MORE WORRIES

Again, the doctor just let out a very deep sigh that ignited a series of strong waves of fear in the surroundings. Everyone abandoned the doctor’s baffling actions for a moment and looked at each other with their faces coated with questions. But no one had the answer to their questions but the doctor. As if driven by common sense or spirit, they snapped their eyes back to the doctor, their faces pregnant with a combo of expressions, demanding answers from the doctor. “Doctor? Please speak up! You are getting us more worried. Is there something else that we need to know about Deep?” Gia pressed further, her stern gaze on the doctor, leaving no room for more hesitations from the doctor.

“Yes. There is one more problem that I have not told you.” The doctor responded, finally breathing in the courage to bear their questioning glances and their sympathetic looks.

“What more is there, doctor? Don’t hide anything from us. We need to know everything that there is so that we can know exactly how to help him. So please, be honest with us about how exactly his situation is.” Deep’s father spoke.

Dr. Reynolds took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to convey the extent of Deep's injuries without causing any further distress. "I'll be honest with you. Deep has sustained severe injuries. He has deep cuts and bruises all over his body, indicative of a brutal assault. I honestly don’t know how he is even still breathing after all the torture he seems to have gone through. Additionally, several bones are broken, and there might be internal injuries we are yet to fully assess."

Gia's hand flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp, while Simon and Grace exchanged anguished looks. The gravity of the situation sank in, and a heavy silence enveloped the room. Deep’s mother dropped onto the nearby seat, her legs unable to support her. “No! My son cannot be going through all that pain.” She mumbled to herself.

The doctor approached her. "Please relax, madam. We are doing everything that we possibly can to help your son." Dr. Reynolds continued, his voice filled with empathy. "Our team is working tirelessly to stabilize him, and we will not stop. He's currently in the ICU, receiving the necessary medical attention. It's crucial to keep him under observation, given the severity of his injuries."

Tears welled up in Gia's eyes as she struggled to comprehend the extent of Deep's suffering. "We understand all that, Doc. But can we see him? Please? Even just for a short while. Our hearts will not find rest until we see him. Please!" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Dr. Reynolds nodded sympathetically. "Only because I understand your worries. I will let him, but only for five minutes and one person at a time. Don’t make a sound inside the room. Don’t shake him or try to talk to him.

He's sedated at the moment to manage the pain and to allow his body to heal. But you can visit him briefly, one at a time, to be by his side and offer your support. Nothing else."

“Thank you so much, Doctor. We appreciate this. And please, do everything within your power to help him.” Gia pleaded.

“You do not have to worry, Miss Gia. We must render our services to the best of our knowledge. But we treat, and God heals. That man needs your prayers as well.” The doctor responded.

“We will,” Gia responded.

“Okay. Let me show you to the changing rooms. Then I will have to leave you and come back after a while to check on him.” The doctor said, leading the way.

“Who will go first?” Grace asked after they were done changing.

“Aaah, Gia? I think you should go first.” Mr. Azzua said, and everyone agreed, except his wife, who stopped in her tracks, scouring tears from her eyes to see her husband clearly.

“Are you serious? He is our son! We should be the one to see him first and not..."

Her husband raised his hand, shutting her up. “Not you and this again, and definitely not here. We are in the ICU, for goodness sake! Keep your voice at bay, or better yet, shut up and don’t argue with me or anyone.”

She sighed deeply. “Seriously? I am making noise." She spoke with an inaudible whisper, glaring at her husband. She continued, speaking between her gritted teeth. “What I am saying is the truth. Why should she be the one to go in first, huh? Is she that important?”

Her husband scoffed. “Ooh, yes! And you will know just how important she is when your son wakes up. And why? Because you wouldn’t have known where your son is right now were it not for her. Or has anyone called you to let you know of your son’s condition or whereabouts?” Mr. Azzua nailed her, leaving her mouth dry. “I thought so.” He then turned to Gia. “Go ahead, Gia.”

Gia nodded. “Thank you, father!” She said this and walked to the door, pushing the door open with as much ease as she could.

She walked in, and the door shut behind her on its own, while she froze on her spot after she saw Deep lying on the bed with bandages acting like clothes.

Deep's situation was grave and deeply troubling. He sustained severe injuries, both physical and emotional, from the brutal beating inflicted upon him. His body bore the marks of violence—bruises, cuts, and possibly broken bones. The doctors attending to him were deeply concerned about the extent of the damage caused by the assault.

Physically, he was in an immensely ethereal state, postulating immediate medical attention. His body was battered, and he was in excruciating pain. The injuries affected his ability to move and function normally, leaving him bedridden and reliant on medical support to stabilize his condition.

Moreover, the psychological trauma inflicted during the assault was equally distressing to Gia. Deep's emotional wounds ran deep, leaving him in a state of shock, fear, and emotional distress. The ordeal had shattered his sense of safety and security, leaving lasting scars that extended far beyond the physical realm.

“Deep? My Deep!” Gia broke down into faint, silent cries.