DÉJÀ VU - Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Omniscient point of view:
Kairo's heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the backdrop of the heart monitor's steady pulse. "Nai?" he repeated, his voice trembling with a mixture of hope and fear. He reached out, his hand hovering over hers, afraid to touch her lest he break the fragile connection that seemed to be forming.
Xanai stirred again, a barely perceptible twitch of her fingers. Her eyelids fluttered, and Kairo held his breath, his eyes fixed on her face. Slowly, painstakingly, her eyes began to open. They were unfocused, glazed with confusion, but they were open.
"What the hell?" she whispered, her voice raspy and weak. "Wha... what happened?"
Relief washed over Kairo in a tidal wave, so potent it almost knocked him off his feet. He grabbed her hand, squeezing it gently. "Yuh good, yuh good. Just rest. You had an accident."
"Why yah touch mi? An why yuh eye dem suh red, Kairo?"
Sade-Lynn, who had been watching the scene unfold with bated breath, let out a quiet sob of relief. She stepped forward, her hand reaching for Xanai's forehead. "Nai, you're awake! Thank God!"
Xanai blinked, her gaze shifting between Kairo and Sade-Lynn. Confusion clouded her features. "Who- oh- an 'S' name- Sade? What- a wah yah do? And where am I?"
"You're in the hospital, love," Sade-Lynn replied softly. "You've been out for a few days."
"Days?" Xanai's brow furrowed. "I... I don't remember anything." She winced, a sharp pain shooting through her head. "My head hurts."
Kairo squeezed her hand again. "Just try to relax. The doctors will be here soon." He pressed the call button, summoning the nurses. He didn't take his eyes off Xanai, afraid she might slip away again.
The next few hours were a blur of doctors, tests, and questions. Xanai was groggy and disoriented, struggling to piece together what had happened. The doctors explained that she had suffered a severe concussion and multiple injuries, but thankfully, she was expected to make a full recovery.
As the initial flurry of activity subsided, Kairo and Sade-Lynn found themselves alone with Xanai again. She was still weak, but her eyes were clearer now, and she seemed more alert.
"Tell me what happened," she said, her voice firm despite its weakness. "I need to know."
Kairo exchanged a worried glance with Sade-Lynn. They had been dreading this moment, unsure of how to explain the brutal reality of what had transpired.
Kairo took a deep breath. "You were attacked, Nai. Someone... someone tried to hurt you." He hesitated, searching for the right words. "You fought back, and you were very brave, but... you got hurt."
Xanai's eyes widened, and a flicker of fear crossed her face. "Attacked? Who would do that?"
Sade-Lynn reached for her hand, offering a reassuring squeeze. "We don't know yet, baby. But the police are investigating. They'll find out who did this."
Xanai stared at them, her mind struggling to grasp the enormity of what they were telling her. She felt a cold dread creeping into her heart, a sense of violation and vulnerability that she had never experienced before.
Well, she has...lets be real.
"Was it...Soriah?" The question hung in the air, unspoken but heavy with implication.
Kairo and Sade-Lynn exchanged another uneasy glance. They had deliberately avoided mentioning Soriah's name, not wanting to unduly influence Xanai's recovery. But they knew that the possibility was hanging over them, a dark shadow lurking in the background.
"Sade, I heard you talking about her in the car, I literally could hear everything around me I just wasn't able to speak or move."
"The police are looking into all possibilities, Nai," Kairo said carefully. "We're not sure who was responsible."
Xanai didn't press the issue, but Kairo could see the doubt in her eyes. She knew, just as they did, that Soriah was the most likely suspect.
As the day wore on, Xanai's strength gradually returned. She was able to sit up in bed, and she even managed to eat a few bites of food. The doctors were pleased with her progress, but they cautioned her to take it easy and avoid any strenuous activity.
That evening, as the sun began to set, Kairo found himself alone with Xanai again. Sade-Lynn had gone home to take care of her family, promising to return the next day.
The room was quiet, save for the gentle hum of the medical equipment. Kairo sat in a chair beside Xanai's bed, his eyes fixed on her face. He watched her chest rise and fall with each breath, a silent litany of gratitude and relief.
"Thank you," Xanai whispered, breaking the silence.
Kairo's head snapped up, his eyes meeting hers. "For what?"
"For being here," she said softly. "For staying with me. I even heard you crying at some point... I don't know what I would have done without you."
Kairo's heart swelled with emotion. He reached for her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers. "Mi always ago deh yah fi yuh, Nai. Always."
A faint smile touched Xanai's lips. "I know," she said. "That's why mi love clown yuh out"
Kairo leaned in close, in an attempt to kiss Xanai but she pulled away and scowled, "Yuh know mi nuh ramp wid morning breath so imagine mi mouth lock up fi days."
"Stop chat fuckry a mi ears." he deadpanned, bringing her into a kiss, but she put a hand between their lips. "Kai, stop."
"Xanai stop nuh man." He hissed.
All their actions came to a halt as a phone suddenly started ringing, it was Sade-Lynn's.
Feeling their eyes on her, Sade-Lynn looked at her phone, a look of dread taking over her face.
"Um mia guh answer dis outside." she hurriedly left the room.