(Amaia)
I am awakened by a small rustling on my chest. Something feathery brushes against my cheek and taps at my nose.
Unconsciously I scratch at my cheek and struggle to open my eyes.
What is the time?
What is happening?
Is something sitting on my face?
A bit startled, I struggle and after many blinks I finally open my eyes and find myself face to face with the grackle.
He is sitting on my face…
His claws rest softly on my chin while one feather covers my left cheek as if protecting me from the cold. Although the weather is hot, we are in mid-August.
His gorgeous piercing yellow eyes are focused on me while he taps my nose with his pointed beak.
"Hey! Good morning," I groggily whisper, and he lets out a small croak, answering my wish.
"How are you? Are you hungry?" My eyes waver to its sleek body, and thankfully, no blood is seeping out. I need to apply medicine to him and give him something to eat and drink.
He turns his head to the right side and just stares at me.
Instinctively my hand reaches out and I softly rub his head. Closing his eyes he leans into my touch, making me smile.
"You are certainly feeling better. Let's see if we have something for you." Carefully, I grab him again in my hands, and he just hops right in. "Pretty sure you shouldn't be moving around this quickly and resting in your makeshift tray." I playfully reprimand him and climb out of bed. Pushing away the thin blanket, I quietly walk to its tray, trying not to awaken Kacir. His slow snores let me know he is still sleeping because his head is turned the other way.
I place the birdie inside and he settles. I glance at the clock, and it's 3 in the morning. We have to be down for our first session at 6 am, so we still have three hours to go. It's still dark outside our window.
Grabbing the cotton swab, I open the lid of the small container TJ gave me and dribble a few drops on the cotton.
Gently holding him down, I wipe his wounded belly; it's going to take some time for him to heal.
"What even happened to you?" I ask, and he just painfully croaks, which makes my heart ache.
"You are safe with me. No one is going to hurt you." I pat his head and cover him with the towel again. "Stay put."
Tip-toeing across the room, I open the door and peek outside, only to be left startled. There are several cloth bags with handles lying outside our door.
Is it possible that everything I have ordered is already here?
Excitedly, I grab them and drag them inside. I rummage through the bags and get the small containers of water and food for him.
I pour out some water in one container and place it near him. He instantly begins to drink. That makes me relax and smile.
I mix the bird food for him in the other container and make a paste. TJ had advised he would need light food for a few days.
Filling up the small wooden spoon, I hold it out for him. He stops drinking and reaches with his beak to taste whatever I am offering.
~Squeak~
A happy sound? Or a satisfied sound?
I am not even sure but at least he is eating.
"You should have a name," I muse and think. "How about Zille? It means mysterious and shadowy. I think it will suit you." I smile and he lets out another loud croak.
Kacir stirs in his bed and covers his head with the blanket.
"Shhhh! Keep it down," I place my pointer finger on my lips and he just cocks his head at me.
After feeding Zille, I put away his food container while leaving him with the water one. He snugly settles right back into his tray and closes his eyes.
I lean down and place a small kiss on his head and he lets out a tiny squeak of pleasure.
"Rest."
I then busy myself with emptying the bags and settling everything in the cupboard, bathroom cabinets and table drawers.
Now I have clothes, notebooks, a quill, ink, a pair of leather shoes, a pair of slippers, joggers, a tracksuit, and other essentials.
Once done, I grab my uniform to take a quick shower and get ready before waking up Kacir so he can have the bathroom to himself.
But I hardly take a step when the most mind-numbing and gut-wrenching pain erupts in my body. The sweat breaks out of every pore on my skin–making it impossible to keep standing. My knees shake so badly that I drop down on the floor.
No matter how much I try, my hand claws at my chest, and a small scream escapes me, and then another.
I don't want to wake Kacir up so I try not to scream my heart out.
Physical pain tugs at the bond I share with Alnilam, the one he can't feel.
What's happening?
The uncontrollable tears stream down my face. Another pang of horrifying pain and another slow painful scream tumbles out of me.
"Amaia!!!" Kacir's arms come around me, tugging me up from the floor. "What's happening to you?" He asks, voice dipped in deep concern.
I can't speak, my voice won't come out, the pain has me mute and blinded.
He gets up and hurries away only to return with a glass of water. Forcefully he makes me take a sip. "Drink, it will help." I take a gulp and then another.
Trembling, I pull away, wanting to collapse on the ground again. But Kacir holds me to himself and whispers in my ear, "Breathe, just focus on my voice and breathe."
I close my eyes and do as he says, my body shakes vulnerably, my heart beats so fast that I fear it would explode from the pain. All neurons in my body are fried.
My head rests on Kacir's shoulder, and he just holds me until the pain passes, and my body slumps like a glob of slime.
Kacir's thin fingers wipe away the tears from my face. Slowly I open my eyes and my gaze lifts to stare at him.
He is watching me with his left eye while the right remains covered with his long hair.
"I am sorry. I don't know what happened," I apologetically whisper.
He takes a deep painful breath as if preparing me for what he is about to say.
"I do. You have recognised your mate. The bond has settled for you or maybe for both and he was just unfaithful to you."