The end is a new beginning

It wasn't until the next morning that I realised I'd been the recipient of repeated stroking of the forehead and finger-combing of the hair. I blinked my tired eyes open and focused as intently as I could on the nearest thing in front of me.

Only until she said "Hey" did her sweet voice enter my ears, and only then did she begin massaging the back of my neck. She looked to be sitting next to me on the bed in the room where I'd fallen asleep, waiting for me to wake up so that we might resume our talk.

After saying "Hey," I realised that my throat was parched and my head was pounding more than usual. Even though I was listening intently to my mother, I couldn't help but notice Karlton leaning against the wall behind her and sneakily watching us.

The tone of her voice betrayed her anxiety when she inquired about her partner's health.

My eyelids were still closed from the night before's slumber, but I admitted that I was tired.