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.

gown looked so big on her emaciated frame that it

night, she spoke

stories from when she was 11 Co 18, of their marriage, their

remembered every heart-stopping moment with

were happy times, sad times, tears

all those memories, once too painful to revisit, seemed

long as she remembered him,

no right to ask for

"Jasper...

there is some issue with

I'm really scared.

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

all over his fingertips, the back of his hand, and

moments, Jasper had often said she was like a tender piece

leaving her trembling in ecstasy before bringing her

their affection was more

fingers, her

loved her

his love, of not

didn't know what to do with

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

Indeed, God was just.