The Rebirth

EPISODE 7: The proposal

Tonelo disliked the smell of hospitals, but now, that was the least of his problems.

The hospital was constantly invaded by sick, injured or even dead people which horrified him, the thought of Agnes filled him with dread as he was the one responsible for Agnes’ condition.

He felt a sudden surge of guilt imprisoning his heart and his conscience deliberately taunting him.

The five hours spent in the hospital found Tonelo inquiring doctors and nurses about Agnes’ health state, desperately listening for a shred of positive news. Agitated and flushed, he turned around and saw the doctor emerging from Agnes’ hospital room. As the doctor walked towards him, he mentally prepared himself, but even so, the fear of the unknown still invaded him. His heart began racing when the doctor was now only inches away from him.

"Mr Lawson, your wife is stable now" the doctor said. When Tonelo heard the good news, he gave out a sign of relieve and he felt his blood pressure creeping back to normal.

"Can I see her now doctor?" he anxiously asked.

"Of course you can go and see her, but please, be careful not to upset her. She’s been through enough already!" The doctor suggested after which he left.

The feeling of guilt was too strong, therefore Tonelo hesitated to walk in Agnes’ ward. There was a sudden urge to cry, scream or wail, knowing very well that he was to be blamed for what happened to her, but he stubbornly shook off the feelings as he finally found the courage to enter. His eyes dropped at the intravenous stand beside Agnes's bed, and the needles going in to her hand, creating a bridge between the liquid and her fragile body with the purpose of helping her recover.

Through the cannula tube that was punctured into her skin, he cringed at the sight of a red stain on the bandage which covered the cannula tube. His thoughts were interrupted by her question:

"What are you doing here?" Taken aback by her inquiry, he reluctantly managed to mumble a simple:

"Hi!"

"what do you want here you son of a b***h!" She yelled, angry at the man facing her.

He ignored her outburst as he sat on an armless chair beside her bed.

"Ags I know I hurt you and I am truly sorry!"

On hearing his words Agnes flared up in anger, she could have hit him if only she was not restrained by the cannula tube on her hand.

" You did not hurt me! you broke me, you and your selfish family took advantage of my stupid feelings for you! your mother lied to me for all these years! she gave me false hope, and for what?” she spited out the words with resentment. After a short pause, she continued.

“If I ever die from this torture, my blood will be on your hands.

" There was a manifestation of emotional rush as Tonelo fell down on his knees, tears rolling down his eyes and his face looked flushed, he pleaded.

"Please forgive me for everything, I never meant to hurt you, I am so sorry Ags and I promise to make things right. I want to fix this, I just need you to allow me to do so." Agnes spoke admits tears.

"How will you right your wrongs? How will you fix me now, how will you stop the pain?" She poked her chest with her fingers. Tonelo instinctively grabbed her palm as he answered.

" I will marry you" When he saw the shock in her eyes, he decided to explain himself. "Look Ags I may not love you now, but I promise I’ll try. I will do everything humanly possible to show you how much you mean to me, I will always stand by your side as your husband.”

Her eyes went wide and she was now perplexed by what Tonelo just said.

"Just marry me Ags, please just marry me!" He pleaded with a flinch of remorse in his eyes. She replied sharply with excitement in her voice:

"Yes, I will marry you Tonelo Lawson!"

"I care about you and that is all that matters to me" he said softly. Their eyes locked and she replied:

"I love you Boomboy!"

"Thank you for loving me Ags!" He told her as he watched her eyes closing slowly until, she finally went asleep.