The Decision

Brian

It felt as if the world suddenly got silent. I only heard heavy breathing. Something did not feel right. I moved towards the sound of heavy breathing there is only one person in this room so it must be her. But why is it so? I called out her name. She mumbled something. My heart started beating hard. I started calling out her name. I felt a dreaded feeling like I have not felt for a long time now. I felt her clutching my sleeve gave me a position I grabbed her quickly her body felt like sliding. She felt weak and still kept mumbling something. My heart lost in my body not working with my brain. I screamed for help I screamed again. She is scaring me bad. I was getting angry where are the people in this hospital disappeared to? She asked, "what was in that ice cream?" I was puzzled about what she was talking about. How is that important in this case? I called for help again. That button the little red button I don't know how many times I pressed it. My thumbs shaking, I threw it away I returned my hands back to holding her. I slapped her check lightly no do not make her go away too. What is wrong with her I am thinking a lot of things. She asked the ice cream question again. Why is she asking that? Then it clicked in my head the dangerous possibility my heart felt as if it left my body. I felt her breathing heavily and shaking. I just told her peanut. She said it very slow and weak voiced. She is allergic to peanuts.

Time the time and pulse everything went slow. Really slow and numb I cannot find the strength to move. I hear the door open I can't feel anything can't see anything. I felt some one hold me I let her body leave me someone took her away from me. I did not wish to let her go. My heart dropped the feeling of weak. I was weak so weak not worth anything. I am no good to anyone. Alya she has been so nice to me. I felt down depressed and lost. I let go of all those and screamed allergy the peanut allergy. I did not know if I was of use yet, but I wanted to try and help even a little bit if I could.

Tick tock tick tock....

Time passed by, I sat on the bench on the hallway. Waiting for her Ray came by he was asking me to return to my room. Even though I was informed that she would be better I could not leave I had to know her better. I needed to hear her voice. I cannot even see her, but I still want to hear her.

I felt a heat in front of me "Hey how are you holding up there?" that is Ray's voice. I just nodded. "Brian she is going to be fine. She was treated on time."

His words didn't make me feel any better. It made me worse; I kept on listening just listening to everything. Something is strange for me I suddenly became aware of even the silent sounds all around me. I started listening to everything. But mostly I was just waiting for small news of her health. The scenes of time with her kept on repeating in front of his mind. He pictured her in his mind. Strangely he never imagined her definition her face. He only ever felt her hand. Her hand only the right hand it was small approximately by an inch or two. But it fitted perfectly in his hands. The only thing it triggered the desire for him to know more about her. He remembered the first time he heard her voice. He wanted to hear that laughter more she was like this new spark a sweet wildflower in the grass. To Brian she was like that little yellow daisy which blossoms with the first rays of summer in the snow.

He heard Ray talking "Her mother is here. Alya might be up in a few minutes want to go meet her?"

I almost got up, but my mind thought of something else. I did not know how to face her now. That single thought stopped me. Words came to my brain. Too many words now not the time. I got up and followed Ray I heard voices weak, but it had that nice ring to it. Alya woke up she will get better. I stopped Ray I reached forward his hand was there perfect. "Let's give them some time I will see her later"

I let Ray lead me back to my room. My mind full of words

WEAK

SLOW

USELESS

The words made me angry really angry. It is not a good decision to be this weak and useless. If I could only see I could have seen her and took her outside quickly. But I failed to do that. Failure is not what I wish to be.

The timeline kept on replaying on my head. I wish I could change a lot of things in there. I heard the kids playing in the garden. But it made me sad there is something missing. Alya's voice is missing I miss her in just a few days she became such a close person. Her words made more sense to me now. It is strange even in this darkness I think of her imagine her face. I wished she was close to me.

Now the only thing I can do is to wait, and I hate waiting .....

Alya

Alya left the darkness an hour ago. When she woke up she found an angry yet worried Mrs. Jane Greenfield looking down at me. I swallowed hard and smiled "Hey mother you look lovely today"

She just gave that you are in big trouble young lady look. "You got some explaining to do young lady. How could someone be so careless? What were you even thinking?"

"Ma please it was an accident I am sorry. Please don't be angry on me look I am already punished" Alya smiled.

"You had me worried" Jane sighed and sat beside her. "How do you feel now?"

"Sleepy." Alya returned with a smile she felt exhausted and her body shook like she caught a cold.

"They will keep you here overnight. You might want to get some sleep" said Jane.

Alya looked at her mother but her eyes searched for another person she did not find him. She wanted to call that person, but sleep took her, and she let go.

... Next time she woke up Mrs. Jane was talking to someone in the phone. She looked around no sign of Ray or Brian. She got a bit disappointed. She was surprised at herself she wanted to see Brian so much but why?

Her mother clicked off her phone and sighed. "Everything alright Ma?" asked Alya.

Mrs. Greenfield looked at her "Jamie is coming home and your father is off to town someone needs to receive him."

Alya smiled and said, "Go home mother it is okay."

"But sweetie I cannot leave you alone". Replied Jane.

Before Alya could answer Nurse Joan entered and replied for her. "It is okay Mrs. Greenfield it is just one night you can come back in the morning. We will take care of her."

"But..." Before Jane could finish Alya interrupted her.

"Ma please go I will be fine" said Alya.

"Okay sweetie you take care and get some rest" Jane kissed her daughters head and left the hospital promising to return really early in the morning.

Time went by Nurse Joan left after checking her up. She laid down thinking it is so lonely in this room. Then there it was "Knock Knock"

Alya thought 'who could be in this time?' She did not think much about it and asked to enter. But it made her really happy. 'Why do I feel this happy? This is crazy.' Thought Alya.

She looked at Ray helping Brian inside. "Can we crash your room Alya?" asked Ray.

Alya replied "Hey guys thanks for coming here". Alya noticed Brian did not talk much he looked really down.

Ray talked normally with Alya about her conditions and joked about this and that. Alya noticed that Brian too quiet He did not even make fun of him or showing his attitude.

Ray excused himself leaving Brian and Alya alone for a while. Alya looked at Brian and asked, "You okay?"

Brain sighed and said, "I am sorry, it is my fault that you...." He did not get to finish. Alya hold his hand and interrupted him. "Brian please it is fine."

She saw Brian trying to say something "Brian it is my fault I did not see the flavors. I owe it to you to save me"

"I did nothing. I could do nothing then just scream nothing at all" Brian said. His voice quivered at the thought. Alya noticed everything. She smiled and said to Brian saying "Please do not feel like this Brian hey see this I am fine" she said and squeezed his hand as tightly as she can.

"I could not find the guts to face you Alya. It was horrible I could not think what to do. I thought I lost you". Brian's words were too caring and sweet made Alya smile she hold his hand and decided to make the atmosphere a little lighter. "You want some coffee?"

Brian laughed at her words he could not stop soon enough. Alya laughed as well weak but laughed enough. "Only you Alya can think of such things when there is a grave situation". Alya pouted her lips and complained "Hey there is nothing grave here I am fine, see" she grinned and smiled.

Brian stopped laughing "I was really scared you know you made my heart stop."

Alya thought about his words so calm and nice yet so caring. "I am sorry for worrying you Brian." She felt guilty of worrying him so much. At this moment she felt like she is an evil person making him feel like this. To think a grown-up man all scared about her. Why? Why does he care about her so much? This is all confusing, yet it is so much nice to be an important person to Brian. Since he is slowly becoming an important person to her too.

Brian said again "Please do not do this to me again."

She could not see Brian's eyes behind his black glasses. But she saw his mouth serious and saw his mouth tremble. She looked at him and squeezed his hand again.

"I am sorry" Alya could not promise wholly. But it seemed to work on Brian he let it drop.

Ray came back and joined them. Brian and Alya at the same time let go of their hand as soon as the door opened. "So, things are okay between you two" said Ray as he entered the room. He came close to Brian and informed him that it is time for him to take his medicine and he has to leave. Brian got up with the help of Ray and said "See you soon Alya rest and get well soon. " Alya noticed a tiny smile on his face. Brian being a nice guy. Alya thought she achieved a big thing. Ray also bid his goodbye.

Brian just walked to the door and turned back calling out to Alya. "Alya just another thing. I decided to go through the operation"

At that moment Alya feltlike she won the war. She has achieved a medal as the best student in the school. All the sickness and allergy forgotten. She felt great and best of all she just made him smile along with the decision without opening up the past wound. Alya could not help but screamed "WOOHOOO YEAH!!!" and giggled to herself.