Next day I did as he asked.
Applied for two days leave. He was persistent on staying in his room so I asked the professor to come over.
"Meet Dr. Christian Woodward. You can tell all your problems to him. Don't be rude." He nodded and focused only at me until I disappear. We had talked about this over and over until midnight when I started feeling sleepy, he finally gave in and agreed to see the man under two conditions. Thus, I left them alone in his room to talk privately, for one.
Not soon after the prof. who radiated confidence before entering his room, exited with a pale face. His expressions told me it wasn't a good news. I rushed towards him leaving the couch.
"What happened? Is everything alright? Has something bad happened to him?" The door to his room was still open, I was afraid he could hear us and this might make him sad.
"Nothing serious. He is scared to the point that he couldn't speak, it's temporary. He will be normal once he's out of trauma." He said hurriedly. It's out of my criteria of understanding but I get it. He must've gone through a lot.
"Also there are certain sessions he need to attend daily for recovery. I'll email you the details." Right. He needs to be sent there at the centre. Another favor to ask. Life is hard on me too.
"Thanks doc.. and his condition is stable?"
"Very stable." Why was I getting a feeling he was eager to leave. He is a busy body. Duh! "If thats all I'll take my leave."
"Yeah sure." The non seasonal sweat beads forming on his forehead had me worried. "Are you okay, sir?" I finally asked. Something was wrong with him. "Wait right here. I'll get you some water." I ran towards the kitchen.
Until I was back with the liquids, he was gone. If he was feeling like shitting, he could've used my bathroom. They're clean. Is he germophobic?
I received a message from the rascal. 'hungry'
'At your service milord.' I typed back.
The second condition was 'not to ask anything about what happened inside.' he must've had some personal problem. Should I introduce him to an Andrologist?
'hurry' his text popped up and I got to work.
I asked him if wants to talk about what happened on the rainy night but every time I approach him with this intent, he shakes his head in negative.
I eventually stopped persuading him to confess. Maybe typing the confession would make him feel awkward. So I decided to wait until he was ready or maybe he would never trust me.
I gave him one of the spare phones stored in the cabinet. And provided him with my credit card. Arranged a car with the driver to drop him to the multiple centres I was told to take him to.
My original plan was- help him run away. But even after receiving all the necessary facilities he comes back home. I gave him one full weak for the trial.
Yet another week and I'm back home. I found him sitting on the sofa, watching TV. I don't remember when I last switched it on. I decided to join in. But I couldn't concentrate on what was happening on the screen. I was hungry and hella tired.
He got up, stumbled a little, grabbed on to the nearest table, steadied himself. His legs wobbled. It triggered something in me, I was ready to walk with him and be there until he stops loosing balance. His head titled backwards only to look at me, he raised his eyebrow, smiling. I shook my head "I know you can do it". And he did performed good.
Within a week he had lessened the use of crutches and walks around a lot when at home. Only a part of wrapped bandage was removed from his arms and head as a result of his quick recovery but that was it.
It's a sunday tomorrow and my full day off. He brought me something to eat and drink and was back to focusing on the screen. He was watching a news channel, the Fastest remedy to fall asleep. I sprawled out and there I was, snoring.
I woke up sharp twelve in the morning. It was a bright and early morning for me. And kitchen was my next stop. The rascal was already sitting on the counter with only a lower on.
How were his muscles developing was still a question to me. I cooked breakfast while he watched me. Somehow I always become self-conscious because of this habit of his. Looking at me with those unreadable eyes. They're mesmerizing but sometimes I get annoyed. It's irritating knowing someone is always watching you. In fact I've started to feel eyes on me even when he's not around.
But then I understood, it's like this. Teresa told me she had always noticed me but I didn't. Now I'm having a practice everyday at home and now I am self-aware of my doings. Its his fault. Rascal!
I served. We ate. I finally decided to t ake him somewhere for outing. He was displeased but I dragged him out. Telling him the benefits of Fresh air. I know I was chewing his ears off but it's for his own good.
"I want to have a bath." Now I was displeased staring at the text.
This meant I'll have to touch his bare body while his gaze will be following my each and every move. Somehow I end up blushing throughout the whole session. I noticed it because I would stare at my reflection after bathing him, red tamato. It was embarrassing no matter how hard I try not to. The mood settings didn't felt like hospitals at all.
First of all it was my bathroom. Second, the way he looks at me and the third, his presence and my hormones.
Reminding myself that he's a patient only at the time of bathing and feeding him Did Not Work.
"What do you do when you're free and I'm not at home?" I asked as we ate in the backyard sitting side by side after his bath, a substitute to greenery after postponing the outing plans. 'Walk. Eat. Watch.' that was his response. Three words. "You don't feel comfortable opening up to me?" I asked. Genuinely. His eyes bored into mine. What was he trying to find. You don't trust me? But it was early to ask him such a question.
I'm still a profesional doctor at the end of the day. Can't blame him.
I sighed. My phone buzzed.
'I feel home around you.' My eyes lit up as they watered.
In this moment, something in me shifted for him.
I looped my arm around him and inclined his body sideways just enough so my lips were in contact with his forehead.
"Thank you." That was all I could manage to say when many different emotions were trying to take control.
My phone buzzed. This time it was not the guy beside me. It was An Alert.
"Sorry. Work. I'll get going." His eyes were still widened a fraction, he was staring far beyond the ground as he nodded absentmindedly.
