Listening To A Heartbeat

Voice Message "Part 1"

Hi. This is Justin Bucki. I can't take your call right now, but I would like to return it. So, please leave me a message after the tone and I will contact you as soon as possible.

Hey, it's me again.

Jasmine.

She mumbled incoherent things through her hands and choked on her sobs

It's been two months since the accident and it has destroyed our life.

Tearing us apart.

Two months to see you every day lying in your hospital bed unmoved with so many machines attached to your body.

A great sob escaped her, and she covered her face with shaking hands

You're becoming paler day by day. You're getting thin. You're losing the warmth.

I spend two hours with you daily. Talking about our days with spend together. All the bills I have to pay my own. Telling you jokes thinking you would laugh or at least smile a little.

No, but you remain the same.

Justin. 

Takes a deep breath

I miss you.

Tears raced down her cheeks

Justin, when I was with you today. I felt those white walls enclosing me. Suffocating me.

It's hard.

Justin. It really is.

Fell to her knees, crying out

It's hard to watch you like this. Hearing from the doctors that they don't when are you gonna wake up from the coma.

A tightening of her throat and a short intake of breath

So I left. I left you and ran outside the hospital, leaving you behind.

Now I am at home.

Our home.

I miss you.

I miss you, Justin.

Her lips trembled as she cried

The house feels so empty without you.

I don't even know why I keep calling you when I know your phone is silent or maybe switch off but I get to hear your beautiful voice and it's fuel for my soul.

You're mom called up today while I was driving back home. She told me to stay strong for you. Not just her, nowadays everyone tells me to stay strong.

I can't Justin.

She swiped at her eyes, but the tears came anyway

I can't stay strong.

I can't do it anymore.

I want you to wake up and hold me tight.

I want you, Justin.

I want you.

Body wracked with an onslaught of sobs and tears

Oh, Justin.

Deep breathe

This might be my last call. I can't visit you anymore. It hurts me, every time to see you motionless.

I am leaving.

The sound of wailing and suffering echoed throughout the house

I am leaving, Justin.

I am leaving this house.

Leaving this place.

Leaving you behind.

You're everywhere I go.

I..I can't stay here anymore.

I Love you.

But I can't fight the battle when I already know I am losing it in the end.

Good Bye.

YEAR LATER

Justin sat on the hospital bed, holding his phone tight in his hand. Press the button one more time to check for more messages, but there were none.

Gut-wrenching sobs that tore through his chest.