My parents soon returned with bright smiles on their faces looking like people who just won a lottery. They looked so happy obviously I could tell that it was because I was finally awake. But for how long have I been like this? lying on a hospital bed like a lifeless figurine statue. I wondered how my family felt about my injury or whatever reason why I've been here this whole time.
For some reason my body wanted to jump off the bed to do something which was still a blur to me. I didn't know why but my legs were ready to wander off though I knew deep down inside that I can't move around as easily as before, perhaps they wanted to complete something I left off. The more I thought about it, the more my head hurt.....
"Don't force yourself" It was the lady doctor "Everything will come back to you at it's own time. You should relax" It was like she could read my mind.
Her words made me relax and even my legs which were aching to move relaxed. Two nurses came in to help me sit up on the bed and to my surprise, my own hands moved reflectively to support me. Although my muscles still felt like jelly the fact that they could still support me gave me the reassurance that I would soon be able to move on my own. My lips stretched into a smile as I got a better view of my family. I opened my mouth to speak and fortunately I made out real words this time.
"I'm happy to see you all" I said but my smile disappeared the moment my mom broke down in tears. I wanted to run to her but the nurses held me down before I could even move and to be truthful, I couldn't move even if i wanted to. My dad comforted her by rubbing her back but she walked away from him and the next second she was on my bed analyzing my face. l slowly took her hand in mine and gave it a light squeeze, I didn't plan on giving such a super light squeeze. it was almost a feather like touch, but that was all my body could do. She cried even more and then she pulled me in for a gentle hug.
"Oh my baby you are really okay. I am so happy. So happy to see your eyes opened again. You don't have any idea how long we've waited, how long we prayed. You don't know" I didn't know what to say to her so I just let her hold me and enjoyed her embrace. My father and siblings soon joined in and gave me a family group hug.
"For how long have i been here?" I finally asked the question that has been running through my mind. The one question that I wasn't sure I wanted to hear the answer to. I really hoped that I hadn't missed too much. But in all honesty I really didn't remember were I stopped, or an idea of what I might have done to get me on a hospital bed. I was desperate for answers. They looked at each other quietly before facing me.
"Zara-" Emelie started "Don't freak out but its been two years" I looked at him and gave him this 'i don't believe you' look but the seriousness on everyone's face forced me to accept this reality. It sounded logical considering how aged everyone looked.
"That's impossible." I just wasn't ready to accept this whether it was logical or not. I felt lost in time or maybe I was living in dream land because everyone and everything I heard from my brother sounded completely unrealistic. Who is able to stay in coma for two years? Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for waking up but...
I kept shaking my head weakly as I continued telling myself that this whole thing was simply not possible. 'What is going on?!!' I asked in my head.
"We should let her rest for a while before we continue." The lady doctor said. "We will answer all your questions after that" She added with a smile before leaving along with my family. I had a lot to take in and maybe resting would help cool my mind down because there was a huge mess in there. Two years! I was still and immobile for two years straight. I closed my eyes in an attempt to get some sleep but it wasn't working. I stayed awake for sometime still trying to digest all I heard and it was seriously difficult to do. But soon, I felt myself give in to slumber due to the extreme quietness of the room I was in.
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My eyes were hurting as I desperately searched for an exit but fire was all I could see everywhere I turned. The smoke was already infiltrating my senses causing me to choke and gasp heavily for air. As if that wasn't bad enough a piece of the ceiling which was on fire fell on me trapping my small frame beneath it. I couldn't move and I knew my clothes had already started burning off, my body was hurting so bad. Strangely, I could make out two silhouettes from the fire. One was pointing a pistol at the other.
"Please don't!" I yelled with all the strength left in me and for that minute my words seemed to work. Then I heard a voice shouting" If I can't have her, then no one else will, including you!" Then I heard a loud bang before something really heavy hit my head and knocked me out completely.
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I abruptly opened my eyes and my heart beat so fast against my chest. I was shaking all over. Why would I have such a scary dream the very first day I wake up after two years and worst part was that that dream didn't make any sense...........or so I thought.