Tracing Memories

56: S t a y W i t h M e

I have been exhausted today because the past days have been so busy. Work kept piling up as I tried my best to finish it. Some days are just like that, aren't they? It reminds me of a moment that was so small yet so meaningful and memorable.

It was a duration of time when we were both a little too busy with our respective works. You would be out working all day and by the time you returned it was my turn to begin working on my artworks. I worked all night as you slept and when you woke up, I would be tired and ready to crash.

We didn't have a proper conversation for days. We could only see each other for a short while when we had dinner together. You always seemed tired. I asked you about it and you replied that you would tell me when everything was set up properly. Not wanting to bother you, I did not push it further and began planning my artworks.

After dinner, I sat down to work. Hunched over my display tablet, my fingers moved relentlessly as I filled in the details, my gaze piercing into the screen. I stopped for a moment to look at a notification and realised it was 1 am.

"I still have the whole night." I thought to myself as I continued drawing again.

Just then I heard some movement behind me and I turned to look only to find you standing at the door.

"What happened?" I asked softly.

You walked over to me and pulled a chair next to mine and sat down.

"Nothing. Just wanted to see how you work," You answered, "if that's okay."

I smiled and nodded slightly and began working again. You sat next to me silently observing as the image on the screen progressed towards completion. You didn't say anything but I could tell you must have begun to miss me and that's why you were then sitting next to me fighting sleep. I knew because I felt the same and if possible I would have done the same.

I paused and straightened my posture, a pang shooting through my back from hunching over for too long. I looked at you, and find your eyes almost closing as you struggled to keep them open.

"Go to sleep." I whispered in your ear so as to not startle you.

"It's fi...ne..." You hummed.

"It's not fine. You will be sleep deprived tomorrow. " I said as I got up and urged you to do so.

"Are you done?" You asked looking up at me.

" Yes. " I lied just so you would not strain yourself any more.

I held your hand and led you to the bedroom as you followed half-asleep barely looking where you were going. You lay down and I turned to leave when you stopped me.

"Where are you going? I thought you were done." You mumbled.

"No, I could work some more. " I answered. I only took a step further when I was stopped by your hold on my wrist.

I turned to face you and saw you looking at me with drowsy eyes.

"Stay with me. " You said as you tried to pull me closer.

You smiled as you saw me lay down next to you and with a content feeling on your face, you slowly fell asleep. I waited until I could make sure you were in deep sleep and then I got up again, getting back to work. However, for the rest of the time, I kept thinking about how you kept fighting your exhaustion to accompany me.

I looked at my phone after I was done to find out it was 6 am. My head was aching with the stress of non-stop staring at the screen and all I could think of was to flop down on the bed as soon as possible. I dragged my feet to the room and made myself fall wearily making the mattress bounce a little.

"Get up. It's 6 already." I directed this at you as I closed my eyes.

"Shhh, it's Sunday." Your words slurred, barely audible.

"What?" I looked at my phone again and realised you were right.

We then remained asleep for a major part of the day.