Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
That night while everyone was asleep in the waiting room. Virginia was still awake but her eyes were shut. She tried desperately to fall asleep but it was useless. Her eyes finally open as she tried to focus on the clock that was against the opposite wall from where she was sitting. She looked around and found Joanne, Linda and Jeff deep asleep with pillows supporting their necks. She decided to take a little stroll to make herself more tired.
She walked down the empty dimmed halls of the hospital. Eventhough it was 3 in the morning, there were still nurses and assistants walking around. She checked her pocket for change to get a bottle of water. She clumsily dropped the change when she pulled out a wad of quarters that was in her jean pocket. Bending over to pick it up, she saw a pair of hands helping her collect the change. “What are you doing up?” Michael asked.
She smiled in return and whispered “I couldn’t sleep.”
“Well, its not good for you. You’ve had a long day too.”
“How do you know?” she asked as she collected the change from his hands.
“Because I can see it in your eyes.”
She looked away “That obvious?” she let out a sigh as she popped the change into the vending machine and got a water bottle.
“You want to see him don’t you?” he asked in wonder.
She nodded “Yeah, but he needs his rest. Anyways, I’m not family, the nurses won’t let me in.”
He chuckled lightly “You’re forgetting that the guy in front of you is the head of the neurosurgeon department here at Yan Sum Hospital.”
Her eyes brightened “You can sneak me in?” she asked excitedly but still tried to keep her voice low.
“Don’t say sneak…more like taking you in there myself. I know Yee Gor will be happy to know that you were there. He cares about you deeply you know.”
She nodded slowly “I know.”
“Come on.” He nodded towards the direction of the ICU corridors. The whole department were regulated with strict rules. Only two visitors at a time and five minutes max. The only people that can see the patient is immediate family. All others were to stay in the waiting room to wait for the okay to go inside.
The metal doors opened at Michael’s hands, which was holding onto the little device that controlled the automatic doors of Intensive Care. He waved to the head nurse in charge as he led Virginia into Room 6, where Freddie was. “We had to shave his head because of the brain surgery.” He explained before he let her into the room. “He needs his rest. So try to stay quiet.” Michael warned before letting her in. “I’ll see you in a few hours.” Giving her a smile before he left.
“Thanks.” She whispered. Her eyes instantly spotted the familiar face on the bed. She slowly pulled the chair next to his bed. Her eyes wandered to what looked like 30 different tubes that radiated his heartbeat and blood level. She reached for his hand but quickly pulled back remember that Michael said not to bother him. She smiled as her eyes moved to his bandaged head. It was wrapped completely in white.
She couldn’t fight the urge any longer as she touched his face with the back side of her hand. Her eyes were close to tears as she soaked his peaceful face in. His cheeks were pink and she was happy to see that he didn’t look as weak as she imagined.
When the clocked ticked further, she realized it was time to leave the room. Pulling her hair back as she leaned in and kissed him lightly on the cheek. His eyes suddenly popped open as he focused on the person before him. “Ginny…” he breathed her name gently as he reached with his arms and pulled her into his chest for a warm hug.
“I’m sorry. Did I wake you?” she asked softly.
He shook his head “I don’t care. I’m just glad that I got to see you…”
She pulled away and sat back on the chair, her eyes couldn’t hold the tears much longer as she cried softly “I’m sorry…I know…I shouldn’t cry.”
“Don’t cry Ginny. I’m fine.” He stared into her eyes and felt happy inside but also sad because she was crying for him. He reached for her hands and squeezed them tight. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Michael did a great job.”
“You know it was him that performed the operation?”
Freddie nodded “Yup. I could hear everything around me but I couldn’t answer. It was very strange you know?” he narrowed his eyes as he thought about his near death experience. “They kept saying I was in a coma but then I could hear everyone, my sister, my mother…Michael..I could hear them cry so much and I wanted to say, its okay. I’m okay…but no words came out. I even called for your name.”
Virginia smiled as she wiped the tears from her eyes “You did?”
“Yeah, but I guess they only allowed family inside the room.” He wrinkled his nose in dismay “I’m gonna tell them to put you on the family list. You’re not just a friend…you’re family…” he trailed off.
“Thank’s…” her eyes welling up with tears once again “I’m glad you feel that way about me.”
“Don’t tell me you never knew.” He teased.
She nodded “Yeah, I did, but its better to hear from you.”
They both heard a knocking on the door and the nurse peeked her head in “I’m sorry, but the patient needs his rest. You need to leave.”
Virginia smiled apologetically while Freddie held onto her hands “No, she can stay. I’m awake now. Really, I’m fine…” he assured the nurse.
She smiled and nodded “That’s fine. I guess. Just because you’re Dr. Lam’s brother. I’m amazed that you are already awake. Most people come into a coma after brain surgery. You’re the strongest patient we have.” She winked before leaving them alone once again.
“Did you hear that?” he said menacingly.
Virginia shook her head “Yes, I heard that.” She said sarcastically. “Same old Freddie, glad to know you haven’t changed a bit.”
“Same with you.” He smiled as he brought her hands up to his face to kiss them. “I missed you.”
“Me too…” she smiled “You’ll be fine.” She was trying to convince herself more than for him.
He nodded “I’m sure. But you know, I’m ready for anything the big guy might have planned for me. You know when I was under the anesthetic, I heard my father’s voice. At first I was so scared because I could still see everyone around and I could hear their conversations. But when Michael started the operation, I heard my father say ‘Don’t worry son, its not cancerous.’ That calmed my nerves even more. Can you believe I even said a few prayers?”
She shrugged lightly “Yeah, sometimes our loved ones come back to ease the fear. I believe that it was your father.”
“See, if I would have told my sister or mother, they would freak out. But you take it so well. You amaze me sometimes.”
She looked away as she dodged his eyes “Yeah, well…I amaze myself sometimes.”
“Don’t get a big head now. It was just a compliment. Nothing more…” he chuckled.
“I know.” She replied softly. She began to move uncomfortably in her seat due to the plastic chairs with no cushion.
He mistaken for her wanting to leave as he held tightly onto her hands once again “Don’t leave…” he pleaded.
She shook her head “No, sweetie. I was just going to move my chair closer. I’m not leaving until you kick me out.”
He smiled “Well, might as well, pack your clothes and move in here with me.” He was teasing but in truth he was being honest.
Virginia stopped smiling as she thought about something “Are you gonna move back home when you get out of the hospital?” she was talking about his parent’s home.
“Of course. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.” He said quickly. He saw her eyes moved down sadly “You know my ‘home’ is with you.”
Her head moved upwards and a smile crept on her face “Really? You would still stay with me? How about your mother and sister?”
“Oh, they’ll understand.” He said nonchalantly.
“I’m not so sure about that though.” She reasoned “Afte rall, you are her child, she will want to take care of you.”
“Maybe, but I think that she should still understand that its my choice. She’s had me for my entire life, while you only had me for 1year and 9 months. If you think about it, she’s gotten a fair deal.”
She blushed at his response as she smiled broadly “You’re too much. I never HAD you to begin with…that was a strange way of wording things.”
He nodded “Yeah it was wasn’t it?” he let out a small yawn.
“I think someone needs their rest.” She said softly, her eyes dancing through his.
“You too.” He pointed to the dark circles under her eyes. “Come on, rest your head here..” he patted to the edge of the bed. “We’ll both sleep.” He smiled as he waited for her to do what he said.
“Okay.” She smiled and lied her head down. Within seconds her eyes drooped and she was well asleep.
He smiled as he stroked her hair. Pulling some strands away from her face as he smoothed her cheeks. He didn’t know how long he was staring at her until he fell asleep himself.