Third Chapter

I wrapped my hair in a towel, taking another one around me as I stepped out of the shower. I always found the art of perfectly wrapping a towel around oneself and moving around handsfree, very fascinating. I never got the hang of it. Instead, I would hold up the end of the wrap tightly under my arm. Basically making myself handicapped in one arm.

I made my way to the living area of my small apartment, one arm holding up the towel wrapped around myself, the other hand drying my hair with a smaller towel.

“Hello Raya."

I jumped at the sound of someone in the living area. I looked up quickly to realize Mr David was standing before me. I noticed his eyes were not looking at me. I followed his gaze to realize I had unconsciously let go of my towel and it lay on the floor. He was staring at my completely naked body.

“I'm… I'm sorry.”

I scrambled for my towel, rewrapping it around myself. I could feel tears welling up as I looked at my feet.

"No Raya, I'm sorry.”

He replied immediately.

"I knocked a few times but there was no response. I noticed the door was unlocked, so I let myself in.”

I couldn't bring myself to look at him. If only the ground could open up and take me in.

“It's… it's okay.”

I stuttered. It wasn't okay. I wanted to close my eyes and disappear.

"Are you sure? I'm really sorry”

I mustered up the courage to raise my head and look at him. He looked really apologetic. It made me feel a little better.

"Yes."

I mumbled with a small nod.

“I'll wait in the car. It's just downstairs.”

I nodded again and he walked out slowly. I immediately let myself fall on my butt. I sat on the floor with my face in my hands. I wanted to scream out loud.

My head played the situation over and over. Suddenly I took my face out of my hands. Why didn't he look away? He continued to stare at me until I covered myself. The realization sent chills down my spine.

****

The car ride to the hospital was very uncomfortable for me. He sat across from me in the limo, looking into the MacBook he had on his legs. My eyes occasionally wandered to him but I wasn't sure why. I wished it wasn't just us both in the vehicle.

When he offered to visit my sister, I didn't think he meant it. I noticed a bag of groceries to the far right of his seat. I knew it was for her and I found the gesture really thoughtful.

I let out a deep breath when we finally arrived at the hospital. A sigh of relief. He was engrossed in his MacBook the entire ride. Not once did he look or speak to me. I couldn't help but think the incident at my apartment had something to do with it.

As we walked through the halls to Anna's room, I couldn't help but notice the glances he was getting. He was a very attractive man who knew his way with fashion. A chic magnet, just like his son.

We finally got to Anna's room and he whispered to the nurse to call for the doctor.

“Raya!"

Anna's eyes brightened the moment she saw me walk through the doors.

“Hi Anna."

I walked to her bedside, slowly lowering myself into her embrace. From the corner of my eye, I noticed David standing behind me with his hands in his pocket.

“Anna, meet Mr David.”

I said as I pulled away. She looked at him shortly before giving me a perplexed look. I knew what the look meant.

“Remember that new job I told you about?"

She nodded in response to my question.

“He's my boss's husband. He's a very nice man and insisted he meet you when he heard about your condition."

I knew it sounded strange but I hoped it made sense to her.

"Hello Anna.”

He walked up to her, slowly lowering himself to embrace her.

"It's nice to meet you Mr David. Thank you for coming to visit.”

She replied with a sweet smile when they pulled away.

“Mr David."

Just then the doctor came in. He had a big grin on his face suggesting he knew who David was.

"Doctor Sam.”

David's response confirmed my suspicion. They did know each other. They shared a quick shake and bro hug before pulling away.

"What're you doing here?”

I pulled a chair closer to Anna to watch both men converse. They looked so happy to see each other. She watched them with interest too. We both wanted to know the relationship between both men.

“Came to visit Anna."

David replied with a quick glance and gesture towards my sister. He sounded like he knew her for a long time.

“And you… what're you doing here?”

He asked, patting the doctor playfully on his shoulder.

"I work here man. I've been working here since we graduated.”

It all made sense now. They used to go to uni together.

“Really? That's crazy. Let's grab a beer one of these days.”

David offered. The doctor immediately nodded in agreement.

"Definitely man. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

It seemed like both men were in their own worlds, completely forgetting the two other people in the room, Anna and I.

“Anna's really dear to us, please take care of her and if you need anything, let me know."

I heard him say and struggled to hide my shock. I only spoke of her one time, and this was the first time he was meeting her. Why did he speak with so much intention like he knew her for years?

“She's in good hands Dave. You have my word."

They shook on it again while my sister and I stared in Awe. She was just as surprised as I was.

****

It was another silent car ride from the hospital. After the short reunion episode with the doctor, they went on to talk about Anna's condition. Unbelievably, he made a deposit of a hundred thousand dollars for her hospital needs. I was speechless. Anna was ecstatic. I had not seen her that happy in a long time.

He handed Anna the leather bag containing chocolates, sweets, and all other snacks. She wanted to eat them all at once. Since our parents died, all the insurance money went into her health. We barely had food to eat and didn't have the luxury to buy any extras. Seeing her happy made me extremely happy.

We finally arrived at my apartment. He opened the door and stepped out. I followed after him.

“You don't have to walk me up."

I silently prayed he would just go back into his vehicle and drive away. I desperately wanted the day to come to an end, fall on my bed and shit my eyes. Experiencing so many emotions in one day was mentally exhausting.

"I insist.”

He said instead and I let out a silent sigh. We silently walked into the building, him following behind me. As we walked up the stairs, I could feel my heart pump faster. Why was he doing this? Why was he so nice to Anna?

We got to my floor and finally to my door. I could still feel his protective presence behind me. I slowly turned to meet his eyes. They were almost as blue as his son's.

“Thank you for today. For Anna. I cannot express how grateful I am."

I really meant the words as I mumbled them. I was the only one responsible for her bills and the deposit he made would have taken me months to put together.

"It's nothing. You girls have been through a lot already.”

He whispered. I had no idea how to respond so I just stood quietly. My hands began to sweat and my heart pounded louder in my ears.

“Raya."

I heard him whisper. I swallowed hard and slowly looked up to meet his piercing eyes.

“Has anyone ever told you that you have a very beautiful body?"

My heart immediately stopped and I suddenly couldn't breathe.