Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 2)

97. A night at the hospital

By the time they get to the hospital, Can can barely see straight. He had been worried sick about his brother on the way and he was still worried after giving his name at reception and asked to sit and wait. He starts pacing the waiting area in front of Sanem instead, who watches him quietly.

Every now and then he would look up from the floor when a doctor or nurse passed, only to deflate and wipe his hands anxiously down his face in frustration. He's long since discarded his jacket in the car, his body too tense to even think about getting cold.

After one or two more pacing stretches, he sits down next to Sanem, his back straight and his hands running up and down his thighs before he sighs, closing his eyes.

Sanem carefully puts her hand on his back when he sits forward, his head hanging and swallows. She wanted to comfort him somehow. "Mr Emre will be fine, don't worry."

Can lifts his head. "It's because of me," he says, his eyes on the wall opposite them.

"Can, don't," Sanem begs. "Don't blame yourself for this."

"Why? It's true. I didn't want to listen to what he had to say. Instead I said the first thing that came to my mind in anger. I made it worse." Can rubs the back of his head angrily. "His was too upset to concentrate." He shakes his head. "This accident is my fault."

"Mr Can?"

Can and Sanem both look at the nurse walking towards them with a man in a white labcoat.

"This is Mr Emre's doctor."

"Thank you," Can nods and stands, Sanem also getting up and wiping her hands on her pants. "Good evening. I'm his brother," Can shakes the doctor's hand.

"I'm a friend," Sanem says quietly.

"Evening," the doctor nods. "Firstly, I want to say that I hope he gets well soon."

Can nods in appreciation.

"Now, we did have to do emergency surgery on Mr Emre when he was brought in. He suffered a cut to his neck and he lost blood so we had to do a transfusion."

Can nods, keeping his features calm as he listens. His heart was sprinting however and all he wanted to do was see Emre.

"It went very well though. He's not in any immediate danger any more."

Sanem looks at Can in relief but she could see he was barely hanging on.

"Your brother is a very lucky man. Any deeper against the artery and I wouldn't be saying that to you."

Can closes his eyes and turns his head to the side, inhaling through his nose and letting the breath go shakily. "Thank God," he says and holds out his hand again to the doctor. "Thank you very much doctor. When can I see him?"

"He's to be transferred to another room outside of ICU soon. So - " The doctor turns to the nurse beside him. "Which one is it?"

"Room 1016."

The doctor returns to Can. "He'll most likely still be sedated but he should wake up once it wears off. You're welcome to see him when he's settled."

"Thank you again." Can shakes his hand once more and Sanem wipes under her eyes quickly to hide that she was crying, folding her arms.

"I'll walk with you," the nurse says and they follow her, the doctor going the other way.

They have to wait another thirty minutes in the first floor lobby, but are let into the room eventually.

Can had to ready himself for whatever waited on the other side of the door before he entered, pausing unsurely for a brief moment behind the nurse. Be okay... He shakes it off and continues in as the nurse shows him Emre and then waits for Sanem before turning and shutting the door behind them.