In His Arms

Left

"I'm sorry ma'am. That room's empty, the occupants of that hotel room have already vacated."

Brett had already left for Melbourne but Eddy stayed behind because he was too sick to travel and fly. Thinking he would get better after some rest, they have decided that Eddy could catch up with Brett in a couple of days.

As I walked back out to the exit, Eddy sitting at the lounge surrounded by his suitcases and violin case caught my eye. He was knocked out. Asleep with his mouth gaping, his arms tightly wrapped around his violin case.

"Goddammit. Why did you check out?" I quickly walked toward him. His face was grey, his hair limp and sticking to his forehead.

"Eddy, honey. I think you need to go to the hospital." I don't know if he knew my voice, but he tried to stand up without opening his eyes, but his knee buckled at the weight.

"Eddy, Eddy. Look at me. It's me, Nicole. Let's get you to a hospital, okay?"

After the trip to the ER where he was found to have just a flu, Eddy was sent home. But where would I bring him?

"Eddy. We're home."  I tried to wake him up in the car but it was no use. The Über driver was kind enough to help him inside my house.

Since I didn't have a bed in the other room, nor did I have a couch long enough for Eddy to sleep on, I dragged him to my bedroom. I was so exhausted that I fell asleep beside Eddy in bed.

Sometime in the middle of the night, Eddy's phone rang. Seeing that it was Brett who was calling, I answered it.

"Hey Brett" I whispered.

"Nicole?? I thought I called Eddy. I must've misdialled."

"No, this IS Eddy's phone." I stood up and walked out of the room in order not to disturb Eddy who was still fast asleep. "He checked out of the hotel but I had to bring him to the hospital. When he got discharged, I didn't know where to bring him so I brought him home."

"Thank God you're there with him. How is he?" He sounded so worried.

"Don't worry Brett, I'll take care of him. He was severely dehydrated though. It's just the flu, and maybe exhaustion. The heatwave isn't helping too. But I got him. Don't worry. How about you? Where are you now?"

"I have just arrived at the hotel. I'll call you back after I have settled in my room. Thank you again, Nicole. And I miss you."

"I miss you too Brett. Talk to you later, I'll go check on him now."

Eddy POV

"Eddy, wake up babe."

"Mmm?"

"I need you to lift your head a bit, you need to take your meds."

My head was cradled up and a capsule was placed on my dry tongue. The strange feeling of my taste buds sticking to the surface of the capsule was enough to make me cringe and shiver.

"Sorry babe, drink your water."

And finally the capsule smoothly went down my throat and I was let down slowly. I snuggled back into the cocoon made up of blankets and pillows before I was asleep again.

****

"In what seems like a plot taken from a cheaply made post-apocalyptic movie, the scene here in Australia and the rest of the world is devastatingly similar. Airplanes are grounded as international flights have been canceled, traveling between cities has been prohibited, establishments closure, panic buying, and quarantines being imposed. This is what Coronavirus has done to the world..." The news anchor's voice trailed off as I turned over to get my phone.

"Bro have you seen the news? We're fucked. What are we going to do? I can't get out of Sydney and you can't fly back either."

"You're right. Our tour is fucked. No choice but to wait it out. I'll fly back there as soon as I can."

"Here in Sydney? Why not in Brisbane? I'll be going too as soon as they lift the lockdown."

"Ohhhh yeah. Brisbane, right. Well, I'm glad you sound okay now. You were in and out the last couple of days. I almost begged Nicole to bring you back to the hospital despite Covid risk."

"I did wonder where I was when I first woke up. Someone was giving me a sponge bath. I thought I've gone up to heaven."

"Hey! You're up!" I heard Nicole come up the open door. "Is that Brett?"

I nodded but totally distracted by the sight of her leaning on the door jamb, holding a spoon with just an oversized shirt on.

"Brett!" She shouted. "I'm making wonton soup for out patient here. Let him eat first before business."

"Lucky shit." I heard Brett mutter on the line. "Heard that bro? Gotta go. Talk to you later."

"I see you're feeling better Mr. Chen. Get your ass up from there. No more breakfast, lunch, and dinner  in bed since you're healthy enough!"

A wicked smile crept into my face. "Well, I'm healthy enough to dine at the Y."

"Naughty, naughty!" Flashing me that teasing smile that didn't seem to reach her eyes.

"Urghhhhh.. I'm not hungry for food though. Come snuggle with me." As I pulled her to lie beside me in bed.

She raised an eyebrow at me. "I didn't have you pegged for someone who would love to cuddle."

"With you looking sexy as hell like that, cooking and taking care of me like a wifey. God. It would be a sin NOT to cuddle you."

"Take a shower AND dinner and I might just let you."

"I like bed baths more. oh, wait. A shower with you!" I jumped up standing on top of the bed, my head barely missing the ceiling fan blade.

"Eddy!! Get down! OMG. Come, let's have dinner first, you're giving me a headache."

Like  a chastised little boy, we beelined out of the room to have dinner.