Chapter 85
Becky walked into Colin’s hospital room at around 7:30 a. m. It was Wednesday, the fifth day after his accident and he was yet to open his eyes. Her boss had cleared her to work remotely for the next two weeks. And that had been an immense relief for Becky.
She shot the door behind her. She stood grimacing at the foot of his bed for a few minutes before she sat on the chair nearest to the bed.
Colin lay on the bed as if he was taking a nap. Apart from the plaster on his arm and another on his chin, he looked normal and peaceful. The ventilator he was hooked on was beeping every few seconds.
His doctors said his vital organs were not affected. And the CT scan result came out good too. They were all at a loss why he hadn’t woken up yet, with the best of treatments he’d been receiving at the foremost prestigious private hospital.
The consultant had informed his parents that if he didn’t wake up in two days, they would have to resort to using steroids. They had both agreed they were okay with anything that would make their son open his eyes.
“Sweet,” Becky whispered and touched his arm. A clog formed at the back of her throat and tears were already welling up in her eyes. “You have to wake up, please. I miss you so much. Come back to me…baby…daddy come back.”
She burst into tears and stopped talking as her tears fell freely.
After her tears subsided, she put her head on the pillow beside his and continued to talk to him in a whisper. The doctors had told them he could hear everything said to him in his subconscious.
His mom arrived at noon and it did not surprise her to see that Becky was already there.
“Oh darling sweet girl,” the older woman said and sat on the chair beside her, “I knew you would be here already.”NôvelDrama.Org content.
They talked about Colin for a while, and Mrs. Blake insisted Becky should come home with her to eat.
“I’m sure you have eaten nothing today.” the older woman looked into Becky’s eyes with fondness. “Have you?”
“No,” she shook her head. “I don’t feel like eating, mom.”
“You need to eat something even if it’s little, please.” Mrs. Blake reached out and tucked a lock of Becky’s tangled hair behind her ear with unexpected affection. “You need it for strength.”
Colin’s mom had been very nice to her since Colin had the accident. She had softened up towards Becky.
“I don’t have an appetite,” Becky protested and looked over at Colin’s peaceful form on the bed. “And I want to be here beside him by the time he wakes up.”
“I know,” she smiled at her soon-to-be daughter-in-law. “I assure you, he won’t wake up when you are not here.”
Becky took a deep breath and allowed herself to be led out of the room.
“What would you like to eat?” She asked Becky as soon as they got into the car. “So I can call home and ask them to start preparing it.”
“Anything,” she answered wearily. “Anything?” Mrs. Blake reached for her phone and asked the driver to start driving. “I know what will soothe your appetite.” She called the chef and asked him to make chicken soup.
When they got home, she made sure that Becky ate her chicken soup. Becky was happy she did because she felt much better afterward.
“My dear Becky, I need to talk to you,” Mrs. Blake said a few minutes after they finished eating. “First, I have to commend you for the love and devotion you’ve been showing to Colin.”
“It’s okay, ma.” Becky gave her a sad smile.
“Becky,” she said in a shaky voice. “I am using this medium to tell you I am sorry for the way I used to treat you.”
A wave of relief washed over Becky as he listened to the older woman’s apology. She couldn’t even talk, she just nodded as unshed tears glistened in her eyes.
“I have been very selfish about this love and marriage business. I thought I was looking out for my son.” She sighed. “I thought I knew who is best for him to marry.”
She stopped for a few seconds, then continued. “Now I realize how wrong I have been. No woman can show any more love or devotion to him than you have done in the last six days. I have been able to see how much you love and cherish him.”
“Thank you, Mom,” Becky broke into a quiet sob. “This means a lot to me. I am so grateful.”
“It’s okay, my love, please don’t cry.” She gathered Becky into her warm embrace.
Becky couldn’t believe that the mighty Mrs. Blake had finally accepted her with love. They both rested for another hour and returned to the hospital.
By the time Becky returned home after ten later at night, she was so tired and weary. She could only take a cup of chocolate drink.
Becky had a bath afterward and got into bed. But she just couldn’t sleep. Her mind was with her man. She would have preferred to be spending the night with him, but his parents had insisted that no one should.
She groaned and punched the pillow for the umpteenth and rolled out of the bed. Becky walked to the window and looked outside. Everywhere was bright, the moon was shining in its full glory. Becky walked over to her work desk and powered up her laptop.
She was glad she had something to occupy her mind. Becky checked for the time on the computer screen when it came on and it was a few minutes after midnight.
Becky opened the proposal she had drafted two days ago. She read through it again, decided it was not good enough, and deleted it. She plunged into her work, pushing her fears out of her mind for the time being.
Becky kept pressing her laptop keys until she finished at past two a. m.