The two nurses escorted Elio into a room. With trembling steps, Elio entered the crowded space filled with medical equipment and various medicinal smells.
As Elio looked around, he was shocked to see Emma lying on the bed, her face marked with bruises and bandages.
"Emma."
He murmured, his voice trembling.
Emma, who had been lying with her eyes closed, slowly opened them upon hearing Elio's voice.
"Mr. Elio..!"
Surprise and happiness flashed across Emma's tired face as she saw her employer.
"Sir! Mr. Elio... you're safe."
Emma said, her voice filled with emotion, struggling with the pain all over her body.
Elio stepped closer, ignoring the pain still piercing his body, and gently took Emma's hand.
"Yes, I'm safe, Emma."
Emma sobbed as she felt the warmth of Elio's hand.
"I was worried about you, Mr. Elio. Thank God, Mr. Elio is safe."
They embraced each other, tears of relief and warmth dominating the atmosphere, feeling each other's relief and warmth. Though their bodies were injured, their togetherness became a source of strength amidst the calamity that enveloped them.
Elio sat beside the bed where Emma lay, trying to strengthen his own crying heart by tightly holding Emma's hand.
"Everything will be okay. I believe that."
Elio felt the same wave of concern, but as an employer, he felt responsible for giving strength to Emma.
Emma cried harder, representing the anxiety that filled her heart.
"Where is Petrus, sir? How is Mrs. Vera and Mia?"
"You calm down, Emma, I'll find them! We have to stay strong. I'm sure Vera, Mia, and Petrus will be fine."
Elio said softly, trying to calm the devastated Emma.
Elio turned to the two nurses still standing by the door, his expression filled with urgency and desperation.
"Nurses, please, I beg you! I need to know where they are."
The nurse looked hesitant, her face filled with uncertainty.
"Forgive us, sir. We haven't been instructed to inform you."
Elio felt his anxiety mounting.
"Please, they're my family. I need to know where they are..!!"
The other nurse muttered hesitantly, "We'll inform you as soon as we receive instructions from above."
Elio sat tensely beside Emma's bed, his heart heavy with uncontrollable worry. Though the two nurses seemed reluctant to reveal where his other family members were, Elio couldn't sit still.
With his courage fueled by uncertainty, Elio continued to press the nurse, demanding answers about his family's condition.
"I don't care! I need to see them!"
Elio's voice trembled, his eyes filled with escalating fear.
One nurse seemed shaken by Elio's expression.
"But, sir..."
Elio cut her off firmly,
"Please, I beg you! I have to see their condition..!!"
As the deadlock became more palpable, a Doctor approached them. With steady steps, he greeted them with full attention.
"What's happening here?"
The Doctor asked, trying to understand the situation.
One nurse quickly explained the situation to the Doctor,
"Sir, this patient is asking to know where his other family members' rooms are, but we cannot violate protocol."
The Doctor nodded, digesting the information seriously. He then turned to Elio, asking gently,
"I'm sorry, sir. Your condition is still not stable. You need to rest more."
Elio stared at the doctor with fearful and desperate eyes.
"I won't rest until I see them all! I promise, Doctor, if I see their condition firsthand, I will rest immediately."
The Doctor understood the anxiety gripping Elio's heart. He remained silent for a moment, searching for the right words.
"Alright, I'll show you where they are. But you must promise to remain calm no matter what happens."
Elio nodded quickly.
"Yes, Doctor, I promise."
With a pounding heart, Elio then followed the Doctor's lead towards the hospital corridor, heading to where Vera, Petrus, and Mia were.
As Elio was about to leave with the Doctor and the two Nurses towards the intended room, Emma suddenly grabbed Elio's hand, her eyes teary with an unbearable desire.
"Mr. Elio, please, let me come too."
Emma pleaded with a hopeful voice, her hand trembling as she held her Employer's hand.
The Doctor looked at Emma with sympathy, but he also knew well that her condition was not yet stable enough for such a journey.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. Your condition is not stable enough for a trip like this. It's better for you to stay here and rest."
However, Emma didn't give up so easily. With a soft and desperate voice, she begged,
"I won't be at ease if I don't see them with my own eyes, Doctor. Please, I beg you."
Elio felt the emotional tremor in her voice, understanding Emma's anxiety all too well.
Elio looked at the doctor sincerely,
"Please, Doctor. Let her come too. This is important to all of us. I promise I'll take good care of her."
The Doctor remained silent for a moment, considering the situation. Finally, he nodded gently.
"Alright, ma'am. You can come, but you must promise not to move too much or stay in the room for too long. You must also pay attention to your own condition."
Emma smiled weakly,
"Thank you, Doctor. I promise to obey your instructions. I promise, I will remain calm."
Elio and Emma then followed the Doctor and the two nurses to the designated room. Although worries still haunted their minds, each other's presence gave them some relief in the uncertainty they faced.
***
Elio and Emma were led towards a morgue with trembling steps and pounding hearts.
Before inviting them in, the Doctor spoke cautiously,
"Before I show you, I want you to be prepared to accept whatever you see here. You must be ready to face the truth with fortitude."
Elio and Emma exchanged glances, expressions of doubt and fear clearly visible on their faces. They nodded slowly as a sign of agreement, although their hearts were trembling with anxiety.
Then, with cautious steps, the Doctor led them into the dimly lit morgue. The subdued light illuminated the room, creating a mysterious aura that heightened the tension.
They stood before two beds. On those beds, lay two bodies covered tightly with white cloth, one large and one small.
Elio and Emma swallowed hard, their hearts pounding as worry crept further into their minds.
"Whose bodies are these?"
With trembling hands, Elio gripped the white cloth slowly, partially unveiling the faces of the bodies beneath.