Chapter 56
Under the comforting shade of a tree, I assumed the role of taking care of Nadia, keeping our distance from the others. Meanwhile, Sammy took on the responsibility of cooking for the pack, Being able to contribute in a meaningful way brought her a sense of joy.
Nadia’s body lay motionless before me, still trembling from the lingering effects of the fever that had consumed her. Yet, there was noticeable change- her eyes, previously lifeless due to illness, now shimmered with tears as she lifted her gaze towards me, a blend of fear and regret in her expression.
“I’m sorry, Maya,” Her voice, filled with emotion, was barely a whisper as she reached out to me with trembling hands. Confused but smiling, I allowed her to grasp my hand gently, feeling the warmth of her tears against my skin. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t want this to happen. Please believe me. Please.”
Looking down at her, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of sadness wash over me, tears threatening to spill from my eyes. I have absolutely no clue what she’s referring to. It’s the way she’s behaving now that reminds me of the girl I knew from our childhood days.
“It’s okay, Nadia,” I murmured, my voice soft with compassion as I reached out to gently stroke her hair with my other hand. The moment my hand made contact with Nadia, her sobs escalated, and Thad to hold back a chuckle: “Come on, don’t be silly. You’re going to be okay.”
But even as I spoke the words, I couldn’t ignore the ominous atmosphere that seemed to surround us. Nadia’s sudden outburst of emotion caught me off guard, and the intensity of her emotions left me feeling even more unsettled.
As Nadia continued to cry, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of concern for her and wonder what could have triggered such intense emotions. Was it the fever that plagued her, or was there a deeper, more elusive cause for her uneaser thad no clue, it felt like I was stumbling in the dark without a light. Nadia and I hadn’t really spoken to each other since Zeke and broke up, and I found out she was the person he had been cheating on me with.
In silence, I witnessed Nadia’s tears intermingling with the dampness of her feverish skin as she sobbed uncontrollably. The sight before me was truly heartbreaking, leaving me with an overwhelming feeling of helplessness that was completely new to me.
As time passed, Nadia’s sobs became quieter, and her trembling slowly diminished while she held onto me tightly. Embracing her tightly, I whispered comforting words into her ear, hoping to ease her worries. I did my best to comfort Nadia, wiping away the mixture of snot and tears that streamed down her face.
“I am filled with regret, Maya. This was the last thing I wanted to happen. Please, have faith in what I’m telling you. Maya, I was left with no other option. I was completely empty–handed, with nothing to my name-”
“It’s going to be okay, Nadia,” My voice barely above a whisper, I murmured as I pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head, feeling the softness of her hair against my lips. Her words became a jumbled mess as she sobbed uncontrollably, making it impossible for me to understand what she was saying, “Just sleep and rest.”
As Nadia’s breathing finally began to steady, a wave of relief washed over me, soothing my nerves. It was a small victory, but one that filled me with hope for the future – hope that maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for reconciliation between us. I know things won’t return to the way they were before, but Nadia had always been a constant presence in my life, a pillar of support. I couldn’t bear to treat her as a mere stranger.
Besides, all the fault, without a doubt, rests solely on Zeke’s shoulders.
As Nadia finally succumbed to sleep, her breathing became slow and steady, a testament to the deep exhaustion that had been weighing her down for far too long. The silence enveloped me as I sat there, my mind racing to comprehend the meaning behind her words. I had no clue about the reason behind her apology, uncertain if she was even aware of it, but all I could sense was her genuine remorse towards something related to me.
wonder if it could have been because of what she did to me the way she betrayed my trust and shattered our relationship. Now, things would never be the same between Zeke, Nadia, and me. But when she’s conscious, Nadia’s expression doesn’t reveal any hint of regret. So maybe there was something else, a hidden secret lurking in the shadows, I just had to figure it out
A new wave of emotions crashed upon me a whirlwind of gratitude and apprehension. The gratitude washed over me as Nadia let down her guard and showed me a side of her that had been hidden, giving me a brief glimpse of the girl she had been before life took its toll. And apprehension at the thought of what she might have done if she had revealed that side of herself to others. I can just imagine how difficult and annoying she would be, with
16:40 Wed, 19 Jun G B G
Chapter 56
her sharp tongue and constant need for attention.
With a forceful shake of my head, I expelled the lingering thoughts, determined to fully immerse myself in the present.
53%
As the sun ascended in the sky, its gentle rays enveloped the campsite, creating a warm and peaceful ambiance that instantly relaxed me. Nadia’s fever had subsided, and I couldn’t help but feel relieved. As I was about to wipe the sweat from her brow and rouse her for another meal, a sudden movement caught my attention from behind.
Turning around, I come face to face with Axton, his expression impossible to decipher.
Before I could even utter a word, he anticipated my question and spoke first.
“We need to talk, Chesnut.”