Chapter 13: A feverish secret.
Anna took Aria to her room. She called Antosia and Evelyn because Aria's temperature was very high and her body was very cold. Her breathing stopped from time to time.
Antosia was afraid that this could happen. She thought that even if Aria survived, she might die at any time because her body was too fragile. She was between life and death.
The whole group was told about Aria's health. She hadn't woken up in the past two weeks. Andrew was in the worst state. He made sure he checked on her every day. They couldn't take her to the hospital because the doctor wouldn't be able to diagnose her.
Her skin became pale, like a dead person's. But luckily, she still had a little life in her.
As the days passed, Andrew grew more and more desperate. He spent every spare moment by Aria's side, talking to her, holding her hand, and willing her to wake up. The others tried to be supportive, but even they couldn't hide their worry. Antosia and Evelyn took turns caring for Aria, trying to keep her comfortable and stable.
One day, as Andrew sat beside Aria's bed, he noticed something strange. Aria's eyes flickered open, and she gazed up at him with a faint smile. Andrew's heart leapt with joy, but before he could react, Aria's eyes closed again, and she slipped back into unconsciousness.
Andrew was left feeling stunned and confused. Had he really seen Aria wake up, or was it just his imagination playing tricks on him? He leaned forward, his ear inches from Aria's lips, hoping to catch any whisper of sound.
And then, he heard it. A faint whisper, barely audible, but unmistakable. "Andrew..."
Her fever had calmed down a little this past week. It had been terrible. He had to act like he didn't care, but he did.
He had developed more feelings for her this past week.
When Aria sat up for the first time, he felt happy. Tears almost rolled down his face. Aria looked at him as tears ran down her cheeks. Then, he hugged her very tightly. "I thought you would die," Andrew said, his grip tightening. Aria's tears increased. "I was scared. I thought I would never see you again."
"I couldn't see or move my body, but I could hear everything around me.
You came every day, kept flowers on the flower vase, and made sure I was okay."
As Aria spoke, her voice trembled, and Andrew's grip on her tightened. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling the sweet scent that he had missed so much. "I was so scared of losing you," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion.
Aria's tears slowed, and she wrapped her arms around Andrew, holding him close. "I'm sorry," she whispered back. "I didn't mean to scare you."
As they held each other, the tension and fear of the past week began to dissipate. Andrew felt a sense of relief wash over him, followed by a deeper realization - he had fallen deeply in love with Aria.
As they pulled back to look at each other, Andrew's eyes locked onto Aria's, and he knew that he couldn't hide his feelings anymore. But before he could say anything, Aria's eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint, and she whispered, "I have a secret to tell you..."
Andrew's curiosity was piqued, and he leaned in closer to Aria, his eyes locked onto hers. "What is it?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Aria's smile grew wider, and she glanced around the room, as if checking to make sure they were alone. "I remember things," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
Andrew's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?" he asked, his mind racing with possibilities.
Aria's eyes sparkled with a knowing glint. "I remember things from...before," she whispered, her voice trailing off.
Andrew's heart skipped a beat as he realized what Aria was implying. "Before what?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.
Aria's gaze locked onto his, and she whispered, "Before I met you...before I came to this university...before my life here."
"I remember little but not much, but I hadn't called Pristin. The boy had blue hair and his eyes were yellow, and I think I called him Victor, but do you know something?"
"Hmm," Andrew said. "I wasn't happy, so I've decided I don't want to remember."
"Why?" Andrew looked at her with a worried face. "Is it because thinking about it makes me sad, and I don't want to be sad when I am around you?"
"And you are the only person I think about, and I am happy deep down."
Aria held Pristin's hand. "Andrew," she called. "You were the only person I was afraid to lose, and it pained me deeply whenever you came into my room. I wished I could call your name and tell you how tired I am of staying in one position."
Andrew's eyes welled up with tears as he listened to Aria's words. He felt a deep sense of emotion, knowing that Aria had been thinking of him all along, even when she was unable to express it.
He took a step closer to Aria, his voice barely above a whisper. "Aria, I'm here for you. I'm not going anywhere. You don't have to be afraid of losing me."
Aria's gaze locked onto Andrew's, and she smiled weakly. "I know," she whispered. "But it's hard to explain. When I was lying in bed, I felt so alone. But whenever you came into my room, I felt a sense of comfort. I felt like I wasn't alone anymore."
Andrew's heart swelled with emotion as he listened to Aria's words. He felt a deep connection to her, and he knew that he would do anything to make her happy.
Without thinking, Andrew reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair out of Aria's face. His fingers grazed her cheek, and he felt a spark of electricity run through his body.
Aria's eyes fluttered closed, and she leaned into Andrew's touch. "Andrew," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Andrew's heart skipped a beat as he heard Aria whisper his name. He felt a rush of emotions, and his hand instinctively wrapped around hers, holding it gently.
"Aria," he whispered back, his voice low and husky. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."
Aria's eyes fluttered open, and she gazed up at Andrew, her eyes shining with a soft light. She smiled weakly, and Andrew's heart melted.
Without thinking, Andrew leaned in, his face inches from Aria's. He could feel her warm breath on his skin, and his heart pounded in his chest.
Just as it seemed like Andrew was about to kiss Aria, Pristin's voice cut through the air, shattering the moment. "Aria, are you okay?" Pristin asked, concern etched on her face.
Aria's gaze snapped away from Andrew's, and she nodded weakly at Pristin. "I'm fine," she whispered.
Andrew's face flushed with embarrassment, and he quickly released Aria's hand, taking a step back. He tried to play it cool, but his heart was still racing from the almost-kiss.
As Pristin helped Aria settle back into bed, Andrew couldn't shake off the feeling of what had almost happened. He felt a mix of emotions: excitement, guilt, and confusion.
Aria, sensing Andrew's gaze, looked up at him with a soft smile. "Thank you, Andrew," she whispered, her eyes sparkling with gratitude.
Andrew's heart skipped a beat as he smiled back at her. "Anytime, Aria," he replied, his voice low and gentle.
Pristin, noticing the exchange, raised an eyebrow. "I think Aria needs some rest," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "Why don't you guys give her some space?"
Andrew nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment. He didn't want to leave Aria's side, but he knew Pristin was right.
As he turned to leave, Aria's voice stopped him. "Andrew?"
He turned back, his heart racing with anticipation. "Yeah?"
Aria's smile grew wider. "I'm glad you were here."
Andrew's heart melted at her words. "Me too, Aria," he whispered, his eyes locked onto hers.
And with that, he turned and left, feeling like he was walking on air.