His Mission (HIS SERIES Book 1) by SAKINA HUSSAIN (ebook reader library TXT) 📕

the restaurant." I smiled warmly, knowing if she was awake, she'd be blushing right now.

"Afterwards I'll take you dancing to that fancy place downtown, you know the one with the live band? I've got to admit though. . . I have two left feet, I'd probably end up tripping over every second and leave because I'd get annoyed at the fact I can't dance."

I imagine all the places I'd take her, all the things we'd do together. Just silly little things like lying in bed with our arms and legs all tangled up, me annoying her so much she'd eventually stop talking to me until I apologised. My smile fades as I realise we may never get to do any of those things.

"I've never felt this strong about someone. You understand me like no-one else, when I'm around you, I feel amazing. I feel like I'm on cloud nine, you're my drug Emily. I can't get enough of you."

She doesn't respond, her heartbeat beeps back at me instead, filling in the silence.

"Please wake up Muffin. Squeeze my hand, move your arm, leg, anything. Just show me you're listening, please." I beg her. I hold my breath and wait, feeling hopeful that she'd obey. Minutes pass and the silence in the room becomes unbearable. She lies completely still, not moving an inch. I sit up on the edge of the hospital bed and swallow the thick lump in my throat.

My hand loosen from hers and I feel completely deflated, like all the life has been drained from me. This is it, I can't pretend anymore that she's going to be completely fine. I have to face facts even if the facts would completely break me apart.

That's when I feel it, the slightest movement in my hand. I immediately stare at our hands intertwined, my breath caught in my throat. I didn't imagine that, did I?

I don't dare blink incase I miss it. Nothing happens for a few moments and my hopes begin to fall until I feel it again, the slightest squeeze.

It's so faint and if I didn't have hold of her hand, I would barely feel it but it was definitely there. I cry out in relief and joy as it finally hits me that she's responsive. . . She's listening to me.

'"Emily, Muffin, I'm here." I say quickly, the joy in my voice clear as day.

"You're going to be okay" I add, holding my breath once more. My eyes never leave her hand and I see it move once again, the force of her squeeze more stronger this time. A grin breaks out on my face and I wipe the tears away with my free hand. She's fighting for her life, I know it. She's showing me that she's getting stronger and my heart swells in pride.

"Do that again, squeeze my hand." I say quickly and she almost immediately repeats her actions. She squeezes tightly before letting go, letting me know she's listening. My shoulders slump in pure relief and all the days of sitting here is worth it for that one squeeze.

I'd remember this moment for the rest of my life, the moment she finally responded to me.

*****

"Bacon butty please, white bread and plenty of ketchup."

I hand over the exact change and take a seat in the hospital cafe as I wait for my order. Emily squeezing my hand had motivated me and it's like I had gotten a little ounce of my spark back. I'd realised how hungry I am and finally gave in to my rumbling stomach. I pull out my phone and add Tobias, Mum, Ivory, Trish and Aunt Myra to a conversation before texting them all.

Emily squeezed my hand today. The doctor's said it was good news but we shouldn't get our hopes up.

I send the text and took a gulp from my coffee, grateful for the instant jolt it gives me. I need caffeine and lots of it. When I told the doctor about Emily's progress, he warned me not to be hopeful as her hand moving could just be a reflex of her nerves.

I refuse to believe him, she'd squeezed my hand when I asked her to. Even if the doctors have given up on her, I haven't. For the first time in what feels like forever, I'm hopeful for the future. I smile and thank the cafe owner as she places the plate down in front of me, the glorious smell wafting in the air.

I've just picked up one half of the sandwich when a blonde sits in the chair opposite me on my table. She smirks at me flirtatiously before speaking —

"Manners and cute? Where have you been all my life?"

Her voice is squeaky, high and completely artificial. From the looks of her, she is too. Her face is covered in an inch of thick makeup, five shades darker then her actual skin tone. She wears black eyelashes stacked ontop of her real ones and I lift my eyebrow at her, putting my sandwich back down.

I sigh, feeling annoyed that I'd been interrupted from eating this glorious bacon sandwich. My stomach rumbles loudly, filling in the silence between us and she giggles, nodding towards me.

"Hungry?" She asks, not taking notice of my facial features at all. If she had, she'd know I'm not interested at all, I'm practically scowling at the girl.

"I'm not interested." I respond bluntly, picking my sandwich back up and finally taking a large bite from it. I groan quietly as the taste finally fills my mouth and take another bite, not caring if I look like a starved caveman right now. I finally understand why Emily moans when she eats when food tastes this damn good.

The blonde appears taken aback from my words and I have to stop my eyes from dramatically rolling as I realise she isn't used to being turned down.