That goddamned thing

Chapter 14

Alex gets hold of me right before I am able to exit the apartment. He holds me firmly in place. “Cara, what’s up? What is this madness about? Tell me.” He urges.

I have been crying since I heard Angela sobbing on the phone, telling me that Dora is in ICU.

I try to calm down a bit but it is impossible. “Hospital. Dora is in hospital. Accident.” I say through sobs.

Alex gives me a quick scanning look and says, “Stay here. I will be back in a minute.”

He runs toward his room and I stay rooted to the spot holding the car keys. Alex runs back while wearing a blazer over his shirt even though it’s not very hot outside. He takes the keys from me and says taking my hand, “I will drive.” He leads me out of the door, locking it behind him and toward the parking. I am grateful for it because I don’t think I can think straight let alone drive through the busy roads of London. I sit in the passenger seat beside him giving him directions to the hospital.

The roads are comparatively less busy since it is almost midnight. After twenty minutes, we reach the hospital parking and I lurch out of the door taking quick steps toward the hospital. Alex parks the car and follows me reaching me when I am at the reception. I ask for Dora’s room and quickly take the lift, following the receptionist’s instructions. Alex follows me into the lift and I feel the tears which I held back while in the car, weld up in my eyes again. Alex takes my hand and says, “It’s going to be alright Cara. Be brave.”

I just nod at him and start running again when the lift opens. I reach the children’s corridor and see Angela and Jacob, the only people sitting outside a ward. Both of them get up when they see me approach, their eyes bloodshot. I move forward and hug Angela, not able to control myself anymore. I burst out in a hurricane of sobs and so does Angela. I try to calm myself and lean away from her. “How is she?” I say through sobs.

I feel the whole world collapsing around me as Jacob replies gravely, a tear trickling down his cheek, “The next 10 hours are critical.” He says, putting his arm around Angela and leading her to the bench. I move forward and peek inside the ward. I can see Dora lying there in her small cot, a big bandage tied over her head. I feel a new stream of tears flow out of my eyes. Holding the door of the ward to steady myself, I start to sob quietly.

I feel a strong grip wrap around my hand and look up to see Alex holding me. He leads me to the bench opposite to Angela’s.

“How?” I ask Jacob after a while.

“We were out shopping. I got a phone call from a friend so I parted with Angela and Dora for a while. In the few minutes that I was away, Dora got one of the attacks and she refused to recognize or listen to anyone or anything. She ran straight for the road and a fast moving lorry just-“He doesn’t finish and breaks down.

“It is my entire fault.” Angela sobs. I get up from my seat and sit next to her, putting my arm around her. She leans into my frame and sobs. “It’s not your fault Angela. This is what fate brought upon us. Everything will be alright.” I say even though my words are not enough even to reassure my own self.

Alex gets up and walks out of the corridor. I don’t follow him. He doesn’t have to be here if he doesn’t want to. He has done enough already, driving me here and being by my side while I was shattered to a million pieces.

The nurse comes down the corridor after a while and I ask her if I can go inside. She gives me a quick nod and I look over at Angela who nods as well. “We have been inside. Go on.” Jacob says nodding towards the door. I follow the nurse inside the ward and make my way towards Dora. She is breathing slowly and at times I feel like she has already lost her breathing. I kiss her cheek and sit down besides her taking her hand.