Sweet Hereafter
The sound of repeated beeps from a heart monitor was ringing through 's ears. She sat besides the bed which lay a frail woman. Two emotions clashed with one and another - happiness with worry. She held onto her mother's hand hoping that the sealed eyelids would soon ajar. Her mum had moments ago had a baby by c-section. There were complications but never thought it was this bad. Her little sister was being taken care of whilst her Mum was battling for life. Tears fell from her cheeks, each drop hitting the vulnerable palm. Then the worst came, the constant pace of beeps became more urgent, this was the moment where would lose the only parent who stayed by her side.
"No. No. Doctor!" called out instantly running through the door.
The nurses and doctor rushed through, trying everything to resuscitate the fading life. was told to wait outside. As hard as it was to leave her mother in this situation she knew her life was in the hands of the doctor. She paced around, knowing realistically a second chance of life was slim but hoping for a miracle. All that flashed before her was the surging nurses in and out of the room. Reality came when there were no exits from the room but discussions. pressed her ears against the door. The tone of the voices told the story. 's hand shook irrepressibly as she sat on the plastic seats.
"Miss Li?" a doctor called.
heard his footsteps coming close, she looked up. Her face was stained in dried tears. "We're sorry..." the voice through 's ear faded.
"Would you like to see your sister?" the doctor asked.
didn't reply but gave a feeble nod. She followed the doctor inaudibly, just barely the sound of sulking could be heard. She quietly approached the incubator in which her sister was kept. The delicate baby rested surround by tubes. The incubator seemed barbarically claustrophobic. She placed her palm on the transparent barrier that kept them from touching distance. After a while of looking at her baby sister turned her fragile face towards the doctor, "Dr. Will my sister be okay?" She managed to ask reverting her attention back to the tiny life that lay somewhat peacefully.
"There's no definite answer but we're going to keep a close eye on her," the doctor replied.
"Please, don't let anything happen to her," implored.
"We'll do everything we can," the doctor compassionately answered.
left the room seeing her boyfriend painstakingly rising up from the seat. He walked up to her as she sobbed into his embrace. No words were spoken as he gently caressed her back. In the car was tapping on the wheel with his second finger, his left hand on the gear stick as they waited on traffic. looked straight ahead at nothing in particular. They eventually reached 's family's home, she stood looking ahead and turned her head towards , giving him a small smile.
She turned her gaze back to the house, "?"
"Yeah?" immediately answered.
"Could you stay over?" wiped the dry tears away.
locked his car and jogged towards her, "'Course."
They laid in bed in silence.
plucked up the courage to start talking, "Do you want to talk about it?" He rubbed her arm soothingly.
stayed quiet for a little while, then she softly spoke with a slight fragile voice, "Do you think I could have helped her?"
"Unfortunately this was out of your control," was struggling for words. What should he say?
"I can't believe she's not here," stared at the ceiling.
"She is. In your mind and heart. You might not have her presence but you'll still have the memories," answered.
giggled, "Wow...that was deep ." She thought once more, "What do you think's going to happen to my baby sister?"
"We're just gonna have to wait and see," answered kissing her on the head.
They didn't sleep - not that they noticed the time when talking. Towards the late mornings they eventually fell asleep.
blinked her eyes opened as the sunlight seeped through the gaps of the blinds. She realised the time, "?" She rolled over but was met by an empty space. She walked downstairs.
"Morning! Sleeping Beauty," greeted with his trademark big smile.
"Afternoon," corrected.
"Oh yeah," he looked at his watch. "Well I've got a lecture now but I'll see you after okay?"
"Yep, you've got the key," replied.
pecked her on the lips as he walked out the door.
It was late in the evening when finished his lectures. He sprinted towards the door, entering the house. He found the house cluttered with photos and newly brought photo albums. Sorting out her pictures again smiled knowing she adored photographs. He saw tissues of blood on the floor, the worst came to mind, "!" He shouted running to the kitchen. Relief was expressed by his now calm body language when he saw next to the sink.
"Hey," smiled.
"What happened?" might have been calm but his heart was beating fast.
"Oh. I cut myself on a picture," plastered her finger. "Why were you screaming?"
"I thought...you...the tissue. Never mind," stuttered.
"O-kay," replied with a raised eyebrow.
changed the subject, "So? How are the albums coming?"
"Good actually. Didn't realise how many pictures we had," re-entered the living room. "Remember this?" She passed a picture to .
wasn't the best at recalling moments, "Er..."
"Didn't think you would. Well, this was on my birthday - eleventh, I think. Then, we hated each other..." explained.
"That was torture," laughed.
"Yeah. After the party Mum said ?Someday I swear you two are going to end up together?. Obviously I thought no way but looks like she was right," smiled sticking the photo in an album.
"You still have this photo?" smiled as his cheeks turned a light shade of red from the picture.
"Of course. Your eighteenth birthday and you went all out to get hammered," laughed at the sight. "Oh gosh, my very first sleepover. We were watching the cheesy films and all ended up crying. Mum thought some birds had flew into the house," laughed. "Okay, well, enough of memory lane for today. How was uni?"
"Ray gave us a right tongue-lashing. He was annoyed," exclaimed.
"Why?" queried getting the oven heated up.
"'Cause loads of people didn't turn up and it's our final project. I'm glad I didn't miss today 'cause tomorrow them lot are in for it," said in a serious tone.
The next day woke up and found herself resting on 's chest as he looked uncomfortably awake.
"You know, you could have just tossed me on the floor. I probably would have still slept," joked.
gathered his breath together, "I'll try that next time." He walked over to . "You feeling better now?"
"Much better, thanks. I think I'm going to sort out the rest of the pictures," got the box of memories out.
"Don't you have Uni?" asked not remembering her schedule.
"Nope. It's the oh-so-fabulous "reading week"," used her fingers as the speech marks. "Why don't you go out with your mates? I'll be fine now."
"Are you sure?" asked knowing was still hurt and wanted to be there for her.
"Of course. You should go out. Actually, I'm ordering you to go," smiled.
pecked her on the lips, "Okay but if you need anything call me, okay?"
"I will," answered as she lead to the door.
After 's lecture he was walking around with his friend, , "So? When are you going to ask to marry you?"
"Hmm?I don't know if I should," answered.
"Why not?" asked.
"Well it's not the right time, with everything that's been going on," explained.
"You should? I know she?s had a tough few days but you should," stated sure of the matter.
"You think?" asked still debating in his mind.
"Definitely, you two obviously love each other. You're definitely serious about her so why not take it further?" answered, had talk to her about committing himself to but backed out due to nerves and the fear of rejection.
"You're right I should. Yeah I should?but?" pointed a finger up.
"But what?" sighed.
"The ring. I don't have one," explained.
"No problem. Have you got your card on you?" turned to grabbing his shoulders in a serious tone. nodded. "Okay then Mister we are going to so some serious shopping," grabbed by the wrist.
did not realise how hard it was shopping for jewellery until he went with , ", how about this one?"
walked over to , "Erm......sweetie," placed her hand on his shoulder in sympathy. "That's a man ring."
"I don't know...it looked nice," answered.
"Okay...well...do you know what kind of jewellery she wears? Simple, expensive..." asked.
"I'm going screw this up," stressed.
"Hey, don't say that. Ooo do you know any of her friends?" asked.
"Hmm...actually yeah I'll call..." looked through his phone contacts, "?he's in her class."
As they were shopping helped find the perfect ring. To it might not have been the perfect but it's something would like - hopefully. Just in case backed out again he thought it would have been better to just go over to and ask, rather than wait for the right setting. He waited anxiously at the front door, preparing himself.
"This is it," said to himself. He opened the door, again the lounge was scattered with photos and glue. He walked to the dinner room, assuming that's where the main work was happening. Only to be met by , who was sprawled face down on the table with an empty bottle for tablets on the side, tipped. He gasped at the sight, ran over to her, urgently dialling for an ambulance. After the called panicked, pleading for to wake up.
The ambulance arrived, the paramedics crowded around the limp body. As was about to follow the medics who were carrying he found a picture which fell from her hand. It was of and her mum, she was holding up a necklace which she got for her birthday saying ?Forever with you'. soon returned to catch up to stay in the ambulance van. All the way through the journey he cupped 's pale hand.
At the hospital was told to calm down in the waiting area. His foot tapped intensely, as his chin rested in his intertwined fingers. He was blaming himself for not being with . From the other side of the door he could hear subdued voices. Worriedly he tried to suss out what was happening but the voices were not clear enough. "Please, please, let her be okay," prayed. Then the door opened as the doctor gently walked out. "How is she?" asked nervously.
"Miss Li is okay, she's awake but a little drowsy," the doctor answered.
"Can I see her?" asked anxiously.
"Yes but she might not be all there," the doctor warned.
"K," opened the door and walked in slowly to see the state.
"Hey," said in a depleted voice.
"Hey," touched her cheek. "How are ya?" He asked with a smile.
"Okay," answered.
's facial expressions soon turned serious, "What were you trying to do?" He sat down on the chair next to the bed.
turned to face the window.
"Answer me?please?" pleaded.
"It was harmless," muffled.
"? The whole bottle was empty," stated.
"I don't know. I guess sorting out those pictures weren't the best idea, huh?" retorted.
"Guess not," put on a brave smile. "Listen there's something I want to asked you."
"Yeah?" asked trying to sit up.
"Well?um?I've been trying to ask for a while...um...will you?" stuttered as looked at him intently. "Will you?will you?um."
" just say," smiled.
took a deep breath and closed his eyes in anticipation, "Will-you-marry-me?"
looked at in shock but then a sincere smile appeared across her face, "Of course."