78. Kassian

Chapter seventy-eight

Kassian

Monday, February 5, 2024

I approach the door to Qaletaqa's room with clammy hands, my heart racing with worry. Every moment I've spent away from him has filled me with a sense of dread. He seemed to be doing a lot better yesterday, but anything could happen, and the fear of him dying suddenly has me plagued with worry.

As I open the door, my heart rate calms when I see Aiya sprawled out in a recliner, lying squished beside her mom. Her dad is safely in bed with a small smile on his face.

"Kas," he says, beaming at my entrance. "That was quite the game last night!"

I chuckle lightly at him. "Always so worried about hockey. Don't you know you're in the hospital and should be focusing on getting better?" I joke.

"Don't you know it's good to keep your mind busy when you're in a crappy hospital bed?" he chides, laughing at me.

"Touché," I reply. "I come bearing gifts though."

"Is it food?" Aiyana questions, her eyes wide with excitement.

"I wouldn't dream of coming without," I tell her.

"Then you can stay," her mom jokes.

"You two are the most food-motivated people on the planet—you know that?"

"They've got to keep their energy up for all the time they spend ragging on us!" Qaletaqa jokes, abruptly coughing into a napkin.

"Hey now, if you two weren't such pains, we wouldn't have to keep you in line!" Zuni tells her husband, a broad smile stretched across her ruby lips.

"Alright, put out or shut up. What's in the bag, Kas?" Rolling my eyes, I walk over to Aiyana, pulling over a chair and handing her the bag.

Her eyes light up, the first genuine smile I've seen from her in days boasting beautifully across her face.

She tears the bag open and pulls out the sushi and donuts, making cute little noises of excitement. "Thank god! I needed sugar, and the sushi doesn't hurt." She winks at me.

Her dad puts his hand out expectantly, and she places a blueberry cake donut in it. Taking a huge bite, he mumbles around it, "Did I ever tell you that you're my favorite man?" he jokes. I know those donuts are his favorite, which is why I drove nearly forty minutes to get them and had to beg the owner to make a fresh batch when she told me she didn't have any of the blueberry available.

"Not enough." I laugh and see Aiyana roll her eyes at me.

"No one needs to add to that big head of yours," she deadpans.

Throughout the entire interaction, her mom is eyeing us, taking note of every word we say. I'm not sure if this is something she's always done or if I'm just now noticing it because of my slip-up the other day when I put my head in Aiya's lap. At any rate, I hope she's at least happy about the development in our relationship, or at least, what I hope will become one.

***

"It is now 8:00 p.m. and visiting hours have ended. Please make your way quietly to the exits. We at Philadelphia Medicine appreciate your compliance," we hear over the intercom.

Gripping the armrest, I push myself into a standing position. "I guess that's our cue. Want me to walk you out?" I ask Aiyana.

She nods, standing and gathering her things. I give her mom a hug and a kiss on the cheek before moving over to her dad, doing the same. He grips me tightly before reluctantly releasing me.

Turning toward Aiyana, I reach for her things, holding them for her so she can tell her parents goodnight before we head out.

"I love you so much, Edoda ," she murmurs to her father, clutching him close to her.

"Come back tomorrow and watch Kas's game with me?" he asks her, hopeful.

She smiles down at him. "Wouldn't miss it."

"Goodnight, Etsi ," she tells her mom and heads back toward me, reaching for her things. I give her a firm head shake and lead her to the elevator before walking her to her truck.

Once her belongings are inside, I pull her into a bone-crushing hug, and thankfully, she doesn't resist. Her body melts into mine, her arms wrapping tightly around me with her face buried in my chest.

Sobs begin to wrack her body, sending a chill of sadness through me. I don't say anything, knowing that's not what she needs right now.

I just hold her.

I hold her until her body goes still and her breathing slows, then she pulls out of my touch. Running my thumb under her eyes, I wipe away the tears that have mottled her clear, tawny skin.

"Goodnight, Kas," she mutters and walks around to the driver's side of the truck, hoisting herself inside.

"Goodnight, my little viper," I whisper as she slams the door shut and backs out of the parking space.