The sterile smell of the hospital hung in the air as Lisa entered Brian's room, her heart pounding in her chest. It had been a few days since their mini-wedding, and she had taken every opportunity to visit him. With each step, she felt the weight of her decision pressing down on her shoulders, but today, she was determined to focus on Brian.
Estabel had become an unexpected source of support since the wedding. Although she hadn't fully supported Lisa's choice, her presence felt like a comforting abode during the storm of emotions that had engulfed Lisa's life. After their heart-to-heart conversation, Estabel had vowed to stand by Lisa; even if it was from the sidelines, she would always throw in her support. Their friendship was fragile yet resilient, and Lisa was grateful for the reassurance, that she had her best friend back and Also someone who could act as her backbone when she needed one
As she settled into the chair beside Brian's bed, she glanced at his still form, tubes, and wires snaking around him like invasive vines. He looked peaceful, but the reality of his condition weighed heavily on her heart. "Hey, Brian," she whispered, her voice barely above a hush. "It's me, I'm here."
Today felt different. She wanted to share her thoughts, her feelings—everything she had been bottling up. "Do you know you have been in this state for a long time? The more you keep lying on this hospital bed, the more we keep losing hope. Your mom has become a shadow of herself, your dad is now too engulfed in the company affairs, and your sister Hilda is no longer the girl who only cares about shopping and clubbing with the girls. She has matured overnight. She now handles some of the business affairs. Do you know she was able to sign a contract worth billions of dollars just two months ago?"
As she spoke, she glanced at Brian, hoping for some sign of recognition, a flicker of his eyes that would show he could hear her. There was nothing. Just silence. But she pressed on, letting her words flow freely, even if he couldn't respond.
"Everyone from your family misses you and wants you back—including me. I miss you. I hope you know that. The laughter, the lightness of it all," she continued. "I feel like I'm stuck in this heavy fog. So, I've been trying to come up with a new slang for us. How about 'Operation Comeback'? It's a little cheesy, but I think it fits." She chuckled softly, feeling a bit silly but hopeful.
Hours passed, and Lisa found herself losing track of time, wrapped up in her thoughts and feelings. She spoke of her determination to be there for him, to show him that he wasn't alone. "You have to know that I care about you, Brian. Even if it feels like the world has moved on, I'm here, fighting for you."
Just then, the door creaked open, and Estabel walked in, her expression a mixture of concern and warmth. "Hey, how's it going?" she asked softly, stepping into the room.
Lisa looked up, a small smile breaking through her melancholy. "I'm just trying to bring some light into the room," she replied. "Talking to him, and sharing some new ideas for our slang."
Estabel raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile on her lips. "What do you have in-store? I need to laugh, 'cause you suck at giving names."
"'Operation Comeback,'" Lisa said, grinning. "I thought it would be a fun way to remind him that we're still here fighting for him and waiting for his recovery."
Estabel chuckled, shaking her head. "You're something else, you know that? But I love it. It's good to see you trying to lighten the mood."
The two shared a moment of understanding, their bond strengthening in the silence. "I'm still not in full support of everything," Estabel admitted, "but I care about you, Lisa—not as a friend, but as a sister. I want you to be happy, even if it means supporting some stupid decisions of yours."
Lisa felt a rush of gratitude toward Estabel. "Thank you for being here," Lisa murmured, her voice thick with emotion.
"I'll always be here for you," Estabel promised, her eyes warm with sincerity. "Just keep being there for him, and I hope he appreciates all your efforts when he wakes up. That's all that matters."
Suddenly, the room was filled with the soft beeping of the heart monitor, and Lisa's heart raced. "What if he does wake up?" she asked, anxiety creeping into her voice. "What if he wakes up now and can't remember me again I'm not ready for that"
Estabella's gaze softened, and she squeezed Lisa's shoulder gently. "You'll be okay, Lisa. You've always been stronger than you think. Just take it one day at a time."
With renewed determination, Lisa turned back to Brian, ready to continue her conversation. "So, Operation Comeback is in full effect, and I'll be right here, rooting for you," she said, her voice filled with hope. "You just need to wake up and join the fight."
---
Later that evening, the hallway outside Brian's room was quiet, but something was brewing beneath the surface. In a secluded area of the hospital, the nurse who had been assigned to Brian's care discreetly dialed a number. Her voice dropped to a whisper as she glanced around, making sure no one was listening.
"He's still unconscious for now," she murmured into the phone. "There's been no major changes, but Lisa's still spending a lot of time here. I'll keep you updated."
On the other end of the line, a voice responded in low, indistinct tones. The nurse nodded, even though the person couldn't see her. "Understood. I'll keep you informed," she replied before hanging up.
Unbeknownst to Lisa, Brian's every movement, every piece of progress, was being reported to someone who had a vested interest in his condition. Someone close by, hidden in plain sight.