chapter 21
\-Almost an hour later-
Cressida slipped into the room and approached the bed, settling beside Alaric with a gentle smile. “How are you feeling now?” She asked softly, her voice tinged with worry.
Alaric gave a nod. “I’m good.” He muttered, his eyes avoiding hers.
Her gaze lingered on him for a second. She reached out, her hand hesitating for a moment before gently brushing against his arm. “Alaric, you don’t have to pretend with me,” she said softly, her voice encouraging him to open up. “I know you’re not fine. Tell me. You don’t have to pretend.”
Alaric’s eyelids fluttered shut, and tears flooded out of his eyes, streaming down his cheeks. He inhaled sharply, attempting to stop the flow, but his body shook with sobs, and the tears continued to fall unchecked.
She enveloped him in a warm embrace, gently guiding his head to rest on her chest. She stroked his back in soothing motions, her voice a gentle whisper. “It’s okay…”
Alaric’s body shuddered. “No…no…no… It’s not fine, Cressida. It’s just not,” his voice cracked, his words tumbling in a shaking cadence. “Nothing feels right. It’s all just… broken. No matter how hard I try, it’s never okay. Never.”
Cressida’s arms enveloped him a little tighter, offering a gentle reassurance. “Then you should let it all out,” she whispered. “I’m here for you… And you’re not alone anymore. Remember?”
Alaric wrapped his arms around Cressida and nodded. Her arms around him had made a sense of security and comfort wash over him. Her soft voice calmed the storm within him, and the warmth of her words seeped deep into his soul.
“Thank you.”
Cressida beamed, but said nothing. Instead, she patted his head with her right hand, rubbing the back with the left.
Alaric’s eyes fluttered open, and he was startled to find his head still resting on Cressida’s shoulder. “Hun!” He exclaimed and hastily lifted his head from her shoulder.
He jerked upright and swiftly grabbed his phone from the nightstand. His eyes widened in shock as he saw the time, and a startled sound escaped his lips once more. “Hun!”
His gaze darted to Cressida, his eyes still wide with shock. His mouth hung open, frozen in silence, as the surprise still lingered in his mind, leaving him speechless.
‘I’ve been sleeping on her shoulder for over an hour!’ He screamed in silence, his slightly narrowed gaze still on her, and questions racing through his mind.
‘Why hadn’t she woken me up?’
‘Hadn’t my weighing on her shoulder causing her discomfort for over an hour?’
Cressida’s brow furrowed in confusion, anticipating Alaric would say something, but he just stared at her. She elevated her shoulders in a questioning manner, breaking the silence. “What’s wrong?” She asked. “Do you daydream?”
Alaric remained silent, his eyes fixed on Cressida with a look of bewilderment. Just as she was about to speak again, he shifted closer, his hand gently coming to rest on her shoulder. “Do you feel any pain?” He asked, his voice laced with concern.
“I-” she opened her mouth to talk, but he didn’t allow her to talk.
“Why am I still asking? I must be a fool…” he trailed off, his voice barely above a whisper. Without waiting for a response, he began gently massaging her shoulder.
“I’m sorry you have to go through this because of me…” he apologized, his eyes filled with remorse.
He removed his hands from her shoulder and slapped himself twice on the cheek, as if punishing himself. “What was I thinking? How inconsiderate of me to sleep on your shoulder for over an hour?”
He tapped his forehead with his finger, gritting his teeth. “Gosh! I fucked up!”
“It’s nothing…” Cressida said, her voice laced with amusement, as she gave a dismissive wave of her hand and a no-big-deal expression, accompanied by a playful smile.
“Why are-” she started teasing, but Alaric’s sheepish expression only deepened, making her chuckle.
He swiftly reached for his wheelchair, his eyes locked on Cressida’s. “Should we go to the spa and get professionals to do it for you?” He asked, but before Cressida could even respond, he shook his head, as if scolding himself again.
“No. We aren’t going to the spa…”
With a hint of frustration, he slapped himself once more, his expression a mix of self-reproach and concern for Cressida’s well-being. “How could I even think of that?”
Alaric glanced backward, smoothing out the bedsheet with his hand. “Lie down and let me give you a massage. I’ll do it,” he offered, his eyes locking onto her with a determined gaze. “It’s my fault, so I’m taking responsibility.”
Cressida stared at him, her lips parted in silence. She wanted to decline his offer, but the words got stuck in her throat. Alaric’s rapid transformation from being a seemingly aloof person to a caring individual left her speechless.
“I-” a word finally found its way out of her lips, but he pressed his finger against her lips, silencing her.
“This isn’t a request… It’s more like a command. Meaning, you’ve no chance to decline,” he said, his voice firm but gentle.
He removed his finger from her lips and gestured for her to lie down. “I’m not a professional, but trust me to give this my best,” he said and winked with a hint of mischief, smiling. “Please, lie down, and let me deliver.”
Cressida slowly opened her eyes, lifting her head from the bed. She turned her head, catching Alaric staring at her with a subtle smile. “What are you staring at?” she mumbled, her brow furrowed in a mixture of sleepiness and curiosity.
She brushed her hand over her face, yawning, and crawled backward, resting her back against the bed header, her eyes never leaving Alaric’s gentle smile.
“Alaric,” she whispered his name, but despite his gaze on her, he didn’t respond, and his expression was unreadable.
Her face scrunched up in concern as she observed him for a few seconds, wondering what was going through his mind. When he still didn’t react, she raised her voice slightly, calling out to him again. “Alaric.”
Alaric flinched. “Hun!” A tone fled his mouth. His eyes broadened, shocked. He was miles away, lost in thought, and her raised voice caught him unaware, leaving him stunned.
She paused for a moment, allowing him to compose himself, before asking, “What are you thinking?”
He stared downward and swiftly shook his head. “Nothing,” he muttered, evading her question. “I’m just staring at the floor.”
“But you-” she had something to say, but he cut her off.
He anticipated an uncomfortable question and swiftly changed the subject. “Is your shoulder feeling any better?” He asked, concern etched on his face. “Did I help, or should we still get it checked out by a professional?”
She shook her head, taking off the duvet from her body. “There’s no need for that,” she replied. “I never said I wasn’t fine. You brought up the possibility of injury, not me.”
He tightened his lips and slightly nodded. “I’m sorry. I’m overly cautious.”
“I wasn’t criticizing you. I was just teasing. Don’t be so serious,” she clarified with a warm smile. Her expression softened as she added, “thanks for looking out for me, though. It means a lot.”
He sighed quietly, steeling himself to meet her gaze. He took another calming breath, his eyes locking onto hers with a sheepish expression. “About earlier…” he whispered, his voice laced with remorse. “I’m sorry.”
Cressida let out a soothing sigh and crawled closer to him. She gently cradled his head in her hands, her eyes filled with compassion as she gazed into his. “You don’t owe me an apology,” she whispered. “I understand you. I know how hard it has been for you. I can see through your struggle,”
“I can see your struggle. You’re trying, and all that truly matters is the effort you’re putting in,” she consoled. “I know it’s just a matter of time before everything is over. You should do it. You can do it. You’ll do it. I believe in you.”
Alaric sniffed, holding back the tears that her words had welled up in his eyes. “I-” he uttered, and the tears in his eyes easily flooded out. “I want everything to be over already.”