Luke entered the underground parking, Jerry was already there, "Sir he has already called five times. Don't you think you should call him back?"
"No I don't." He said and made his way to the elevator.
"What if it is something important?" He said.
"I don't think so." He shrugged, "And Jerry stop worrying about these things. You have a lot better things to do." He stepped into the elevator and held out the key against the panel, the doors shut and it started to rise. Jerry picked up his phone, "I'm sorry Mr. Osborne, he refuses to talk to you. Yes. Okay, I'll see to it."
Reaching his floor, his phone buzzed, unknown number. He sighed and picked it up, half knowing who it might be.
"Luke," the person on the other side said, "Don't hang up on me this time."
"What do you need? You already know there's no chance I'll come there. Why do you even try?"
"This is the final time I am telling you. This is not a request. You have your last exam scheduled for day after tomorrow. A week, after a week, you're going to return home. Understand?"
Luke did not reply, he hung up and moved inside his condo.
He threw the bag on the couch and went to the kitchen, grabbing a glass of juice he went to his room. He stripped off his shirt and stepped into the shower, cutting away all of his thoughts.
A shrill voice brought him back, the door bell. He ignored it but it didn't stop. It became rigorous after every second. He stepped out irritated, grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist. Heading down, he looked at the screen beside the door, Jerry stood there. "What is it?" He asked.
"Sir, Mr. George has trying to reach you. It seems urgent." Jerry said.
"Okay, I'll call him. Thank you." Luke said. Jerry nodded and left.
He moved to the table and saw ten missed calls from George and Nick. He called back, George picked up on the first ring, "You finally call back!" He sounded panicked, "We're in trouble. Nick and Tina got into an accident. Nick's fine, Tina's condition is critical. Come to First Life hospital right now!" He hung up.
Luke looked at the screen, taking in everything George said. Then he was on his heels and got dressed, grabbed his wallet and car keys and headed down to his car.
***
Nick was pacing back and forth in front of the operation theatre while George was on the waiting chairs. Luke entered the waiting area and moved directly to Nick and pulled him by his arm, "What the heck happened?"
"We were hit. It was a drunk driver, he hit us head on. It wasn't even our fault Luke. Look at Tina, she doesn't deserve it. She took the blow and I could not do anything. I could not do anything." Nick said frustrated.
"Don't blame yourself. The operation is going to be fine. She's going to be fine. Sit down, don't exhaust yourself." Luke settled him on the chair beside George. He took George aside, "How long has it been?"
"An hour. Sophia's in there too. She said her condition was serious and the operation has a high success rate."
Luke ran his hand through his hair and a thought crossed his mind, "Nora. Does she know about it?"
"Of course not. I don't have the heart to tell her." George said.
"Don't tell her until the operation is over. Handle Nick, I'll fill up the formalities–" he was cut off by a shout, "You cannot enter like that. Stop it or I'll have to call the security." It was a nurse. But before she could get hold of the person, she barged in through the doors. Nora. "Security." The nurse shouted.
"How did she come here?" Luke murmured.
"Don't worry she's with us. We know her." George moved to the nurse. The nurse glared at Nora and then moved out.
Nora was looking around frantically when Nick caught her sight, "Tina. Where is Tina?" She asked, breathing heavily. Nick looked at her, unable to speak anything. "Answer me damn it! Where is Tina?" She shouted. Nick glanced towards the operation theatre, she followed his gaze and froze.
She stood in front of the door for the next hour without moving. Her gaze fixed on the light above the operation theatre's door. Finally it went green from red. The doors flung open and she was pushed aside by the nurses, she moved like a rag doll and almost fell down but Luke held her up by her waist. The nurses brought out a hospital bed.
Tina laid peacefully on it, with numerous tubes attached to her body. She looked pale, her head was covered up in bandages. Half of her face was covered by an oxygen mask. She had scratches on her face, while the rest of her body was covered by a sheet.
Nora brought a trembling hand to her face but the bed was rolled away from her. "No!" She shouted. She attempted to go after it but the grip at her waist too tight. She turned to look up at him, "Please let me go. I want to be with her." She pleaded. "Please." Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Nora it's not the right time. Please wait." He said softly.
"George, the doctor wants to talk about her condition." Sophia said. Nick and George followed her out. The grip was still too tight, "I want to go too." She murmured.
"Nora, please understand. This for the best." Luke whispered.
"For the best?!" She struggled to get out of his hold, he let go. "She's in there like that and I can't do anything about it. I don't even want to know about her condition because I am too scared. What am I supposed to do? I feel helpless." The tears started rolling down. "What should I do?" She said between her sobs.
He cupped her face, "Nora listen to me, we are here to help you."
"But…" her voice cracked due to the sobs. He sighed and pulled her into his embrace. She didn't resist, but held onto his shirt, gripping it tightly in her fists. And then her dam broke, the tears fell down uncontrollably. She trembled in his arms which only made him hold her tighter, he stroked her head with one hand while the other patted her back.
When she finally calmed down she pulled herself away from him, "Sorry," she said in a small voice. He tilted her chin up, "There's nothing you should be sorry about." He caressed her cheek with his thumb. "It is natural to feel helpless in this situation. But just remember you are not alone. Okay?"
She nodded. "Can I see her now?"
"You think you can see her now?" He asked wiping away some tears from her cheeks. She nodded again. "Okay then. Wash your face, then you can meet her."
Tina was shifted to the observation ward. Nick was sitting beside her bed with her hand in his, George was standing in a corner talking with Sophia. When Nora entered the room, all eyes darted towards her. She moved to the bed and stood there looking down at Tina. "She'll wake up within a few hours. Her condition is stabilized, she's not in danger anymore." Sophia said.
"I'm sorry Nora." Nick said.
"It's not your fault. Thank you for acting fast." She said. She picked up her hand which refused to stop trembling and put it on Tina's. "Please wake up soon." She whispered. "I want to stay here for the night." She looked up at everyone.
"I would not suggest that." Sophia said, "Moreover I have contacted her parents, they'll be here by tomorrow night. For the time being Nick, George or Luke can stay here. And I am also here by her side." She added.
"So I cannot stay." Nora looked at her, then stormed out of the room, Luke followed her out, "Nora wait."
"I cannot stay. Why should I wait?" She snapped. He easily caught up with her and held her wrist, "Can you stop acting like that for a moment?" He pulled her into an empty room and locked it. "Let's be practical. The hospital only allows one family member to stay for the night. If you stay here can you guarantee that if something happens you'll be able to manage it?"
She looked at him and fell short of words and gave up knowing this was the best for Tina. "But what if she needs to see me when she wakes up?" She managed to get out the words.
"Then we'll make sure she sees you." He tucked a free strand of hair behind her ear. "Right now think about her and act according to it. You can stay here till the visiting hours, then I'll drop you off." He opened the lock and stepped out. "You can come back in the room if you want to."