Chapter 27 Disappointed
Arriving at the hospital, Chris was transferred to the emergency ward. And this was the second time I was told to wait again for very important information about Chris. Before entering the treatment room, I could see Chris, who was carried on a wheeled bed, complaining of severe pain in his arms and other parts of his body.
While I was waiting to hear back from the doctor about Chris' condition, several other colleagues from the Mercodya team had also arrived. They were a combination of the crew whose duties had been completed in the pit garage, and perhaps representatives from all parts of the team as not all of them were able to visit Chris.
"What about Chris' condition? Has there been any news from the medical team?"
I just shook my head weakly, in the current situation I was very confused about what to do. My chest was tight, my eyes were hot, it felt like I was going to explode a torrent of tears right there and then. I hated myself when I couldn't do anything.
"Hiks hiks, Chris looks very painful. I'm afraid his injury will be very severe," I said while holding back a sob.
"He'll survive. The Medical Centre Staff also said that Chris will get through this well because he was treated quickly."
I hope those comforting words really happened and weren't just words to soothe whoever heard them.
Chris has a lot on his plate at the moment. He has to finish his semester exams at school, and then there are some races that he has to do until the end of the season. If he gets injured and can't do any of that, I'm sure he'll be in a really bad way mentally.
Chris may be a mischievous and unruly person, but he has an ambition that cannot be underestimated. At the very least, even though he doesn't stand out academically, he doesn't want to be left behind by others. Especially when it comes to his talent-racing-is disrupted like it is now. That could greatly affect her mentally.
Back to the current situation, time seemed to have slowed down several times over. second by second seemed to roll by so slowly, the clock on the wall seemed to be stopped for a moment. The footsteps of the medical staff rushing through the hospital hallways felt like a mirage lost in the noise.
This mirage was excruciating as the questions inside my head seemed to explode waiting for their turn to be answered. I was also trapped in ignorance, unable to do anything but do one thing.
Wait.
Waiting was the only thing I could do now.
"Is there a relative of the patient named Chris De Luca?"
As soon as the door opened, a medic came out. I immediately grabbed the woman to ask about Chris' current condition.
"Me! I'm his relative." I looked at the woman expectantly and questioningly. "How is my beloved's condition now?"
The woman's face could not be read as good or bad news. It looked doubtful, but it also didn't look like it was something really bad.
"The patient is not in a critical condition, we should be grateful for that. It's just that..."
"Just what?"
My emotions seemed to rise when I was told to wait for such long-winded information.
"The injury to the patient's flexor and extensor muscles is quite serious. We are still monitoring the extent of the injury and damage. And we emphasise that the patient should rest especially for the next 6-7 days. No significant physical activity is allowed."
My heart sank. The news that Chris was not in critical condition was a breath of fresh air that came before the clouds. The good news was followed by the bad news about Chris' condition.
How could Chris possibly take this? He would be furious, blaming himself, and frustrated. He's in a tight points chase, so if he misses a few races at once, it will be bad for his performance.
I didn't mind as long as Chris was cured, but what about Chris's feelings? That was the big question for me.
"Is it okay to visit the patient? I'd like to meet the patient," I said hopefully.
The woman curled her lip and nodded. "Of course, but try to keep the patient sedentary. The patient must be fully rested."
After that brief conversation, the medic left me there alone. True to form, that information convinced me to enter the treatment room.
As I stepped inside, a few other medics also slowly stepped out. We met briefly, super briefly, just a glimpse. I went in and they went out.
My attention was immediately drawn to Chris lying peacefully on his bed. I could see a calm face and closed eyes as if no trouble awaited him when he woke up.
I was grateful that I didn't have to be immediately bombarded with questions by Chris, I myself also still needed time to give the best answer that Chris should hear in his current situation.
After I sat down, I looked at that face again. The face that used to scream with excitement after a battle on the track was now silent like a mute witness that wouldn't speak. So peaceful, so peaceful that I was afraid that after this he would suddenly explode.
The peace that seemed to come with clouds.
"Ugh..."
Oh, he woke up. I'm glad he woke up, it shows that she's not in critical condition. I then helped her briefly with what she needed. Fixing the pillow and blanket. Also got him some mineral water and then helped him lay down again as before.
"Damn it, why do I have to be here today when I should be standing on the podium."
Although the tone of his voice sounded like someone who was about to explode and hurl flames of anger, in fact what I heard implicitly was a sense of disappointment in myself and the situation. It even sounded pathetic, making my compassion come to the surface, I wanted to show empathy but I didn't want to hurt his ego because of that.
"Hey calm down, that's not what you should be thinking about right now."
I touched the back of Chris' hand, gently, as if it was a fragile object. Chris looked disappointed, he hid it, but the feeling was too obvious to hide.
"There's something more important than that. And that's your own condition. You're hurting, and it's not your fault. Stop blaming yourself so much for what happened," I said.