Second Chance

Chapter 37

"How much more time do you think it'll take?", Aish asked.

Noah, who was leaning on the hospital wall with his hands in the  pocket pushed himself forward to stand straight and answered,"No idea. We'll just have to wait and see."

Aish face fell as she stood up and walked towards the washroom frustratedly.

Her frustration was justified. It was almost noon so that means it's been two and half hours since the operation has started and there has been no update. The door of the operation room was closed and not even a nurse have once come out.

Running my hands through my hair, I looked towards the closed door of the OT room for what felt like the hundredth time, hoping for it to open and the doctor coming out smiling to inform us the Rachel is absolutely fine now.

Dear God, let my Rachel be okay! Please.

"Aaron.", a tensed voice broke my thoughts.

My snapped towards it's direction and I saw my mom and dad walking towards us.

A sense of relief flooded my body seeing them and I rushed towards my mom to hug her.

She embraced my in her harms and soothingly ran her hands on my back.

"My baby, I'm so sorry I wasn't here when you needed me.", she whispered.

I chose to stay silent and tears started to pool in my eyes. All this time, I'd not allowed myself to cry because I wanted to stay strong for Rachel. But right now, hugging my mom, I knew I could let my guards down.

My mom heard my sobs and pulled away to look at me,"Honey, don't cry. She's going to be absolutely fine."

When I kept my eyes fixed at the ground, she held my face in between her palms and forced me to look up.

"Listen to me Aaron, your Rachel is in there fighting. Fighting for you, for both of your future. So you can't stand here outside like this, crying. You've to stay strong for her so that when she comes out, she can see you smiling and know that her fight inside for you worth it."

"No mom. She's in their fighting for her life because of me. If it hadn't for me and this relationship, Kelley would have never harmed her. I promised Rachel I'll take care of her but I failed. I failed her, mom."

"No, Aaron.  It was not -"

"Mr West", another voice called me.

While talking to mom, I hadn't noticed when the OT door opened and the doctor walked out.

My heartbeat increased as I roughly wiped my teary face and walked towards him.

Through the corner of my eyes, I saw mom, dad, Noah and Zack tensed too.

"How is she doctor?", I asked, restless.

"Well, I have a good news and a bad news."

My breath hitched at those last two words.

I nodded lightly for him to continue as I felt my mom's hand slipping into mine.

"The good news is that the operation was successful. We were able to avoid all clotting, and Ms Watson is now out of danger."

I sighed in relief before the doctor continued,"But the bad news is she is still unconscious and we don't know when she'll wake up."

There was complete silence. Everyone was trying to process the information.

Almost after twenty seconds, Noah's was echoed in the hallway,"What do you mean you don't know when she'll wake up?"

His voice was raged. Not just normal angry, but raged. As if he was ready to punch that doctor right now.

Guess Noah's patience finally ran out.

My father kept a hand on Noah's shoulder, silently asking him to calm down and faced the doctor,"Is she in coma, doctor?"

My body stiffened at the word 'coma' and I felt my mom's hand squeezing mine.

I hesitantly looked at the doctor as he answered,"No, Mr West. She is not in coma. But her body is very traumatized. She needs rest."

"Okay. But don't you have any idea for how long she'll be asleep?", this time it was my mom who spoke.

"Well, according to my past experiences, it'll take her almost two days to wake up. It can also extend to a week. But not more than that. If she stays unconscious for more than a week, then the situation can complicate."

I was not very satisfied with his answer but I kept quiet.

"Can we see her?", I asked.

"Yes, but only one person at a time. She must have been shifted out of the OT room."

"Where have you shifted her?", I asked again.

"Ms Watson is one of the trustees of this hospital and we treat our trustees with utmost care. Ninth floor is our VIP floor. You can ask anyone on the floor, they'll tell you her room number."

I muttered a quick okay and made my way towards the elevator. Reaching the ninth floor, I saw a nurse in the corridor.

"Excuse me, can you tell me Rachel Watson's room number?"

"She's in room 905.", she said while pointing towards the left.

"Thanks."

I started walking towards the told direction.

902..903...904.

Then finally, I saw 905 and my pace slowed down.

I carefully took my next few steps till I reached the door. My hands shivered a bit while holding the door nob. I was afraid to go inside, not quite sure about what I'm going to see inside.

Slowly, I pushed the door open and peeked inside.

There, on a hospital bed, was lying my Sunshine. A string of wires and machines around her. Bandage wrapped around her forhead, proving the recent operation. A heart monitor beside her, keeping track of her steady beating.

Inching closer to her, I took a hold of her soft hand and cupped it in between my palms.

Baby, please wake up! I need you here.

A tear slipped down my cheek without my consent.

"Damn it, I shouldn't be crying.", I said, abruptly wiping my face to remove all stains of tears that escaped my eyes and those that were still escaping.

Not being successful in wiping them all, I left them to flow freely as I ran my fingers through the silky hair of Rachel.

"These doctors know nothing about how strong you are. It won't take you two days to wake up. You'll be awake much sooner than that. I'm sure about it.", I said to Rachel, as if she was hearing.