54 Visions

Jake gently nudged her, "Hey" and she stepped out. Jake didn't say another word as they walked towards the parking and hopped in the driver seat of his pick-up truck.

Zara settled in the parking seat and Jake started the ignition. The doctor's prescription was now a crumpled piece of paper. She started smoothing it out just to keep herself occupied.

Her mind was stuck on the signs that she saw. Was that real? Or her head was imagining things like the black-eyed woman?

Jake drove the truck and she kept toying with the paper. After five minutes of excruciating silence he finally spoke, "You are practically a minute away from ironing that paper with your bare hands."

Zara let go of her attempts and folded the paper carefully, "We should go to the drugstore and buy these medicines."

"No need, your mother has already stacked them in your room."

Zara looked at him curiously, "How do you know that?"

Jake sighed and turned to look at her. His face looked beautiful in the afternoon sun as the sun rays defined his sharp features. His brown eyes were soft and he looked at her earnestly. He held her pale wrist, the blue veins visible under her soft skin. 

Jake made a strangled noise, "Your therapist told me that you used to be knocked out for a day or two in your childhood as well. I went through all your medical records, with your mother's permission of course, and saw that you were almost always prescribed certain medicines. I went to the drugstore with your mom and stacked them should you need them when you wake up. It gave me a purpose, a goal to do something till the doctors figured out a way to..well get you back."

Zara blinked, what all had her mom not told her? How much did she owe Jake for helping her?

He then looked in her eyes, pouring his heart and soul into the next words, "And here you are. So, I will be waiting for you whenever you feel ready."

Jake released her hand and they drove in silence for the remaining route. While Zara bit her lip worrying over her issues, Jake drove the pick-up wondering how long he could hold the act up. 

Jake dropped Zara home and drove off after giving her a small smile. Zara opened the door and was surprised to find Veronica already waiting for her.

Veronica jumped up from the sofa and ran towards her best friend. She squeezed her and Zara grinned, "I wanted to surprise you but then I learnt from your mom that you were out."

Zara hugged Veronica once more before releasing her grip, "Yes, you would have known that had you been in touch with me. Where have you been? It's like you went off to some other planet leaving me all alone."

Zara punched her in the shoulder and Veronica scowled, "Oww, idiot. I didn't leave you alone, I left Jake to look after you. He has been under my supervision."

The two friends giggled and talked for hours until Zara's mom returned home and cooked some delicious meatballs for them.

The next morning the alarm bell rang loudly and both of them scrambled to get ready and hurried to school. Zara had combed her hair extra nicely and looked around for Jake as Veronica parked her car.

They went to their classes as usual but Zara's mind was not in the class. Her eyes kept glancing to the chair where Jake sat, it was empty. Jake made sure he attended as many classes as possible. 

She threw a raised eyebrow to Veronica and pointed at the empty chair meaning to ask where Jake was but Veronica only shrugged. They sat together for one more class as students walked in and walked out. Every time someone came in, Zara's eyes would turn to the doors but she was disappointed.

When Jake was a no-show for the fourth class in a row, Zara got up and dragged Veronica with her. 

"What are you doing?" yelled Veronica as she grabbed her books and shoved them in her bag.