"I would never forget you, An-."
And I woke with a start. All sweaty and gooey. I was panting. My head felt very heavy. I clutched at it. the front hairs seemed like they were plastered to my forehead. A glass of water appeared before me. I took it. Then looked up at who gave it to me. It was some lady I hadn't known. Not even seen before. I didn't drink the water. I thrust the glass back at her. I tried clutching something strong. Just in case. My brain might be numb, but not so much so that I would accept anything from a stranger.
"It's okay. You can trust me that much, Andy."
I was shocked. Fear seeped into me. I looked around. Not a place I knew.
"How do you know my name? Where am I? Who are you?"
"Relax. I'm Anwir's mom. He brought you home. He said you were passed out in the cemetery."
Oh, shoot. Such a good guy. No wonder Avy always kept talking to him. what was he doing in the cemetery though?
"He doesn't know where my house is. I'm so sorry. I caused him and you a lot of trouble."
"Well, you were pretty much passed out the whole time. So, no problem at all."
"How long?"
"Just a while."
"I need to call Maya."
Then Anwir appeared.
"I told Avy you were here. She told me they went out. That they 'ran out of coffee beans'" he said, completely confused and hanging his hands in the air. I chuckled. It was our code for 'emergency'.
"Thanks, Anwir. I don't know what happened to me. I'm Andy, by the way."
I extended my hand. He took it but didn't make it feel so formal.
"I mean, we haven't met directly but acknowledge each other's existence. Yeah?"
"Too well. Nice meeting you."
But I knew exactly what happened to me. Almost every time I go to the cemetery, I lose consciousness. That's why I never went alone. It felt so much like they were asking me to come along to them today. I always thought it was some kind of a signal. Because all I saw in my head after passing out was those two kids about twelve years old, holding onto each other. I liked to think that one of the kids was me. And it looked like it too. Same golden hair, greenish eyes, and a bridged nose. But I never got to know who the guy was. They bid their goodbyes and promised each other that they wouldn't forget each other no matter what. But what bugged me was that name. Andromache.
"Hey, you're okay?"
Anwir asked, jostling me out of my thoughts.
"Yeah, yeah. Just feeling a little light-headed."
"Then dinner will make you feel better," she said, pointing towards the table.
"I, um, no. I mean, thank you for letting me stay but I cannot eat here. It's just, it would be really too much of me to ask."
"Honey, it's really okay. And also, it seems like your family was going to be late. They went out of town, didn't they? Anything wrong?"
Out of town? Without telling me?
"Not that I know of," I said, grabbing my mobile.
Instantly, I saw a thousand texts from Avy. Grandma wasn't fine. They didn't have time to pick me up because the cemetery and her house were in opposite directions. I didn't blame them. Reaching her as soon as possible was the priority.
"Oh, Lord" I muttered.
I texted her back about being fine and letting her know if anything went south. I hoped it wouldn't.
"That's not a positive thing to say. What happened?"
"Oh, um. It's just that my grandmother's sick. They had to go."
"I'm very sorry. I hope she recovers very soon."
She smiled. She was pretty.
"Thanks" I sighed.
I had to wash my face. Too much for passing out.
"Where's the restroom?"
"Up and second room. I'll give you a fresh towel."
"I really am sorry if I'm causing trouble."
"I've dealt with Anwir. Been dealing. You're nothing, honey."
"Ma!" he screamed tauntingly from the hall.
"You know it's true."
And to me, she said, "Dinner will be ready in five minutes. Okay?"
Her eyes looked so kind and endearing.
"Thank you so much, Ms…" Damn. I didn't know her last name.
"Turner" she offered.
"Sorry, my cousin didn't mention your last name. Anyway, the point is, I owe you one."
"No, you don't."
She smiled. I smiled back and went up the stairs. She was so nice. So was Anwir. Helping a stranger wasn't very normal. Honestly, I wasn't a completely new person, but still. There were sounds coming from the room she'd asked me to go to. Maybe Anwir's siblings. When I went in, there was no one. But when I peered in, there was someone on the roof. Dark hair, seemed tall even while sitting. Straight spine. The sound was his guitar. He was singing too. Such nice notes. The voice was amazing too. He suddenly turned back. Hopping in, he switched on the lights. "How long have you been there? What are you doing here?" He wasn't even looking at me. "You? Hey, the nerd from the coffee shop." I immediately noticed what I'd done. Shit, I hadn't realized I'd said it out loud. Then he looked up at me. "The late barista. Right."
Ugh. Grump again.
"What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same. Since you're in my house."
Oh, damn. So, Anwir and this guy were brothers? Didn't look like it.
"So, you're…"
"Doesn't matter" he said, stashing the stuff he was holding in the guitar cover. The phrase felt familiar. Brushing past me, he stopped. He looked me right in the eye. And my breath caught in my throat. His eyes. So blue. Like they were supposed to define his iciness.
"Yeah," he muttered. "A word of advice?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't sneak up on people."
"I wasn't-"
And he was gone already. It was like talking to The Dark Knight. I don't know whether to be happy or sad. Or just starstruck because my love for Batman is endless?