17

Chapter 17

I felt like my whole body had been paralyzed for a second but as soon as the adrenaline went down, it became clear that my right hand took most of the damage. I tried to raise my arm but I felt a series of sharp pain from my wrist. It even took me a while to use my left arm to help me sit up. My horse is nowhere in sight. Great. I exerted all my efforts to stand up and I can also feel my shins aching to support me.

I tried to assess the situation. I have to make a choice whether to walk all the way back to the Hawthorne residence or to follow Richard and Andrea to the summit. Calling for an emergency would not be an option since I stupidly left my phone in the changing room. I don't know how much further is our destination but my body's too weak to climb an upward trail.

I made the decision to return to the house. I just hope that the two would see me on the road once they got back from the summit. I started to hobble, limping my way back for help. A few minutes have passed and I felt a trickle of water landing on my nose. The rain is already starting I see. I picked up my pace but I can't really do anything especially when the raindrops began to pour in buckets.

I continued walking. There's no sense in searching for some shelter since all my clothes are drenched anyway. The cold rainwater offered some relief in my body, alleviating the pain and inflammation from my arms and legs. I thought about the other two. Have they reached the summit? Did they found a shelter? I hope they did because the rain is continuously pouring down with relentless force.

I navigated the trail for about half an hour before the rain finally stopped. I know I should be grateful but I'm not because I started to shiver in my wet clothes. Not long after, I heard the sound of hooves approaching. I stood still and called Richard's name. He pulled the reigns commandingly to stop the horse from moving and dismounted the animal swiftly.

He approached me with heavy footsteps, his gaze filled with concern. "Are you alright?" he asked me. Almost in an instant, Andrea appeared by our side.

"The horse was spooked and I fell off." I responded, my eyes shifted briefly to Andrea. "I'm sorry I lost one of your steed."

"No worries, we can have someone to locate it for us." she replied.

Richard's firm hand found its place on my shoulder. "Let's forget about the horse for a moment. Are you hurt?"

Turning my focus back to Andrea, I expressed a sincere apology, "I would like to apologize for all the inconvenience that I might have caused."

"It's fine. Really."

"For crying out loud Carl!" Richard exploded, frustration evident in his voice. "I'm asking you if you're fine and you're still concerned about the horse? Really? Could you, for once, at least consider thinking about your own well-being?"

Andrea and I were both stunned from his sudden outburst. "Yes. I'm fine." I replied when I finally managed to find my voice. "But I think I sprained my wrist."

He tried to inspect my hand but I involuntarily groaned in pain so he had to let it go. "I'm going to lift you up to the saddle. Are you ready?" he asked me and I nodded.

I kicked my feet off the ground on his cue and he guided me onto the saddle with a gentleness that surprised me. His strong hands supporting my weight as I settled onto the mare's back. As he mounted the horse behind me, I couldn't help but feel a wave of awkwardness. The closeness of his body made me quiver so I shifted slightly to find a more comfortable position hoping to alleviate the burning sensation that his presence had ignited. He adjusted his body as a response by pushing his torso forward causing our legs to brush against each other.

His muscular arms enveloped my body to secure it from falling off the horse and I used my uninjured hand to held on the horn of the saddle for additional support. With our bodies this close, his attire began to soak up the moisture from my own drenched garments.

"I'm sorry for getting you wet." I said. I bit my lip hoping this time it wouldn't vex him. I get his point of view. I felt like a broken record, repeatedly saying words of apologies.

"I don't mind." he replied. With a soft command from him, the mare began to move, and the rhythmic sway of her gait beneath me provided a distraction from the awkwardness of the situation.

As we rode along the winding trail, I stole occasional glances at him over my shoulder. His face was a mix of concentration and seriousness with his eyes fixed ahead while guiding the horse with an impressive skill.

"Am I going too fast?" he suddenly asked me. He might have noticed that I was staring at him.

Embarrassed, I turned my gaze to the front. "No." I replied. In fact, I feel the opposite. I unbelievably felt safe in his arms like being embraced by a comforting hug. I don't feel the cold anymore thanks to the warmth of his body.

We finally reached the stable and it was a relief to have a warm shower and dry clothes. Daniel tended to my injury because after all, he was also a doctor by profession. He made a makeshift sling and bandage using a cloth but he advised us to purchase a proper wrist guard and prescribed me some painkillers.

Andrea apologized to us because she feels that it was somewhat her fault that I got hurt but smiled and I said that it was an accident and no was to blame. She invited us again for another trip before her study starts at autumn but Richard made no commitment and said that my recovery is the top priority for now.

We purchased every needed recommended treatment and medicines from a nearby drugstore. We even had a small argument with Richard when he insisted on paying for the goods instead of using my card to complete the transaction. In the end, I l conceded when he used the argument that he's more loaded than I am.

We reached the house and Richard accompanied me to my room to hand me my belongings because he also persisted on carrying them for me. I normally don't want anyone treating me like I am completely incapacitated when I know damn well that I can do them on my own but I chose to accept his assistance as a gesture of gratitude for his sincere care and concern.

"Let's put on your wrist guard." he offered.

"It's fine. I've got this."

"Sit down." he ordered, his voice resonated with authority.

"Yes sir." I replied with a hint of jest. The memory of my stern school teacher commanding me  plays in my mind.

I settled onto the edge of the bed watching as Richard unfurled my bandage with meticulous care. The touch of his rough fingers against my skin as he massages my palm sent a tingling sensation to my body.  I observe him while he carefully place the newly purchased wrist guard on my arm. A realization dawned upon me that caused a rush of warmth to flood my cheeks. These past few days, the closest intimacies that I've experienced with another person was with Richard.

"Thank you for everything Richard. I really appreciate it." I mumbled. He raised his head to face me just as he was done securing the velcro of my wrist support.

"You're going to thank me even more when I want you to take the week off."

"But I can still handle work!" I protested. "I am very much functional."

He applied a gentle pressure to my injured hand, and an involuntary wince escaped my lips. "Are you sure about that?" he quipped.

"Well, my left hand works fine."

"Carl," he began, a knowing look in his eyes, "sometimes, admitting you need a break is a strength, not a weakness."

"But I assure you, I'm fine!"

"Do you know why I snapped at you a while ago?"

"It's not that I'm disregarding my well-being." I replied. "When you mentioned setting aside the horse momentarily, I was concerned that it might give the wrong impression, as if we're not concerned about the animal. What if that horse is important to Andrea?"

"And are you not important to me?"

His question hang in the air but words eluded me, as a wave of emotions surged within me. Never before had someone explicitly expressed that I am important to them.  Am I really that starved with human interaction that his statement held such immense weight. Enough to kindle a slow-burning ember, a spark that will ignite a bigger fire.

"Besides, Andrea said they can ask someone to find the horse."

The moment was interrupted when his phone rang. His attention was shifted as he answered the call, a respite I welcomed. I disliked being the focus of attention. I preferred the sidelines, always had.

"I must return to the office." Richard declared after the call was concluded. "And I need you to take it easy. Allow yourself to rest and recover."

Soon after he left, I followed the prescribed regimen: swallowing a pill of painkiller. I laid on my bed and closed my eyes while reflecting upon the events of the day. I can feel the medicine working, numbing the pain away.

I must stay within the bounds I've set for myself. It is definitely a line I shouldn't cross.

=============================

Oh my god guys! The story made it on *Wattpad picks* and it's now featured on their various official account's reading list. I didn't expect this story to blow up or even be recognized so I'm greatly overwhelmed with the response that this story is getting. Love you all! :D