Fall

Chapter 3: swirled cake.

There will always be that moment when you don't feel like you're actually living it. That fall that seems so hurtful but you don't even wince. And all you want to do is push yourself so hard that you feel the impact, that's how my days were.
I slept, I woke up and instead of the normal day and night, everything seemed so hazy. I felt waves, instead of the spikes, a beating heart does.
One minute I was the usual happy go lucky person, the next I was solving a mystery that is me.
"Are you saying your coming here wasn't planned?" All I could do was stare at his face. 'Coming where?' I thought.
"Here of course" he said, answering my thoughts.
"Are you a psychic?" I blurted out.
"What are you saying?" He laughed.
"How were you able to read my mind?"
He was quite and looked taken aback by my question. "Read your mind how?"
I looked at him accusingly "You answered my thoughts"
"That's because you spoke out your thoughts" he stated, lifting his hand off the steering wheel with emphasis.
"Anyways, I can't remember getting in your car, or why I'm in a strange place and talking in English with a stranger"
He was quite for a while, probably processing his answer, changed lanes and then parked at the roadside "Are you alright?"
"Obviously" I answered, stating the obvious.
"Obviously" he muttered questioningly.
He pulled out his phone, gave me a concerned look, then turned back to his phone.
"I don't think this is necessary, but in the few weeks I've known you, this is the first time you're acting this was, so watch this" he handed me the phone and continued driving.
It was a video.
"Please let the chemo be in this room"
This sounded like me and looked like me, but when was it taped?
"When was this?" I asked him.
"The day before your hospital admission, I took you to my library to calm your nerves"
The day kept being more interestingly surreal. I had a chemo and went to a library, do I even like books that much for someone to think taking me to a library was the remedy to my anxiety.
I was jacked off my trancelike state by some voices I couldn't recognize. The voices seemed to be having a discussion about someone's condition I presumed to be me. Nothing made sense though.
"Do you think I need a shrink?"I asked turning to look at the driver.
"It happens for someone in your condition and I think it'll get better as time goes by"
"But it isn't, I seem to be living a fragmented life these days, it doesn't make any sense"
"It will, a dreamer's life is like that" and then he waved an article of clothing and we just sank in. Dreamer's life indeed.
          *****
"I've always wanted to go round the world in eighty days dad" I squealed like a child. It was such a good feeling to just wake up and see yourself surrounded by all the people you love in your favorite place in world.
I couldn't remember the occasion, but we embarked on a vacation to middle east with my family, with the intention of celebrating life, it was wonderful.
"Well here you are" I heard my mother's voice and turned to see her standing right behind me with her hand on my left shoulder.
"Do you think we could venture somewhere else, like Himalayas or better Everest? I've always wanted to see Mount Everest?" Looking from each of my parent's faces pleadingly. I unfortunately got a head shake for an answer.
"Sure, free of speech got the best of me" I muttered, I knew it was irrational of me to ask, but I felt the need to anyways.
"We're sorry sweetie, one step at a time" said my mother soothingly, to which I answered with my most appreciating don't-worry-I-get-it kinda smile.
We had a tremendously adventurous week, if given the choice, I wouldn't for the life of me had chosen this place for a vacation. Everything I saw is beautiful.
"Can't I just stay here for the rest of my life and never have to worry?" I maundered to my camera, it had the most memories of my stay here and seemed to understand just how much I like it here by its patience.
"No, sweetie you have a round of check up waiting for you." Said my mother. There were times when I felt like calling her kitty soft claws, only that she stole my oblivion more than my stuffs.
"Yeah, there's that"
"And Dr. Hakim will be their to pick us up from the airport" she just had to remind me about that too, not that I complained.
                      *****
"How was the journey?" Asked Dr. Hakim as he entered the car after loading our luggages.
"It was fine" my mom answered.
"That's good"
He turned towards me and smiled, "how are we feeling there?"
"Fine, thank you, good afternoon" I was extremely tired and not up for much talking, he must have sensed that because he started the engine and drove off.
                  *****
One of the missing seven wonders of my world was how I came to feel more at home at my supposed doctor's house. It was very unusual given how we're from two different worlds, but yeah...we became close, more like sisters than friends with his sister and well, had a good relationship with his mother.
"I know I should knock, but that's a waste of my precious time and I'm sure you've rested well, I brought tea, warm up and tell me you loved the vacation" rambled Asiya, Dr Hakim's lovely sister as she let herself in and placed the tray on the bedside drawer.
"You can come in" I rasped while sitting up.
"I told you I wasn't going to knock" she said while propping her arm on my stretched thighs.
"So much for manners" I shook my head, one can't help but sometimes genuinely smile at her.
"So, do I pour the tea for you or you're okay?" She asked pointing at the tray.
"I need to rinse my mouth first, if you'll excuse me" lifting her off me, I helped myself to the toilet while instructing her to clear the bed as a punishment.
"Yeah, I made you sleep, I should clean after your rough bed habits" she shouted to which I answered by shutting the door.
"Here you go" she handed me the cup. "I'm all ears now"
"Try to contain you excitement Asiya" I laughed, "the way you're fidgeting one will think you're about to be punished"
"Yeah, well, I have my reasons" I raised my eyebrows at her.
"Did you enjoy your vacation?" She questioned.
I took time sipping my tea while looking at her, placed the cup on the saucer like a trained princess then reply "yes, I loved it" I replied with a satisfied smile.
I watched her stood up, stretched her imaginary skirt and sat back with a misinterpreting smile. "Why are you smiling like that? Stop smiling like that" I said to her, being cautious all of a sudden.
"Why? I'm just happy" she head for the door, then turn to look at me, "give me a minute and enjoy your tea" then she shut the door.
"Sometimes I wonder how you grew up this way, with the family you have" I said to no one, then picked my tea. The sweetest lemon spearmint tea ever.
The door opened while I was pouring myself a second cup.
"Can you repeat what you said about the vacation please?" Said Asiya behind me.
"Why should I?" I asked turning to look at her, and was surprised she brought back a company. "Huh?" I blurted looking from her face to his for answers.