Clandestine | On Hold

Chapter 13

Dedicated to The_Superwoman as she is one of the most genuine people and a very supportive person I've met on Wattpad. And her poems, they are soul-touching. I could totally relate to them. Make sure to check out her poems in 'Fragile'.

The chapter is not edited!  

Chapter 13

Ryan's POV

My body hurts. So does my mind.

I can feel the blood rushing to my head at an almost agonising speed, causing a throbbing ache. An unspeakable pain invades every inch of my body, making me want to tear it to shreds.

I grimace at the thoughts occurring to me. All I want is for my body to shut down, for this agony to go away.

I just want it all to stop.

That's when I become aware of a certain kind of sensation. A touch as soft as a feather on my forehead is caressing my head in an utmost delicate, caring and affectionate manner. It's a touch that feels right at home, safe and hidden away from the cruelties and worries of the world.

My eyes flutter open. Blinking away the slumberous haze hovering above my eyes, my eyes roam around the place.

Aunt Cora is sitting to my left with her back against the headboard of the bed, caressing my head delicately. Dad is sitting to my right on a chair, gently holding my hand in both of his and resting his head on it.

How long was I out?

"Father?" I try calling out to him. But it only comes out as a breezy whisper. But seeing as his head snaps up to look at me, I know he heard me.

"Ryan!" He exclaims in a tired and relieved tone and tackles me into a bone crushing hug. I embrace him back with as much strength as I could muster, which is very less due to the exhaustion taking over my body.

"I was so scared, son." I hear him saying, as I realise how worried he must've been.

"I almost thought I lost you too," He mutters under his breath, and my body goes rigid hearing his words. It was not meant for me to hear, so I pretend not to. He places a tender kiss on my head before pulling away and smiling down at me. Aunt Cora gently embraces me next. I relish the warmth and motherly affection surrounding me, which is putting me at peace.

Just then my vision goes blurry for a moment due to the head rush and my head lolls backwards. A gasp escapes her, as she makes me lay back down.

I hear the door in the room burst open and slowly turn my head in its direction. One by one, people pour inside the room. Relief and concern are written in bold letters on everyone's face on seeing me. I offer a small smile to them, letting them know that I'm feeling alright.

"I'm fine. Just a little exhausted." I answer everyone's unspoken question lingering in the air and watch as a relieved look crosses their face.

• •• • •• •

"So, do you want to tell us about what happened?" Uncle Seb asks once I'm sitting comfortably with my back leaning against the headboard. 

"Yes, Ry. I mean, you've been out for 4 days now-"

"What? Four days?" I interrupt Aunt Cora in shock. 

Was I out for four days?

Everyone exchange glances before looking back at me.