The Vaticinator

23. The Reunion

The moment I get control over my conscious mind, I immediately find myself internally smiling at the comfort level I am at. More so, at the undulating waves surrounding me and pleasing me to zenith. I sink lower on the bed I am at, which is not as comfortable as I would like it to be, but the idyllic aura surrounding me makes up for it. The appeasing equanimity and the dulcet feeling make me ignore the discomfiture. Instead, I find myself focusing on the affable aura that is proving to be more than satisfactory for me.

It’s been too long since I sensed Neal’s aura and the present sensation makes me smile like nobody’s business. I recall the events I last remember as the aura continues to soothe me. When I remember my maltreated arm, my eyes open up on their own accord. Light blue ceiling greets me and the sounds of heart monitor and the smell of antiseptics assure me that I am in a hospital. Despite the lights being on inside the room, I can make out from the daylight streaming in that it’s morning time. I try to raise my injured arm, to assess the damage. The pain multiplies as I pressure my arm. I gasp and hiss, immediately removing the pressure. I couldn’t even make my arm lift an inch.

The startled movement beside me takes me by surprise. I tilt my head sideways and see Neal, looking startled and dazed at the sudden sounds I have made.

“Whaa?” he drawls, his eyes filled with sleep.

I feel the corner of my lips stretching as a grin takes over me. Not in a million years I can explain the pure assuagement that comes with his sight. It doesn’t even matter that his hair looks dirty and unorganized, that his eyes look dead to the world or even that there is a little drool on the corner of his chapped lips. He hastily wipes the corner of his lips as he notices that I am awake. At first a relieved look passes his face and in the next he starts looking suspiciously at my ever extending smile.

“About time. I’ll get the doc.” Neal says, getting up from the chair next to my bed.

My smile vanishes and I open my mouth to tell him to not go away, that I am just fine while basking in his aura, but the little bugger is faster and my throat is too slow due to the dryness. Soon, his aura escapes my senses and I become aware of the throbbing headache bursting in my head. Does Neal’s aura distract me from my pains too? God, this is annoying.

I turn my head sideways, glumly taking in the room I am in. It’s a large room, with five other beds, though none are occupied save for one. Now that Neal’s aura is not empowering my senses, I sense another weak human aura on my far left, also hearing the steady beep sounds coming from the machine. The beds are enclosed by curtains for privacy. My bed is nearest to the door. After scouting the room, my eyes turn back towards the door, just in time for Neal to come barging in, a nurse in his tow. A small, yet very silly smile comes on my face as Neal’s aura pacifies me; literally making me high.

“How are you feeling?” the nurse, an elderly woman, asks, throwing flashlight in my eyes.

I squint, “Thirsty.” I manage to rasp out, though I can still feel my lips stretched into a smile. It’s getting a little weird how pleased I am with Neal around me again. But I shrug the thought off for the moment.

Neal is instantly by my side, offering me the packaged water from the side table. The nurse presses a button on the side of the hospital bed that automatically inclines my upper body. I hiss silently as I absently try to raise my right, bandaged arm. Neal gives me an annoyed look as if I cannot be any stupider. I use my left hand then, chugging down gulps after gulps of water, satiating my dry throat. Nurse checks the monitor machines beside me, checks the bandage on my arm, again asks me how I am feeling, to which I complain of a slight headache. She gives me a couple of pills, assures me and Neal that my status is healthy and is out of the door, informing that the doctor will be here soon to address me.