Judas kiss novel Chapter 74

It had been a long day that turnt into a long night. The doctors were not saying anything, they kept going in and out. Della was frozen, she didn't know what she was feeling..?fear, guilt??She held onto Andre with all her might. She loved the comfort and warmth his body provided. He whispered things like—

'Are you hungry?'

'Everything will be fine, Ma belle.'

'Whatever happens, I'm here for you.'

He even accompanied her to the bathroom. He didn't care that the sign said 'ladies' as he waited for her inside while browsing through his emails. He gave her a small smile when she returned in his arms. With his oversized Armani blazer on her shoulders, Andre thought she looked adorable. He was concerned, the eyebags under her eyes..?she looked tired.

When they returned to their ward.

"Della, Dr. Schmidt said he wanted to talk to us. I decided to wait for you." Garreth paused. "Whatever it is we can go through it together."

Andre decided to distance himself. He wasn't sure how Garreth felt about him but he was here for Della. He didn't care what anyone thought of it but he did respect their privacy.

"Is it bad?" She questioned in a panicked tone.

"I don't know, he just said he need to speak to us in his office."

"Can Andre come, I want him beside me." Della said almost immediately.

"Of course dear, he is family."

For some odd reason Della smiled, even though the fear still ate at her. The fear of whatever the doctor had to say. Andre was relieved, it was a good feeling finally getting her father's approval.

They waited in Doctor Schmidt's office anticipating the worst. The nurses had told them that he said he would be back shortly. Della could only think about the words she had relentlessly said out of anger. She did mean them and she had been wanting to say them for a long time but as of now.. she kind of regretted it. Della was pretty sure, Marcela was listening.. if she wasn't then why did she react the way that she did. Marcela has always been a drama Queen like a villain in telenovela.

"My apologies..." A bald man with a khaki envelope and white coat entered the room. "There was a patient, I had to attend to almost immediately. I hope you didn't wait too long?"

"Not at all.." Garreth said.

Andre was quietly running circles on Della's hand with his thumb. Yes, he was allowed to be in the room but he wasn't going to push it by saying something unwanted. He preferred to be quiet and comforting towards Della.

"Well, I guess I won't beat around the bush." He sighed. "I have good news and bad news—"

At this point, Garreth and Della were shivering with anticipation. Garreth didn't want to show any weakness but his right leg was shaking. He wouldn't be able to handle it—

Della had Andre.

"The good news is we managed to save Marcela. She is stable, we were just taking a few tests on her."

There was a huge sigh of relief in the room. Della reached for her father's hand as Andre held her other hand. She squeezed, Garreth's hand. Garreth felt very overwhelmed, taking out his handkerchief dabbing softly on his eyes. He didn't know where the tears were coming from. Della had cried so much in her life time that now the time she should be crying with joy... she didn't have any tear.

"The bad news is.. whether someone fully returns to normal after being in a coma depends on what caused the coma and how badly the brain may have been affected.."

"Is she alright?" Garreth rushed.

Doctor Schmidt continued. "Sometimes people who come out of comas are just as they were before— they can remember what happened to them before the coma and can do everything they used to do.."

Della was silently praying..?'Oh God, please don't tell me she lost her memory.'

"Other people may need therapy to relearn things like tying their shoes, eating with a fork or spoon or learning to walk all over again. They also have problems with speaking.." He paused, a sign of disappointment. All eyes were on him. "I managed to get some blood samples and X-rays. All seems to be well but when I decided to speak to the Patient. She seemed disoriented and that's perfectly normal for someone who just got out of a coma. My concern is when I asked her to speak, she struggled. I also asked her to raise her arms which she did very well but when I asked the same for her legs... she failed dismally. I could tell she was struggling. I'm not sure about her memory but I would like you to visit her room and to maybe ask if she knows or remembers one of you then we can go from there.."

Garreth was utterly speechless. Grateful that she is alive but speechless. Della felt bad, yes she did this to herself but Della couldn't help but think who would care for her? She was expecting and she really had no plans for this. How would Lyle take this? Her husband?

"I suggest physiotherapy, I will refer you to one of the best in that field and well as a speech therapist.. to help her talk. You have to understand, she is back to being a toddler. You have to have a lot of patience. She is learning how to walk and talk.. she might not even know how to tie her shoes like I said. Patience is all I ask."

Silence...

"I have had a few patience who have been through this and I assure you with time and patience. A lot of progress will be made. They may not be exactly the way they were before the coma but... they can still do many things and enjoy life and the simple things with their family and friends."

"When do you think she will be discharged?" Garreth questioned with concern.

"As of now, I can't really tell but I will give it two weeks. As long as she attends the sessions I suggested with the Physiotherapist to help her walk and a speech therapist."

"What if she never recovers?" Della questioned, this made Andre give her a tight squeeze and a reassuring smile.

"Rarely the case.. I'd love to think she will be able to walk and talk perfectly within two months or so. I presume another reason why this coma has had some major side effects is because of her previous coma and her drug abuse problem.."

"Can we go see her?"

"Ofcourse, I left her with the nurse. They were trying to see if she still remembers how to write or read so maybe we find a way to communicate.."

This was awful.?Della thought.?Once again Marcela is a burden, when will she ever give Della a break. She was tied of taking care of her.

When they made their way into the room. Marcela was writing something down then she handed it to the nurse who gave her a quick smile.

"Any progress?" Doctor Schmidt asked.

"She write the name Lyle, nothing more doctor!" She replied.