Chapter 40
Chapter 40:
I swallow hard as his sincere words sink in, his embrace sending fire surging through my entire body. My free hand hovers, ready to pry off his interlocked arms, but for some reason, I let them stay wrapped around me.
I love Asher, and this time I will not stop myself from loving him. I will allow myself to remain in whatever moment, big or small, that means everything to me. To us.
When I finally feel his arms unwrap from around me, I turn and meet his emerald green eyes. They look darker than before, pulling at mine, luring me to succumb to the desire of being lost in them. But then I feel the weight of the glass of water in one hand and the burden of the tablets in the other.
“Thank you, Asher, for saving my life. For always being there for me. But now,” I raise my voice slightly, “I want to be here for you too, and that means you have to take your medicine one last time p>
He sighs as I stretch out the tablets toward him. After a long moment of muttering silent curses, he finally takes them from my hand.
He hesitates, staring at the pills as though he’s about to swallow poison.
“Come on, Asher,” I whine, already feeling tired of this.
In a flash, he drops the tablets into his mouth, grabs the glass of water from my hand, and gulps it down in fast, eager swallows. He only stops when the glass is completely empty.
“Eww.” He wipes his mouth, smacking his tongue in distaste. “Taking gross drugs with juice or yogurt would have been so much better p>
I chuckle softly. “But the doctor said the drugs must be taken only with water p>
At my mention of the doctor, as if on cue, the wardroom door opens and Doctor Lawrence walks in, wearing his usual bright smile. He had told us to call him by his first name, and his presence alone always carried comfort and hope. His honesty was refreshing, his positivity contagious.
“Hey, Asher,” Doctor Lawrence says warmly as he approaches. “How are you doing p>
“I’m doing great, Doctor—except for the fact that I had to take that gross medicine again p>
The irritable way he emphasizes “gross” nearly makes me pinch his arm. Yes, the drug is awful, but it’s also the reason he’s getting better.
“Well, Asher,” the doctor shrugs with a calm smile, “in medicine, it’s usually the bitter stuff that actually saves a life p>
“Why does it have to be that way?” Asher murmurs, but Doctor Lawrence catches it.
“Because it is necessary. Anyway, here are your discharge papers,” he says, handing the papers to Asher. “I had to sign them now because I have a conference meeting in the next five minutes. I don’t know when it will end, and I didn’t want to keep you waiting p>
“Thank you so much, Doctor.” I smile. “We appreciate this and all you did for us during our stay here p>
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“Thank you, Isla,” he responds with a smile. “I don’t know if I’ll see you again when I’m back, but for what it’s worth, I truly wish you and Asher a full, strong recovery. You both are strong people.” He then turns his attention to Asher. “It was nice treating you, Asher. Your coma pushed my limits, but I am grateful you fought and won. I am p>
Asher pulls him into a hug, and briefly, I find myself amazed by how good and kind some complete strangers can be. They help us simply because they are good people.
After their brief, heartwarming doctor-patient moment, they finally pull apart.
“See you guys whenever I get to see you again,” Doctor Lawrence says with a playful rhyme before turning and exiting the ward.
“Guess it is time to go home,” I announce.