It was five in the morning and everything was quiet. Christmas had come and gone. Presents were opened, laughter shared and a new dream made its presence known in Richard's eyes as he watched his family together that Christmas. In this new dream, Farrah was there and was as much part of the family as he is. He knew it was crazy to be thinking things like this, but for once he actually was looking forward to this version of crazy.
The crazy of coming home to Farrah everyday. The crazy where instead of her being the first thing on his mind when he wakes up, that she's the first thing he sees when he wakes. The crazy of her being the last thing that he sees before falling asleep. To have her back in her arms, and this time without any restrictions.
As he stroked the buttery surface of the deep brown leather, Richard couldn't help but smile. It was the gift that Farrah gave him. A deep brown leather-bound journal, it was completely empty save for the small inscription inside, letterpress gold ink; for when your thoughts scream so loud, silence them. He Googled it wondering who's quote it could be and he came up with nothing. She wrote it herself, he mused. That was only one half of her gift to him.
The other half, was a beautiful champagne gold Montblanc Meisterstück Geometry Solitaire LeGrand Fountain pen. He had an idea of how much these pens go for, and the thought that Farrah had bought him such an expensive present made him frown. The journal he loved, the pen he just couldn't accept. And no matter how much he tried to return it, Farrah just wasn't having it. She had pretty much resulted to ignoring him. It had been days since he last got any word from her.
Putting the journal to his nose, Richard inhaled deeply. The rich smell of the leather and the smell of paper reminded him of his grandfather's office. He was the soft to his wife's harsh. After every reprimand, every strict word â his grandfather was always there for him with a loving pat on his back and to 'Chin up'.
The buzzing of an incoming message on his phone made Richard blink. With slow languid movements, he reached over for his phone and unlocked it. It was a message from Ben â Farrah is ill. Has been for the last three days.
So that's what happened to her, that was the real cause of her radio silence. Frowning, Richard typed out a message thanking Ben.
***
Farrah slammed the door the moment she glimpsed burnt orange hair and bright blue eyes. She could hear chuckling from the other side of the door and she released a deep sigh. Slowly opening the door, she groaned audibly as she took in Richard's cheeky smile.
"Well, don't you just look like the picture of good health," he said with a smile that made her take a step back. She knew how she looked; her nose was red and rubbed raw thanks to a runny nose, her face felt puffy and swollen. Even her voice wasn't spared; instead of that sexy rasp that most people managed, she sounded like she was talking from the bottom of the sea. And it hurt like a bitch.
"Are you going to let me in, or are you going to slam the door in my face again?" Richard's voice jolting her out of her daze. "I brought goodies," he said extending a paper cup that had Dishoom printed on it.
Gesturing him to enter, she took the cup from it and removed the lid. She put her nose above the vapours and inhaled, or at least tried to. Her nose was just way too congested so she tentatively took a sip and instantly felt her muscles relaxed. She groaned as her head started so clear fraction, "I really needed this."
"You should have told me earlier, love," Richard said standing behind her as he watched her pause as she was about to take a sip. She looked at him confused, her eyelashes fluttering as she blinked rapidly, trying to understand something.
Frowning she made her way to the living room and sat on her sofa stretching out her legs. "How did you know, by the way?" she asked as she tucked herself in.
"Ben," Richard answered simply as he made his way to sit next to her.
"Charlie," Farrah groaned again as she leaned her head back into the pillows and closed her eyes.
Richard studied her for a few minutes, he knew that she was unhappy with him being here. As much as he wanted to be there for her, to care for her; he wanted her to be comfortable with it.
Leaning closer towards her, their shoulders brushing, "Farrah, would you prefer it if I left? I won't take any offence, promise."
"I...no...I just...," Farrah sighed. "Thank you, so much for this," she said as she held the cup of chai up, "but I just don't really like it...well, more like I'm uncomfortable with you seeing me like this," she said squeezing her eyes shut.
"Are you feeling embarrassed for being sick?" Richard asked incredulous.
"...Yes," she answered sheepishly. "I feel weak...and stripped of my power."
"And what power are we talking about?" Richard asked with a brow raised.
"My wit," she said exhaling deeply and sinking further into the couch.
"Trust me, you still have your powers Farrah. It's just taken a different form," Richard said as he to exhaled deeply.
"So, what else did you bring over?" Farrah asked after a beat as she nursed her cup.
"Well, there's chicken soup for lunch later and then we'll figure it out as we go along." Richard said as he got comfortable on the couch. "Oh and I brought a bunch of flu and fever medicine. You can pick your poison."
"Urgh, can I just have this as my poison?," Farrah said as she took another large gulp of chai. "Wait, you said we'll figure it out later. You're staying?"
"Yes. Right, looks like I am not cut out to be a nurse because I haven't even asked you if you had anything to eat before drinking your chai," Richard said quickly changing the subject.
"I did, I had some plain toast," Farrah said. She could feel her eyelids drooping. Richard too noticed that she was slowly falling asleep, so he gently removed the cup from her hands and was quite surprised to find it already empty.
"Sleep, I'll be right here if you need anything," he cooed gently.
Farrah ended up dozing on the couch on and off the entire day, as Richard made a point to wake her up making sure she was well fed and hydrated. It was almost 10pm at night when Farrah woke up covered in sweat.
"That's a good sign, you should shower. It'll make you feel better," Richard said.
Nodding, Farrah slowly made her way towards her room. As she opened the door she turned to face Richard, "Thank you," she said gently.
"Anytime, love," Richard said with a soft smile. Standing up as he rubbed his hands together, he shot Farrah a cheeky smile, "Now, do you need any help undressing and getting into the shower?"
Rolling her eyes at him, she walked into her room to get started on her shower. It was almost 30 minutes later when she walked out of the steam filled bathroom, her body already feeling so much better. As she was about to put on her pajamas, she heard a Richard softly knocking on her door and calling her name.
"Farrah, you alright in there love?" he asked.
Halting her movements, she frowned. There it was again, love. Richard was calling her love. She jumped when she heard the knock again, this time louder. "Yeah," she cleared her throat, "Yes, I'll be out in a minute."
Farrah walked out of her room, chewing on her lip. The frown that was already on her face intensified as she realized she hadn't checked her phone all day. Grabbing that, she resumed her snuggled up position on the couch.
"Richard!!" Farah exclaimed loudly.
"Yes?" came his voice from the kitchen.
"It's 11 o'clock, less than an hour to midnight!" she said.
"Okay, and?"
"You'll be missing the countdown to the new year!"
"I know."
"But, why? You didn't have to be here," she said exasperated. "You're stuck here with me, all ill and disgusting!"
"I know, love." Richard leaned over her, his face inches away, "But I'd much rather be here with you."
Her breath caught once again, "I...I...I might fall asleep again," she whispered, gazing into his eyes.
"It doesn't matter," Richard whispered back.
"You might get ill too," She continued in a whisper.
"Doesn't matter," he whispered.
Farrah didn't know what to say, as she her mouth opened and closed soundlessly.
With another dazzling smile aimed at Farrah, Richard moved away from her and headed back into her kitchen to make them another cup of hot tea.
"You just love disarming me, don't you," Farrah said begrudgingly to his back.
"You could say that it's one of the many things I love doing to you," he said to her shooting her a cheeky wink.
***
Alright, alright, alright...I made it today!! It's Friday and a new chapter is up!!
I would first like to say a big friggin' thank you to @InesMona who always leaves a comment which makes me smile like a bloody lunatic.
Another thank you to @Lazaah for leaving me a comment.
So guys, leave show me the love. Vote, comment and share!!
It's those things that totally make my day and motivate me as a writer. What can I say, we're all basically narcissists! LOL