The waiting room outside the operating theater was painfully quiet, save for the occasional footsteps of nurses passing by. Alex sat slumped in one of the stiff chairs, his leg bouncing anxiously, his hands clasped together as he prayed. His eyes were glued to the doors that led to the operating room, every second stretching into eternity. The thought of Emma on the table, so small and fragile, weighed heavily on his chest.
He barely noticed when Sarah entered the room. She had come as soon as she heard, her soft footsteps breaking the tense silence. She didn't say anything at first, simply sitting beside Alex, offering her presence before her words. Alex's eyes remained fixed ahead, but Sarah knew the storm brewing inside him. Sarahs hair was now put into a similar hairstyle of Emma, she'd worn it to support her best friend's child, as they waited.
"How's he doing?" Sarah asked gently, her voice soft but filled with concern. Alex let out a shaky breath, his hands falling into his lap.
"They just started. Dr. Patel said everything is going fine, but… I can't shake this feeling." His voice cracked slightly, betraying the calm front he was trying to keep. Sarah rested her hand on Alex's arm, a comforting touch that seemed to ground him, at least a little.
"It's terrifying, I know. But Emma's tough. He's going to get through this." Alex nodded, though the tension in his shoulders didn't ease.
"He's just so small, Sarah," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I keep thinking… What if something goes wrong? What if I lose him?" The fear in his voice was strained, and Sarah squeezed his arm a little tighter.
"I can't even imagine how hard this is for you… But you've been doing everything you can for him. You've been there every step of the way." Alex shook his head, guilt flickering in his eyes.
"I should've seen it coming. The bullying, the stress… I should've done something sooner."
"You didn't know," Sarah said firmly, her voice cutting through his self-blame.
"None of this is your fault, Alex. Kids get bullied, and no one could've predicted it would affect his heart like this." Alex leaned forward, burying his face in his hands for a moment.
"I just feel so helpless. I'm supposed to protect him, but I can't do anything but wait." Sarah leaned in closer, her voice soft but unwavering.
"Sometimes… the best thing you CAN do is wait… let the professionals do what they do best…" Alex stays silent as Sarah tightens her hand on Alex's arm
"You're doing more than you realize. Being here for Emma, loving him, showing up every day—that's what matters. It's not about being perfect; it's about being present." Alex swallowed hard, his emotions threatening to spill over.
"What if I lose him, Sarah? What do I do if I lose him?" Sarah's heart clenched at the raw vulnerability in his voice. She didn't have an answer that would make the fear disappear, but she offered him the only thing she could—hope.
"You're not going to lose him. Emma's got so much fight in him. And no matter what happens, you won't face it alone." Alex nodded, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. He leaned back in the chair, letting out a deep breath. Sarah stayed by his side, her presence a quiet comfort as they waited together, the moments passing slowly but a little less heavy with the weight of shared fear.
The sterile hum of the machines filled the room, steady and rhythmic, a constant reminder that Emma was still here, still fighting. Alex sat beside the hospital bed, his fingers lightly brushing over Emma's tiny hand. His son's face was pale but peaceful, his chest rising and falling in time with the beeping of the heart monitor. The worst was over; Dr. Patel had said the surgery was a success. Relief should've washed over Alex, but instead, a strange mix of exhaustion and reflection had settled in.