I ran towards the ICU where the doctor was already standing outside. She waited until everyone was there.
My heart beating so fast that it was almost in my throat.
"How is he?" I asked getting impatient.
She looked at us all seriously making a wave of disappointment rush through me but then she smiled softly and nodded her head.
"He is alright." She said making me take a deep breath of sigh and look up at the ceiling. Liya hugged me in contentment.
I heard Xavier and Nathaniel sighing a breath of relief from my left side.
"However," the doctor continued, "He hasn't gained consciousness yet. We will be shifting him to a ward but since he suffered a direct impact on his head... we cannot promise but he might lose some of his memories. We can only tell that once he wakes up."
Lose his memories? He won't remember me? Anyone? There's a possibility of it.
I shook my head to myself, come on Serenity, let's be optimistic. He will remember everything. Even if he doesn't... I am just glad that he survived. I will be just glad to see him and I will start afresh with him if I have to.
I am not leaving him now. Nu-uh.
"That was some shitty news in the end," Henry said looking at me. He checked if I was alright.
I put on a brave smile on my face before nodding energetically, "It's alright. At least he is fine."
They nodded their head. I gulped before clearing my throat,
"Why don't you guys go and take some rest now? I will stay the night and you guys can come back tomorrow?"
They all looked hesitant but I pressed a little harder and let them know that I would be alright.
Are you sure? They asked.
Of course. I replied before forcing them to leave. Before going I called Xavier one last time.
"You need any help?" He asked.
I shook my head, "No. Just wanted to wish you a very happy birthday. I'm sorry this is how your day started."
From getting a surprised party to ending up by spending it in the hospital, it sure wasn't an ideal birthday.
He smiled softly, "Thank you. Honestly, I just want him to see healthy and fine so you don't need to apologise for anything."
I bit my lip lightly before nodding my head. He took his leave while I went and bought some medicines the doctors asked.
â¢â¢â¢
I sat across from Alec who was still in bedâ unconscious. I yawned before turning around to check the time on the wall.
2:30 am.
I looked around and saw a brown sofa against one of the walls. I looked back at Alec and sighed.
Just get up already. I want to see you. I want to see your eyes again. Your smile again.
The monitor kept beeping time and again. I got up from my seat before rubbing my hands on my thighs. I was about to relax and finally go to sleep on the sofa when I heard the door opening.
I stopped and looked at the door opened to find Nathaniel standing outside. He didn't step inside.
"What are you doing outside? Come in." I said.
He was silent for a while before coming in and examining Alec. He huffed out some air,
"I don't know why I was expecting some miracle. I thought just maybe... he would be awake waiting for me." There was a sadness in his voice. I could feel it.
"He will get up. Don't worry." I smiled.
He looked at me before passing me a small smile.
"I am glad that you are the one who is more optimistic than the two of us." He went and sat on the small chair beside Alec. He was silent for a while before whispering, "He won't lose his memories, right?"
I don't know. I don't know if he will lose his memories or not. I don't know if he will remember me at all or not.
I gulped trying to control the bulk building in my throat. I put my hand on Nathaniel's shoulder in a reassuring way, "He certainly cannot lose them even if he wants."
I knew they were just mere words. The words I wasn't certain of. The words he didn't blindly believe, but at least they gave us hope.
I watched the back of his neck as he rubbed his eyes before turning in his seat and gave me a look of realisation, "I almost forgot... I came here to let you go home."
I stared at him dumbfounded.
I shook my head at him in denial, "Why? I don't want to go home. I'll stay here until he wakes up. I have to. What if he wakes up while I am gone? What if he needs me?" I shook my head frantically, "I just cannot leave."
Nathaniel had his eyes widened before he looked around, "I just want you to get some rest. You have had a long day."
"I will sleep here." I pointed at the sofa in the corner, "Besides, you weren't even gone for an hour. You are the one who should go and rest."
"I did." He persisted.
Why doesn't he understand? I don't want to go. I don't want to leave Alec here.
"Then go again," I replied coming out a little rude. I closed my eyes trying to control my breathing, "Nathaniel, I will be alright. Don't worry about me. I will go and get my change of clothes in the morning... but I am not leaving him at night. I just cannot. I won't be able to sleep just thinking of the possibility that he might gain consciousness while I am in my dreamland."
He tsked before giving in. He knew there was no other way. I won't let there be any other way.
"Please, take care of yourself. I don't want you to be in another bed with him."
I know I was being greedier. But I couldn't help it. When I saw Alec in pain, all I wanted was for him to get treated and not leave me alone. When the doctors said that he is alright but it might take some time to gain consciousness with a chance of losing his memories... all I want from him is to get up. All I want from him is to... remember me.
"I'll get you something to eat." He said one last time before going out.
I sighed before asking Liya to get my change of clothes tomorrow.
â¢â¢â¢
"Why isn't he getting up already?" Brian whined.
All of them were here right now. It was the next day and as promised, Liya brought me a change of clothes for which I was very grateful because I have been walking around in the dress for my 'date' for a long time now.
"I swear to god, let's just force him up," Max muttered.
"What will you do? Kick him out of the bed? It won't make him gain consciousness."
"The fact that he might not remember us is killing me," Max said.
"I know. I don't want him to forget us." Xavier said.
"Noo. The curiosity is killing me. I want to know if he will remember us or not."
Xavier gave him a weird look before looking at Nathaniel for help.
"Please make sure to have a girlfriend with normal friends. At least one of us three should have one," he said pleadingly.
Liya looked at Xavier with wide eyes before asking what did he mean by that. Xavier raised his hands up looking scared for his life while shaking his head.
"It wasn't directed towards you."
"Shut up."
And so their little couple quarrel began making me chuckle a little until my eyes settled on Alec. His eyes closed. His arms resting on either side of him with a drip attached.
The smile on my face faded a little... I want to have these small cute quarrels with him too.
Why is he taking so long to gain consciousness?
I was about to turn away when I noticed his little finger twitching.
I felt numb as I watched it twitch again. But it was so little that anyone could have missed it. I felt my heart beating wildly against my chest as I whispered getting everyone's attention,
"He just moved his finger."
There was a veil of silence before everyone was quick on their feet as they formed a circle around him and watched him with utmost curiosity and hope.
"Are you sure?" Evie asked.
"I swear I saw it." I felt the tears of happiness forming in my eyes. My voice was getting full of emotions as I pursed my lips.
We didn't see any movement in him for the next five minutes. I felt disappointment pass through my body as nothing happened and everyone turned around to go back to their places.
"Nothing is happening now," Brian said sadly.
Just before they turned around Alec opened his mouth.
There were gasps all around the room... including me.
"He is gaining consciousness. Oh my god." Brian said jumping a little on his spot in excitement.
"I can finally get over my curiosity now," Max said to which Henry smacked him in the stomach.
The ambience of the room had completely shifted from that of gloomy to happiness.
"S-serene..." his voice was groggy.
I felt my throat choking as I finally heard my name from him. His voice. It can still make me feel the butterflies in my stomach.
"Are y-you alright?" He asked with difficultyâ opening his eyes slowly.
Look at him. He was almost on the verge of dying and he is asking ME if I am alright. He should be worrying about himself right now.
I couldn't say anything as I pursed my lips. I could feel myself wanting to tell him so many things. I wanted to talk to him. Let him know. But I couldn't form any words.
Just watching him looking at me with those blue eyes of the sky again was not allowing me to speak. I was just so... overwhelmed that it was probably oozing out of me because Alec chuckled lightly in understanding.
"He didn't lose his memories," Max stated.
Alec turned to look at him and gave him a confused look, "Who are they?"
Who are-? What? What's going on? Why was he doing this now? Don't tell me-
"I am Max? Why are you asking me that?" Max asked alarmed.
Alec looked around him and then at everyone before looking surprised, "Serene, who are all these people? What are they doing here?"
I could see the jaws dropping on the floor... again including mine.
"I cannot believe this," Xavier looked around unbelievably, "I have allowed this guy to crash at my place so many times... and he decides to forget everyone but Serenity... Ha!" I could see how surprised he was, by the way, he was pouting, "THE GIRL HE HAD A FIGHT WITH... and he remembers no one but her."
Xavier turned to look at Nathaniel, "He has forgotten all those times when he would whine to us about Serenity, about his confused feelings... he would make our ears bleed by his talk... and for fuck's sake he doesn't even remember us now!"
Alec was quick to respond, "I never whined to you! I was actually confused at times."
There was an awkward silence in the room.
He remembers it. He definitely remembers it. Oh my god, how mean of a joke was that on them all.
Alec tried to laugh to ease the glare he was getting from everyoneâ especially Nathaniel and Xavier. And when Xavier glares... he GLARES HOLES.
"Uh... is this the right time to suggest kicking him out of the window?" Brian asked.
"Yeah," Xavier smirked, "Let's make sure he loses his memory this time." And moved to get Alec but Alec groaned in pain... no one even touched him.
"I didn't even touch you!" Xavier cried.
Alec grinned at him before sitting in a straight position. I helped him up before asking him to take it slow. He ran his eyes around the room and acknowledged everyone but I could see that he was searching for something... rather someone. Before I could ask him he spoke up,
"Dad? Where is he?"
I looked down in uneasiness. I cannot imagine getting up from an accident, only to find your parents not caring enough to come to you.
"Probably attending another meeting." Nathaniel gritted his teeth.
I continued to look at Alec to see any change in his emotions but the only thing he did was smile sadly before nodding his head, "Figured so."
I slipped my hands into his and squeezed them lightly. I looked at him with all the adoration I had for him, "I am here. I will be... every time."
He stared at me, probably surprised that I forgave him. His eyes softened as he kissed the back of my hand tenderly, "I know." He whispered.
None of us had to say anything to understand that I had forgiven him and that it was back to normal again.
"Serene?" He asked once I was preparing him his medicines.
"Yeah," I said taking the medicines out.
"When I get discharged... let's go to the date we didn't get."
I stopped doing what I was doing. Slowly, I looked at him. His head still covered in bandages but not losing the handsomeness.
Date? He wants to go on the date?
I took a glass of water with me before sitting in the seat next to his bed. He took the glass of water from my hands before looking at me intently, silently asking the answer to his question.
I have to give him another chance. He deserves it. We can have our date... a proper one this time.
"Sure." I smiled widely, "Let's go on a date."
____