Don't Go.

“Careful,” he said.

Valeria strengthened. "Sorry, I…I—," 

She stopped mid-sentence, eyes fixed on his face, like she could drown if she looked down.

“I'll be downstairs," she added, before hurrying out of the room.

She could feel his gaze on her as she walked out.

As soon as the door closed behind her, she leaned on it, a palm resting on her chest. Eyes shut.

“Focus, Valeria," she told herself.  “You're a married woman.

She shook her head and headed downstairs, her skin body still rememberd his touch.

Ivan sat on his bed, replaying the moment in his head.

"Did I overstep,” he asked himself. "Is she mad at me?”

He couldn't help but worry he had touched her where he wasn't supposed to, he felt bad for even letting her walk in on him bare chested.

By the time Valeria returned for the tray, Ivan was fully dressed now. Every button on his shirt closed.

“Thank you," he said softly.

She nodded, still not looking at him, but she could feel his gaze.

Ivan contemplated the idea of apologizing, but felt bringing up the topic might seem…awkward, so he let it slide.

"How are you feeling?” She asked, finally looking at him. Her heart skipped when he stared back into her eyes, holding her gaze steady.

He nodded faintly. " I'm okay.”

" That's…good." 

There was a brief and awkward silence.

Unable to hold his gaze any longer, Valeria looked away.

"I'll be back with your medication for the night.”

Without waiting for him to acknowledge, she walked out with the tray in hand.

***

By the time Valeria returned to Ivan's room, he was soundly asleep.

She walked in carefully, placing medicine vials on the bed side table.

One of the drawers was slightly pulled out, a big envelope stuck out.

He stared at it, hesitating for a brief moment before her curiosity got the best of her.

Gently, she pulled out the drawer and slipped the envelope.

She hesitated again, glancing at Ivan who still laid asleep in his bed.

“It could be vital information that could come in handy while caring for him," she convinced herself.

With that little lie she just told herself, she slipped out the content of the envelope and read the heading. 

A birth certificate.

When her eyes fell on the date of birth, she gasped.

" His birthday is tomorrow?” She whispered.

Before she could fully read what was written on it, Ivan adjusted in his sleep.

Quickly, she slipped the paper back in and placed the envelope back before closing the drawer.

Just then, Ivan felt a presence.

First, his eye lash fluttered, then he opened them fully to see Valeria glaring back at him with a suspicious smile.

He was startled, and sat up immediately.

“I didn't hear you come in." 

“I didn't want to wake you." 

He paused, his heartbeat racing a little faster.

“I brought you medicine," she continued, already opening the vial.

Ivan watched as she removed every pill like the doctor had prescribed, making sure to seal the vial once she was done.

She held out the medicine in a small flat place

“Here, I'll pour you a glass of water." 

She poured him a glass of water and watched him like an adult waiting on a child to take his medication.

“I'm not going to toss it." 

Her brows knitted together. “Toss what?" 

“This," he said, holding up the medicine. " You're watching like a parent.”

A soft laugh escaped her lips.

" Oh, no,” she waved off. "I'm just waiting on the plate and cup.”

She paused.

" I can come back later, if I'm making you uncomfortable.”

She shook his head immediately.

" It's fine, I'm not uncomfortable. Believe me.”

***

Before retiring to bed, Valeria went online and placed an order for a cake.

She couldn't stop smiling to herself as she selected the color she felt Ivan might like, and as she imagined how he'd react.

For a brief moment, she imagined doing this for her estranged husband. Her smile widened.

After successfully placing an order, when laid back down and drifted into a sound sleep.

At exactly 2a.m, she heard faint noises coming from the hallway.

She kept her eyes shut, while her ears strained to listen more to the sound.

It sounded like someone was in danger.

The sleep that kept her eyes heavy flew right out the vent, as she sat up. Her pulse quickened, her heartbeat spiked.

Slowly, she climbed down from the bed, tiptoeing to the door.

Slowly, she turned the door knob and opened the door.

As soon as she stepped out into the hallway, the noise grew louder.

She moved toward the next room. Ivan's room.

The noise seemed to be coming from there, and it grew louder as she got closer.

“Please, no." A voice suddenly said, a familiar voice. Ivan's voice.

The panic in his voice was unmistakable.

"Is he on the phone? Will it be okay if I go in?” 

So many questions plagued her mind.

Her heart dropped, as she suddenly placed a hand on the door knob.

“Mom, dad, please don't go." 

She paused.

"He's having a nightmare,” she said.

“Please, sir. Don't shoot, please don't shoot," he went on, his voice louder now.

Without giving it another thought, Valeria opened the door and walked in.

Ivan laid on his back on the bed, squeezing on the sheets, his legs pulled up and moving up and down on the bed. His head kept swinging from one side to the order, his eyes shut.

He was covered in sweat, in a fully turned on air condition room.

“No, no. Please." 

Valeria felt something else….sympathy.

She moved and tapped him gently on the shoulder.

“Sir, sir," she called. “Wake up." 

Ivan went on screaming and squeezing on the sheet for a while.

Valeria placed both hands on both of his shoulders and shook him gently.

“Sir, wake up," she called again, a little louder this time.

His body moved as soon as his eyes opened.

Before Valeria could understand anything, he pulled her into a tight hug.

“Please, don't go."