by Tara Ahmed
“Yes?” I asked.
April, who sat beside me, pressed a hand against my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. Aunt Molly shot me a sympathetic smile, as though telling me to be strong.
But with every bone in my body, trembling like a crushed autumn leaf, how could I be strong?
“We’ll visit him afterwards,” said Uncle Jeffrey. “Charlene’s already asleep. I think she’ll cry again if she sees him in that condition—“
“We’ll come by with fresh apples in the morning,” said Aunt Lucy, who sat across from me.
Charlene lightly snored- her head resting on Aunt’s lap, as her legs extended outwards on the two plastic seats.
I nodded.
“You guys go,” I said. “I’m going to spend the night here—“
“I’ll stay with you!” April said.
I shook my head. “No, you won’t. You sleep. I kind of want to spend some time alone with him.”
**
Sitting on a grey plastic chair before his bed, my hand wrapped over his palm, feeling his warm skin soak into mine. His silky bangs cloaked over his closed eyes, as he slept on his side- a thin, white blanket reaching his waist.
I watched, as he breathed quietly, his broad chest rising and falling like a tide. He looked so at peace. I wondered, for a moment, whether he was dreaming of me. Placing his palm by his side, I stood, staring down at him- my heart slowly beating.
I licked my bottom lip, before sitting on the bed, and then- laying my body next to his. Slowly, I faced him, my eyes gradually closing, as I held his hand, placing it around my waist. Wrapping my arm over his back, I snug closer towards him, my head dipped into his chest, inhaling his lavender scent.
If only that night would never end.
**
The morning sun splashed over my cheeks, as I yawned, extending my arms above my head in a crooked stretch. I smiled, dragging my arm to the other side of the bed, trying to feel James’s cotton t-shirt against my skin.
But he wasn’t there.
My eyes shot open, my heart drumming within my chest, as I jerked up, looking around the room.
The blue walls of the room, appeared bright against the rushing the light of the open window, as I got out of the bed, storming towards the closed door. I would have opened it, running like a mad woman through the halls of Sandsville hospital, had a small note not caught my attention.
I halted before the door, reading the elegant script against the square, yellow note- my eyes beginning to glaze.
You’re beautiful when you sleep.
--James
My gaze faltered to the ground- my mind reeling on what his words could mean. Surely, that wasn’t a farewell note?
No…no, he wouldn’t just leave me without a proper goodbye, would he?
Without another thought, I grabbed the note, shoving it into my jeans pocket, and yanking the door open.
Heads turned, as I ran down the hall, sliding as I got to the corner. The nurses scrunched their nose, shaking their head in disapproval, while I headed down the exit doors, pulling the handle.
“Slow down, girlie!” a woman shouted.
I ignored her, focusing only on my current adrenaline rush- running past the parking lot, feeling the warm wind whisk through my tangerine locks.
Though I looked like a mess, with a lopsided pony tail, and unwashed face, I didn’t care. People stared, as I ran past them, headed towards the bus stop where the coach busses were heading off towards the bigger states.
The sun bore down my neck- sweat trickling past my back, as my t-shirt pressed tightly against my chest.
As I stood near the bus stop, my eyes raked over the line of people waiting for the morning bus to the nearest state. I crouched down, gripping my knees- losing breath from all the running I’d done. Exhaling a deep breath, I stood straight, my eyes scanning for the bus that lead to the airport.
Crap. Where the hell did he go?
“You alright, dear?” An elderly man, standing beside me asked.
His grey locks swayed with the passing gust, as he eyed me curiously- looking genuinely concerned.
“I’m fine, thank you,” I replied, panting. “Um…did you happen to see a good looking man, about six feet, brown hair and brown eyes, nearby here?—“
The man’s grey eyes lit up, his thin, wrinkled lips, widening to a smile.
“Why, isn’t that him over there?” He asked, pointing to a large, blue bus overhead.
I furrowed my brows, snapping my head to the direction of his pale finger- my eyes widening as I saw James walking up the stairs of the bus, his back facing me.
“James!” I shouted. “Wait!”
He ignored my protest, entering the bus, and continuing up the stairs. I ran towards the tall vehicle, screaming his name, to which he pretended not to hear.
“Don’t leave!” I screamed. “I have so much left to say to you! How could you—“
A strong arm spun me around, till I hit a sturdy chest. His warm hands wrapped over my back, caging me in a fierce hug, as I blinked slowly, silently absorbing his familiar scent.
James?
“Man, you could out run a cheetah,” he said. “I was gone for just a second to buy us breakfast. I didn’t want to wake you. And then the nurse tells me my crazy wife just ran out of the hospital, screaming like a banshee—“
“You’re such a jerk!” My voice muffled against his chest, as I wrapped my arms over his back, hugging him tightly.
“I hate you,” I whispered, sobbing into his chest. “I hate you!”
“No,” he said, his lips pressed against my head. “You love me.”
Lifting my face, I stared at James with tear filled eyes, biting back a smile.
“How do you know?” I asked.
He looked down at me, a soft grin hitting his nude lips. I gazed hopelessly at him, as though he’d disappear if I blinked.
The bright sun rays splashed over his face, making him appear almost angelic, as he raised his brows- amused.
“The note I wrote you is sticking out of your pocket,” he said, grinning mischievously. “Now, why in the world would you keep that? Unless you loved me, of course—“
I glared. “Just tell me you want me to say it!”
“Say it.”
“I love you,” I breathed.
The words were unfamiliar to my lips, as each syllable escaped my tongue in a soft melodic rhythm.
Onlookers were staring at James and I, smiling and cheering, as though celebrating our union.
But time, for us, was immobile, as we stared at each other for a few seconds, not believing the words I’d just uttered.
“Just kiss her already!” a woman shouted.
My cheeks burned, as I took a step back, staring cautiously at him. The feeling of “what now” entered my thoughts, as my mind skipped over everything that would happen after this moment. Would we go back to New York and start all over again? Would I change my last name to Bellevue? Would I—
His golden brown eyes were set on mine, as he dug into his pocket, taking out a small silver band. I chewed the edge of my lip, my stomach flipping over, as he pulled my hand towards him, slipping the ring within my wedding finger.
“I never got you one of these,” he said, smiling nervously at me. “I know it’s not a diamond like most girls want, but I’ll change it when we get to New York—“
“No, don’t! I love it,” I said. “It’s perfect.”
“Like you.”
The crowd awed, some whistling in the process, as I kept my eyes on James, too shy to make contact with the bustling audience.
“What happens now?” I asked.
He paused. “This happens now.”
I yelped, as he scooped me from the ground, cradling me in his arms- his smile never leaving.
When we kissed- his soft lips melting into mine, my eyes gently closed, as I focused only on this moment, for nothing else mattered.
/> Tara Ahmed, The Marriage Contract
