I opened up my eyes. It was dark and quiet.
I scanned the room and caught a glimpse of Papa Rey sleeping on the chair with a newspaper on his lap.
As I was trying to sit up I felt a hand next to mine.
Ric.
I looked at our hands. So close yet our hearts, well, his heart, so far away.
For a moment there, I had forgotten he was here.
I remembered my second blackout and how he caught me before I collapsed to the ground.
Making sure not to make it noticeable that I was awake, I turned my head slowly and saw Ric with his head facing towards me.
He looked so calm. Tired, but calm. I wanted to touch his face but I stopped myself.
I saw something moving from the corner of my eye.
I looked to see Papa Rey sitting up straight in his seat, adjusting his collar.
"Hello, sweetheart."
"Hi Papa."
"I'm so sorry for not being here when you woke up."
"No, no, no. You're here now. You needed to leave. I understand."
"Ric told me you fainted again. Good thing he was here, yes?"
"Umm, er, yeah, well maybe, I don't know. I'm actually surprised."
"Are you, really?"
"Yes, sort of, he's here as a friend. I get that now."
"He still has that effect on you."
"Oh, you have jokes? It doesn't matter, you affect me the most."
"Ahh yes. You're my little one."
"Always your little in a lot, aye Papa?"
"Yes, sweetheart. Always."
Before Papa could say anything, Doctor Fields slowly approached us.
"Hello."
"Hi Doctor, how is my Irana doing ?"
"Not to worry Mr. Raymond, she's a tough cookie."
"Yes, yes she is."
"Irana had a sudden reaction to something which caused her to faint again. She hasn't been on her feet for more than twelve hours so when she stood up too quickly she became dizzy and blacked out."
"So it's not anything serious is it?"
"No sir. Her vitals are normal and she'll be admitted today."
"Thank you Doctor. Dear, I'm going to make a call. Excuse me, Doctor."
Doctor Fields gave him a polite nod and turned his attention to me.
He took his time looking at me with such concerned eyes.
He took my wrist in his hand and wrote down something on a piece of paper from his white coat.
I didn't want him to let go of my wrist. I wanted him to stand there and just hold my hand. He didn't meet my eyes. He went about doing his rounds around me.
