Ricky & Nini : After All

Chapter 30 : Healing

Nini's POV:

When I woke up, I was in a small hospital room. It takes me a second to get adjusted to the bright lights. An IV is stuck in my right arm, and my leg is bandaged up. I try to look for a clock in the room, but it kinda hurts to move my neck. I decide to just rest my head on the pillow. 

I think I must've been out of it for a few minutes, because the next thing I know, a nurse is standing over me. "It's only been a few hours, don't worry." She says before I can ask. I breathe a sigh of relief. My mind is very foggy, so I can't really form any other questions in my mind.

"You're very lucky, Nina," The nurse continues. "You have a concussion, but no signs of internal bleeding. Your leg is badly bruised, and you needed a few stitches." I nod and try to sit up again. I also try to smile at her but only one side of my lip curves up. I press my fingers to my right cheek and realize that it is numb. The rest of my face feels like it's being pricked by a thousand tiny needles.

"An antibiotic was put on your cuts so it might still be stinging a little," The nurse explains again before I can open my mouth to question the strange sensation. "All you need now is some rest, okay? I think you'll be good to go tomorrow." "Okay." I reply, my voice shaking. I rest my head back on the stiff pillow and attempt to force myself back to sleep. As I'm laying there, I try to recount what happened this morning. I can barely remember. 

Ricky was there, I know. I fell a really long way. He held me, I think.

I heard, "I love you." He told me that he loves me. 

Was that some kind of twisted, near death dream? Or did he actually say it?

As I'm about to drift off, I hear his voice, muffled by the thin hospital wall. "How's she doing? Is she awake?" I don't hear the nurse's response. I want to see him. I want to talk to him. About what exactly, I don't know. 

The door flies open and so do my eyes. There he is, standing beside the bed. He looks frazzled, as if he's been worrying about me for months instead of hours. "Nini," He whispers, touching my hand so gently as if I might break. "Hi." I reply, not knowing what else to say. I prop myself up on the bed. "I'm so glad you're okay. I really didn't know what to do. It was my fault, really. It was.  I thought...I thought..." Ricky mumbles, stumbling over his words. His eyes glimmer with tears, threatening to spill over his eyelashes. 

I take his hand and pull him into a hug. He's gentle as he hugs me, as much as I want him to smother me right now. 

After trying the past few months to suppress what I told myself I wasn't feeling, it's useless now. I can't pretend that I don't feel anything anymore. 

Ricky's POV:

My day has been a total blur. I think I paced the small hospital's halls about five thousand times. When Nini finally woke up, I was shaking with anticipation. She's not going to blame me for this, is she? As much as I hope she doesn't, I can't be mad if she does. If I hadn't of distracted her... I keep thinking.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I ask as she hugs me tighter than I expected. "Yes, Ricky. I'll be fine." Nini says into my shoulder. After a few more seconds that I wish could last forever, I pull away from her and sit on the edge of the bed. "My flight is tomorrow morning." I say quietly. "I can change it and stay a few extra days." I add quickly. 

Nini shakes her head as profusely as she can. "No, it's okay, really." She says, placing her hand over mine. "You've already done so much for me." 

"Okay. If you change you mind just tell me and I'll stay. In a heartbeat." I reply. She nods. "Thank you, Ricky."

The nurse walks in. "Ricky, I think she's in need of some more rest." She says. "Thank you, Mrs. Warren." I reply, standing up from the side of the bed. "Of course. Close the door when you leave." Mrs. Warren says before leaving the room. "Bye, Nini." I say. "I'll come visit again tonight, if they'll let me." Nini nods giving me the best smile she can. I start to walk towards the door.

"Is it true?" She asks. I turn around, not fully understanding what she's asking. "What you said...after I fell." 

"Yes."