David Snyman's heart sank when he heard her proclaim. Did I move too fast? Doesn't she wanna be with me? David could feel his heart cracking about to break. His hands were sweaty and thin sweat laced his forehead. He didn't know how to proceed after that exclamation.
"Sorry" Bailey Harper softly breathed. She didn't mean to say what she said but she couldn't take it back now. She breathed slowly and made her way infront of him. David, shy of whatever she was gonna say, quickly said "Don't worry, this isn't a romantic gesture, I uh" he was now sweating buckets and scared "pl-please don't misunderstand. I just wanted you to have a relaxed time and forget the bad memory" he had to think on his feet. Because the look on her face had already told him what he needed to know but he couldn't afford to hear her saying it.
He knew from the way he looked that she felt pity for him, and maybe just care, but nothing beyond that. And he couldn't stomach the thought of the woman he was deeply inlove with for over 6 months didn't love her back. So he had to lie to her, to keep her friendship a while longer. Because he couldn't afford to loose her, it would be fine if they just continued being friends, just so that she can just stay by his side.
From the moment he saw her that rainy day in the drain, he had fallen inlove with her. She was dirty and muddy and looked like a beggar, but her skin was too soft and tender to be of a homeless beggar. So he decided to take her in his hut, he carried her for 2 hours walking on the road in the rain with her. Her natural scent was captivating, and although she smelt of sweat her natural scent didn't disappear. She smelt divinely and he knew right then he wanted to smell her beautiful scent all his life.
By the time he got to his shack the rain had washed away most of the dirt on her, she was beautiful. Like a goddess that just fell from heaven. He couldn't keep his eyes off of her, he swallowed his lust to help her bath in warm water and dress in new clothing. By midnight he was still up nursing her fever. She was unconscious and couldn't take the medication herself so he had to forcefully feed her using his mouth. And although he wasn't really kissing her, her lips still tastes like the best desert on earth. He looked forward to medication time for two full weeks, because her lips were so soft and tender. At times he would steal kisses from her when he couldn't wait for medication times.
But when she woke up, he had to act like a gentleman. He didn't want to scare her off and didn't wanna forcefully make her his either. So he swallowed his love for her for the meantime while he worked on getting her to love him too. "Who are you?" was the first thing she asked when she woke up, she was so firm and scary a bit, like she was the queen of the world worthy of all respect. He told her who he was and how she got there all in one breathe. It was only a while later that day that he realised she had no memory, he was angry at himself for spilling the beans too fast as he could've used that opportunity to lie to her and say she was his wife. Then they would've worked on developing their love without her pulling up a wall in between them. But there was no use crying over spilled milk.
A few days later, she started shaking, running a fever, scratching her skin as if she wanted to peel it off, she even started hallucinating. David hired a local farmers truck to take her to a hospital 3 hours away and that's when they were told she was having withdrawal symptoms of drugs. They got medication and a treatment plan and by the time they got back to the shack he still couldn't believe it. How could a young beautiful goddess like this be hooked on drugs? She even looked too rich to be on drugs. However she had no recollection of herself so they was no use trying to think too hard about it.
It had been a tough 5 months since then, struggling with her withdrawal symptoms, he didn't even have time to think about love let alone making a move. He had to juggle between farming and taking care of her. Nights were the worst, she would have hallucinating nightmares and it would take hours before she could fall asleep. However, in between episodes, she was a delight. Funny, witty and clever. She has even helped him save money. And she would surprise herself when she cooks up a perfect meal. And that was how he would fall deeper and deeper in love with her, it was during those clear moments.
A month ago she stopped having withdrawal symptoms. She would twitch now and then but that had stopped a week ago. So now, as reality would like to bid against him, just when he thought he could make her fall in love with him she started having memories back. That would just mean one thing - she was about to go back to her life, away from him. And he just couldn't have that, he wouldn't let it.
She smiled, that beautiful sunshine smile that always made him feel a knot in his stomach, and she looked down and said softly "Thank you," and she looked him in the eyes "You very kind"