Chapter 3 – Time

Syed's POV:

Masood Household, Syed's bedroom – 6th November 2009 – 3.19am

I turned over fitfully. I couldn't sleep. My mind was turning over and over of the last 24 hours. Jane had kept a bedside vigil but to no avail. Christian wasn't conscious but he wasn't in a coma either. Apparently, due to the high levels of damage and pain, his brain had shut down to stop feeling. I didn't even know that this was possible but apparently it was. It was like a deep sleep from which he occasionally woke. It would be possible for him to hear surrounding people when he woke, although whether he was able to respond was a completely different issue.

I hadn't been to visit him yet. I wasn't able to because it was almost as if seeing him in hospital would make it real. I hadn't eaten, slept or done anything, except just exist, just pray, and just hoped for the best. That wasn't too much to ask was it?

The Square, Marketplace – Outside Stacey's stall – 7th November 2009 – 9.31am

I hugged Jane tightly. "That's great news. When did it happen"? Jane's face was tired and her usually tidy blonde hair was matted. You could tell she hadn't slept or bathed yet her smile shone through on her face. "It happened last night. Christian woke up last night for good. He doesn't need any skin grafts, because his skin actually isn't burnt". I smiled back at her but something didn't make sense. "But, his skin was totally black when he came out of the fire".

She nodded. "That was the immediate effects from the smoke".

I smiled radiantly. "That's great news. I'm so happy. Everyone's been so worried. Do you want me to spread the news"?

"Please do. I want to get back to him because, well I've got a surprise for him".

Curiosity arose in me. A surprise? "What kind of surprise"?

"Well, before we arrived at the hospital, he woke up and was saying 'James' before he fell back into .. into his – sleep. So anyway, I've taken James number from his phone and told him what's happened and I really want to be there when James arrives. He's going to be so happy".

James? I'd inhaled involuntarily when Jane had said that. I could feel a fake fixed smile on my face. "That's -good". I tried to keep my emotions under check.

Jane nodded enthusiastically. "I better be going". I hugged her quickly and stepped back as she left. After a couple of steps, Jane turned back to me. "Did you want me to pass on a message or something".

I hesitated before answering. Taking a deep breath, I spoke. "Just wish him and tell him that Amira wants her Fronk back". "Alright, I will do".

I walked away at the same time as Jane but in the opposite direction. My hands were shaking as I turned the key into the lock in the door. I slammed the door shut. "Is anyone home"? Silence greeted me. Good. I couldn't face anyone just yet. I ran up the stairs two at a time. James? He'd been saying James name? I could feel a hurt in me. Maybe that was because I'd been expecting my name. To say I was relieved that Christian was going to be ok was an understatement, but this new piece of information had knocked me for 6.

That evening- Walford General Hospital

I opened the door and let my family pass through. I wasn't sure if I could go in just yet. I took a few breaths and composed myself. I could hear the greetings, puns and jokes already being started inside. Christian's voice was inaudible. I took a step through the door."Syed"? Amira came back through the door at the same moment, so we'd met in the doorway. I gazed at her and tried to keep my attention away from the bed that was just a few metres away from it. Ok, yes everyone was fussing around, tucking the bed sheet in, or still greeting Christian but I didn't just want to see him until I was sure. "Yeah". I shook my head just slightly. "Are you ok?" I nodded. Amira slid her arms around my waist. "Listen, I know that it's hard seeing him like this, but he's going to fine. You're going to be fine too. I'm here". I smiled and nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Just ignore me". Amira met my lips for just a second before I pulled away. I turned to face the room.

I walked towards the bed. Christian was facing away from me. He was staring at James who had the seat directly next to him. James was wearing a chequered green shirt and jeans. His hair had been cut shorter than it was last time and at least this time, unlike the last time I had seen him, he wasn't in tears. "Hey, Christian". Christian turned towards me. I met his eyes in an instant. His sea green eyes that had me almost physically melting in a nano second. Christian didn't speak immediately, just smiled briefly. His smile didn't meet his eyes and I could tell something was wrong.

James looked up. "Hi Syed. Glad you could make it". He stood up and I shook his hand. His grip was weak, unlike Christian's. As he sat down again, my eyes turned back towards my lover's. I realised they had never left mine. "I'm glad you're ok". His eyes shut as he nodded. "Me too". It was Amira who had spoken. She slid her arm around my waist as she stood next to me. "We need our Fronk back again". "I heard from Jane. Don't worry, I'll still make it the best wedding that it possibly can be for you too". It was the first time I'd heard his voice since then. It was the same but it was throaty and more croaky. I swallowed hard. "Yeah".

"So when did this happen". I snapped back into reality and saw as Tambo gestured at Christian and James. I'd drifted off into my own world. There were no chairs available so I'd been leaning against the wall. I'd tuned out of everyone else because it was easier that way. I noticed that Christian didn't answer. It was Jane who spoke and explained the story again. There were various oohing and awwing's going around me. "That's so sweet, isn't it babe". "Yeah it is". I coughed quietly and stood straight. "Does anyone want coffee or anything"? As everyone declined my request, I walked over to the door and the last thing I heard was "Looks like my Fronk has found his true love". I shut the door more forcefully that I was meant to. I walked over to the coffee machine that was located around the corner.

It had been so hard to see him like this, and now that he was a lot better than before, well what happened now? Christian had James and well Amira had me. I tried to push the feelings that were arising down. I breathed deeply, in through my nose and out through my mouth. I repeated it again. It worked. I closed my eyes and when I opened them, my mind was blank. Picking up the coffee cup, I walked back into the room. "Oh, sorry, We're going to make a move now, Syed. The baby is kicking and I want to go home to sleep. So your father is taking me home and come when you're ready". I shook my head. "It's fine. We'll come back and visit Christian another day". "Ooh, can we stay please". Amira looked pleadingly at me, she was more like a teenager sometimes. I groaned. "I'm really tired actually. He'll still be here tomorrow". "Actually, I wont". It was Christian who spoke. We both turned to look at him. He didn't speak. "I'm being discharged". He said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. I could see Amira's stance relaxing next to me but I stayed tense. "Are you even ready to come out yet? You've just been through a fire". Christian rolled his eyes. "Syed, I'm fine". "Are you sure? You must still be in pain".

"It's time that I left the hospital as well. I'm wasting a bed that someone else can use." Christian hesitated. My eyes were locked onto his. I could tell he wanted to say something but he wasn't sure. He spoke anyway. "Plus, it's not the external pain you should be worried about". I winced inside. I couldn't register whether or not I'd done it physically. That was a deliberate dig at me. "You better go, your fiancée is waiting". Amira looked on between us. "What are you two talking about"?

"Don't worry Princess. Let's go". I looked away defiantly and spoke to James. "See you around". "Yeah I will". I looked quizzically. "Oh, sorry I should have mentioned it. I'll be staying at Christian's flat to help him around and stuff 'cos obviously he's not up to it". I looked to Christian. He was staring away from me and refused to meet my gaze. I smiled and nodded at James while I tried to ignore everything that I was feeling inside my body. Amira was at the door, but I positioned my body so she could only see my back. James was fiddling around with a vase and talking to Amira. "What do you mean"? I mouthed. Christian just shook his head sadly at me. I blinked rapidly and suddenly turned. I didnt want to stay here for another minute.

As I walked out of Walford General Hospital, I realized that the time had come. Christian had finally moved on from me.