Chapter 31. He remembered her
It was already evening when Ava stirred in her sleep. She had slept for the whole day...how hard was the fall? Her eyes opened slowly, as she tried adjusting to her environment. She moaned softly and looked around. There was someone seated on a seat which was next to the bedside table. His head was rested on his arm which was on the table. He seemed to be sleeping.
His hair looked familiar. It was the hair she was used to. The hair she used to tear at, ruffle and plait. Her heart pounded when she realized who was there. Kyle? She was screaming his name in his mind. She was afraid to voice it out. She was scared of the scene turning into an illusion.
However, her mouth was quite fast as curiousity was gnawing at her mind. "Kyle", she finally called.
The person didn't move. She reached out her hand and touched him. "Hey, Kyle", she called again.
The person raised his head and surprisingly, it turned out to be Kyle. His eyes were sleepy but he still spared her a slight smile. Ava was shocked to the marrows. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Her heart was in her mouth. She needed to confirm that this wasn't a dream.
"Is this a dream", she blurted.
Kyle gave her a look. "Have you suddenly turned to Joseph the dreamer? C'mon best, this not a dream".
"You still remember me?", she asked, tears coming to her eyes.
Kyke chuckled. "Did the fall affect your brain? C'mon girl, you're Ava freaking Bateman. You're my bestie!"
Ava let out a sharp cry. Of pain. Of happiness. She was so happy.
"Hey", Kyle continued, "I know I've put you through a lot of shit, I'm so sorry. You can choose not to forgive me, I won't question that".
Ava buried her face in her hands and sobbed. Finally! The heavens remembered her. This was...like in how many days? The days weren't so long but to her, they were the tortuous days of her life. It wasn't even at the time when she lost a game or when she couldn't play in one of the Olympics because she was sick. She realized that those days weren't even tortuous for her. It was at that moment he couldn't even remember her.
Kyle felt his heart clench at the sight of Ava crying. He had never seen her cry. She wasn't one to cry. "Hey...Ava, look up. Look at me. Ava".
The moment she looked up, the bright light hit her eyes almost blinding her. "Kyle?", she called but there was no response.
Ava got a good view of her environment and jolted awake. Her eyes became clear.
"Where's Kyle?", she asked looking around.
Daisy was the only one in the room. She had been there. Alex went out to get something for her to eat when she woke up. "Ava, hey"
"Where's Kyle? He was here just now...", she muttered her body shaking.
Daisy saw this and was alarmed. She whipped out her phone and dialed Alex. She summarized what had happened to him and Alex started running back.
"Ava, there's no Kyle. It's just Daisy and Alex. Well Alex isn't here because he went to get you something".
"No...no, he was here", she said in denial. She couldn't believe what Daisy was telling her.
She climbed down from the bed and tore away the IV drip that was inserted into her wrist.
"Aarghh!", Daisy screamed. "Ava! What are you doing?"
"I need to go and find Kyle! He remembered me. He called my name. He said he was sorry. Where's he?!"
Daisy was about to go crazy. She came forward to hold Ava but she pushed her away, and the latter slammed her butt on the floor. "I need to find Kyle", she muttered and began leaving the clinic. Daisy stood and went after her.
Ava realized that Daisy was coming after her and began running. She was a good runner and so, she outran Daisy. However, Daisy didn't give up. As she ran, she called Alex again and told him that Ava left the clinic. This sent Alex into a panic and he increased his speed. He had to find her. He had to!
Ava was running. She was running really fast. She was running towards the medical department. Maybe he was there. He was waiting for her there. Maybe he was too ashamed and blamed himself for everything. Maybe... She ran and ran till she reached the entrance of the medical building.
Kaitlyn was coming out of the medical department with Kyle. They were talking and laughing at what they found funny and this was the scene that greeted Ava. Kaitlyn sighted her running towards them, and worst still, she was in barefoot. He feet were bleeding but that was too trivial for Ava to notice. The only one that was on her mind was the guy standing in front of her.
It was still afternoon and students were returning home. Everyone was out already and they noticed her running.
"Why the hell is the queen running that fast? Is it part of the training?", a random student asked.
"She's so fast and looks hot in that race", a guy from her class said.
"Do they practice on barefoot?", a female student asked while eating her chocolate.
Ava was oblivious of the scene she was creating. The afternoon sun fell in her face, adding a certain allure to it and with her hair flowing to the pace of the wind, she made a great picture. Even Kyle was stunned. But, why did she seem to be running towards him...?
Ava reached where he was, her arms spreading and she hugged him. Tightly.