I am right here

1.30 am, a stormy night. I have been awake for the past one hour to the sound of rain and thunderstorm. When the noise gets down, I can hear the tick, tick, tick of the clock getting louder by the second. The door click-clicks with the wind on its lock nearby, and another a little further away, a subtle fight with whatever's holding it.

The extinct 'Scrat' from Ice Age gives me his vacant stare from one corner. I habitually tap various pages on the pad - jump from one article to next, from one status update to the next - get bored and keep it aside. Am I thirsty? Should I reach out for the water? The light flickers ever so lightly. I shiver, a tiny breeze has seeped in through the hinges. His warm hand falls on me. He has been fast asleep. Eyes still closed, in deep slumber, he gentles gives his 'I am right here' tap. I smile and switch off the light to join him in his dreams.