Nick's POV
On feeling a lot of movement beside me , I blinked open my eyes. It has been three days since Sophia was discharged from the hospital. Since then I have become a light sleeper. I was trying to be alert in case she needed something in the middle of the night.
I looked at Sophia to see her squirming , her eyebrows furrowed . Leaning on my elbow , I roamed my eyes over her body to find the cause of discomfort. Her face was scrunched up in what seemed like pain.
" Sophia , does anything hurt?" I asked only to get no response. Her squirming increased every passing second which was making me anxious. I couldn't wait for the pain to become unbearable and as I was about to get up to call the doctor , I heard her mumble something.
" No - please no.." My eyebrows creased in confusion. Was she asking to not call the doctor? But I didn't say it aloud . Then how-
My thoughts were cut off when she spoke again.
" No... it hurts. Stop... please stop." Hurts !? What hurts - My eyes widened in realization. She was having a nightmare. Shit!
I quickly moved closer to her and patted her cheeks to wake her up.
" Sophia , baby ." I called .
" Sophia , wake up." She slapped away my hands and continued thrashing.
" Please don't." Her forehead was covered with sweat beads. I was honestly feeling helpless. I had never dealt with nightmares and seeing Sophia, the one I love, in such a condition was tearing my heart apart.
" Sophia , you're dreaming. Wake up." I held her shoulders in place to restrict her movements. I desperately wanted to wake her up , to relieve her from the pain.
" No-"
" Sophia, wake up. Look at me. Wake up." I raised my voice and shook her . She opened her eyes . Grasping, she sat up and immediately winced , what I suppose, was because of the pain in the ribs. She frantically looked around the room.
" Sophia ." I softly called placing my hand on her shoulder. Her head immediately snapped towards me and the very next moment she was hugging me like her life depended on it.
To prevent more damage to her ribs from that bending, I carefully pulled her to my lap . Bringing my hand around her waist I brought her trembling body close to mine.
" Shh baby , you're fine. Don't cry. " I rubbed her back in circular motions to calm her down.
" N-ick....h-he was..... h-hitting..." She was choking on her sobs , keeping her face pressed in my chest.
" No baby , no one is going to hurt you again. I am here with you. Stop crying, you're safe." . Her heart-wrenching sobs were too unbearable for me but they seemed to never cease.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Arranged Bride