Adam's Eye : Chapter Six

It was getting dark outside. Zaharah rushed back home. Her tears are welling in her eyes waiting to fall. Zaharah choked on her breath and was trying hard to fight back her tears. She felt sick to her stomach….guilty and angry to her ego self.
“He was just trying to be nice…why am I feeling this way right now?” That question keeps on playing in her mind over and over again.
As Zaharah opened her front door, she slowly walks into Adam’s room towards where Adam was lying in pain. Zaharah swept Adam’s hair away from his eyes. She was speechless. She was praying hard hoping that the doctor will come by right now.
Just then there was a knock on the door. Zaharah dashed towards the door and she was so relived cause it was Ayob her neighbor and the doctor. Without any hesitation Zaharah welcome them in and show them into Adam’s room. The doctor began examining Adam’s condition. He gets his small touch and look into Adam’s pupils and with his stet scope he check on Adam’s heartbeat. Zaharah told the doctor about the earlier incident when Adam was stung by the centipede. She removed the bandage and show the doctor Adam’s leg. The doctor began checking on it and he gave a concern look.
“It looks pretty bad.” Said the doctor.
“Please do something. If it is about the payment?” Zaharah was in distress cause she forgets that she did not have any money with her right at that moment.
“No..no it is not about the payment. If I were to be late for another 15 minutes your husband might be dead by now .” Said the doctor as he began to get some syringe, needle and some tiny liquid medicine. He fix the needle to the syringe and began drawing out the fluid from the medicine tube into the syringe. Then he take an alcohol swap from his bag while telling Zaharah to roll up Adam’s t-shirt sleeve. Zaharah did so and then the doctor jab the medicine into Adam’s right arm.
“These are some antibiotics and painkiller. Hopefully his fever will subside and the pain plus the swelling will be reduce. If his condition remains the same or it turns out worst please bring him to the emergency department without any delay. Here is some medicine and glucose powder for him to take. Let him sleep for the night. I shall post you the bill in two days time so you don’t have to worry about that okay.” Said the doctor as he began to pack his bag to leave.
“Thank you so much doctor. We both really appreciate it.” Replied Zaharah as she walk the doctor and Ayob towards the door.
“Thanks Ayob for all the trouble and please send my regards to Ameenah.”
“No trouble at all. You take care alright and if anything do call us okay.”
After they left, Zaharah went back to take a look at Adam. Walking closer to where Adam was laying and she took a chair and place by Adam’s bedside. At that moment she felt so tired as though her whole strength has drained out from her soul. She tried to stay awake but sleep has overcome her.
Adam felt warmer by now. The agonizing pain has gradually subside but his throat was so sore. As he opens his eyes, he saw Zaharah was sleeping by his bedside. He looks at her and he felt sorry for her. He reaches out his hand to touch Zaharah’s hair when suddenly she wakes up. Upon seeing this he quickly drew back his hand.
“You’re awake. Are you feeling better now?” asked Zaharah looking very concerned.
“What happened?” Adam was not aware whatever happened to him the night before.
“You were having such a high fever and you were unconscious last night. I get you something to eat and drink alright” Zaharah was about to get up when Adam get hold of her hand. Zaharah was caught in surprised. Adam look at Zaharah’s face and all he could see is sadness and nervousness written all over her face.
“What have they done to you?” asked Adam.
Zaharah tugged his hand away and ran out from the room. She was not ready to tell the history of the sufferings and pain which she and her elder brother has to go through since their childhood.
Zaharah made some hot tea and place few plain biscuits on the plate. She mixed the glucose powder into the glass of water. She walks back into the room and she saw Adam was sitting up on the bed.
“Im so sorry Zaharah. I don’t mean to ask you that?”
Zaharah place the food on the table together with the medicine. She went towards Adam and held out her hands to help Adam walks towards the chair so he could had his breakfast and medicine.
“Thank you.” said Adam as he sat on the small chair. “Please do join me for breakfast.”
Zaharah ignored Adam’s request and decide to walk out towards the door.
“Please Zaharah.” pleads Adam.
“Can’t you see there’s only one cup of tea.” Zaharah snapped back. Adam smiled meekly. Zaharah walks out to the kitchen to pour herself a cup of tea and went back to the room. She took the chair which she place near the bed and place it opposite Adam. Still not looking at Adam she sat across of him. They had breakfast together in silence. Adam knew Zaharah was not comfortable to be near him and he understand. Adam stared at Zaharah and he was amazed by her beauty. Despite all that anger and sadness written all over her face, he saw that Zaharah has beautiful set of eyes. Her eyes was full of unanswered questions full of hidden stories in it. Her nose was small but sharp and she barely smile. She had shoulder length wavy hair which she tied it into a bun. Zaharah caught Adam’s eye staring at her.
“If you want to say something say it. You don’t have to stare;” cried Zaharah.
“You’re beautiful.”
Zaharah look at Adam widening her eyes and her mouth was still munching the biscuits.
Adam giggle at this sight of her.
“You’re nuts and silly. Simply get yourself bitten by a centipede. At least if you feel sick you should at least tell me earlier then I wouldn’t have to run out at night to get some help.” cried Zaharah.
“You’re concerned. That’s a good sign.” Adam was not giving up.
“Yah. I am concerned about my reputation cause I do not want the villagers to think that I had murdered my husband on our first what wedding night!” cried Zaharah. She was amazed by her reply as well. Okay this is so not her.
Adam laughed by he reply.
“So you think this is funny.”
‘’No! No!” Adam reply. He took the glucose drink and stare into it. He gave that wondering look again. Slitting his big round eyes.
“You enjoy staring at things aren’t you? That’s your glucose drink which the doctor had prescribed for you. Do take your medicines and please don’t give yourself any more trouble.”
“You sound like my mum. I like that.” Adam was beginning to enjoy this moment.
“Yah. Whatever. Another thing, all the food and the medicine which you are having, it was a loan which I had to request cause I don’t have any cash with me.”
“Oh I see.” Adam get’s up from his seat and he took out his wallet from his pants. “I hope this is enough for our expenses”
Zaharah took the money which Adam has given her.
“This is too much. Here you can have this back. I think this should be enough.” Zaharah place the balance of the money on the table.
“No if there’s balance save it” replied Adam. “I m going to have my shower now alright.”
Adam took a towel from his bag and walks out the room towards the bathroom.
Zaharah took the money which she had place it on the table and keep them into one of the cupboard.
Then she went back to the kitchen to prepare some food for lunch. She decide to cook some potato soup with the balance of the salted fish.
After Adam had his shower he walks into the kitchen. He sat on the stool while looking around the area. Then he saw all the pots and pans and some spoons and ladles.
“I don’t remember seeing this yesterday?”
“I bought them from the shop nearby. Later I need to go there to repay the loan. She’s a very nice lady. You should meet her.” replied Zaharah as she was stirring the soap.
Adam was fiddling his finger on the table clothe and as it was his habit he began studying the texture and the color of the clothe. Zaharah took a glance at him. She cannot deny the fact that this is a handsome man. He was tall and lanky. He too has big almond shape eyes. He has sharp but dark features. He has straight hair which he keep until his collar neck. He had stubborn fringe which keeps fall back to his forehead almost touching his eyes. Suddenly Adam caught Zaharah’s eye and he gave her a ‘Darlie’ toothpaste smile.
Zaharah look away. She can feel that she was blushing and her heartbeat was palpating and it was almost making her faint.
After lunch they decide to explore the village. Zaharah took some money to retuned back to the grocery lady.
“Hie young lady. Thanks you so much dear.” said Aunt Layla as she took the money from Zaharah’s hand. “This must be your husband. My what a handsome boy. You both do look such a beautiful couple”
“Thanks Aunt Layla “ replied Zaharah. Adam was beside Zaharah and to Zaharah’s surprised he was shy about Aunt Layla’s compliment.
Then they continue walking ahead towards the town area. They were quite a number of shops. They were some noodles shop, sweet and candies store and also clothing shop.
Adam took Zaharah’s hand and they both walk towards the clothe shop. At first Zaharah wants to pull back her hand. But to her surprised she held on. Adam turn to look at her and smile.
“Come on take a look at this. I am sure this will look nice on you.” cried Adam as he choose a simple white with several small pastel blue flower dress. Even before Zaharah could open her mouth he already paid for the dress. And he also bought few more ready made kebaya and sarong. He also bought some bed sheets and curtains. “These will definitely look nice for our new home.”
“You should not spend so much money on my clothes.”
“For my wife, does it matter.” replied Adam smiling back at her.
As they returned home it was pretty late in the evening. Adam began putting up the curtains in their living room window and also their bedroom while Zaharah make up the bed using the bed sheet which Adam has bought. Zaharah realized that Adam like soft pastel colour. The curtains were pastel lime green with some light silver line across them. And the bed sheet is nice cream colored with light lime pastel green flora printed all over it. Then they both began unpacking their clothes and place them neatly inside their cupboard. Zaharah was curious about the big cases which Adam had bought along with him but she decide not to ask about that at that moment. After they had finish cleaning and unpacking it was getting dark outside.
“At last all done. Yes!” cried Adam as he throw himself on the bed. He feel so much better now and it seems the pain and fever had miraculously gone.
“I heat up the soap then we can have it for dinner.” Zaharah decide to gets up when he felt her hand was held by Adam. She turn slowly to look at him. “We need to eat something” this time she tug his hand away gently and walks out towards the kitchen.
“And don’t get yourself stung by any other creatures. Do you hear me?”shouted Zaharah from the kitchen as she begins lighting up the stove.
“Yes mum!” replied Adam giggling away.
Zaharah laugh by his remarks and she knew sooner or later she will fell in love with this man. It is just that she needs time.