Arabel's POV
My insides have been bubbling with excitement ever since I saw his fingers move again this morning.
At exactly 2, the movement of his middle fingers catched my attention. I sat on the wooden seat beside his bed, watching Eve, who was fast asleep on the sofa.
There is renewed hope building up inside me. Making a smile curve up my lips. As I wait for that miracle.
Ever since he moved his finger the very day Eve had Mother thrown out, I have been expecting him to wake. But he hasn't.
He keeps moving almost every single day without opening his eyes.
But I don't want to be pessimistic. I believe he will be awake soon. That movement is a good sign.
For no reason, I am in a good mood today. The movement was longer than every other one.
The moment I tried to grab the moving finger, he stopped.
Yawning loudly, Eve stands up and moves close to me, making me divert my attention back to her. I see her stare at Richard for a split second before turning to me.
“I'm out to get breakfast,” she announces before heading out.
She is the least of my problems. All I need now is for Richard to wake up and let's go back home. I already assured my mother not to be worried about me or Richard. We would be fine.
Daisy is staying with her too.
Richard will be back soon. And everything will fall into place.
Quickly, I grab my phone to call mother, unable to hide my excitement. “Mom.”
“Arabel,” she calls out with expectation. “What happened?”
“He moved his finger again,” I announce loudly, unable to hide my excitement. “This time it was longer. Mom, I'm…”
“Really?”
"Yes," I manage to remain motionless in the chair, resisting the urge to get up and touch him again.
“Oh Goodness!” A sigh of relief leaves her mouth. “Thank Goodness. That is a good sign, Arabel.”
And she breaks down into tears.
“Mom?”
“I can't believe I can't even come see my son at this point. I wish to be there when he wakes up…”
“You should be happy that he is improving. This is the fourth week already, and I'm sure he will scale through. Just keep praying. Besides, I am here.”
“Yes.” She agrees, sobering up. “Thank you so much.”
“It's my duty.”
She remains silent. And I ask myself what duty this is.
It isn't my duty. Richard is my ex-husband, and doing this isn't my duty. It's just something I feel I should do because he still means a lot to me.
No matter how hard I try to deny it, Richard will always be the only man my heart beats for. No matter how mad I am or how determined I am not to fall for him again, it is useless.
Falling in love with him again might never be possible because I am still in love with him. I have always been.
“Joel says I can come as soon as he wakes up, too." My mother's voice breaks into my thoughts. “That bitch is going to rot in jail for what she is doing.”
Joel is her lawyer.
Eve had provided a document to prove that her marriage to Richard was real and genuine. They all believe her, but I do not.
I am sure it is fake.
Richard would never make such a mistake again. He wouldn't go back to her for anything in the world. He was never a cheat. I'm sure he wouldn't start that now.
If he were truly married to her, what reason would he give to explain his pursuit of me? Why does he want me back if, indeed, he is married in secret?
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
Yet, I can't help it sometimes. I can't help imagining how I would feel if all of these were true. I can't help but imagine what would happen to me again.
I want to trust Richard. Allow him another chance to prove himself. Even if it hurts again.
“Are you there?” She asks again, breaking into my thoughts.
“Yes, yes!” I chant quickly.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, I am. Can I call you back?” I demand sharply, wanting to have a moment to myself and not give myself away.
“Sure,” she mutters, and I disconnect the call quickly before leaning my back further into the seat with a deep sigh.
There would be no denying how hurt I would be, but I am sure he must have his reasons.
The only reason that will keep me mad at him again this time is if the same mistake happens again and he is indeed married to her because he loves her.
That will give Alex a good reason to laugh in my face and tell me how stupid I am.
I shake my head to wave away all the negative thoughts. Richard wouldn't hurt me a second time. He had already made promises. Even though I never gave him a chance until the accident, I am sure he will stick with them.
Apparently, he loves me. He won't hurt me.
“I got you breakfast.” Eve's voice booms into my ears, making me jerk upright to see her standing right next to me.
There is a tray of cappuccino and a sandwich. Without waiting for my response, she drops it off and goes back to the sofa.
I ignore her.
“Aren't you going to eat?” Her voice reaches me from the sofa, and I don't budge. I'm back to my previous position of staring at Richard.
"Why do you pretend to be the only one who cares about him? You want to make me look like a bad person, or what?!” She shouts again, but I care less. She is the least of my problems right now. She will disappear the moment he wakes up.
“After all, you abandoned him…” She trails off, and that makes me turn around to face her.
There is a look of fright on her face, and it makes me wonder what sort of person gave her the courage to want to do this.
She looks frightened, yet she presents a fake marriage certificate to prove that she is indeed married to Richard. Whereas she always appear intimidated each time I glare at her angrily.
I am not in the mood to exchange words with her.
Few months ago, I was the frightened one. When I saw her at my mother's party, I was intimidated. I didn't want our paths to cross because I was scared of the jeering from her.
Something catches my eye, and I turn back quickly.
His big toe.
Did I just imagine his toe moving?
I wait patiently for it to move again, but there is nothing, and I slump back in frustration.
Richard! I want to scream.
It's almost a month already. Please get up.
My courage, my hope, my excitement, my determination, my strength, and my resolve are beginning to fade off with each passing moment.
Please.
When it moves again, I jerk upright. And again.
“Richard!” I scream, unable to hold myself back with the gush of adrenaline streaming down my spine. “Richard.”
His fingers moved. All five are on the right and left, respectively. His body trembles, and he sways his head from side to side as Eve rushes towards us.
I am hovering over him, with tears threatening to fall, frozen to one place to even think of calling the doctor.
He continues to shake all over, until Eve taps my shoulder in fright. “Let's get the doctor!”
But I can't move.
My legs won't budge.
My body is numb from emotion.
Quickly, she disappears from my sight, and I continue to watch numbly as his body goes still again.
Slowly, his eyes flicker open, and our eyes meet.
Cold chills race through me, along with panic. His eyes are cold and blue. Making me wonder if he is going to blame me for what happened.
But when he sweeps his gaze over me without an iota of emotion, I know I am doomed yet again.
He opens his mouth slowly and blurts out in a strange voice. “Who are you?”
My world comes crashing down to my feet when it hits me that Richard does not recognize me anymore.