SR3. 36. Operation

The long-awaited day finally arrived, the day when Laura was to undergo surgery to remove the cyst in her abdomen. All the preparations for the surgery were in place, and there were only 30 minutes left before Laura would be taken into the operating room. Feelings of relief and worry dominated everyone's thoughts, but they all had to hide those emotions behind smiles to show support for Laura.

"Aryan, where's Mom?" Laura asked anxiously, looking at the clock on the white-walled room. In five minutes, she would be moved to the operating table, but Aryan had not been seen since he left briefly to go to the bathroom.

Liana was nervous, but before she could answer Laura's question, two male and female nurses entered to take Laura to the operating room. Everyone held back their tears as Laura smiled at them, trying to show that she was strong and brave. As the nurses pushed the wheelchair carrying Laura toward the door, Aryan suddenly appeared with a smile. Laura returned his smile with teary eyes, knowing that Aryan must have been hiding. Her red eyes couldn't deceive anyone that she had been crying.

"Don't worry, my love. Everything will be fine," Aryan said as he knelt to be at eye level with Laura in the wheelchair.

"Of course," Laura replied briefly, then hugged Aryan tightly. Aryan's parents and Laura's parents chose to avert their gaze, doing their best to hold back the tears they had been suppressing. Aryan's jaw tightened as he closed his eyes while returning Laura's embrace. "I love you, Honey," Aryan whispered, then released his embrace, allowing the two nurses to take Laura away.

Aryan let out a heavy sigh as he watched the two nurses take Laura to the operating room. Meanwhile, Liana and Della couldn't hold back their tears; they sobbed in their husbands' arms.

The operating room door closed tightly, and shortly after, the red light blinked, signaling that the surgery had begun. Aryan sat in the waiting room, his hands clasped tightly over his face, silently reciting prayers.

Aryan reflected on his family's efforts to persuade Laura to undergo the surgery. For a week, he had been by Laura's side, watching her struggle with pain. Almost every night, Aryan stayed awake, keeping vigil because Laura's body suddenly experienced fever, chills, and cold sweats. Dr. Rahma had prescribed the best pain relief medications for Laura to minimize her suffering. Laura's weight had dropped drastically, about 6 kilograms in just a week, as she often experienced nausea, which reduced her appetite.

They had done everything they could, but Laura still hesitated. The trauma from an accident a few years ago haunted her. She was afraid of needles, IV lines, and the operating table. The bright surgical lights that had been positioned right above her for all those years still haunted her memory vividly. Even the coldness of the operating room that had made her shiver before losing consciousness was still fresh in her mind, as if it had happened just yesterday, and now she had to go through it all again. Repeating everything.

The arrival of Arabella's parents, especially Marissa, was what successfully convinced Laura. Marissa, Arabella's stepmother, was a former patient who had experienced a severe cystic disease, which ended with a hysterectomy. This condition prevented Marissa and Hendra from having children. However, Laura's case is clearly different; her benign cyst only requires surgical removal to prevent it from obstructing her ovarian function.

Seconds ticked by, and it felt like waiting forever. Two hours had passed, yet the red light in the operating room continued to blink, as if slowly tearing at Aryan's heart. Liana repeatedly reminded Aryan to eat or drink to fill his empty stomach, but Aryan always refused. How could he eat when his wife was fighting on the operating table?

"Aryan, have some food. Who will take care of Laura if you get sick? Oh, I forgot, Mama and Mrs. Della are here to take care of Laura after the surgery," Andra said, intentionally trying to irritate Aryan. Without this provocation, Aryan would keep refusing to eat, while Laura's surgery was taking a considerable amount of time.

"Alright, come with me," Aryan replied, standing up and walking toward Andra. Andra immediately put his arm around Aryan's shoulder and led him to the hospital cafeteria. Aryan's and Laura's parents sighed with relief seeing Andra successfully persuading his stubborn younger brother.

Just 20 minutes later, Aryan was back in front of the operating room, feeling like everything that had entered his stomach was just air. Aryan's panic only grew as the surgery seemed to be taking forever. His mind began to wander back to the dimensions of the past, with dark thoughts invading his mind as guilt once again overwhelmed him. Memories of the accident resurfaced, blood flowing on the black asphalt, the red blood replacing the white uniform of the weak girl in the ER, and the first time he saw the scar on Laura's shoulder. Laura's deepest disappointment when she learned the truth that she was the hit-and-run driver who shattered her dreams, and the injuries that led Laura to be in the operating room now.

"You're the cause of all this, Aryan," the rhetorical whisper echoed in his ears as he replayed the clichéd events of the past that filled his memory.

Aryan's breath was cut short, cold sweat began to drench his face, and his body started to tremble. "Aryan, what's wrong?" Andre exclaimed when he noticed the change in Aryan's complexion, his face turning pale as sweat covered it. Thud! Aryan's body collapsed, and reflexively, Andra, who was beside him, prevented Aryan's head from hitting the floor.

Panic set in, and they immediately called a nurse for assistance. Aryan was taken to the Emergency Room for a series of examinations. However, the attending doctor found that physically, Aryan was healthy, but he was experiencing psychological distress, causing his trauma to resurface. Tearfully, Liana held Aryan's hand, while Andre tried to contact Dr. Rafael, who had previously treated Aryan. After 30 minutes, Dr. Rafael arrived after examining a patient in the Psychiatry Department. Andra, on the other hand, returned to the operating room waiting area to be on standby in case anything happened.

Dr. Rafael is a psychiatrist at the hospital where Laura is being treated. Aryan had been his regular patient for a long time, but he had been declared cured of his trauma two years ago. Dr. Rafael, whose charisma had never faded with age, was very close to Aryan's family, and he treated Aryan as if he were his own son. He was always friendly and patient with both his patients and their families.

"What's wrong with Aryan now?" Dr. Rafael asked as he examined Aryan, who was still unconscious.

Seeing Liana in distress, Andre decided to provide a detailed account of Aryan and Laura's early marriage and their current situation. Instead of being surprised, Dr. Rafael chuckled softly.

"You and your wife don't need to panic. Removing trauma from someone is not easy; it can't disappear 100%, especially in life. Everyone is confronted with situations or events that trigger unpleasant memories, and in Aryan's case, it's actually good that he can directly confront the source of his trauma. In a way, Aryan will be able to heal his trauma gradually by himself. Remember when I suggested that you should reintroduce Aryan to that girl? But it didn't work out because Aryan's condition wasn't suitable. Isn't God's plan wonderful?" Dr. Rafael explained calmly, wearing a comforting smile, which slightly eased Liana and Andre's anxiety upon hearing his explanation.

What Dr. Rafael said was true; God had brought his son together with Laura in an unexpected and inexplicable way. Everything had happened so suddenly, and their marriage had taken place in a very short time, just one month.

"Aryan is starting to regain consciousness. Please give him this sedative for now. Everything will be fine. If there are any concerns, please contact me."

"Dr. Rafael," Aryan greeted, then immediately stood up and shook the doctor's hand, kissing the back of his hand.

"What's up again? Didn't you invite me to your wedding?" Dr. Rafael playfully scolded, smiling.

Aryan didn't move, scratching the back of his head that wasn't itchy. Shortly after, he forced a stiff smile. Indeed, he had forgotten to inform Dr. Rafael about his marriage; he hadn't even considered it due to the unwanted circumstances surrounding their wedding.

"Go and meet your wife. I'm sure her surgery is finished by now," Dr. Rafael said, reminding Aryan to observe his reaction.

"Laura, I'm sorry, Doctor, I have to go," Aryan excused himself hastily, leaving the three people who had been watching him.

Andre and Liana apologized for Aryan's impolite behavior and thanked Dr. Rafael before saying goodbye and following Aryan to the operating room waiting area.

Aryan was shocked to realize that he had been unconscious for over an hour. He sat back down, his gaze fixed on his two in-laws, who appeared calmer upon seeing him return. Aryan nodded and smiled at them both, and they responded.

"Aryan, are you okay?" Johan asked softly. Aryan replied with a smile and another nod.

"Please, Laura, you promised me you'd be okay," Aryan whispered in his heart while watching the slowly fading red light.

Aryan stood up, waiting for the operating room door to open, his mixed emotions blending into one. The door finally creaked open, and a nurse and a doctor emerged from the operating room.

"Family of Mrs. Laura," the doctor called out warmly, causing the entire family to approach with tense expressions.

"Thank God, the surgery went smoothly. Fortunately, the lump didn't affect Mrs. Laura's uterus. All of this is thanks to our collective prayers. Now, we're preparing to transfer Mrs. Laura to the inpatient room. Thank you for entrusting us with her care, and we will take our leave."

"Thank you, God," a simultaneous prayer came from all family members upon hearing the news they had been waiting for.

Aryan hugged Andra tightly, and his tears burst out immediately. He no longer cared about pride or embarrassment. To him, this news was incredibly relieving, especially after more than a week of being burdened by deep regret and guilt.

Andra rubbed Aryan's trembling shoulder. "Stop crying. Don't show your gloomy face to Laura," Andra teased, successfully halting Aryan's tears. Aryan released his embrace from Andra and gently punched his older brother's shoulder while smiling. What his brother said was right; he must be happy so that Laura wouldn't be sad and would recover quickly after the surgery.

"Aryan, Mama and Papa are going home to get some change of clothes for you. Andra, too, so that he can go home; Arabella must be worried at home waiting for news," Liana explained while gently patting Aryan's shoulder.

"Sure, Mom. Mom and Dad are here too," Aryan replied, still smiling.

"Okay, then. Mama and Papa are going home. Let's go, Della. Mr. Johan, we'll leave first," Andre politely said, then put his arm around Liana and left the waiting room.

Shortly after, the door to the operating room opened again, and a stretcher carrying Laura emerged with Laura still unconscious. Aryan and Laura's parents followed the footsteps of the two nurses who were taking Laura until they reached Room 02, a spacious VIP room with silver-patterned walls combined with white. There was one patient bed and a medium-sized fold-out sofa for the patient's attendant, a mini fridge, air conditioning, and a large LED TV mounted on the wardrobe that served as a buffet facing the patient. There was a bathroom with both cold and hot water taps.

Johan and Della were amazed and astounded by the luxurious room facilities. To them, it was like a 5-star hotel, something they often saw in television soap operas that Della usually watched at home.

"Let's go in, Mama and Papa. Please," Aryan invited as he saw his in-laws still standing at the threshold, their expressions indecipherable.

"Alright, thank you," Della said, finally coming to her senses, then pulling Johan's sleeve to approach Laura's bed.

Aryan kissed Laura's forehead for a long time before bidding farewell to Della and Johan to perform the prayer in the pavilion's prayer room, which happened to be near Laura's room. However, as Aryan was about to grab the door handle, Johan called him to join them for prayers. Aryan happily agreed because they could pray in congregation.

After Aryan and Johan left, Della couldn't hold back her tears any longer. She let her tears flow freely while expressing her gratitude repeatedly. Kissing Laura's face over and over again, she couldn't wait to see her daughter wake up and smile at her. Just like before, Della was always the first person by Laura's side whenever she woke up.