she pulled the window shut, blocking out the night air that had been creeping in, and turned on my bedside lamp to its softest glow. The warm light cast a gentle illumination across my cluttered desk, where half-empty bottles of cold medicine and scattered tissues lay testament to my illness.

"Here, take these; it'll help you sleep better," she said, picking up a few throat-soothing tablets, her brow slightly furrowed with concern. As she handed them to me, I stared at the nearly empty water bottle beside them, dread pooling in my stomach. "I'll throw up if I drink that," I protested, pushing the bottle back toward her, feeling a wave of nausea rise at the thought.

"You're being too dramatic, Teo," she replied, her voice laced with a blend of exasperation and affection. "I really don't understand where you get this from. Your father wasn't like this, and I surely didn't pass this on to you." I stole a glance at her, my body cocooned tightly in blankets as I pulled them closer, seeking warmth and comfort against the chill that enveloped me.

After a tense moment of silence, Just as she reached the door, she hesitated, peeking back through the crack. "Try not to wake your brother when you get up for work. It seems like he's catching your cold," she warned softly, concern lining her voice.

"I'll try. Goodnight," I mumbled, turning away from the door, the exhaustion pressing down on me like a heavyweight.

"Goodnight," she whispered, her voice barely penetrating the stillness as she closed the door quietly behind her, leaving the hallway bathed in deep shadows.

With a groan, I swung my legs over the side of the bed, the cool wooden floor sending a shiver up my spine as I trudged to the lamp, flicking it off with a swift motion. The room dimmed further, shadows dancing in the corners. With a sudden rush of rebellious determination, I opened the window, welcoming the gentle evening breeze that wafted in, filled with the intoxicating scent of blooming night flowers, a reminder that life outside continued despite my fevered confinement.

I meticulously adjusted the blinds, ensuring they closed as tightly as possible, blocking out every sliver of light and creating a snug cocoon of solitude. With each click of the mechanism, I felt a growing sense of reassurance, a promise of isolation from the outside world. As I turned away, I leapt back into the inviting warmth of my bed, the familiar sheets enveloping me like a soft embrace.

Finally, I found peace in the profound stillness that surrounded me, wrapping me in its comforting silence like a gentle, protective blanket. I relished the enveloping darkness; it was a sanctuary where I could keep my eyes wide open yet see nothing at all, as if the world beyond had faded into a distant memory. In this serene, shadowy realm, a soothing sensation coursed through me, granting my mind the freedom to wander.

My imagination stirred, roaming beyond the edge of visibility, conjuring elusive shapes and murky shadows that danced just out of reach. Each unfamiliar silhouette seemed to whisper untold stories, rich with possibilities and waiting patiently for me to uncover their secrets. In this tranquil haven, I felt an exhilarating blend of curiosity and comfort, eager to explore the mysteries hidden in the depths of my mind.