Thea stood at the doorstep of Ryder's house, her heart racing with anxiety. She had seen Ryder's mother, Mrs. Thompson, in years, but the warmth of her smile and the kindness in her eyes remained etched in her memory.
"Thea,you came to meet him?" Mrs. Thompson asked, her voice gentle and caring.
Thea gave her a small smile. She had longed for a mother's love and warmth for so long, and Mrs. Thompson's embrace was the closest she had come to feeling that since her parents' passing.
Mrs. Thompson's eyes filled with compassion as she opened her arms, inviting her into a warm hug. Thea's defenses crumbled as she felt the warmth of Mrs. Thompson's embrace, the softness of her perfume, and the gentle stroking of her hair.
Her thoughts drifted back to her parents, to the happy memories she had of them, to the pain of losing them at such a young age. Her uncle's rejection still stung, but her grandmother's love had been a balm to her wounded soul.
As Mrs. Thompson held her, she felt a lump form in her throat. She missed her parents dearly, but in this moment, she felt a sense of peace, a reminder that there were still people in the world who cared for her, who loved her unconditionally.
"Thank you, Aunty.." Theas whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.
"He's in his room, I just came back from there.He has a fever...Be careful, don't catch it from him."
Thea nodded sympathetically. "Hmm, Aunty."
Her heart raced as she stood outside Ryder's room, her hand trembling on the doorknob. He spent some time at his aunt's house and returned home two days ago.She had missed him terribly during his absence, and the thought of seeing him again made her pulse race with excitement and nervousness.
She knocked gently on the door, but no answer emerged from within. Thea's apprehension surged, her grip intensifying as she wavered before twisting the doorknob.The door swung open, revealing an expansive space that mirrored Ryder's calm and collected personality. The walls, painted a soothing sky blue.The large, spacious area was neatly arranged, with every item carefully positioned .
A cream-colored sofa and matching armchairs sat invitingly in the center of the room.
A sleek, dark wood coffee table held a few select books and a vase of fresh flowers.
A floor-to-ceiling bookshelf, lined with Ryder's favorite volumes, stood against one wall.
The curtains, a crisp white with subtle navy blue stripes, hung gracefully from ceiling to floor, filtering the natural light and casting a warm glow across the room.
As she stepped inside, her eyes scanned the room, taking in the familiar sights and sounds. The large window allowed natural light to flood the space, illuminating the carpet and the modern furnitures. Her gaze landed on the bed, where Ryder lay motionless.His breathing was calm and rhythmic.
She approached him, her eyes drinking in the sight of his pale face, his dark hair damp with sweat. She could feel the heat emanating from his body, his skin radiating a feverish glow. Her hand instinctively reached out, her fingers brushing against his forehead, feeling the warmth and the dampness of his skin.
She noticed the bowl of cold water on the table, a testament to Mrs. Thompson's efforts to bring down his fever. Her eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at Ryder, her heart aching as she saw him lying down on his bed.
Thea's soft whisper was a fervent prayer, her voice faltering with anguish. "Ryder, your fever will recede, and you'll mend. You have to mend." She smothered a cry, her eyes flooding with tears. The sorrow of her parents' passing still scarred her heart, and the thought of losing Ryder too was excruciating. She gripped his hand tightly, her hold infused with urgency, as if anchoring him could keep him safe.
With a tender caress, she dampened a clean cloth in the fresh water, then laid it across Ryder's forehead, her fingers gently sweeping his hair back. Her gaze remained fixed on his face.
As she continued to wipe his face with the cool cloth, she sensed a subtle movement, a slight twitch of his eyelids.She realized he was waking up. She held her breath, her eyes fixed on his face, mesmerized by the slow blinking of his eyes.
Ryder's eyes finally opened, and Thea's heart raced as she gazed into their depths. His waking face was a sight to behold - his eyes, though cloudy with fever,his lips curling into a faint smile as he beheld her.
Her breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of him, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't tear her eyes away from his face, drinking in the familiar features she had missed so dearly.
"Ryder?" she whispered.
Ryder's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes narrowing slightly as he tried to focus. "Thea.." he whispered back, his voice husky with sleep and fever.Her heart soared at the sound of his voice, her eyes welling up with tears. "I'm here.."
When Mrs. Thompson entered the room, she was happy at the sight of Thea and Ryder together. A warm smile spread across her face, her eyes shining with happiness.