Can’t Win Me Back

Ever since Alyssa woke, she had hardly left Jasper's side, forsaking sleep and rest with no regard for her own health.

Three more days dragged by, though for her, it felt like months— years—decades.

The time that passed was agonizing.

This wasn't the first time Jasper had been hurt because of her.

She had been through the fear and panic before, when his life hung by a thread or when he lay in a deep coma.

Yet, this time was different.

For reasons she couldn't understand, the calm and rationality she once had had vanished.

She gripped his hand tightly, her fingers woven with his.

Fear surged through her like an avalanche, threatening to drown her from the inside.

This was a fear that she had never felt.

That intense helplessness tormented her mentally every second of the day.

In just one week, Alyssa, once proud and radiant, had withered like a pale white rose.

She was gaunt, fragile, and exhausted.

hospital gown looked so big on her emaciated frame that

day, from morning until night, she spoke to Jasper about their

when she was 11 Co 18, of their marriage, their divorce,

remembered every heart-stopping

happy times, sad times,

now, all those memories, once too

she remembered him,

right to ask for

"Jasper...

said that there is some

I'm really scared.

afraid that you will forget me when you wake up." Alyssa picked up Jasper's calloused hand and interlaced

over his fingertips, the back

was like

trembling in ecstasy before bringing

public, their affection

would kiss her fingers, her palms—just like

loved her too

were simply his way of showing his love, of not knowing

know what to do with

turn to be vulnerable, her turn to taste the fear of losing

Indeed, God was just.