Chapter 7 - Emma's Resilience

Almost an hour had passed, in the silent room, Elio still sat beside Vera's bed, tightly holding his wife's weak hand. His tears never ceased, flowing as an expression of deep sadness.Suddenly, the door gently opened, and in came the doctor who had escorted him to this room earlier, his face looking serious with a hint of worry in his eyes."I'm sorry, Mr. Elio. You need to return to your room to have your condition checked. I need to assess your condition now."Elio turned with tired eyes, gazing at the doctor with still teary eyes."I'm sorry, Doctor. I'm fine. There's nothing wrong with me. I want to stay with Vera. I can't leave her."The doctor sighed, trying to find the right words to convince Elio."I understand, Mr. Elio. However, you also need to take care of your own health. We need to ensure that you're not suffering from any serious injuries that might have gone undetected."Elio shook his head,"My injuries are not too severe, Doctor. I'm still strong. I want to stay here with my wife."The doctor sighed deeply, trying to find a way to persuade Elio. "Here's the thing, Mr. Elio. What if we examine you first? If everything is okay, you can come back here and accompany your wife."Elio reluctantly agreed."Alright, Doctor. I'll follow you."With a heavy heart, Elio left Vera in that room, leaving a glimmer of hope that one day she would wake up from her slumber and respond to his endless embrace and love.***The next day, the gentle sunlight illuminated the cemetery, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and reverence.Emma, accompanied by her employer, Elio, arrived at the burial site. Several mourners also witnessed the poignant moment of the burial process, filling the air with profound grief.Emma and Elio still bore some bandages and wounds on their bodies. The walking sticks they held tightly served as supports, helping them maintain balance as they walked toward the burial site.They stood in front of two graves side by side, gazing at the tombstones of Petrus and Mia with unspoken sorrow. The fresh graves depicted the profound sadness that had befallen the two remaining souls.Emma collapsed between Petrus's and Mia's graves, her body trembling with uncontrollable sobs, swaying with deep pain. Meanwhile, the sunlight blended with the gentle sighs of the wind.After some time passed, slowly the crowd of mourners began to leave the burial site, leaving Elio standing tall with the support of his cane. On the other hand, Emma still lingered between the two graves that marked her greatest loss, embracing the soil that covered her husband and baby tightly. The mournful cry of the wind added to the silent solemnity enveloping them.Elio gazed with eyes full of sweet memories and sadness."Petrus was an extraordinary figure, responsible, and always ready to help. He had remarkable patience. As for Mia, she was a little angel still innocent, she was so cute and adorable. I'm sure God will grant the best place for Petrus and Mia."Emma, with weary eyes and a heavy heart, placed white roses on Petrus's and Mia's graves, a final tribute to her husband and baby."Thank you, Mr. Elio, for everything.""No need to thank me, Emma. You're not just a house help, you're also part of our family. We will always be here for you." Said Elio softly.Emma smiled faintly, although her tears flowed incessantly."Thank you, Mr. Elio, for considering us as family. I will miss Petrus and Mia, but I am also very grateful to have you and Mrs. Vera."Elio gently held Emma's shoulder, his eyes full of deep empathy. He felt the same pain but remained strong to provide support to Emma in these difficult times."You must be strong, Emma. We will get through this together. I'm here for you, always."***As the twilight began to spread across the sky, the atmosphere inside the room remained quiet. Elio, accompanied by Emma, did not move from Vera's bedside.Vera still lay weak, her body vulnerable amidst various medical equipment surrounding her, and until then, she had not regained consciousness.Suddenly, the light footsteps of a woman were heard in the hallway, and a female doctor entered. Her face was serious, reflecting news that might not be pleasant."Good evening, Mr. Elio. I'm Doctor Milena. There are some updates I'd like to discuss with you regarding Mrs. Vera's condition."Elio took a deep breath, prepared to accept whatever news was to be delivered."Yes, Doctor Milena. I'm ready to listen. What's going on?""Let's discuss this in my office. There are a few things I need to show you."Doctor Milena said, her face serious, radiating an authority that couldn't be ignored.Elio glanced at Emma, giving her a look filled with a plea."Emma, please stay here to take care of Vera. I'll be back shortly.""Of course, Sir."Emma nodded, smiling supportively at Elio before he followed Doctor Milena to her office.***Elio sat tensely in Doctor Milena's office, seated in front of a brightly lit desk with various medical equipment and scattered documents around it. His gaze was tense, observing every move of Doctor Milena as she prepared the examination results of Vera.Doctor Milena, this calm and authoritative woman with a beautiful face, looked at Elio with a concerned expression. Carefully, she opened the medical file and highlighted the examination results on the monitor in front of them."Mr. Elio, I understand that this may be difficult to hear, but I have to inform you of the latest examination results regarding Mrs. Vera's condition."Elio swallowed hard, waiting with undisguised tension."I'm ready to listen, Doctor Milena."Doctor Milena explained slowly while showing the file in front of Elio."Based on our examination results, it appears that the baby carried by Mrs. Vera, at two months gestation, has suffered a miscarriage as a result of the impact from yesterday's car accident.""Really?"Elio felt his world crumbling before him. The baby they had eagerly awaited, which had been the light of their household, now had to depart before seeing the world.Elio fell silent for a moment, tears welling in his eyes, trying to contain the sorrow filling his heart."Perhaps it was indeed our fate to be delayed again in having a child. But I hope that Vera will be okay."Doctor Milena, her face full of concern, then provided additional information regarding Vera's condition."I'm sorry, Mr. Elio. There is another matter related to Mrs. Vera's condition. I hope you can accept it.""What is it, Doctor?"Elio sat tensely in his chair, full of worry. He listened carefully to every word spoken by Doctor Milena, trying to digest every detail conveyed.