Maybe I have a heart

DANTE

I stood there watching helplessly, unable to move or react. I could only watch them struggle to save Alina.

I was still perched by the door way of the intensive care unit, my frantic worried eyes trying to get a good view of what was going on in there.

"Doctor! We are loosing her. Her pulse is failing. The patient isn't breathing!"A nurse let out a frantic cry as they vehemently tried to get Alina's condition stable.

"What!?"I heard myself scream out. None of them even looked at my direction.

I didn't know when tears spilled out of my face, my orbs glued on to Alina's lifeless body inside the ward.

Fuck. Diego! I'll kill him I swear!

"The poison has weakened her pulse and heartbeat We need chest compressions now!" I heard the doctor command in a haste. They were all restless, doing their best to save Alina.

Why did Alina put her life on the line for me!? Why did she have to take the poison herself? Did she hate me that much that she actually preferred to die than be my wife?

Goddamn it! My tears spilled out without restraint. I was crying, crying for Alina, my wife. A deep pain brewed up in my chest as I realised that Alina actually preferred to die than to be my wife.

She said it herself. She called our marriage shackles of bondage and she wanted to die to atone for her father's sin. None of these would have hurt me days back so why was it hurting me now for goodness sake!?

Why am I feeling this extreme pain whilst realising that fact? I never wanted the marriage either so why am I feeling this intense agony realising the gravity of her words?

I've never been more confused and shattered in my life. I was loosing my sanity and my pulse was racing to the sky.

Time was at a standstill, nothing mattered to me again apart from Alina.

The doctor instantly cut open her shirt and placed the defibrillator pads on her chest. The machine was turned on and it began beeping as the doctor spoke, giving clear orders.

"Move away from patient. Monitoring heart beat. Steady. Shock will be delivered in three, two, one!"

I watch in fear as Alina's body jolts, the electrical pulse coursing through her. Anxiety set in more higher and my tremor coursed like waves within me.

"She isn't responding doctor!"A nurse alarms.

"Please Alina. Don't die. Don't go please. Don't sacrifice your life for mine. Please"I whispered, crying for the woman that gave her life to save mine.

I don't give a fuck if anyone sees me as weak at this moment.

I was truly in my weakest state. I should have been the one fighting for my life in there not her. It should be me lying pale on the hospital bed not Alina. But she took my spot.

Why did she have to risk her life!?

"Fuck. Alina why!?" I yelled out, my agony heavy as I punched the wall.

My knockles got bruised as a result and my blood trickled down but I didn't mind.

I was attracting the stare of onlookers but it also didn't make me fazed or daunted.

"You should get that bandaged up sir. It could get infected" I veered my eyes to meet the calming gaze of a nurse behind me.

I shook my head at her. "I don't care. I won't move until the doctor comes out and tells me that my wife is healed"

She nodded at me and gave a warm smile.

Her eyes whipped to the Intensive Care Unit and then back to my dishevelled self.

"She will be fine sir" she gave me a soothing reply before walking away.

"Shock will be administered again. It will be delivered in three, two, one! Again!"The doctor's already hoarse voice commanded.

A wave of panic ensued in the atmosphere as both the doctor and nurses didn't stop for a moment, trying tirelessly to save my wife's life.

About thirty compressions were delivered until Alina breathed out.

Relief washed over my face the moment I heard her gasp and suck in breath. The sinking, agonising painful feeling gradually began washing away as Alina finally gasped out.

The doctor tirelessly administered defibrillator shocks and compressions before Alina's weak heart began beating once more.

"She's alive! Her pulse is back. She is breathing"a nurse happily cried out.

Finally!

Colour finally washed over her pale face and her body glimmered with life in it.

My joy knew no bound. I cleaned my tears immedately, a broad smile making its way to my face as a ray of hope on Alina's condition reared its head out.

Fuck. I thought I would loose Alina!

"Heavens thank you. Thank you so much"I silently said, grateful to whatever supernatural being was responsible for bringing my wife back.

I can't believe I actually cried for Alina. I always wanted her dead but seeing her actually on the verge of dying brought in pains and fears that I never knew I could feel especially not for an enemy's daughter.

Alina's chest heaved, falling and rising slowly with every breath she takes. Her breathing was finally stabilised.

The doctor administered some other drugs through the drip into her veins and the intravenous injection placed in her other arm.

Happiness was saturated in all their faces.

At that moment he finally walked out and our orbs fell on each other. I noticed how multiple sweat beads were littered across his forehead.

He gave me a warm smile and took out a handkerchief from a pocket in his white apparel, using it to wipe the sweats of his face.

I immedately rushed over to him, engulfing him in a hug.  He seems very stunned but gradually returns the hug. My happiness was radiating off me.

What has Alina done to me that has made me so happy to actually see her alive? Alina was breaking my walls and making me confused even at my own actions.

"I'm guessing she is your wife" came the doctor's calm tone.

"Yes.." My eyes whipped to the slightly opened the door and accessed Alina's unconscious body.

"She is my wife" I added, veering my eyes back at the doctor.

"You must love her so much" he clasped at my shoulder.

Love? I didn't love Alina. But one thing I knew now was that I didn't want to see her die either.

Just the mere thought of it now got me apprehensive.

"It's good you brought her in on time. If you had delayed she would have been dead by now. We discovered poisonous substances in her blood stream. What ever got into her body was aimed at weakening her heart, slowly killing her" the doctor meticulously explained to me.

Rage flashed in my eyes as I recollected who put her in this position in the first place.

Diego. My fist balled up and my face became contorted in rage.

I can't wait to kill him and spill his blood. My hands were itching for that honestly.

"We've been able to get her pulse and heartbeat stable but she just needs to rest. The drugs we've injected into her will help fight the poison in her system" the doctor's word cut into my thoughts.

"Can I go see her?" I asked.

"Well yes but she is unconscious right now. Don't try to wake her up ok" he advised.

I nodded and immediately dashed in through the doors. The nurses checked on Alina, administering more drugs into her veins before walking out.

I pulled a stool and sat next to my wife, eyes glued on her tranquilised state. The mask was still placed over her face but she was breathing.

That was the good news.

Finally she was alive!

I still couldn't believe I almost lost Alina today. I almost lost her to the cold hands of death and it was so absurd because I always wanted her to die and when she actually almost died, I was the one who rushed her to the hospital with a pounding heart and fear coursing through me.

My eyes whipped to the electrocardiography machine placed next to Alina's bed. It was measuring her heart rate and it seemed to beat normal.

I exhaled so deeply once more. My hands trailed to Alina's one hand out of their own will. They both grasped on to her soft, warm fingers. My large fingers covered her's and I caressed her fingers.

"You are so stubborn Alina. Don't ever risk your life for mine again ok" I said underneath my breath to her.

I chuckled at myself. She couldn't even hear me.

Damn. The ruthless, cold hearted and dangerous capo dei capi that scared the wits of my men had vanished and sitting here was a man concerned for his wife.

What has Alina done to me?

I watched her sleep peacefully, my eyes glued to her chest that heaved slowly and repeatedly.

I gradually rested my head on her bed, my hands not leaving her's for a second, relishing the feel of her warm skin that now had life coursing through them.