Chapter 36
Chapter 36:
When I open my eyes, it is to the harsh intensity of a white bulb blazing down on me.
No. I want to see my mother. I want to go back. To be with her. To be wrapped in the warmth of her embrace. To feel her love, even if it is for a few minutes.
I don’t want to be staring up at a light bulb, reminding me that I am back in the real world.
The air is fresh, but it still carries that streak of scent I detest about hospitals. As the painful realization slowly begins to sink into my bones, I start to feel a lethal twisting ache inside my left leg.
The pain is evil. It bites and twists, then stops, only to return again, sharper than before.
I grip the sheets. A wince escapes my lips and I stir on the bed.
“She is awake p>
Footsteps pound into my ears, and in a flash, Sandra’s worried face fills my vision.
“Hey,” she whispers softly, brushing my hair back, her other hand soothing my exposed forearm.
“Hey,” I whisper back, managing to give her a faint smile. Even smiling makes my facial muscles ache.
“Asher?” I mutter, hoping she understands my question.
“He is stable,” she reassures me, her hand still stroking my hair. “The doctor said he is out of danger. He’s in the ICU now p>
I breathe out a deep sigh of relief, ignoring the pain that squeezes around my chest with the action. Asher is alive. He survived. Maybe Mum was right. We still have a chance. We don’t belong to the other world yet.
I groan, trying to sit up. The pain searing through the muscles of my leg intensifies with each movement. Sandra helps me, positioning the pillow behind my back to offer comfort and support.
“How long was I out?” I ask.
“Nearly three days,” she answers, turning to grab the glass of water sitting on the white table near my bed.
“I was out for three days?” I ask, still finding it hard to believe.
“Yes Isla. The duration would have been completely three days if you had remained unconscious for another four hours p>
She brings the glass of water to my mouth. “Here, have a sip. The doctor said you might be extremely parched when you wake up p>
Only then do I notice the dryness in my throat. I take a sip, then another, until I find myself drinking half the glass. I pull away when I feel I’ve had enough. “Thank you, Sandra p>
She smiles softly and sets the glass back on the table. as she turns toward me, her attention is caught when the door clicks open. We both shift our focus to the door and see a female doctor and a blonde nurse walk in, with Ethan following behind.
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His face lights up in a bright smile when he sees me, though his eyes are swollen and his cheeks puffy. I take that moment to look at Sandra closely too. Her face also looks tired and swollen.
neither of them has had much rest since Asher and I were admitted here in the hospital.
“Hey, Miss Isla,” the doctor says, smiling. “How are you feeling p>
“I would be lying if I said I’m fine, because obviously I’m not. My leg still hurts, and it feels like my entire body is on fire p>
The doctor smiles, her dark brown eyes glowing with sincerity. Her long raven-black hair makes me a little jealous, and her flawless porcelain skin is the kind most supermodels dream of. Her long lashes, perfectly arched brows, straight nose, and sculpted chin only add to her elegance. And with that radiant smile, she could easily pass for a celebrity.
But she isn’t. She’s a doctor. And that smile is only meant to make me feel better.
She lifts my right wrist, the one without the intravenous drip, and presses her thumb against it. she’s checking my pulse. Then her hand moves to my forehead. Done with that, she gently touches my bandaged leg, which looks far more serious now that I finally glance at it.
When her index finger presses lightly on the bandage, I wince. She continues, trailing the length of my leg down to my bare toes, pressing gently with each touch.
“Do you feel anything?” she asks, pressing two fingers against my ankle. The pain is mild, but it’s still there.
“Yes,” I answer quickly, nodding, wishing she would stop touching my leg.
“Well, Isla, that’s good.” She sighs, slipping her hands back into the pockets of her white coat. “The nerves in your leg still respond to sensory impulses. And you’re lucky too. Somehow, the bullet didn’t damage any of them. It’s a rare case. I’m happy you have the chance to walk again p>
I can’t believe my ears. That there could have been a possibility I might never walk again.
That bastard Kai is so fucked!
Still, I smile, feeling grateful and lucky. Sandra’s hand tightens around mine, and when I look up, the joyful smile on her face is everything.
“As for the pain,” the doctor continues, pulling my attention back to her, “it’s only because the anesthetic is wearing off. You’ll be given some painkillers to help p>
At the mention of painkillers, I notice the nurse who came in with her injecting a clear liquid into my IV.
“What about Asher?” I blurt out, fearing I might not get the chance to ask again if the drug lulls me to sleep. “Do you know if he’s going to wake up soon p>
“Do you mean the man who was brought in with you?” she asks.
I nod.
“Well, I can tell you he’s out of danger now. But he lost a lot of blood, had one lung grazed by a bullet, and miraculously survived two direct shots to the heart. It’s intense, but he’s going to be fine p>
She exhales softly. “Although I can’t guarantee when he’ll wake up, I know it will take time. Maybe a few days. Or even weeks p>
My chest tightens. “Weeks p>
She nods. “Yes, but he will be fine p>
I gulp a shaky breath, forcing myself to hold on to her words. Asher will be fine. She said he will be fine. I’ll hold on to that.
“Get some rest, Isla.” The doctor smiles, offering me a strange comfort as she holds my hand. “You’re a survivor, but you need a lot of rest p>