You're Special To Me

Two days later, Avril had caught a fever and was bedridden once again. Dakar kept running around the island, getting herbs with medicinal properties and brewing them up for her to drink. They were very bitter and he had to drop a plate of roast chicken by the bowl of medicine before Avril would agree to drink it all.

“This is no use. The chicken tastes bitter’’ she would complain while eating it.

“Should I stop giving you chicken then? Because my chickens are reducing everyday and they're not laying eggs yet, Avril” he would say with gritted teeth.

“No. Don't stop. Don't worry, they'll start laying eggs again. I even wish I could eat some omelette. It's been awhile”

“When you are done eating, you should rest a bit. Because I'll be back in an hour to dress your wound”

Dressing her wound was World War III. She would scream and kick and cry and throw punches with her healthy arm. She would even threaten to throw herself in the ocean where Dakar would never be able to catch her.

Dakar who was much stronger and bigger found it really hard to do it carefully when she was acting like a rattlesnake struck with a huge stick. If he tries to put her in place, he would hurt her again. Either with his fingerlike claws or he might break her bones with his arm.

That night, he had returned late from the beach where he went to meet the dolphins. Avril thought he wouldn't dress her wound anymore since it was already late. She even pretended to be soundly and peacefully asleep, just in case he would still want to do it.

He knocked on her door but she didn't answer. After a few more knocks, he entered and saw her sleeping like a baby. She looked pale and tired.

“Avril” he called in a whisper which was still like a booming human voice.

He moved closer to her and peered into her closed eyes.

“I just got back from the beach. Do you want to guess what I got for you?” he asked. She didn't answer but e thought he saw a bit of movement around her brows.

“It's ice-cream. The dolphins put it in a vacuum flask so it didn't melt as they traveled here. Plus, the water temperature was cold. I was thinking, maybe you could take it after your medicine and the dressing of your wound”

Avril's mouth moved and Dakar raised a brow. Not questioningly and not surprisingly. He had scented her in the living room when he arrived. And the smell was quite fresh and sharp. Which means she had been there a few minutes before he entered. And she couldn't possibly fall deeply asleep in a few minutes. He knew Avril was pretending.

He began to move away from her then said, “But if you're asleep, I guess we'll have to wait till tomorrow. By then, the ice-cream has melted. What a shame, it wasn't easy getting this”

“Wait!” Avril screamed and he chortled and looked at her

“Busted!” he said and she scoffed. She sat up with a bit of a difficulty and glared at him.

“This isn't a joke, right?” she asked sternly.

“I rather take a salty swim and burn my fur, than lie to you right now” he stated and she heaved a sigh. She glanced at her arm and bit her lip.

“Okay, fine” she finally said

“But take it easy on me. I don't wanna cry while taking ice-cream or my tears will melt it” she added and he purred at her.

“I'll be right back” he said and left the room. Few seconds later, he was back with a clay bowl and a kettle. He dropped the bowl and the balm toppled inside it.

He entered her bathroom and came back with the towel.

“Wait...where is the ice-cream? Bring it before you begin anything!” Avril snapped and Dakar grumbled something and left the room. He returned with a flash which he handed over to her. She couldn't open it with just one hand so he opened it instead, with just one hand.

The sweet smell of strawberry ice cream filled the room immediately and the smile on Avril's face became permanent. All throughout the dressing, she didn't curse and yell. Only little winces and shutting of eyes to avoid screaming. In a matter of time, he was done and she was on to the ice cream.

Dakar shook his head and left her. He had lots of things going on in his mind and just wanted to rest.

The next morning, Avril could walk out and sit at the table for breakfast. Of course Dakar was beside himself with joy.

“Soon, you'll be able to tend the plants with me again” he announced joyfully as he placed a plate of sliced bananas in front of her.

“And also, the coconuts at the beach need husking. I can't wait for you to help me gather them in baskets” he said and sat down. Picking a clay fork, he began to pick unsliced but peeled bananas and eat them. The island bananas were fat but in front of Dakar, they looked smaller.

As he ate, Avril couldn't help but notice something weird. Dakar's paws were changing. They were growing longer lmaking it very easy for him to use a spoon. However, Avril didn't mention this to him.

“Why are you so lazy these days? You want me to help you with everything. I wasn't here for the fifty two years you spent here alone” she sniggered.

“I've gotten so used to your presence that I can't do anything without involving you. If you were here all those fifty two years, I wouldn't have felt half of the trauma I felt.”

Avril gulped and stared at her plate.

“Am I...am I that special?” she mumbled. Hoping he didn't hear her. But she remembered his hearing was very perfect.

“What sort of question is that? Of course you're special and you know it”

“I don't feel like I am”

”Hey, Avril” he called and she looked at him.

“You are special. Very special...to me. And it's not because of that prophecy rubbish. It's because you're part of my life and the lotus in my mud. Without you, I'd probably be wallowing in more depression now. Because of you I have a very important reason to wake up in the morning”

Avril blinked back tears.

“And what is this important reason?” she asked.

“To make you breakfast or you'll eat me instead” he replied and she laughed. Yes, she was very fierce when hungry.

“I wish things would remain like this. I feel so loved” she stated and smiled at him. He beamed and suddenly, something in his face changed form. He looked different immediately and Avril gasped.