Chapter 150 - The Light Returns (1/2)

The moment Miguel opens his eyes, the first thought in his head is: Where's Gab? The hospital room is brightly lit, there are machines that surround him, and in a corner, a nurse occupies a small desk and she seems to be writing on a chart.

”Hello,” he says aloud, his voice hoarse from lack of use. ”Hello, can I have some water, please?”

”Oh, my God, Sir, you're awake!” The nurse is suddenly walking about and tapping on machines and looking at readings. ”My goodness! Please, wait, Sir, I'll get you some water.”

The nurse disappears into a side-door, and returns almost in an instant, bearing a glass of still water. She helps Miguel sit up. The man gulps down the water like he's been walking in the desert for so long, and only now he's found shelter.

Miguel wipes with the back of his hand some of the water that dribbled down his chin. He smiles. ”Thank you so much.”

The nurse smiles, too. ”Your brother has been waiting for you. Should I let him know you're now awake?”

Miguel thinks about it for a moment, searching his memory. When was the last time he'd seen Gabriel? It seems like it was a lifetime ago. ”Please, do.”

The nurse disappears. If this is the same hospital where they'd brought Gabriel not a fortnight ago, then his brother would be waiting in a nearby sitting room. Everything's hazy. He's not even sure why he's here. It all seems like he's been dreaming—like he's been moving underwater, his arms and legs heavy, moving in slow-motion. His memory is too hazy, too. He recalls, as if in a dream, Claire as a face coming out of the dark; she said words, and yet he doesn't remember them. That's all he remembers. When yesterday he had woken up momentarily, the doctor mentioned something about an accident. Was he in a car crash? The doctor said not to think too much for the meantime, to get a lot of rest, and let Gabriel fill him in. But fill him in on what, exactly?

”Migs!” Gabriel cries at the door. He's instantly upon him, giving him the most desperate embrace he's experienced in a while. ”Oh, my God! Thank God you're back,” Gabriel mutters as he sobs like a child. ”I thought I lost you, brother. You can't imagine…”

”I'm here, I'm fine, Gab,” he says, his voice still hoarse.

Gabriel looks him over, gently touching his bandaged head. ”How do you feel?”

Miguel makes a face and shrugs. ”Better, I guess. I mean, I had no idea what this felt. Whatever this is.” He gives Gabriel a look. ”Care to explain what this is? The doctor said you'd fill me in. Did I bump into a tree or something?”

Gabriel pauses. He sighs. ”How much do you remember?”

”I'm not sure,” Miguel says. ”I kind of remember Claire…Her face, at least. Like we were talking. But that's it. All I get is this dreadful confusion whenever I try to make an effort to 'remember', you know.”

”Don't strain yourself,” Gabriel sighs. ”It's time we talked about the big white elephant in the room.”

Miguel's brow furrows. ”What do you mean?”