“Jasmine!! Jasmine!! Wake up” She jerked up as Liam continued to tap her gently.
She looked around and realized they’re still at the hospital.
“How long did I sleep” She asked.
“4 hours”
I’d slept for so long. How long does the damn operation take?; She thought.
“Are you okay? You were crying” Liam asked cleaning the balls if sweat that formed on her forehead.
She touched her cheeks and noticed how wet it is. She recalled how Jace refused to go with her.
“I had a nightmare Liam, it was so scary” She said wiping her tears.
“Jace! he’s not going to leave me right?” she asked.
Liam shooked his head negatively then pulled her close… “Nothing’s gonna happen to him Jasmine”
“I can’t bare loosing him. I’ll die along with him” She said.
Liam felt his heart ripping apart. He can’t imagine life without his Jasmine,, it’s gonna be worthless. Whatever this feeling is, he never wants it to stop.
“Any news about him yet?” She asked and Liam shook his head.
“Thank you Liam” She said.
“For?”
“Sorting out the bills”
“C’mon, you shouldn’t thank me yet until we’re sure everything’s okay”.
She nodded….”You should go home Liam. You need some rest. I can manage!” She said.
“I’m fine, there’s no need to worry about me. Besides, I can’t leave you here all alone”.
“No, you can’t stay here with me…..”
“Your lips are running fast sweetheart.. and it’s tempting. You know this isn’t the right time and place. don’t make me do it” He said cutting her off.
“Sorry;” Jasmine muttered looking away.
Liam just stared at her. He doesn’t like this new Jasmine beside him. He loves the old Jasmine, who would argue with him. but he’s not gonna blame her now is it?.
The door to the ICU opened and a nurse rushed out. Jasmine quickly stood blocking her path.
“Nurse, how’s he? What’s going on?”
“He’s still under observation ma’am. That’s all I can say. only Doctor Carl can give you the answer you need” she said before rushing off.
Liam held her shoulders as he turned her to him. He gently pulled her into a hug, rubbing her back in the process.
“It’s gonna be fine sweetheart, trust me” He cooed.
He felt her relax in his arms. He felt she needed it.
Jasmine smiled. She’s so glad he’s here with her. Maybe she’d have done something crazy if he wasn’t here with her.
They both remained in that position…”Are you hungry?” Liam asked.
“No, I’m not” She replied.
Just then, her stomach growled loudly. Liam pulled away from the hug staring at her with raised brows.
“Was that the sound of your tommy?” he asked even when he knew what it really be is.
“Tommy? I don’t think so” Jasmine said and almost immediately, her tommy growled even more loudly than the first one.
“Damn this tommy” She muttered wrapping her hands around it.
“Guess even your tommy knew how much of a lier you are” Liam teased. He just wanted something that would make her laugh, even if it’s just for a while.
And it worked. She cracked, letting out a small laugh before covering it up with a smile.
“Shall we head to the cafeteria?”
“No, I’m not hungry”Jasmine said.
“That wasn’t a question sweetheart, it was an order. I’m your boss remember, you do as I say” Liam said.
He grabbed her hands, pulling her along as they head to the cafeteria.
.
.
“A cup of coffee please” Jasmine said.
“A cup of coffee?” Liam asked and she just nodded. He wouldn’t want to force her to do anything. It’s good she accepted to take something rather than starving all through.
“What would you like to take sir?”
“Same thing she ordered”
Jasmine looked at him but didn’t say anything. She’s yet to understand why he’s doing all this.
“C’mon, let’s go sit…” Liam said and They both walked over to an empty space.
Jasmine sipped from her coffee… if there’s one thing she hopes for,, is for her brother to be okay. That would be the greatest accomplishment of her life.
She still has a lot of plans for him, like; Make him attend his dream school, watch him travel to his dream country, see him grow up…. She isn’t ready to leave that plan incomplete.
“Care to talk about it? You look worried” She heard Liam say. He had been watching her quietly.
She shook her head negatively. Thinking about it, brings tears to her eyes. She’s done shedding tears. She just wants to think positively.
“It’s just Jace and I and nobody else. Adam’s just a good Samaritan who came in the time of need. He took Jace and I in. Before my parents passed away, they left Jace in my care. it was my responsibility looking after him. I couldn’t even pay his bills” She said just staring at her coffee.
Liam couldn’t find the right word to use, so he just kept mute. He reached forward and held her hands.
They remained in silence for a while. Each, brooding over their thoughts.
“Let’s go Liam!” Jasmine said.
“You barely even touched your coffee”
“I don’t wanna be here,,, it’s so uncomfortable. Let’s just go!”
Not pushing it further, Liam placed some cash on the table. They both stood up and walked out.
…..
Jasmine rushed to doctor Carl as he walked out of the ICU. She stopped on her track when she noticed how dejected he looked.
Her eyes scrutinizing his face and with the dejected look on his face, she could already think of the next word.
Her chest rising and falling heavily with the hard breath she took. Her heart, beating rapidly. She was trembling in fear as tears rolled down her cheek.
Liam placed his hands on her shoulder, squeezing it softly.
“Doctor Carl, What’s the situation?” Liam asked.
Doctor Carl sighed, shaking his head… ” Mr Nolan, Jasmine…. we tried our utmost best..” He paused, took a deep breath, studied their expressions before speaking up.
” We lost him” Doctor Carl said.
Jasmine staggered back,,, her heart beating fast from the news. Liam caught her, helping her regain her stance.
“Are you okay Jasmine?” He asked. She looked at him, then back at Doctor Carl.
She closed her eyes squeezing out the tears that had gathered. Her brother’s gone!!
“Jasmine!!” Liam called wiping her tears away. “Don’t worry Jasmine, Let’s hear what Doctor Carl has to say”.
“What more is there to say uhn Liam? What more is there to suggest? Is he gonna offer his condolences? Will his sympathy bring my brother back?” Jasmine said in tears almost yelling.
“Calm down Jasmine!” Liam said.
“Don’t tell me to calm down! We were late,, no, I was late. My brother shouldn’t have died. No, it’s not possible” She cried.
“What are you saying Jasmine? Listen!…” Liam pause, holding her shoulder firmly.
“Doctor Carl hasn’t given any report on Jace’s Condition”
“My brothers gone Liam… He’s ..” She paused when everything processed in her head.
What? Doctor Carl hasn’t given any report? That only means.. That only means she’d imagined the whole event. He’d came out with a smile on his face but she’d imagined the opposite. Everything was just an imagination. It looked so real,, she’d fallen for her own imaginations.
She turned to Doctor Carl… “How… How’s Jace?” She asked.
Doctor Carl cleared his throat, then broke into a bright smile… He’s dejected face was replaced by a smile. That only means one thing right?” Jasmine thought, waiting impatiently for an answer.
“We tried our best… Though at the last moment, but we managed to revive him…” He paused.
“The operation was successful” He added.
Jasmine stood shocked… the operation was successful!! She released a bright smile, jumped throwing her hands and legs around Liam in a tight hug.
Liam hugged her back, holding her firmly…. ” Told you everything would be fine” He whispered to her.
She nodded, still hugging him. After a short while, she dropped her legs then pulled away from the hug.
She turned to Doctor Carl… “Thank you so much doctor… thank you” She said and he smiled.
“It’s Part of my Job miss Colton”
“Can we see him now?” Jasmine asked.
“I’m afraid not yet,, He’s still Unconcious and he needs a lot of rest. We still need to observe him for sometime. I’d suggest you go home and you can see him tomorrow”
The ICU door open and the nurses pushed Jace out.
“Please hold on!” Jasmine said. They looked at doctor Carl and he nodded for them to do so.
Jasmine leaned forward, caressing his face.
“It’s over Jace, everything’s over” She said as she leaned down to kiss his cheek.
“We have to take him Miss Colton!” Doctor Carl said and Jasmine nodded standing up and making way for the nurses.
She watched as they pushed him away. Liam placed his hands on her shoulder.
“Excuse me Miss Colton,,, Mr Nolan” Doctor Carl said.
TBC…