Tears of Heaven - A Love Story

Tears -

Six
I awakened the next morning feeling terrible. My throat and body ached, and it seemed to get worse as the day wore on. For this reason, it took me a little longer than it should have to get all of the cleaning done. Still, I pushed myself and managed to take care of everything. I didn't want Sergei to come home and find my work incomplete. The house usually stayed so clean, I almost doubted that he would have noticed. But I would have known. So in a way, I really was glad he wasn't there.
On the crowded bus heading home, I rested my head against the wall, praying that I wouldn't miss my stop. I felt so terrible and my head ached so much, it hurt to even focus. It took everything to keep from sliding off the seat.
By the time I finally got home, I was completely worn out. I had no energy and it was painful to even move. Grandma suggested that I go straight to bed and I immediately complied, wanting to get over whatever I had quickly so I would be well enough to work the following week.
I changed into a light cotton nightshirt and climbed into bed. Turning my head slightly, I tried to focus on the view of the sky through my window. My eyes took in the gathering clouds, which were evidence of a pending rainstorm. I found myself praying that Sergei would make it back safely.
Feeling the ache in my head growing even more prominent, I finally closed my heavy eyelids and gave in to the beckoning darkness.
 * * *
I didn't know how long I had been asleep, but I slowly awakened to the feel of a gentle hand pressing softly against my cheek. Keeping my eyes closed, I relished the comfort it gave. After another moment I finally opened my eyes slightly to see Sergei's blurry image. Then I closed them and thought, Great, now I'm dreaming about the man. I opened them again and blinked a few times to clear my vision. As his face became clear, I realized I wasn't dreaming.
I managed to ask hoarsely, “What are you doing here?”
“I was worried about you,” he answered softly, his hand still pressed to my face.
Doing my best to ignore the feel of his gentle caress, I asked, “How did you know?”
He smiled that beautiful smile, the one that was now becoming so familiar to me. “When I arrived home and saw your paycheck on the counter, I was concerned. So I called Felicity and she told me you were sick.”
“I guess I felt so awful, I forgot it.” Thinking about what a sight I must be, I added, “But you didn't have to come all the way here to bring it.”
Squeezing my hand with his free one, he said, “I did not come just to bring you the check. I came to make sure you are all right.”
Again trying my best to not react to his nearness I said, “I'll be fine.” As if my body was trying to prove me wrong, I suddenly began to have chills, which Sergei immediately noticed.
He released my hand and pulled the comforter up over me. I turned to my side, vaguely aware of him gently tucking it around me. He leaned closer, pressed a hand to my forehead, and said I was very warm. Hearing the concern in his voice and having him so close brought an extra warmth to my insides that had nothing to do with my illness.
Sergei must have left briefly, because the next thing I knew, he was urging me to drink some herbal tea, crooning softly to me in Russian. I was so weak, it took a great deal of effort to sit up enough to drink it. I couldn't remember ever being so sick before.
I pushed the cup away a little, but Sergei held it to my lips and softly said, “Try to take a little more.” I took another small sip.
After helping me lie back down and tucking the comforter around me once more, he asked me if he could get me anything else.
Looking up into his soulful, light brown eyes, I wondered why he had come, and why he stayed. He didn't even know me. I was his employee, yet the concern he was showing toward me was that of someone he'd known forever. In answer to his question, I finally shook my head no and whispered, “Thank you.”