We Meet Again (Sequel to Without You)

Swollen Ankles

Harry's POV
We're all waiting for Mus at the bar. The minute Louis told me that she went to our suite to change and freshen up, I had the urge to rush toward our suite as well. However, I refrained myself from doing so. I can tell that Mus feels a change in my behavior, but she doesn't know the reason. Nowadays, I'm trying to spend as much time with Mus because I don't know about our future. I have yet to get in touch with her doctor, as he's currently out of town.
"Where are you, Mus?" I murmur, shaking my leg impatiently. Did she faint? Is she having a headache? I should seriously go and check on her.
"There you are!" Louis exclaims, snapping me out of my thoughts. I look up to find Mus making her way down the cement stairs toward us. She's wearing a black dress that has a slit that reaches just above knee. It's sexy, but decent.
"We're starving!" Niall complains, even though he has eaten two plates of french fries already.
"I'm sorry. I was starving as well, so I raided your fridge." Mus says, and Niall's eyes widen. "And then I bathed, and after that I had to iron my dress as well. I'm sorry to keep you guys waiting for so long."
"It's okay," I say, taking her hand in mine.
"Mus, you took food from my fridge?" Niall says, pouting.
"Just a bag of chips. I'll buy you another," Mus assures him. Niall looks disappointed, but he nods his head.
"You're forgiven." Mus places her hand on her heart, and sighs exaggeratedly.
"Thank you, Your Highness." We all laugh at Niall's concern for food.
"So...are we eating here?" I ask everyone. Louis shrugs his shoulders, and Liam's on his phone, so he doesn't hear what I'm saying.
"I looked at the menu and it isn't that great. Can we go somewhere better?" Niall says, popping the last chip into his mouth. I look at Mus.
"I don't know. I'm fine with anything." Mus says, shrugging her shoulders.
"Liam!" I exclaim, trying to get Liam's attention. He looks up at me questioningly. "Do you want to eat here or somewhere else?"
"I don't know. Ask Mus, it's her wish completion mission" Liam says. Mus laughs at the name that we've given to this mission.
"Someplace else it is." I say, hopping off my stool. As Mus turns around, I notice some fresh bruises on her arms. What is causing these? I know it has something to do with her illness, but what is her disease?
"Fresh ones, huh?" I whisper into Mus' ear, as we head toward the hotel. Mus looks up at me questioningly, and then realization dawns on her face. She gives me a curt nod.
"Don't worry about them," Mus says. How can Mus be so calm when she knows that she has a time limit? I would be freaking out, going crazy trying to find ways to survive. But then I guess that's me, and this is Mus. She's always treated situations calmly, and stayed composed, no matter what's going on around her.
"How can I not?" I say, running my thumb over her arm that's covered with bruises. Mus sighs, and looks me straight in the eyes.
"Harry, I'm fine. Serious," Mus assures me. "Whatever is causing you to be so overly concerned regarding me is not real. I don't know what's gotten into you, but let it go. I'm fine." Mus turns around to face Liam, and they engage in conversation. As usual, Mus is as observant as ever.
***********
I take off my shirt, and settle down on the couch. It's been such a long day, and I'm so tired. However, I'm not ready to sleep. Not before reading a few more pages of Mus' diary. I open it and flip to today's entry.
Today was an excitement filled, adventurous day. Louis and I went parasailing. It was exhilarating. Harry, Niall and Liam, being the cowards that they are, didn't come. But I understand. Their time isn't running short. The four of them have their whole lives to fulfill their dreams. I, on the other hand, have barely a year. Two wishes have been checked off, but more seem to keep getting added up. I don't even know if I have enough time to complete all of them. I've been trying my best to assure Harry that there's nothing wrong with me, but he doesn't seem too convinced. Why does he have to always see right through me? I want to yell in frustration at times.
I chuckle as I read those last few lines. Mus has always been a comical character. I flip the page, and find yet another new wish.
To watch the sunrise. Preferably, near a waterfall. I sound as if I own Mother Nature.
I can do that. What better place to watch the sunset, near a waterfall, than Maldives? Let me do some research, and check when and where I can show Mus the perfect sunset. I should also check up on where I can take Mus to hold a butterfly. Wow, so much to do and such little time.
*******
"Mus," I whisper. I shake her shoulders lightly, not wanting to wake her up roughly and startle her.
"Harry," Mus groans. She turns around, facing her back toward me.
"Mus, get up. We've got to attend to some work." I shake her again, as gently as possible.
"Harry, let me sleep. It's the middle of the night."
"No, it isn't. It's almost dusk," I say. Mus turns around and faces me, opening her right eye.
"What's wrong, Harry? Are you punishing me?" Mus asks me, yawning.
"No, I'm trying to complete your wishes. Come on, let's go." I say urgently. Mus sits up.
"Harry, why are you trying to complete my wishes at dusk? Can't we handle this later?" Chuckling, I take hold of Mus' arms so that she doesn't lie down again.
"The sunset wish, near a waterfall. Remember? Let's go," I urge, yet again. "Mus, we won't make it in time." Mus throws her legs over the side of the bed and stands up in less than a second. "Now that wasn't so hard, right?" Smiling, Mus heads toward the closet.
"Just wear whatever comes in hand first," I say. Five minutes later, Mus is standing beside me, near the door, ready to leave. My eyes travel up and down her body. I furrow my brows as I take in her swollen ankles.
"Why are your ankles swollen and red?" I say, opening the door.
"I don't know. They must have swollen up because of all of the walking that we did yesterday." Mus says, shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly.
"Oh," I murmur. That's not the reason, and I'm sure of it.