CHAPTER 28 - Oscar wakes up
- Andre, Andre! - he was awakened by the pounding on the door and Rosalie's voice.
- What happened, Rosalie? - he asked sleepily - Please come in!
The door opened and a girl went in, hesitantly, carrying a tray with food. She looked at him a little embarrassed.
- I'm sorry, Andre, for waking you up like that, but Mademoiselle just regained consciousness and I thought you'd like to find out as soon as possible - she said with a broad smile - I brought you something to eat so you don't have to go down to the kitchen and go straight to her.
The man first looked at her with wide eyes in astonishment and did not move. Then, as if her words had just hit him, he jumped out of bed, ran over to her happily and hugged her.
- You're an angel, do you know that? - he said laughing.
- Yes, yes - the girl laughed in response, waved her hand and left.
Without thinking much, Andre grabbed the prepared food from the tray, drank a mug of coffee and dressed quickly as never before. His heart was pounding with happiness, but also with anxiety. What would Oscar say when she saw him?
He ran up the stairs and into her room. Grandma, Rosalie, and Sandrine were already inside. The latter was just leaving, promising to send letters immediately to Oscar's parents. Marie, crying softly with happiness, was adjusting the pillows of the woman who was half sitting on the bed. Rosalie was standing next, telling Oscar everything what had happened. Andre walked up silently and stood at the end of the bed. After a while Oscar noticed him, took her eyes off the girl's face for a moment and looked at him, with a radiant smile.
- Andre! - she said happily - You are here finally! Rosalie just told me about the whole event, because, frankly speaking, I don't remember anything.. - she said, lost in thoughts.
Andre started in surprise.
- The doctor said you probably hit your head when you fell off your horse, honey - said Marie - And that you may not remember the accident. But you will surely remember everything in no time. The most important thing now is that you are awake!
- How long have I been unconscious? - Oscar asked.
- A whole week, Mademoiselle - Rosalie replied with a sigh.
- Holy shit - the woman cursed, placing her hand on her forehead – Are father and mother at home?
- No, but they told us to let them know as soon as you wake up. Sandrine is already sending letters. Madame will probably be there soon. General is on a mission, but not far away, so he'll probably be able to make it tonight.
- That's great, thank you, Nanny - Oscar said, and tried to get up a little, but immediately hissed in pain.
- Do not get up! - Marie shouted - The wounds were really serious and they will be healing for a long time. Now you must lie down and rest.
- Fine.. - Oscar sank heavily against the pillows. Then she looked at the man standing nearby and added - Come on, Andre, sit here. Why are you standing so idle?
Andre was completely dumbfounded because Oscar didn't seem surprised to see him at all. Nor was her eyes and words as soft as ever. Something was clearly wrong. The man walked over and sat on the chair next to her, staring at her uncertainly.
- So are you saying it was an ambush? - Oscar continued thoughtfully - But who could do that? Any traces?
- Captain Girodelle tried to find out more - Marie replied - He was very determined. But he found nothing. If even this witness remained, I think maybe he could get something out of him. However, the man was murdered on the same night he was imprisoned.
- Murdered? - Oscar was surprised - Who could kill a prisoner in the Bastille? Only someone placed high up.. - she thought - Has nobody else been hurt? The Queen?
- She's fine, Mademoiselle - said Marie reassuringly.
- And you, Andre? - Oscar asked, turning to him – Haven't you been hurt?
Andre stared at her. He cast a terrified glance at his grandmother, in whose gaze he saw the same fear.
- What are you talking about, Oscar? - he asked with a lump in his throat.
She frowned at him.
- I'm talking about the ambush, the accident - she replied irritably.
Andre suddenly felt dizzy. His hands gripped the armrests so tightly it hurt. Something happened to Oscar. She was saying weird things..
- Can you leave us alone for a while? - the man turned to grandmother and Rosalie.
- But.. - Marie tried to protest.
- Just for a few minutes, Grandma - Andre said.
- Okay - she nodded - I'll go get some tea and I'll be right back. Help me, Rosalie - the two women left quickly.
...
- What is it, Andre? - Oscar asked when they were alone.
The man sighed and sat down next to her on the bed. He took her hands in his and squeezed tight.
- You don't remember anything, do you? - he looked at her eyes sadly.
- I really don't know what you're talking about, Andre - she said, looking at her hands into his in dismay - I don't really remember a lot from that day. I don't remember a departure, an ambush, and the moment when I was injured. It is all foggy. I remember feeling calm. And.. I heard your voice when I was sleeping.. You called me, but I didn't understand anything.
- Why did you ask me if I hadn't been injured Oscar? - he managed to say.
- Because I thought.. we went there together. Why were you not with me, Andre? - she asked suspiciously.
Andre didn't know what to say. The terrible premonition that had crystallized in his head had now become reality.
- Oscar.. - he began to say, hesitantly - I don't know what happened to you when you were unconscious. I don't know why you think I should be with you then. When the accident happened, I was at my house in Normandy.
- What? - the surprised woman shouted - In Normandy? In your home? Oh God, I don't understand any of this - she put her hand on a forehead with a groan - My head hurts and I feel confused.
- Take a rest, Oscar - said Andre gently - You must lie down - he moved closer, shifted the pillow and gently began to place the woman on it. He was so close he could feel her body warmth through his cheek.
Oscar sighed as she felt his fingers on her back. Andre had never touched her like that. She didn't know this feeling. As if his fingertips were burning her skin. She stared in surprise at his face, which was only a few centimeters from her face. Why had she never noticed that his eyes were such a beautiful emerald shade? She saw his gaze move from her eyes to her lips and before she could think anything, Andre kissed her softly and very tenderly. Oscar relished the sweetness of that kiss for a moment, until consciousness penetrated the haze of that strange feeling of warmth. It was wrong what they were doing, really wrong!
- What are you doing, Andre?! - she screamed, breaking herself away from him and slapping him hard.
The man jumped up and put his hand to his burning cheek. It hurt, but not like the heart, which at that moment broke to pieces. It wasn't his Oscar anymore.
- I am sorry, Oscar.. - he muttered in a broken voice, turned and ran out of the room.
He almost bumped into Grandma in the hallway. When she saw the expression on his face, she said nothing, but she sensed something terrible. She entered the woman's room and put the tea on the table.
Oscar laid turned back and was sobbing softly. Marie walked over to her and put her hand on woman's back in a reassuring gesture.
- Are you okay, baby? - she asked.
- It's not okay, Nanny - the woman sobbed - I don't know what's going on here! I'm so confused. Andre is acting weird.. You know that he.. - she broke off, but then continued a little more quietly - Don't tell anyone, please.. I feel so ashamed.. - she turned and looked at her - Andre kissed me. Can you explain it?
- Oscar.. - she began - I don't know the details of your acquaintance. But Andre is a good boy. He wouldn't kiss you without permission.
- But.. - the woman was confused - But I don't remember anything like that, Nanny..
- So talk to him and ask for an explanation - answered the old woman - Or forget about it.
- I don't know if he wants to talk to me now - Oscar looked down - I hit him. Although.. it wouldn't be the first time..
Marie stared at her.
- I don't know anything about you ever done it before, Oscar.
- Pardon? - he woman was sincerely surprised.
- Unless Andre didn't tell me something - Marie began to defend herself - But if so, it's only your business, I don't want to have anything to do with it - she stood up abruptly and started walking towards the door.
- But Nanny.. - Oscar exclaimed, surprised by her reaction - In our childhood, we were fighting often, weren't we?..
She paused as Marie turned and stared at her in horror. Sobs shook the old lady's chest. Without saying a word, she ran into the kitchen. She sat down at the table and hid her face in her hands. Why is she not happy with what happened? Oscar is finally awake, and she seems to have completely forgotten her bond with Andre. Now she should force him to leave and the whole thing would be over. There was also the matter of her grandson's disappointment, but he was a man, so he would deal with it quickly.
What Oscar said was a bigger problem. She acted as if she was completely confused or crazy. She was raving nonsense about childhood and working with Andre.
„Damn it - Marie thought with consternation - Maybe Oscar shouldn't be corrected.."