CHAPTER 24
Sara sat by Christian's bedside in his dimly lit room, chewing the milky cookies and tea she had been offered, after she had been ushered in by his mother, who had been very welcoming and inviting, she had felt at ease at being able to locate him successfully without any problems.
Dropping the fruits and beverages she had bought with some little change she had, Mrs Smith had collected them gratefully and even chided her for spending her money but she waved it off with a smile.
Now looking at Christian who was shivering coldly even though he was covered in a huge blanket, his body was feverishly hot, he instantly coughed and she moved to change the iced towel on his head.
Dropping the tea tray, she reached for the cloth, dipping it in the cool water and placing it on his forehead, as she tried to remove her hands he held it tightly in place atop his head briefly and murmured gently, "Sara mine?" He called softly opening his eyes just for a fraction and closing it again, breathing deeply and Sara knew he had already fell into a deep slumber.
Smiling inwardly, her chest constricting painfully in what could be called joy, she stood up and facing the sofa by the bed she saw Mrs Smith watching from the door.
"You've really caught my little boy up in an enchanting spell miss, how did you do it?" Mrs Smith asked her smiling.
Blushing profusely, Sara was lost for words, it was a thing to be caught in such an intimate position with Christian, it was another thing to engage in such a close conversation with his mum.
First impressions mattered, they said right? Well she had already fallen in love with his mum right from the moment she had seen her, what was there not to love, she was the striking resemblance to Christian's good natured and soothing spirit.
She exuded calm, radiated joy and peace and Sara was tempted to tell her everything, how she loved this woman and her son with everything in her, how she was scared of being hurt, how she had dreams of Christian leaving her, not wanting to dwell on that thought, she smiled and replied, "I don't know ma'am, we just happened I guess."
"You guess? Well come over my dear, we have a lot to discuss you know, you are the first girl my son has talked about with so much passion in years, come tell me more about yourself, cause seeing that log of wood over there, he's not waking up anytime soon." Mrs Smith said fondly.
"You think?" Sara asked suggestively.
"I know my boy, I'm sorry you couldn't talk to him and I'm not sure if you are going too, he needs rest, his working so hard my boy, that's for sure, this is just one of his normal sick bouts, he'll get over it soon okay." She said assuringly leading Sara out of the room and into the living room.
"Yes ma'am." She answered sitting on a comfy sofa, and proceeded to tell Mrs Smith everything about herself.
She felt at ease here, she felt peace.
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Blinking his eyes slowly, Christian tried to raise his head up but felt a splitting headache at the back of his skull, trying to sit up, he heard voices coming from the living room.
Someone was talking to his mum, a voice he was acquainted with and recognized well was laughing loudly, that milky shy sound he tried to process the angelic voice and suddenly it came to him like a frieght train coming with full speed.
Sara! That familiar voice was hers how did she come to his house, how did she locate him, did she know of his illness, yesterday night when the fever had started, he had wanted to call and inform her, but he had not wanted her worried, now she was here, to say he was shocked was putting it lightly.
Trying gently to get up from the bed, he mistakenly hit a bowl containing very cold water by his side and it splattered causing a whole lot of noise, he had finally gotten their attention, because in not less than some minutes they were both standing by his doorway.
"Look who woke up early." His mother said coming over to pick the bowl from the floor, and fetching a rag to clean the floor.
Sara who had not even made eye contact with him immediately collected the bowl from his mother and proceeded to drop it in the kitchen.
Looking at his mum in confusion, he pinched his arms and blinked to see if he was hallucinating but everything was as clear as day, not wanting Sara to see him in his worst self, his eyes swollen and red, the circles under his eyes also, his room reeked of vomit, God he hated being caught in this clumsy situation, he arranged the blanket well round his bare chest and straightened gently.
She was back, but she was still avoiding eye contact with him, his mum sensing the tense and shy atmosphere did him a favor by leaving the room suddenly.
"I guess you guys should talk a little before you sleep back, and she has to go to the shelter, it's getting late already." His mum said, she even knew about the shelter, just what had Sara told his ever inquiring mom.
"Hey." He started slowly.
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Even on the sick bed, Christian was still as handsome as ever, his ruffled blondish brown hair falling all over his face, his bare muscles distracting her, his..... Ugggghhhh she couldn't think more, they were definitely going to make beautiful babies' She thought and chided her self internally for letting her hot and raging hormones take her mind there.
Clearing her throat she spoke "Em, how are you feeling now?, I stopped by the supermarket to pick some few things and also to see you but I was information of your Ill health, and as you know the rest is history."
"Sara, why are you speaking hastily, look at me." He said smiling weakly and looking straight into her eyes making her feel hot all over.
"Um, your manly bits are distracting me." She said laughing shyly while coming to sit over at his bedside.
"My manly bits?" He asked in confusion and she pointed at his bare torso and chesrt, and he started laughing hard, for someone sick he surely had enough strength to laugh this loud, and she joined in the laughter too.
"Well how you feeling now?" She asked him.
Looking at her longingly he replied, "I'm still feeling feverish, and hot all over, but I guess I'll be better if you come over and hug me tight."
Blushing profusely, she winked shyly and moved closer to the bedside............