Chapter 13: The Wake

Adex remained silent, extremely perplexed. Everything that's happened since his birthday has been unusual. At first, he was informed that Lydia had succumbed to the accident. He felt devastated and remorseful for her loss. He realised that she was alive and struggling to survive in a hospital bed. He remembered the woman in his house who claimed to be Lydia. She slept peacefully in his bed as if nothing had happened.

There were two versions of him. Two worlds are colliding. The walls trapped him as they appeared to be getting closer. Adex rubbed his temples, attempting to comprehend everything. Was he delirious? Was this just a strange dream? Or was something more profound, beyond his understanding, unfolding before him? His breath steadied, and only one thought made sense. 

"I must be daydreaming," he murmured.

Beside him, Neyo and Seun sat with their gaze fixed on the device monitoring Lydia's heartbeat. Apart from the gentle hum and repetitive beeping of the medical equipment, the room stayed silent. Adex heard her voice, but it was hardly audible.

"Adex." Lydia's voice was weak and shaking but clear.

Adex's heart raced as he jerked his gaze up. He hurried to her side and gently placed her hand in his. "Don't speak, my love," he whispered, his voice unsteady. "You'll be fine. Please remain calm."

Lydia's eyes opened, and a slight smile appeared on her lips. "I... I missed your birthday," she said faintly, her voice weak.

Adex felt his throat constrict with emotion. "No, you didn't, my love. You were with me the whole time. I felt your presence throughout the celebration," he whispered.

He knelt next to the bed, his eyes fixed on her face. He felt both joy and disbelief at the sight of her awakening. "I'm glad you're here," he murmured, his voice trembling. "You have no idea what I've been through."

His heart was caught between love and fear as he pressed a delicate kiss on her hand and held it against his chest.

John tapped Adex's shoulder. "The doctor overseeing her treatment asked to see you before you arrived," he informed him.

"I'll go see him in his office," Adex replied, his fingers still wrapped around Lydia's hand. He leaned in closer. "I'll be back, my love. I need to check in with the doctor. Stay strong for me."

He slowly rose and exited the room, leaving John, Seun, and Neyo behind.

Lydia's eyes drifted back to sleep as the machines softly beeped in the quiet room.

Adex walked through the quiet hospital corridor, and his mind wandered. The floor covered in cold tile looked endless beneath his feet. Each step he took made him feel heavier, like he were sinking into the unknown. He rubbed his temples, attempting to solve the challenging puzzle before him.

Lydia was alive. He was sure of that. He had seen her, conversed with her, and touched her hand. But then there was the other Lydia at home, sleeping peacefully as if the accident had never happened. His head throbbed at the thought. How could two versions of the same person exist?

He turned to a corner and lightly knocked on the door to the doctor's office. A muffled voice responded, and he entered. The room emitted the typical sterile hospital scent of antiseptic and disinfectant. Behind the desk, a middle-aged man sat with a kind yet tired face. His name tag read Dr. Ben.

"You asked to see me, Doctor?" Adex inquired, forcing his voice to remain steady.

Dr. Ben nodded and gestured towards a chair. "Please, sit."

Adex slid into the chair, his expression unreadable.

"Lydia is stable for now," the doctor began, flipping through some papers. "She's lucky to be alive. The injuries were severe, but she's responding to treatment. However..." He hesitated, glancing up at Adex. "Something peculiar is happening," he continued.

Adex became rigid. "What do you mean?" He inquired with a curious tone.

The doctor set the file down and folded his hands. "Her recovery is... unusual. We expected her to be in a coma much longer. The way she's healing doesn't entirely align with the severity of her injuries."

Adex exhaled sharply. "I don't understand?" He looked confused.

"I'm not sure," Dr. Ben admitted. "But I want to keep monitoring her closely. Please inform me if you notice anything unusual or anything at all."

"Maybe her sudden recovery is a miracle," Adex replied softly.

"I'm not disputing that miracles exist, but this is beyond anything I've encountered in all my years of experience." He adjusted his seat and continued, "There are no fractures, the wounds healed abruptly, and the bruises disappeared within minutes of treatment."

Dr. Ben scoffed. "You call that a miracle?"

Adex appeared confused and was quiet for a while, trying to make sense of what the doctor had said.

"But she's in pain," he said, his voice filled with curiosity.

Dr. Ben continued, "You call that pain? She can only complain about body aches and a headache." He shook his head. "People like her, involved in such accidents, usually suffer serious spinal injuries or remain in a coma for months before recovering. Are you telling me that her quick recovery in less than 24 hours isn't something I should be worried about?"

Adex was speechless, aware that something had been amiss since the night of his birthday. He cast his eyes downward in deep sadness before rising from the chair. He glanced back at the doctor.

"Thank you, Doctor. I will see you later," Adex said, giving a slight nod before turning toward the door. His mind was still restless, but he knew he had to keep moving.

Dr. Ben stayed silent, folding his arms as he watched Adex leave, his face marked with concern. The door slammed shut behind him, and the doctor shrugged his shoulders before returning to the file in front of him.

Adex exited the room and walked down the hallway, meeting with Seun, Neyo, and John, who were waiting for him. John stepped forward, concern on his face.

"I hope there isn't a problem?" he inquired, his voice laced with apprehension.

Adex replied without hesitation, though his eyes suggested a sense of unease. "I need your car keys." He reached out, his hand trembling slightly as he extended it toward John. "It's important, trust me," he added, attempting to sound more convincing than he had before.

John raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Where are you going?"

"I need to check something at home. It's urgent," Adex explained, his expression curious yet troubled. He snatched the keys from John, his fingertips briefly brushing against his friend's hand.

John raised an eyebrow, sensing the weight behind Adex's words. "Is everything okay?" he asked, concern creeping into his voice.

Adex forced a smile. "I'm fine. I just need to confirm something at home. I'll be back in a moment." He cautiously shifted his gaze toward Neyo.

"How is Lydia doing right now?" Adex asked, his voice calm.

"She's drifted back to sleep. We were worried about you, so we came to find you," Neyo replied.

Seun stepped forward, his voice soft. "Adex, are you alright? You seem troubled by something."

"I'm all right. Stay with her. I'll be back," Adex reassured him, although his eyes still appeared distant.

Adex looked at him briefly as if he were about to share his thoughts. He remained silent, and his expression closed off.

"I'll be alright," he replied softly, his expression revealing nothing.

"Don't stay long, buddy," Neyo said. His voice was light but had a hint of concern.

Without waiting for a reply, he walked toward the exit. As he strolled alone down the hospital corridor, his mind raced. Something about Lydia's identity struck him as odd, and an unsettling tension in his stomach told him that the answers lay at home.

As he stepped outside, the cool night air stroked his skin. He slid into the driver's seat and started the engine, tightening his grip on the steering wheel. His house was nearby, yet the drive stretched longer than usual. With every turn on the road, the feelings of anxiety kept growing stronger as he continued driving.

What was he on the verge of uncovering?