Chapter 37 I’ll be waiting
BEIJING, CHINA
BEIKE EYE CENTRE: IN PRIVATE WARD
Ian opened the bottle of water and gave it to Ria. “Here drink up to calm your nerves.”
Ria accepted it and drank from the bottle. They were waiting for Doctor Lui and team to come in and take Ria to the surgical ward. Ian brought Ria to the eye centre yesterday afternoon and they have both being here since with nurses around to attend to them whenever they needed something.
Ria looked nervous today and coupled with the fact she didn’t sleep well last night. Ian had to call ma’am Elise so Ria could talk to the kids maybe she would stay calm but the kids were already asleep. All Ria has been doing was stare into space while Ian worked on the system attending to an online business conference from the office.
Ria only managed to sleep around ten o’clock p. m and she was already up around four o’clock am. Ian couldn’t figure out what was going on in her mind. It was so hard for him to read through her. So he just let her have those silent moments she wanted for herself.
“Thank you.” Ria whispered as she gave the bottle to him.
“Ria, you have to feel relaxed.” Ian said.
“Yeah I know.” Ria placed her hands on her laps.
“I want you to be rest assured that the surgery will go well. You believe right?” Ria nodded.
Ian sat at the edge of the bed and held her right hand in his hand. “Ria, be strong. Everything will be fine.”
Ria didn’t move his hand away. “Thank you, Ian.” She whispered
Ian looked up at Ria who bit on her lower lip. This was the first time Ria called his name without a Mr in it. The door opened and Doctor Lui came in with a nurse.
“It is time. My team are waiting.” Doctor Lui announced.
Ian caught a glimpse of the stretcher outside “Okay, Doctor Lui. It is fine, Ria.” Slowly he carried Ria in his arms and out of the ward. He placed her gently on the stretcher.
“Take her to the surgical ward. I will be there in a minute.” Doctor Lui said and the nurses nodded in understanding.
“Please be careful.” Ian added and they pushed Ria away on the stretcher.
“Doctor Lui, can I wait outside the operating room?” Ian asked.
“Sure you can-”
Ian followed the nurses even before the doctor could finished his statement. He caught up with them and held Rias hand. Ria in turn held him tightly and Ian thought he saw a smile on her face or maybe he imagined it. They stopped at a point and Ian looked up at the sign. “OPERATING ROOM TWO.”
It was time. Ian let out a shaky breathe before leaning close to Ria. “It is time to go in, Ria. I will be out here waiting for you.” He whispered into her ears.
“Alright.” Ria mumbled.
Ian held on to her hand tightly for a second and sighed. He signaled to the team after letting go of her hand. They pushed her into the ward and closed the door behind.
“It will work out! Ria will see again! And everything will be fine!” Ian leaned up against the wall and chanted in his head.
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SEVERAL HOURS LATER
Ian Bryant cellphone binged and he took it out of his pocket. It was a call from Ma’am Elise.
“Hello, ma’am Elise.”
“Hi, Mr Ian. How is miss Ria?”
Ian let out a shaky breathe. “She is still in the operating room. I am outside the ward waiting for the doctor.” He replied.
“Mr Ian, please take a break. Miss Ria will be fine.” Ma’am Elise said in a concerned tone.
“I can’t do that, ma’am Elise. I’ll just wait out here till I see the medical team.” Ian would only have a good rest once he is sure that Ria is doing okay.
“Okay, Mr Ian. Please take care.” Ma’am Elise replied.
“I’ll call you after I talk to the doctor.”
“Okay.” Ma’am Elise disconnected the call.
The door leading to the operating room opened and Doctor Lui walked out with a nurse. Ian rushed to them. “How is she? Did the surgery go well?” He questioned frantically.
“She is good. We were able to take out all the cataracts in her eyes and implant the stem cells.” Doctor Lui answered with a smug look on his face.
Ian let out a sigh of relief. “Can I see her now?” He demanded.
“Yes but not in the operating room. She will be transferred to a private ward soon.”
“Thank you, Doctor Lui.”
Doctor Lui and the nurse walked away while Ian waited for the medical team to bring Ria out of the operating ward.