“You’re not a bother, Kevin,” she replied, squeezing my arm reassuringly. “Let’s just focus on getting you through this. Save your energy, okay?”
“Sure.” I nodded, grateful for her presence.
When we reached the OR, a team of doctors, nurses, and an anesthesiologist were already waiting. The room was a flurry of activity, everyone dressed in sterile gowns, masks, and gloves, ready to begin.
For them, this might have been just another surgery, but for me, it was everything. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread mixed with a faint hope that maybe—just maybe—I’d come out of this okay.
“Shall we begin?” Dr. Chopra asked, her voice pulling me back to the present. I nodded, trying to calm the racing of my heart as I felt the cold of the operating table beneath me.
Licia stayed by my side, her hand warm and steady in mine. The anesthesiologist leaned over me, explaining that he was about to administer the anesthesia. He asked me to close my eyes and count backward from twenty. I barely made it to ten before the darkness swallowed me whole.
***
The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the heavy, groggy feeling that weighed down my entire body. Everything hurt, from my chest to my leg, but the pain was muted, dulled by the medications they had pumped into me. It took a moment for my vision to clear, and when it did, I saw Lexie leaning over me, her expression one of pure relief.
“Hey,” she greeted me, her smile bright but tinged with worry.
“You’re awake.”
“Yeah,” I croaked out, my throat dry.
“How did the surgery go?”
“From what the doctors said, it went well. But how do you feel?” Her eyes were full of concern as she scanned my face, searching for any sign of distress.
“Sore all over… but I feel okay,” I replied, trying to give her a reassuring smile.
She let out a small sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through. Is there anything I can do for you?”
I chuckled, wincing at the ache in my chest. “Did I get transported to an alternate universe while I was asleep? Why are you being so nice?”
“Ha ha, very funny,” she huffed, lightly smacking my shoulder. “Mom and Dad went to the cafeteria to get something to eat. They haven’t had anything since last night.”
“Oh… How about Licia?”
“She left a few minutes ago. She had to check on her patients.”
I nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment.
“Did she get some rest after the surgery? Does she look tired?”
“Kevin, you need to worry about yourself for once. Licia’s fine. She’ll be thrilled to know you’re awake. But I’m still mad at you, you know.”
“Why?” I asked, genuinely confused.
“These surgeries could have been avoided if you weren’t so stubborn. What if Joey and Jackson hadn’t been there when you had the crisis? Have you thought about that?”
I didn’t reply, knowing she was right. I had been reckless, and I’d put myself—and everyone who cared about me—through unnecessary pain. I could’ve handled things differently.
“You’re right. I’m sorry.”
Her face softened at my apology, and she patted my hand gently.
“Just focus on getting better, Kevin. We’ll worry about everything else later.”
Dr. Chopra’s entrance, along with her team, interrupted our conversation.
"Good morning, Doc," I greeted.
