Chapter 24 Chapter 24
Tessa
"Mom, I'm sorry!" I cried out, still shaken but as I looked around, I realized I was still in the hospital, sitting in front of the emergency door. Sweat dripped from my body.
Was this all just a dream? I wondered, rubbing my eyes. How could I have such a vivid dream?
A nurse approached me, smiling. "If you want to sleep, you can go to room OC, it is on the left side after that corner." She pointed to a corner and I smiled dryly.
"Thank you" I replied watching her walking away.
I stood up, still trying to process my dream when the emergency door swung open, and Mr. Carter was wheeled out, followed by medical staff.
I wanted to touch him but the nurse restricted me from doing so.
They wheeled him into a ward and it was Room 306 exactly the one I see in my dream.
"Is this déjà vu? This was exactly like my dream" I muttered in a way that only me could hear.
The medical team attended to Mister Carter. A nurse instructed me to keep the room quiet, as he needed silence to recover.
I stayed by his side, observing his pale face,
Just then, my mom arrived, carrying the same food box I had seen in my dream. I was stunned.
"Mom, how did you...?" I wanted to ask about the food box but it would be too absurd so I changed my question to "How did you know we are here? I questioned.
"I met a nurse on the way here and asked for directions," she replied, setting the food box down.
My mind reeled. Why was my dream repeating itself in real life?
"No, this can't be happening," I whispered to myself. "Why are things repeating itself?" I murmured.
"What are you murmuring about?" my mom's voice brought me back to reality, concern was etched on her face as she set down the food tray in front of me.
I shook my head, trying to brush it off, "Nothing," I replied, avoiding eye contact, my voice was barely above a whisper.
She narrowed her eyes slightly, trying to read through me.
She handed me a plate of food I contemplated if I was in any position to collect the food, "You said you didn't like Mr. Carter, but you still cried when you heard about his accident," she said, her voice laced with a mix of confusion and curiosity.
I felt my eyes widen open in shock, my hands trembling slightly as I took the plate, "How did you know....?" I asked, my voice cracking, my gaze darting up to meet hers.
My mom's expression turned knowing, a small smile playing on her lips, "Know what?" she asked, her eyes crinkling at the corners, as she sat down beside me.
I couldn't believe it, my mind reeling, as I stared at her, my heart was racing, everything was repeating itself, just like in my dream.
I shook my head, feeling overwhelmed, and suddenly jumped up, almost knocking over the chair, and ran out of the hospital, leaving my mom calling after me.
As I stepped outside, I could hear my mom's voice calling out to me, but I couldn't bring myself to look back.
I stepped outside the hospital the darkness of the night enveloped me, mirroring the turmoil in my mind. My thoughts were a jumbled mess, consumed by the eerie sense of déjà vu.
Lost in my reverie, I didn't notice a person was coming in front of me until my head collided with their chest.
The impact was sudden, and the coffee the guy was holding slipped from his hand, and spilled all over me, and I let out a scream.
I raised my gaze and realized the coffee had stained the guy's white coat. "Oh no, I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed, mortified, as I realized I was the one at fault.
He smiled kindly"It's okay, accidents happen," he spoke softly and excused himself leaving my mouth wide open.
I stared at him until he disappeared, still trying to process the strange encounter. His calm demeanor had momentarily distracted me from my thoughts, but now they came flooding back, leaving me more bewildered than ever.
"Tessa, Tessa, Tessa!" I heard my mom scream, her voice echoing behind me.
I looked back, feeling a mix of guilt and frustration.
"Where are you going?" she asked, her voice laced with worry. "Why are you running away?"
I scratched the back of my neck, unsure of what to say. "I just need some fresh air, that's all." I lied my eyes darting around.
"You need fresh air? And you can't even tell me before you run out?" she exclaimed. "Do you know how scared I was? Thinking you've been possessed? Do you want to kill me?" She yelled getting me smiling a bit how could she think I was being possessed?
My smiling face turned to frown when my eyes met her cold gaze. I swallowed hard
I knew she was still shaken by Mr. Carter's accident, but I didn't expect her to be so dramatic. "I'm sorry, Mom. I just needed a minute." I apologized "But I'm not a baby... remember?" I tried sounding casual.
"You're not a baby, but you behave like one," she scolded. "Why did you run off without even telling me in the first place?"
"I'm sorry, Mom. I told you I needed fresh air" I apologized again, feeling a bit ashamed. "You can head back now, I will meet you" I gestured.
She smirked before grabbing my hand, her grip tight. "No, we're going back inside right now." She uttered angrily.
I tried to yank my hand free, but she held on. "Just give me a minute, please," I begged.
"No, we're going back inside." Her face was set in a determined expression.
I inhaled loudly before giving in.
"Alright, can you let me walk by myself?" I asked and she scoffed.
"No" she replied simply as her grip tightened. I smile and let her do whatever she pleases.