Where've You Been All My Life?

His Trembling Hand

Tears started welling up in my eyes, and my eyes were closed tightly as I tried to hold the pain. I’ve never felt such pain before. It felt like my heart was being forcefully torn apart.

I wanted to say something, even plead for help, but nothing came out of my mouth. Something was like blocking my throat, breathing was even unbearable.

At the time, I felt my body burning with scorching flame. Then I lost my balance and felt my face would hit the floor first.

Just when I was about to fall, he grabbed my stumbling body in a quick yet gentle manner. One of his hands supported the back of my body.

In the midst of the complicated situation, I could tell that his hand was slightly trembling and carefully placed on my back. His other hand grabbed my hand. The hand that came into contact with my hand felt cool.

“Please breathe…” he spoke softly as if sobbing. “You have to calm down, try to breathe slowly”.

“Ca-“

“-nt… -reathe,”

“I… I… nnh,” 

"Haa..." I stammered.

“Dammit! Don’t hurt her!” the man holding me mumbled in his breath.

“Hold my hand and look at me,” he added. The gaze that locked with mine shone in glorious midnight blue shade. A faint glint crossed the sharp yet alluring orbs.

The touch felt reassuring that I didn’t know if I was imagining things but the pain somehow subsided. Thinking that the thing that relieved the painful sensation was solely his hand, even if it didn’t make sense, I held his hand back tighter while trying to catch my breathe.

Shortly after I calmed myself down, I felt the hand on my back was no longer merely supporting me. My body was moved closer into his as if trying to pull me into his tight embrace. I often felt uncomfortable to come into contact with males, but surprisingly not with this person.

His warmth that spread all over my body put me into tranquility. The noises from the other end of the corridor did not seem to bother our closeness until he made a move.

There’s a sense of loss when he pulled himself away and supported me to stand back. I tried to position myself as I regained my composure.

“Who are you?” my intention was simply to know the name of the man who had saved me, but it seemed very hard for him to find an answer to my question.

After a moment of silence, he hesitantly answered, “I…”

“Charmeine!” the person who shouted and came to our direction was Meg.

“What happened? What took you so long?” Meg approached us with worries plastered in her face.

“Sorry, Meg,” I weakly replied.

“Let’s go to a hospital”, the man whose hand I still held tightly suggested.

“Wait, why hospital? What happened?” Meg separated the holding hands and kept me closer to her.

“Charmeine hyperventilated and her chest has been hurting. I’ll get my car, both of you grab your things and wait outside,” the man gave brief explanation and went out.

Meg explained things to the others and the three of us went to the hospital.

The hospital should not be too far from the café, but why do I feel the trip felt so long. Then suddenly Meg opened her mouth,  

“Zad, right?”

“Yes,” the man who was driving confirmed the question.

Zad…

I repeated the word several times in my mind while staring at his back. As if being called, the name owner took a quick glance at me then put his attention on the road again. His action made me embarrassed and I could feel my face getting hot.

“Thank you for helping her, really” Meg’s words sounded really sincere. “Th-ank yo-u…” it’s meant for both of them, but it sounded hoarse and too soft like a mumble, Meg might hear it but I doubt Zad would hear it.

“Can I… just go home? I think I’m okay now” I felt really exhausted and the only thing I needed the most was probably sleep.

“Even though you feel fine now, you still have to get checked at least” Meg exclaimed, it was fruitless to try to refute her, she was so stubborn. So I was just going to keep silent, but then someone in the driver seat opened his mouth.

“It’s okay if she wants to go home, I’ve checked her earlier. It’s fine for her to get some rest instead” why do I find this funny, is he a doctor? Heh. But I supported him, just let me go home for now.

“But… Are you sure?” Meg hesitantly asked me, and I nodded instantly.

“Which direction should I go?” Zad nonchalantly asked.

After we have arrived at my house, Zad did not go right away, he was watching us to get into the house. I turned back to see him only to find his eyes, which filled with the exact same emotions I saw in the café, locked with mine.

He flashed a faint, mirthless smile before moving his car.

“Meg, I’m okay now. Why don’t you go home?” I spoke.

“What? Were you saying that because you don’t want to trouble me? Come on, Char! I’ll take you to your room,” she playfully pinched my upper arm.

“It’s fine, Meg. I think my father’s here. Do you want to sleep over, Meg?” a smile placed in my face, I uttered those words but truthfully I just want to be alone.

“Surely you jest! I have to get up early tomorrow, my mother asked me to go with her somewhere. Call me if anything happens, and you can have the bed for yourself tonight, Your Highness,” she said between laughs.

Her remarks have never failed to amuse me, “Very well, my knight.”

Just then, my father appeared from the kitchen while bringing a cup of hot chocolate. “You’re home. Are you okay? Have this first, dear. Do you want it too, Meg?”

“I’m alright now, dad. I think I was just exhausted,” I doubted my father will let it go with such excuse.

“I’m okay, Mr. Blair. Have to go home. Rest well okay, Char? I’ll call you tomorrow,” she added.

“Okay,” I nodded while bidding her goodbye. After that my father thanked Meg and ushered me to have some rest in my room.

Meg left for her home and I changed into my pajamas. I lied upon my bed as I tried to get some sleep.

It was just then a realization hit me that I haven’t said a word to Zad about my hurting chest. So, how did he know about it and tell to Meg so nonchalantly?