Time kept whizzing by; days metamorphosed to weeks; weeks grew to become months. California kept buzzing, no one remembered that a girl lay in a hospital bed, almost forgotten. However, in a distant land of dreams, Adrenaline was living the life of her dreams – with her Prince charming – in an uncomplicated world.
She was to be married to her Prince in the seventh month and become a Princess, but instead of living in a cottage, she would live in a castle. She never wanted to wake from that reality, a reality that she created and was living it.
Her body lay at a hospital in Oakland in a furnished private room. The room was decorated with flowers and lovely notes on each side of the wall. Though she lay amidst the beauty and love of her friends, classmates, and the mystery man, she was not present to feel them or witness them.
"It's been six months already, girl. Please, you have to wake." Stacie said to her one day when she visited. She visited at least once every week due to the distance. She made sure she brought new clothes and snacks for Andrenaline.
"Here, this is your favorite chocolate," she said while unwrapping a bar of chocolate. "If you don't wake, I'll eat them all!"
She'll always end up eating everything without a flinch from Andrenaline. When she was done, she would cry her eyes out.
"Poor Andrenaline. Kate...Kate... Please look after her. I don't want to lose you both." She would burst out crying.
"Her vitals are a bit stable now. We just hope she wakes soon. " The Doctor had told Mr. Josh when he came for a check-up.
"She's been lying like this for months, and this was the same thing you said about three weeks ago. Doctor, please tell me the truth, will she ever wake? How long will it take? " Mr. Josh commented rather impatiently.
"Please, calm down. Some Coma patients take years before the wake, but I'm sure that won't be her case."
So the only thing they were left with was Hope – hope that she would someday open her eyes again. And for that to happen, they were to keep fanning that hope and never let it run out of flames. At least, Mr. Josh would click on it because a lot was at stake.
Slowly, the long-awaited day dragged by. Andrenaline could not contain her excitement of finally getting tied to her Prince charming. He possessed the physique and qualities she ever wanted. He loved her. He adored her. He could not imagine living life without her.
She was dressed in a pure White flowing gown. She radiated beauty. Her groom grinned widely when she walked up to him for the marriage rituals. She stood in a full regalia of a night and his golden hair fell on his shoulder giving him a god-like look and aura. Even his golden eye sparkled with love.
When she reached him, he drew her gently unto his chest from her waist. He placed his forehead on hers and whispered lovingly,
"I've waited for this day my whole life. I can't wait to have you all to myself. I will never leave you or let you leave my side. That's how much I love you, Dyier."
Dyier. The name he called her. She never got to know what it meant or why he called her that. He only told her it was a name that meant so much to him, so she cared less as long as they loved each other.
"Adrenaline, my darling."
Someone called her immediately they sat down to begin the marriage rites. That name and voice sounds familiar, she thought. She was so used to being called Dyier and she almost forgot her name was Andrenaline.
"Did you hear someone call me?" She whispered to him.
"No, my Dyier. No one did." He responded lovingly.
She smiled and concentrated on the ritual.
"Adrenaline, my darling. Come to me." The voice came again.
She looked around but found no one. The voice called to her again, and she heard herself calling out too,
"Mother, is that you?"
"Yes, it's me."
She stood from where she sat and walked towards the wide castle door into a blinding light.
"No!" he yelled. "Come back to me Dyier"
But she was already at the door engulfed with the light.
She coughed and slightly opened her eyes before shutting them again tightly. After a few seconds, she opened them again. Everywhere was blurry, her head was spinning, and she felt dizzy.
"Sleeping beauty," a voice echoed in the background. "You're awake."
She squeezed her eyes to recognize who spoke to her. He was just a figure who moved closer to her. His face came close to hers, and he was smiling at her. She closed her eyes and opened them so she could see clearly.
He was a tall man with his dark hair tied in a burn. He wore a black shirt the shade of his hair which he left unbuttoned at the top to reveal his strong chest muscles. The half-sleeved shirt hung tightly around his muscled arms and shoulders. He paired it with jeans which he tucked in with a shiny brown leather belt and shoes to match. His eye's color was silver. He was breathtakingly good-looking.
"Welcome back, Andren." He smiled at her. "How do you feel? Any pains? Discomfort?"
Andren?
She quickly snapped out of the thought to ask more pressing matters.
"Who are you? Where am I? What happened..."
"Oh," she placed his forefinger on her lips. He felt some wave run through his body by that simple action, so he withdrew his finger slowly.
"Those questions will be answered in due time." He assured her.
However, she was not ready to listen to a total stranger in a strange place. She made to get up, but he gently held her back. He was strong, and there was no way she could surpass him, so she laid back down.
"My name is Andrea," he started. "I understand you refer to me as the mystery man" he smiled.
When he smiles, he reveals a set of white and well-dentition teeth. From her observation, he had a little dimple at the corner of his right cheek which looked cute. She stared at the beauty before her without knowing what to say. Finally, the mystery man has revealed himself.
"You were in an accident seven months ago, and..."
"What?! You mean I've been in a hospital for seven months?'
"Yes, and it's a miracle that you are alive. We've all been worried."
"Where is my dad? Where are Stacie and ... Kate? I was with her in the car?"
"One question at a time, Princess. Your dad stepped out, Stacie was here yesterday, and...Kate...She could not make it. The car was such a wreck that we thought you ..."
She busted out crying. She could not believe Kate had died, and she blamed herself. If she had not gone to that stupid party; if she had not engaged in a silly activity just because she didn't want to be sold off; if she had not accepted the car gift – all those wouldn't have happened in the first place.
He hugged her and allowed her sorrows to flow into his chest thereby soaking his shirt. He could feel her heart melt away under her anguish but could do nothing.
"What are you going to do with me?" she asked him while still sniffing. He was surprised by her sudden question.
"I am not going to harm you, okay? On the contrary, I will take care of you."
"I do not want your care!" she yelled. "You are trying to buy me... Do I look like a piece of furniture to you? I don't want you, just go away please."
"I'm sorry, Princess, but I can't."