The doctor gently asked Stephen to step aside, his eyes never leaving Kyra's face. "Let me check on her, okay?"
Stephen nodded, stepped aside, reluctantly releasing Kyra's hand as the doctor and nurses surrounded her. The doctor began his examination, checking her vitals, and asking her soft questions.
"Kyra, can you tell me your name?"
Kyra's voice was weak, but she managed a whisper. "Kyra... Lyra McDonald."
"Good, good," the doctor encouraged. "And what year is it, Kyra?"
Kyra's eyes fluttered closed, and she took a deep breath before responding. "2024..."The doctor smiled, his eyes shining with warmth. "Excellent, Kyra. You're doing great. Can you tell me what happened? Do you remember anything about the fire?"
Kyra's brow furrowed, her eyes still closed. "Fire...restaurant...I remember flames...and smoke...and pain."
The doctor nodded, his expression sympathetic. "That's okay, Kyra. You're safe now. You're in the hospital, and we're taking care of you."
Stephen watched, his heart aching with emotion, as the doctor continued his examination. He felt a sense of relief wash over him, knowing that Kyra was in good hands.
After a few moments, the doctor turned to Stephen. "She's going to be okay, Stephen. She's suffered some smoke inhalation and minor burns, but we'll take care of her. We'll keep her here for a few days for observation and treatment."
Stephen nodded, his eyes welling up with tears. "Thank you, doctor. Thank you so much."
As the doctor and nurses left the room, Stephen and Kyra were left alone, the tension between them palpable. Stephen stared at her, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions - love, anger, concern, guilt, and awkwardness. He didn't know how to navigate this situation, didn't know how to be in the same room with her after everything that had happened.
Kyra, too, seemed unsure, her eyes avoiding his as she gazed around the room. The silence between them was heavy, weighted with unspoken words and unresolved issues.
Stephen couldn't bear the silence any longer. "Kyra, I'll go get you some food. You must be hungry, or you can eat it whenever you are hingry" he said abruptly, not wanting to hear her say anything, not wanting to confront the elephant in the room.
Kyra nodded weakly, her eyes still avoiding his. "Thank you, Stephen."
Stephen quickly escaped the room, feeling a mix of relief and guilt. He couldn't believe he was in this situation, couldn't believe he was taking care of his ex-girlfriend, the one who asked for a break because of his life and business and had never cared for him since then, only to call him 3 days back.
As he walked down the hospital corridor, he couldn't help but think about their past, how they parted ways, the kiss, how she slapped him. He had thought he was over her, but being in this situation brought back all the old feelings - the hurt, the anger, the confusion, and then his unwavering lover for her.
He returned to the room with a nylon containing food, bottled water and juice, his heart heavy with emotion. "Kyra, I brought you some food and water, I bought juice also and, I hope you like them," he said stiffly, not meeting her eyes.
Kyra nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Stephen."
The silence between them was oppressive, filled with unspoken words and unresolved issues. Stephen couldn't stay in the room any longer, couldn't bear the tension between them. "I'll leave you to eat, Kyra. I'll come back later," he said abruptly, escaping the room before she could respond.