Chapter 91 Don't give up
Don't give up
As the ambulance sped through the streets, sirens blaring, I felt my heart tearing apart. I couldn't lose her. Not now. Not ever. I just got her back. Losing her wasn't an option, not at all. I wasn't ready for it. And most importantly, I wasn't ready to face our kids.
What will I tell them when they ask what happened to their mum? How would I have them know someone shot her on her way to the venue? Was I too demanding when I asked her to come over? Would it have been better if I urged her to stay back? She would have been safe, I know that.
"Nova, please hang on," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I love you. Don't leave me."
The nurses worked to stabilize her, but I barely registered their efforts. All I could focus on was Nova's pale face, her closed eyes, not aware of what was going on around her.
We arrived at the hospital, and the paramedics rushed to unload Nova. I followed, still grasping her hand, as they wheeled her towards the operating room. But just as we reached the doors, a nurse blocked my path. "I'm sorry, sir. You can't come in here."
I tried to push past her, but she held firm. "Please, sir. Let the doctors work."
"But -"
"You don't have to worry about her. She will be okay. We will make sure of that," she assured me with a smile that did nothing to ease my fear.
While we were talking, 10 physicians rushed into the operating room, their faces set with determination. They left me standing alone in the hallway, pacing back and forth.
My mind was a jumble of fear, anxiety, and despair. I couldn't lose Nova. Not after everything we'd been through. I won't survive it.
I stopped pacing and slumped against the wall, burying my face in my hands. Tears streamed down my face as I whispered, "Please, God. Save her." For the first time in forever, I prayed.
The hospital waiting room was a blur of worried faces and hushed conversations which I didn't pay much attention to as I had my entire focus on the operating room door.
I paced, I prayed, I begged. Time lost all meaning as I waited for the news. Finally, a doctor emerged from the operating room. I stood up, my heart racing.
"Please," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Tell me she's okay," I pleaded, knowing I wouldn't be able to take any bad news at the moment.
He looked at me for what felt like an eternity, when it was only a few seconds before nodding. "Mr. Thompson, the surgery was a success. The bullet narrowly missed her heart, but we were able to
repair the damage."
I felt a wave of relief wash over me at those words, which seemed like the best news in the entire world. "So, she's going to be okay?" I asked, my voice shaking.
The doctor nodded. "Yes, she's stable and recovering. We'll need to monitor her closely, the prognosis is good. I believe it will take a week for her to get back on her feet. The intervention doctor did an excellent job. She will be okay before you know it."
I collapsed into the chair, tears of joy streaming down my face. "Thank God," I whispered, staring at the ceiling. "You don't know how relieved I am to hear about this, doctor."
"We feel the same too." He smiled at me, reaching over to pat my shoulders.
"Can I see her now?" I asked, begging with my eyes. "Is it safe for me to do that?"
"Not at the moment. Give us an hour to transfer her. You will be able to visit her after that," he assured with a smile before he turned and left.
Don't give up
my phone doesn't matter. I would have ly, when the Caller ID.
"Hello."
"Sir, have you found her too? Is she okay?" My secretary's worried voice filtered in from the other end before I could say anything beyond 'hello'.
"Hopefully, she is. I'm yet to see her, but the doctor assured me I would do so soon."
"What happened? Why is she in the hospital? Is she okay?"
"Yeah. How are you holding up? Are you encountering any difficulty?" I asked, changing the topic because talking about Nova getting shot would make it all too real.
"Yes sir. I realize I shouldn't be asking this given the situation, but are you returning? I doubt I can hold on for long. Everyone is worried. The investors are angry. The crowd was tense. What do I do,
Boss?"
"Cancel it. Look for a good excuse to give."
"But -"
"I can't leave Nova here, and you know that. Please inform them I have something going on. I can't return. Tell them something believable and reschedule it. Don't worry, I will double your salary this month." Before she could argue about it, I disconnected and switched the phone off, knowing they would only blow it with more calls if I didn't do that.
I sat on the waiting chair for like an hour before they asked me to walk in to see Nova. They gave me just a few minutes to spend with her because they felt she wasn't stable enough. Letting me enter was because of how I am. Else they wouldn't have let me step in. They would have asked me to watch her from outside.
I walked into the ICU, my heart heavy with worry. The beeping of machines and the antiseptic smell filled the air as I made my way to Nova's bedside, my eyes fixed on her pale face. She lay motionless, her chest rising and falling with each breath. I took her hand, feeling a surge of love and desperation.
"Nova, my love, please wake up," I whispered, my voice cracking as I sat on the chair next to her bed, taking her hand in mine. "I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you."
I stroked her hair, my tears dropping onto her face. "You're safe now. The doctors say you're going to be okay." I leaned in closer, my lips brushing against her ear. "I love you. More than anything in
this world. Please come back to me.
I begged her to wake up, to squeeze my hand, to give me any sign that she was still with me. But she lay still, her face serene.
I held her hand tighter, my heart aching with fear and love. "Don't leave me. Please don't give up on us. We are waiting for you."
The machines beeped on, a steady reminder of her fragile state as I whispered sweet nothings to her, praying for her to wake up, to come back to me. Time lost all meaning as I sat there, holding her
hand, willing her to live.