Forget Me Not

Chapter 6

I woke up the the steady beeping of what sounded like a hospital monitor.  My eyes were closed and no matter how hard I tried to open them I couldn't.  I felt someone holding my hand and I squeezed it to the best of my ability.  It hurt, a lot, but I needed to communicate with this stranger sitting next to me.  I have so many questions.  Where am I?  What happened? What is this incredibly annoying beeping sound in my ear? Why can't I open my eyes? I tried squeezing again, this time a little harder. To my surprise I actually heard a response.

"Lila.  Can you hear me? Are you ok? Please answer me? I'm sorry."

I could recognize that voice anywhere.  It was Aaron.  No it couldn't be I must be dreaming.  I decided just to rest as my mind drifted off to sleep. 

Then next time I "woke up"  it was different.  I could already tell.  I slowly opened my eyes only to be practically blinded by the light. 

"Hurry someone get a doctor I think she is waking up."  I hear a woman yell.

"Steph?"  I croaked.

"Here sweetie let me get you some water."

She handed me the glass and my shaky hands grabbed the straw.  I took a sip and let the cool water slide down my scratchy throat.  I have never been happier to have a glass of water in my life.  I had so many questions, but right as I opened my mouth to speak, the doctor came in.

"Hi Lila, my name is Doctor Renolds how are you feeling?"  He asked.

"Confused." I responded and he chuckled.

"Well first things first, your blood sugar was extremely low.  And when I say low, I mean dangerously low.  I am very surprised you didn't pass out sooner, but thank god you did when you did.  We got you just in time to get some glucose in your system and keep you from going into a coma, but you were still passed out for about three days"

"A coma?" I asked clearly upset.

"Yes, your body was running on empty for quite a while.  I'd say you haven't had a sufficient meal in a week.  Is there anything you need to talk about?" He said in a serious tone.

"No I am not anorexic or anything, I just have a lot going on to distract me right now and I guess I just forgot to eat." I responded.

"Well not having time is not a good explanation for not eating.  You are very lucky this situation could've gone far worse.  If it wasn't for your friend, you could've died."

"Well Steph is a great friend I know she will always take care of me."

"She seems like a great friend, but the young man who saved you has hardly left your bedside.  I can't think of his name right now.  Anyway, I am glad you are up and I 'll be in to check on you again in about an hour.  Try and get some rest."  Doctor Renolds said as he walked out the door.

"Who was he talking about?" I asked Steph as soon as the doctor left the room.

"I don't think you are going to want to hear the answer to this question" Steph responded as she started fidgeting with her hands.

"It must have been Dylan.  He said he was coming to the hospital early the next day and he must have seen my name on the board or something.  Anyway, I have to tell you about my dream..."

"But..." Steph tried to interrupt.

"Steph you know my pet peeve is interrupting please just let me finish my story" I humphed.

Steph sunk back in her chair in defeat.

"So I dreamed that Aaron was the one I bumped into and then I tried to wake up and he was here talking to me as if he knew I still existed.  How funny is that!"  I laughed.

"Very funny." Steph said clearly not thinking this was funny.

"Whats up with you, I thought you would be happy that I am moving on.  I mean yeah I still love Aaron, but at least I'm realizing that it's never going to happen and accepting the fact that I need to be with someone who I have a real future with."

"Your right I am happy for you!" 

There was a knock on the door and Dylan walked in.

"Oh thank god your awake I was so worried."  He exclaimed as he walked quickly towards my bed.

"Yeah I mean I just wanted an excuse to miss class on Monday." I laughed.

"Well next time don't scare me like this it's not funny." He said in a serious tone.

"Aw I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you.  We only met a couple of days ago, why do you care so much?"

"Honestly, I just feel like we connected so quickly.  I feel like I could tell you anything and that we just really click together." Dylan said as put his hands in the pockets of his lab coat. 

"And that is my cue to leave." Steph chuckled as she walked out.  Dylan just continued staring intensely at me and as Steph walked out the door she mouthed to me "Just go for it."

Steph closed the door behind her, and Dylan made his way to my bedside.  He grabbed my hand in his and honestly it felt nice.  I haven't had any remote feelings towards someone since Aaron and even though I had just met Dylan less than a week ago, I already feel very strong feelings towards him.

"Lila, I know we haven't even been out on a real date yet, and that we only have had one real conversation, but it feels right to me.  And I can't let you slip away again.  I guess what I am trying to say is, will you be my girlfriend?" He asked looking hopefully into my eyes.

This all felt rushed, and weird.  But at the same time it felt right.  Maybe I need to take a risk and not just do things because its the cookie cutter way to do it.  Like Steph said, just go for it right?

"I know it's crazy, but I feel the same way." I responded as I looked at him smiling.

"Really? So is that a yes?"

"Yes" I said as a smile grew across both of our faces.

"Well now I am going to be a good boyfriend and go find you some real lunch.  The doctor said not to heavy on the first real meal so I was thinking soup.  Is that ok with you?"

"That sounds perfect." I smiled as I looked up at my boyfriend.

Dylan kissed my forehead and walked out of the room shutting the door behind him.  I sat back in my bed and let out a breath.  Did I just make a huge mistake?  No I didn't I do have feelings for him and for once I am going to follow my heart and not let my brain make things more complicated then they need to be.  I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.  For the first time, my dreams were not just about Aaron.  But he is still there.  He will always be there.