"She's in that room," the intern said.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it. I can walk you in."
"That's cool of you."
"It's my job…"
I heard the faint footsteps walking towards my room and getting louder as they got closer. There is a cannula in my left hand, so I could move easily on my right. I stopped thinking he'll come around. Sebastian!
He walked in. His presence fills the room and his eyes meet mine, a mix of emotions flickers across his face—concern, relief I think, and a hint of something else, something hidden beneath the surface.
"Hey," he says softly, his voice laced with a tenderness I haven't yet experienced from him. "How are you feeling?"
I struggle to find the right words, my voice still hoarse from the unending questions that swirl within my mind. "Confused," I manage to utter, my eyes searching his face for any hint of familiarity.
Sebastian pulls up a chair beside my bed, his gaze never wavering from mine. "I can only imagine how overwhelming this must be for you," he replies, his voice tinged with empathy. "But remember, you're not alone in this. We're here to support you."
His words touch a chord within me. I was with him. What is he saying now? I take a moment to study his face, searching for traces of the enigmatic secret that seems to linger in the depths of his eyes.
"Sebastian, there's something I need to ask you," I begin, my voice tentative. "There's a flicker of familiarity when I look at you as if we share a deeper connection than before. I wanted to say it that day we met but I couldn't. And there is this. Is there something you're not telling me?"
A flicker of vulnerability passes over his face, his guarded façade momentarily crumbling. He takes a deep breath, his eyes locked with mine as he musters the courage to reveal a part of himself.
"Fiona," he begins, his voice filled with hesitation. "There is something... something that connects us on a profound level. But it's not an easy story to share."
"That something, I'd like to know."
Sebastian reaches out, gently taking hold of my hand, his touch sending a shiver of familiarity through me. "You and I... we come from different worlds, Fiona. Our paths collided in a way that defied logic and reason. But it was never a chance encounter."
My heart quickens its pace, the weight of his words hanging in the air, pregnant with unspoken truths. "What do you mean?" I ask my voice barely a whisper.
Sebastian leans in closer, his eyes locked with mine, his voice laced with a hint of longing. "Fiona, you and I... we share a bond that transcends time and circumstances. Our lives are intertwined through a web of fate, secrets, and an undeniable connection."
A tremor of recognition courses through me, as if a hidden veil is slowly being lifted, revealing glimpses of a forgotten past. Fragments of memories flash before my eyes, fleeting and elusive, like the whispers of a long-forgotten dream.
"There's more to us than meets the eye," Sebastian continues, his voice filled with a mix of sorrow and determination. "But for now, I need you to trust me. Trust that we will uncover the truth together, no matter how daunting the journey may be."
"I still don't understand."
"You'll, Fiona. You'll soon."
Tears well up in my eyes with a potent blend of frustration and longing. I squeeze his hand tightly and a silent vow passes through me.
"Just trust me."
"I trust you, Sebastian," I say, my voice filled with longings. Thought of my stepfather came back flashing. His shallow laughter and the cries at night. "Lead the way."
His gaze softens. A sense of relief washes over him. He brushes a stray strand of hair from my face, his touch gentle yet protective.
"Thank you, Fiona," he murmurs.
His phone started ringing. A shrill ringtone. He fumbles for it in his pocket, his brows furrowing with concern as he reads the caller ID.
"Excuse me, Fiona," he says, his tone filled with urgency. "I have to take this."
I nod, sensing the weight of the call and the importance it holds. He steps out of the room, the door closing behind him.
The room seems to grow dimmer, the silence pressing against my eardrums like a heavy shroud. I wonder what secrets he holds. I barely know him.
Minutes pass, each one stretching like an eternity. Doubt begins to seep into my thoughts. A part of me yearns to know the truth.
Just as uncertainty threatens to consume me, the door swings open, and Sebastian re-enters the room. His expression is a mix of tension.
"Everything okay?" I inquired, my voice tinged with concern.
He forces a smile, though I can detect a trace of worry in his eyes. "Just a minor issue that needs my attention," he replies, his words carefully chosen. "Nothing for you to worry about, Fiona. We have our journey to embark on."
"You're right," I say, "I need some water."
"Okay."
"Oh, I have this button to press."
"That's nice." His face hardened up and it was apparent something was disturbing him. Perhaps from the call.
He reaches out, his hand gently caressing my cheek, a tender gesture that fills me with a sense of comfort and belonging.
"You'll be fine. We will face them together, Fiona," he says, his voice filled with unwavering resolve. "No matter what lies ahead, I promise you this: I will protect you, I will guide you, and I will be by your side every step of the way."
At that moment, the room seems to brighten even though his face seems to be frightened. Questions are longer in my mind and secrets loom in the periphery. I find solace somehow in him and at the same time, I don't know what to make of it. It's like another organic compound trying to break away.
"I'll have to go now." He says.