HIDING BEHIND THE SHADOWS

Chapter 18 - Finally Awake

The next morning I went to check Aaron’s vitals. His heart is stable now but I need to keep him in the ICU to be sure he’s been monitored well.  I carefully scan his cleaned face now.  I was in awe, a very handsome man in front of me.  Strong cheekbones, perfectly toned muscle, hard chest and abs, a very dominant chin expresses power and strength. Yet a warm hearted person defeated by a woman’s charm.  “You should come back Aaron” she whispers “I don’t know your story but you have to get up and fight back, if not for her do it for me… please be strong” she added her hands on top of his hand with the IV.  The nurses were already used to Ruth’s care for her patients. She always try her best to recover patients in coma by talking to them.

Ruth’s always make sure that she personally checked Aaron’s condition every now and then. Sometimes she stayed late nights in Aaron’s room talking to him. Encouraging him to wake up and go back to his life.  She would tell him, I’ll wait for you.

Week’s passed and became months… it’s exactly five months today when the nurse told me he’s finally awake.  I was happy. Though Aaron’s case became personal to me, the fact that he was asleep the whole time, I don’t seem to understand how would I honestly feel now that he’s awake.

“So….Mr Aaron Wesley you are finally awake” I told him

I introduced myself and he asked me back a lot of questions which I managed to relax and answered them one by one.

His heart went wild again, luckily I asked the nurse to prepare injections in case the brain would resist in patients recovery.  I helped him to relax and keep his vitals back to normal.  I decided to stay with him to make sure he will be fine when he wake up again.   I help myself in a comfortable position on the couch on the side of his room, I had a long day and decided close my eyes a bit it’s still half past ten in the evening and Aaron’s still sound asleep.

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AARON’S POV

I tried to open my eyes again… “please come back…” the words echoed in my mind again and again.  I scanned the room. I was breathing normally. The tubes attached to my nostrils were removed.  The cardio machines were detached from my body.  I saw a woman sitting on the couch, his back on the armrest, her eyes closed. I noticed her nice kissable lips painted light red.  Rimless glasses hanged halfway between her nicely formed breasts, which peeks a little bit as to her dress slightly crippled sideways showing her white smooth skin. She must have fallen asleep waiting for me to wake up.  She moves a little, she might have felt my eyes on her.  She opened her eyes and look at me.  She moves to properly sit in the couch.  “Hey… you’re awake now… “ she gently speaks “Are you okay now?” her voice sounds familiar so soft and gentle.

“Yeah… I guess I am, just a little lightheaded” I said

“It’s okay… you’ve been sleeping for five months” she said “Five months?” I was shocked.

“Yeah… healing takes time and….” She paused “…your family will be here in the morning they were happy that your back”

“I heard a voice asking me to come back” I told her, she smiled lightly “and thank you for listening to that voice now I- “ she paused again “They have you back”

“Do you do this to all your patients Dr-“ “Ruth… just call me Ruth” she cut me off “and I do this only to patients that’s need my special ca-- attention” she added.

“Thank you, Ruth…” I said.

“It’s my duty to help you, you need to relax I bit while I check your vitals” she asked

She helped me to into a sitting position. She picked up my hand with the IV slowly caressing the portion where the needle is.  She positioned herself in between my legs and checked my eyelids. He the inserted the placed the stethoscope in my heart and listen carefully to my heartbeat. She looks into my eyes and smile lightly. She is beautiful. Her hair is still in and uptight bun slightly messed up but her face so gentle and fragile might crushed in between my hands.  She stepped back a little and picked up my hands to remove the IV and pressed a cotton to prevent the blood from dripping.

The door opened and Nana came in. A huge smile is pasted on her lips, eyes starting to water.  “Aaron, Thank you so much son, your back” she said. She hugged me tightly “Your Mom and Dad will be here in a short while” she kissed me on the forehead. Nana… but the kiss felt different.

 “Your heartbeat is now normal and the rest of your vitals… the therapist will be here to check on your reflexes other than that you’re perfectly fine” she said.

She turned her back to leave. “Will I see you again before I go?” I asked. Nana looked at me in surprise, but didn’t say a word.

“I will be here if you need me” she said and left the room.

Jessie has always been in my thoughts but she’s right, maybe it’s time to find happiness somewhere else, but if we were meant to be together we’ll find our way back.

“Ruth was a very fine doctor… she was raised in the states but she love this place and settled herself here. The people of Sta. Barbara loved her” Nana said

“Nana… I just want to thank her for taking care of me while I am asleep” I said “Maybe treat her to a dinner or something. I think I owe her my second life”

“Do as you please my son… “ she said.