A FLING OR MORE?

"What's your condition if I may ask? You can wave it off if you think I'm being nosy. Pardon me".

    I expected an answer from Justin but all I got was a smile I can't seem to get outta my head. I felt awkward staring at him with his body next to mine. I broke off the silence with fake laughter. I'm a hundred percent sure Justin noticed but instead, he kept smiling and staring at me with those ocean eyes.

  "You're okay?" Justin asked when he noticed I kept touching my thigh underneath my bedsheet.

  "Yeah, I'm good".

  " Are you sure you're okay? You're feeling pains or...." I cut him off.

  "I said I'm fine! God!"

Seriously? Are you going to keep yelling at this innocent fine boy? What's your problem?

He was caught by surprise and I expected him to walk out on me in annoyance but he didn't. Instead, he took my hands and rubbed his on mine, making me feel the warmth of his palms. I looked at him and he just gave me his heartwarming smile...again.

At that moment I felt guilt slit through my throat and I knew I needed to apologize.

  "Hey...Justin, I'm sorry. Honestly, I'm deeply sorry for yelling at you. You don't deserve these----" He placed his index finger on my lips to shut me up.

  "Cass...is it okay to call you that?" He asked.

  I nodded in affirmation and he continued.

"I understand you, Cass. Anyone in your shoes would feel this way. Being here feels like hell but you just have to endure all of these so, stop stressing. If you need a friend to talk to, you know I'm here for you right?" He grabbed my hands tighter and I just kept staring at him like a dummy.

Cassie's gone, mute fellas! Interesting!

"I know we barely know stuff about each other but as time goes by, there'll surely be an improvement," He said but I got lost in my thoughts that tears rolled down my cheeks.

Justin moved closer and wrapped his arms around me and wiped the teardrops with his thumb. He pulled me closer to his chest and for once in a long time, I felt safe and secure.

  "Justin?" I called his name whilst I was still wrapped around his arms.

  "Yeah? What's that?" He asked looking down at me as he straightened the curled hair strands on my shoulder.

"I'm done crying. You can let go of me already you know?" I said with a smile.

He laughed and said, "No way! You'll remain this way till you fall asleep. I'm not gonna leave you".

  "You're so cheesy. Fine! You must keep to your word. You're not going anywhere till I fall asleep okay?" I said, pointing at his chest which made him laugh harder.

"Yes ma'am. I won't go anywhere so, sleep little lady".

  "Hey!" I shouted.

"Oops! Pardon me little lady" he said and laughed.

  "You're gonna get it from me if you keep addressing me as a little lady"

  "Nah...you ain't gonna hurt me" he stuck out his tongue and ended his sentence with "little lady".

   We both laughed and my eyelids started to close. I adjusted my body on the bed so, he could feel a bit comfortable. He moved his body closer than ever to mine and started making strokes on my back which felt good though. It made me feel like a baby and that's when I slept off.

      Moments later after my short rest or should I say our short rest? Justin was no longer beside me. I guess he went back to his ward to get enough rest. As I lay on my bed, I thought of how sweet and nice Justin was to me. I began to picture his face in my head, I could still feel his hands making strokes on my back while he pet me to sleep. As I got lost in my thoughts, I heard screams which brought me back to reality.

   I saw three female nurses and a doctor through the window, running towards a boy who was being carried by a well-built man. I think he was unconscious seeing the way his body looked lifeless in the man's hands.

As they passed by my ward, lo and behold it was Justin who was being carried. I tried to get up but I couldn't. I felt helpless, frightened, and worried. I don't know why I feel this way since we barely know each other but I just couldn't help it.

     I cried and prayed to God.

    "God...if you exist please save Justin. Just save him. He needs you right now. I know I don't believe in your existence but if you truly exist, you'll save Justin".