"Yes. You can't possibly sleep with all the stains on your body," Aisha stated. "Stay here. I'll be back soon."
Karmen watched her retreat into the washroom. When she returned, she set a small tub of lukewarm water on the bedside table and met his gaze.
"Open your shirt," she said softly. Karmen reached for the top button, but even the slight rotation of his shoulder sent a jagged spike of pain through his chest. He winced, his fingers fumbling.
Aisha noticed his hesitation immediately. "Let me." She reached out, her fingers steady as she undid the third button, then worked her way down the rest. She peeled the ruined fabric away from his skin gently, then gestured for him to lean back. He settled against the headboard, his breath hitching slightly, while Aisha took her place on the edge of the bed in front of him.
She wrung out the towel before pressing it to his left shoulder. She began to dab away the dark with slow strokes.
