A Nightingale Must Sing

Chapter - 2

Irritating. That's what it was. The sound coming from her right side. The beeping. The constant, non-stop, high-pitched beeps. But there was another sound, if she listened carefully enough. The sound of breathing; soft; sleepy almost. There was movement too, and a slight whisper of a gentle breeze coming from the left side. Ovidia was yet to open her eyes, but there was light behind her eye lids; something she was not used to. Which only meant one thing, she wasn't in that horrible cell. 

But Ovidia didn't want to open her eyes, not yet, in case it was all a dream. This right here was peaceful. No screaming; no slurred words; no rough flooring underneath or cold and damp walls. The only thing that she hated about this whole thing was the awful beeping, could it please stop or she'll lose what little sanity she had left, my goodness. There was something else though. Something else she felt. Something was grasping her hand. No, not something; someone. 

At last, Ovidia opened her eyes. Cringing away slightly as she was hit with sunlight from the open window. She moved her head slightly; holding back a whimper from the pain. As Ovidia looked over, her grey-eyes looked over at a figure who was sitting in an armchair; head resting on the bed where Ovidia was laying and holding her hand. His hair was a ginger colour and looked rather disheveled. He seemed tired. Did Ovidia do that? Did she cause him to lose sleep over her? Did someone finally worry? Did someone finally care?

The sudden realisation came crashing down on her. Memories being triggered by the scene laid out in front of her. A strange man, a hospital room, needles, IVs and monitors, the smell of anaesthetic stinging her nose. This was a different man, a hint of familiarity, but who was to say he was any less dangerous than the one she had been taken by. Ovidia's pulse sped up; her breathing becoming erratic once more. A headache began to form as she felt her heart pounding in her head; hearing the beats thumping faster and faster. The beeping from the machine got worse and didn't help the headache at all. The man's head snapped up; eyes wide with worry and joy; a little bit of drool beside his dry lips, glistened in the sunlight. 

"Ovidia! Oh thank the stars, you're alright!"His voice sounded scratchy, and Ovidia couldn't help but wonder if his throat was sore from screaming and crying as his eyes held evident tears. The familiarity was rather overwhelming, itching at her and telling her that she knew him from somewhere, but she couldn't remember him at all. She couldn't remember the way his eyes lit up when looking at her, the way his uneven jaw turned his smile into a lopsided one, or how he seemed to look and feel better just by staring at her, by being at her side. She couldn't remember how or why her hands ended up in his hair and was now gently brushing it with her fingers, feeling the softness as it shot tingles up her arm and down her spine. Ovidia harshly pulled her hand away when she realised what she was doing, but the man caught it before Ovidia could bring it to her chest; intertwining their fingers. Ovidia felt calm, and yet, her heart was still going at an erratic speed along with the beeping of the machine. Thousands of thoughts swam around in the ocean of her mind. So many thoughts in the ocean that some water decided to leave and splash down her cheeks. It was too much for her.

Before the man could say anything, another person entered the room, dressed in a white coat over his day clothes, and a holding a clipboard. "Ms. Nightingale, you're awake. I'm glad B- Mr. Henrich is looking well with your now lively-state." Ovidia felt the man next to her, Mr. Henrich, squeeze her hand when the Doctor hesitated. She looked over at him, and saw something dark and agitated in his eyes. He was annoyed about something but she couldn't put her finger on it. "I hope you don't mind, but I will have to now run a few tests to make sure everything is okay." Without warning, Ovidia threw up. 

Both men looked alarmed, and Mr. Henrich immediately moved so he was now sitting slightly behind her, his left hand rubbed Ovidia's arm up and down in a comforting motion, and his right moved across her back in a soothing circle as she continued to be sick. He softly cooed in her ear, trying his best to settle her. This only aided in frightening her even more as the effect he had on her was a peaceful one, but she was conflicting with her mind as she still had no clue why he was so familiar and the confusion made her worse. The Doctor could see this as he quickly cut in "Mr. Henrich, I hesitantly tell you that although your actions might work for Ms. Nightingale physically, mentally you are simply causing her more pain. It will be best if you do not initiate physical contact unless she permits it." 

"Why not? Why can't I help her?" His light touches turned to a slightly tight hug as he wrapped both his arms around Ovidia in an almost possessive manner. He pulled her closer to him, her proximity calmed him down, whilst his seem to send Ovidia's mind, and heart, reeling. "Please, Sir, I understand this may be difficult but you have to be patient with her. Ms. Nightingale has suffered quite a lot of damage to her internal organs, her immune system, and her mental state as well. The staff have done the best they could, but her healing rate is a lot slower now, so it'll take some time before she is well physically, and as for her head. Well, we cannot restore any memories lost, she will require triggers, but too much will overwhelm her. Ms. Nightingale's recovery will be a long process, but you must be willing to be patient and care for her."

At the Doctor's words, Mr. Henrich's grip loosened, and Ovidia felt tears build up from the information. "Sh-she lost her memory?" The Doctor nodded. "Sh-she doesn't remember me? Us?" Mr. Henrich's voice grew quiet, breaking softly as he spoke.

"I'm afraid not, Sir." Mr. Henrich's sight began to blur too, but he couldn't let the tears fall, he had to be brave for Ovidia. 

He drew in a deep breath and made sure to speak steadily, "Is there anything else I need to know?" 

"All the remaining information must be said without prying ears in the room unfortunately, but the good news is, Ms. Nightingale, if she so chooses, may be discharged from the hospital and go back home with you Mr. Henrich. With regularly check ups of course," the Doctor informed them, reading off of his clipboard and then looking at the two 20-somethings before him. 

Ovidia's breath grew shaky. She had a choice, which in itself was new, but she had a choice to go with a (some-what) strange man, or stay in a room that reminded her of that horrible place, a room that bought back years of nightmares, and nightmares of those years. Her heart rate picked up speed, and she instinctively reached for Mr. Henrich's hand, seeking comfort and support. "She'll stay with me", Mr. Henrich squeezed her hand back, silently telling Ovidia that he was there for her. Ovidia's cheeks were graced with a light blushing and she pulled her hand away placing it in her lap; twiddling with her fingers. 

"Very well. Mr. Henrich, if you would kindly follow me so Ms. Nightingale may get some more rest, there are a few papers that need signing." The Doctor and Mr. Henrich exited the room, and on their way out the Doctor turned back to look at Ovidia, "One of the nurses will be in shortly to clean you up. Rest well, Ms. Nightingale," and he left leaving Ovidia to wonder, how a nurse could have known if the Doctor never called for one. She should really pay more attention.