petals on our lips |

3

Slowly her mind awoke.

She opened up her eyes weakly, with struggle as a groan of discomfort left her cracked lips.

Quickly with my palm, I wiped my tears and stood up to walk toward her.

The hesitation I had from before was gone this time.

Her eyes watched me fondly as I told her the relief I had from seeing her finally awake.

She looked at her new surroundings with parted lips then landed her gaze back on me.

With furrowed brows, she asked what had taken place.

My light smile dropped from my lips.

I explained every detail from when she had fainted to the doctor's words.

She simply stared in distaste when I told her of the surgery that could save her.

Her arms stood crossed as I told her,

"You need that surgery."

I could tell she didn't like the idea of it.

I tried to convince her yet it was all futile.

She wouldn't let me.

She'd continue to stop me and would coldly say no with a shaking head.

A sigh of disbelief left my lips.

I truly felt lost when she told me,

"I'd rather die."

I couldn't believe her words.

I continued to plead with her but nothing changed her stance.

I felt helpless.

I continued to try and an argument started on my side as she listened silently.

Suddenly, the words came rushing to my mind and I spoke them aloud.

"Do it for me then, please."

The second the words left my lips she turned around to face me completely.

Her angered expression dropped and her eyes became glossed instead.

She stared down at her hands as she fidgeted with them,

and quietly agreed.

Relief washed over me and a faint smile lay upon my lips.

I knew that I had to leave her to rest now.

Quickly I grabbed my stuff from the table beside the couch I sat on and walked back up to her.

I gave her a sad smile and turned to leave.

Just before I could leave her side she reached for my arm.

I turned to look at her, waiting for something from her.

It was visible that she was contemplating.

I could see it so clearly in her big brown eyes.

She let out a breath and released the words again to me.

The exact words from the feelings that had caused her illness.

"I love you."

She looked at me with hopeful eyes that maybe I'd say those three words back to her too-

back to her with the same feeling in which she had said them to me.

I closed my eyes and looked back at her.

"I do too."

Her hopeful smile dropped.

Was it because I could never say those words to her?

Or because I could never mean it in the way she hoped for?