Akai's Heartache
Chapter 2: Kaia's Heartache
Akai 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.
"Akai, how have you been?" Mrs. Thompson asked, her voice gentle and caring.
Akai forced a small smile, her eyes welling up with tears. 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 Akai into a warm hug. Akai'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. It was a moment of tender comfort, a reminder of the love and nurturing she had been denied for so long.
Akai's 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, Akai 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," Akai whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.
Mrs. Thompson's hold tightened, her voice filled with warmth. "You're always welcome here, Akai. You're family to us."
Mrs. Thompson's words echoed in her mind, "He's in his room, I just came back from there." Akai's mind imagined the worst, her fear for Ryder's health propelling her forward.
Akai's heart raced as she stood outside Ryder's room, her hand trembling on the doorknob. She had missed him so much, and the thought of seeing him again made her pulse race with excitement and nervousness.
She knocked softly on the door, but no response came from inside. Akai's anxiety spiked, her hand tightening on the doorknob as she hesitated for a moment before turning it. The door creaked open, revealing a room that was a testament to Ryder's personality - sleek, modern, and minimalist, with a hint of playfulness.
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 plush carpet and the sleek furniture. Her gaze landed on the bed, where Ryder lay motionless, his chest rising and falling with each labored breath.
Her heart skipped a beat as 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. Akai's eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at Ryder, her heart aching as she saw him lying down on his bed.
Akai's whisper was a desperate plea, her voice trembling with fear. "Ryder, please, you have to be okay. Your fever will break, and you'll be fine. You have to be fine." She choked back a sob, her eyes brimming with tears. The memory of her parents' loss was still raw, and the thought of losing Ryder too was unbearable. She grasped his hand, her grip tight with anxiety, as if holding on to him could keep him safe.
With a gentle touch, Akai moistened a cloth from the bowl and placed it on Ryder's forehead, her hand stroking his hair back, her eyes never leaving his face.
As Akai continued to wipe Ryder's face with the cool cloth, she sensed a subtle movement, a slight twitch of his eyelids. Her heart skipped a beat as 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 Akai's heart raced as she gazed into their depths. His waking face was a sight to behold - his eyes, though cloudy with fever, still sparkled with a hint of mischief, his lips curling into a faint smile as he beheld her.
Akai's 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, her voice barely audible, her hand still stroking his hair.
Ryder's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes narrowing slightly as he tried to focus. "Akai?" he whispered back, his voice husky with sleep and fever.
Akai's heart soared at the sound of his voice, her eyes welling up with tears. "I'm here," she replied, her voice cracking with emotion.
Ryder's gaze softened, his eyes filling with a deep longing. "You could never lose me, Akai."
As Mrs. Thompson entered the room, her eyes widened with joy at the sight of Akai and Ryder together. A warm smile spread across her face, her eyes shining with happiness.
"Ah, my dear children," she exclaimed, her voice filled with affection.
Ryder's face lit up with a weak smile, his eyes still cloudy with fever. "Hi, Mom," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Mrs. Thompson's hands tenderly stroked his face, her touch filled with love and concern. "How are you feeling, son?" she asked, her voice soft and caring.
Ryder's gaze drifted to Akai, his eyes locking onto hers with a deep intensity. "I'm feeling a lot better, Mom," he replied, his voice stronger now. "Thanks to Akai."
Akai's eyes welled up with tears at the gratitude in Ryder's voice, her heart overflowing with emotion. Mrs. Thompson's eyes met hers, a understanding smile passing between them.
"Akai, today you will have lunch with us, okay?" Mrs. Thompson asked, her voice firm but gentle.
Akai hesitated, her eyes darting to Ryder's face. "Aunty..."
Mrs. Thompson's hand raised, her finger wagging playfully. "No Akai, today you listen to me. You two need to catch up, and I won't take no for an answer."
Just then, Mrs. Jane, the head housemaid, knocked on the door, a steaming bowl of nourishing soup in her hands. "Master Ryder, I brought your favorite soup, dear," she said, her voice warm and comforting.
Ryder's eyes lit up, his face pale with hunger. "Thank you, Mrs. Jane," he whispered, his voice filled with gratitude.
As Mrs. Jane placed the bowl on the bedside table, Akai's eyes met Ryder's, a deep understanding passing between them.
"Akai can you help in feeding him..I have some work to do for now"
"Yes Aunty."
"Okay then ..son don't play any tricks on Akai."
This is Mrs. Thompson's warning to Ryder, teasingly telling him to behave himself and not play any tricks on Akai while she is feeding him.
Akai's eyes sparkled with determination as she took the bowl from Mrs. Thompson, her small hands cradling it with care. "I can do it, Aunty," she said, her voice filled with confidence.
Ryder's gaze drifted from the photo on the wall, his eyes locking onto Akai's face with a hint of mischief. "I can do it, Akai," he protested, his voice weak but playful.
Akai's face set in a firm expression, her eyes shining with a knowing glint. "No, today I will feed you. Didn't you hear your mom ask me to feed you? Although I am small, I know how to feed others." she said, her voice filled with a sense of responsibility.
Ryder's eyes softened, his gaze filling with a deep affection as he looked at Akai. He knew she was right, and he was too weak to argue. He nodded slightly, his eyes never leaving hers.
As Akai began to feed him, Ryder's gaze drifted back to the photo on the wall, taken six years ago when Akai was just nine years old. He remembered that day vividly, the way Akai's eyes sparkled with laughter, her smile lighting up the room. Time flies so fast, he thought, his heart filled with a mix of emotions.
Akai's voice brought him back to the present, her words gentle and soothing. "Open your mouth, Ryder. Eat slowly, don't rush."
Ryder obeyed, his eyes locked onto hers, his heart filled with gratitude for this little girl who had grown into a beautiful young woman, taking care of him with such tenderness and love.