I heard beeping noise and a female hysterically crying as I looked at a blank white wall in front of me. It took me a minute to realize that I'm in a hospital. Panicked, I gasped and turned around to the horrific scene in front me. My body was covered in wires to all these different machines and a breathing mask as Melly weeps over my unconscious self.
What happened? I remember that I was trying to look for Melly and then the next thing I know, I was shot in my stomach and I was out like a light.
So what the hell is this? Am I a ghost now? Well, I don't think I'm dead yet since the heart monitor continues to beep at a steady beat and I can see my chest rising and falling. Am I dreaming? I pinched myself to check, and nope, somehow this is legit. This reminds me of this boring movie that Melly dragged me to earlier this summer. It was about this family who got into a car crash. Everyone died, except for the girl, who spends the entire movie trying to decide if she should go to heaven with her family or stay here on earth with her boyfriend. In my opinion, the movie was stupid, but Melly liked it. I forgot what it was called? The Faults In Our Stars? No. The movie had a better plot than that. Lucy? No, the plot was just confusing as fuck. Sex Tape? No, that movie was funny and I dragged Melly to see that one. The only other movie title I had in my mind is If I Stay. If I Stay? Yes! If I Stay!
But my life isn't like that girl in that movie. I have a lot more reasons to be on earth than heaven. Everyone I love needs me here as I need them. It would be terrible if I die. Problem is, I don't know what this is or how to get out of it. Seeing my body the way it is now, I can tell that I'm in one hell of a fight.
Melly's sniffs snapped me out of my thoughts. I walked over to her, running my hand through her thick, tangled, dark brown hair, even though she probably can't feel me right now as she weeps over my body. Anyone could tell how distressed she is. This isn't good for her or the baby.
"I'm sorry." Melly whispered between sobs. "I'm sorry that I've been a bad girlfriend. All of my drama was put onto you and it dragged you here. I almost got you killed. For that I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."
I frowned at her comment. Despite what's been happening, Melly is the best girlfriend that I've ever had. I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for her, and for that I'm thankful. She made me happy in so many ways, it's unbelievable. No one can replace her. Sure, she was being a mean person for a while, but it seems like she really learned her lesson the hard way. It shouldn't have happened, but it did. No one can take it back, all we need to do is forgive and move forward. It may not be as simple for most people, but for me I feel like that's enough to have a happy and peaceful life. I just wish she didn't push herself down the way she is, but something tells me that she will be like this for a while. Even when I wake up, because that's just her nature.
I spotted my mom and brother coming into the room with a nurse trailing behind him. My mother looked at me in horror, then moved her eyes towards Melly. "What happened?" She questioned in shock.
"Mom..." Melly said, looking up at her in surprise. "I'm so sorry. I got Derek into something he shouldn't have been in."
"What do you mean? What are you talking about?" John asked, sitting besides her, rubbing her back in circle. She leaned into his shoulder, crying more into it.
"Derek and I had a fight. He drove off without me and came only to see me near this horrific man with a gun." She said, crying harder than before. "He fought him, but he got shot and now he's...oh my gosh."
John shushed her as he continued to rub her back. "It's okay. He's going to make it."
"He's right." The nurse spoke up. "Derek is very lucky. We removed the bullet, which missed some major arteries. If it were to hit them, he would've been dead right now. But he's not, so relax, Ms. Martinez."
Whew, glad to know I'm not dead.
"He wouldn't be here, if it weren't for me." Melly whispered, not really paying attention to anything they said. She's too consumed in her toxic thoughts to do so.
"It's not your fault. It was the guy's fault. He was the gun and shot him. You two just happened to be there at the wrong place at the wrong time. But I promise you it wasn't your fault and I know that he's more than proud that he fought with all his might to save your lives." John said. I smile at John. I knew he would say something like that. We are too much alike in that sense. Maybe that's why Melly told John about the baby first. He knows exactly what to say when I can't.
"Thanks John. I'm really sorry for all the horrible things I've said and done to you guys. I didn't mean it. While it's not an excuse, I was just going through a hard time and I didn't want to show it." Melly said, looking at my two family members. I knew it! "You don't have to forgive me if you don't want to, but just know that I am deeply ashamed of what I did."
"It's okay. Let the past, be the past. We're family after all, we forgive each other." Mom said, coming over to sit on Mel's other side.
"We love you." John said, kissing her forehead.
"I don't know how after all the trouble I've caused." Melly said, looking at the floor guilty.
"Because we've all made mistake. But as long as we acknowledge and are sympathetic for them, those mistakes can turn into huge life lessons and it seems like you've had yours." Mom said, stroking her hair in a motherly way.
Melly nodded her, before she broke down again. "I love you so much. I just wish I could've presented it better. I wish none of us weren't here right now."
She went back into John's arm, hysterically crying again.
The nurse who was in the room, sighed and said, "Ms. Martinez, I'm afraid I have to give you a tranquilizer shot. While I understand your distress right now, none of it is good for you or your baby. Since you're not able to calm down by yourself, I'm sorry, but this needs to happen."
"Whoa, whoa. I'm her guardian. Don't I get a say in this?" Mom questioned, furrowing her eyes on the young nurse though she doesn't seem to disagree with her.
"Yes, you do. But before you argue, may I advise you to take a look at her. She's in total depression right now. It's not healthy for her or the baby." She said.
"Will it hurt the baby? Are you even authorized to do this?" Mom asked.
John, the nurse, and I all gave her a 'really?' look. Even Melly was raising an eyebrow under her bangs.
"Mrs. Parker, I'll reassure you that I am authorized to perform shots like in cases such as this. I will also reassure you that I wouldn't give anyone anything, if I know it's harmful especially to a woman, who is expecting. So unless she calms down by nature, please trust me." The nurse said, showing her license to my family. Mom nodded her consent. The nurse left and came back with a needle and the tranquila shot. Melly was fighting against the stuff,
"It's okay, Mel. You need this to get through for however long we stay here. Get some rest." I said, stroking her hair as she fell asleep on the chair besides my bed.
{_}
I looked at my girlfriend as the sun shined on her doll-like face. She looks so peaceful in her deep slumber.
I am still in this weird state where I'm fighting against my life, I don't know how or when I will make it out of this, but I hope it will be soon so I can wrap around my baby and kiss her like crazy. She needs to know how much I love her. She needs to know that she's still my doll, because she won't be so calm once she wakes up.
I stiffened as Melly stirred awake. She blinked in confusion, before remembering her surrounding and sitting up. She took my hand, rubbing her thumb around my knuckles. Normally I would do that to her so she can relax, but I'm not responsive to that right now.
"Hey Derek. I'm not sure if you can hear me right now since you're still in a coma, but I just want you to know that I'm very grateful for what you did for me last night. It was brave and I just don't know how to thank you. I owe you one. Big time." Melly said with a signed. She doesn't owe me anything, but her love for me in return. "I wish you could wake up right now. I would hug you right now, but heh, I'm not sure if that's a good idea with that wound healing. But I'm very proud of you. You kept up with my shit for so long. And I just love you. I love you a whole lot."
I love you as well. I would say that to her, but she wouldn't hear me. I'm just a soul floating around right now. That didn't stop me from wrapping my arm around her neck and kissing her cheek. She means a whole lot to me.
"None of this should've happened." She whispered, trying her best not to let the tear fall out of her eyes. "I should be on the bed, not you. You sweet boy." I just watched as she kissed my knuckle with a frown. I don't wish for her to be on the bed. That's why I pushed that sick jerk away before he could do something bad to her or the baby. I don't mind being on the bed, if it mean she's alive. That's just how much love her I guess.
A knock on the door, interrupted us from our thoughts.We turned to look to see John standing in the doorway.
"How are you doing?" John asked, going over to my girlfriend, wrapping his arms around her in a friendly manner. I trust these two enough to not make a move on each other, especially not over my could've been dead body.
"A little better than before, to be honest." Melly said with a sigh as she put her chin in the palm of her hand, propping herself up with her elbow on her knee. "Still feeling guilty though."
"I don't know why. You have no reason to. Course you were acting a bit not like you, but it's fine. It's perfectly normal to not act like you sometimes. I'm just glad you're back to down to earth again." He said.
"Me too." She responded, moving her eyebrows up and down.
"I brought you food." My brother said, pulling out a McDonald's bag from behind his back and handing it to Melly.
"No thanks. I'm not hungry right now." She said, kindly.
"Melly, I hate to force you to do something that you don't feel like doing, but the fact that you have gone the whole day without eating and you're fucking expecting a human being to pop out in who knows how many months, makes me want to shove this down your throat right now. You're eating."John said firmly.
I would listen to him if I were Melly. Thankfully, she doesn't protest as she grabbed the bag out of his hand to find the McChicken sandwich and fries.
"Thanks." She muttered as she took the first bite of her sandwich. McDonald's isn't the healthiest thing a pregnant woman should eat, but neither is half of the stuff she craves for. Granted, she still eats the healthy stuff, but knowing how Melly works is another thing. She continued to devoured the food until it was gone.
John laughed and said, "You're welcome."
"Thanks." Melly said with a smile.
"Do you want to go somewhere?" John said, getting up.
"No, no, no. No thanks. I'll stay here in case Derek gets up. I'm fine." Melly said, brushing the idea off.
"Oh, come on. It's probably going to take awhile for him to get out of that coma, it's a beautiful day out. You deserve to roam around for the day." My brother pleaded.
"Thanks, but trust me. I'm happier here." Melly said.
"Okay. Well, I'm going to head off. You do good for yourself. I'll be back." He said, patting her shoulder before leaving. Melly waved behind him and then turned back to me.
"It's just you and me, babe." Melly said, moving closer to my bed, holding my hand again.
While I do love Melly's present in the room, I wouldn't mind if she took a walk around the building for an hour or so. I would follow her around anyway, not that she knows that. Still it's to see how much she cares for me that she minds leaving me.
I formed a smile on my face, until I jumped in fear as I heard Melly gasp out of nowhere. I looked at the direction she was looking at and see my unconscious body has formed a smile as well. Whoa, I can control my body again?
"You just smiled! Does that mean you can hear me as well?" She questioned, eager that she got one response from me. I tried to nod my head, but I was unable to do so. I groaned in defeat. I guess this is one thing at a time kind of crap. "Oh, well, it was worth a try." The smile falling from her face, but she still had some light in her eyes.
{_}
Monday, September 15, 2014
Twenty-five Weeks Pregnant
Another day has passed by and we're still the same position as we were yesterday. My family went in and out of the room, leaving the both of us behind in the end. We had a visit from the band at one point, who were a bit hesitant of being around the latina at first, until she apologized to them about her behavior and what not. Thankfully, they forgave her and made up. Mom came in with Melly's clothes from home, knowing well that she will stay overnight with me, even if she did say something about it. The only time Melly would move was if she had to go to the bathroom. By the afternoon, Melly has just finished her lunch and I felt like I was in my own body again when John came jogging into the room.
"Why didn't you come to school today?" John whisper-yelled at her.
"You don't really think I would move because today just happens to be Monday, did you?" Melly said, "John, I need to be with him. He needs me."
"Melly, while I love my brother, don't you understand that your education is more important than some boyfriend? I know he means a lot, but come on. What are you going to do? Wait for three weeks until he opens his eyes?" John asked. I can't see him, but I know he's flailing his arms around like he always does when he's like this.
"If that's how long it takes, so be it." She responded.
"Why?" He said.
"Because," She said, "I know Derek would do the same thing to me, That's why."
The room was silence with a bit a tension for a moment. John is lost on what to say, but I know that he knows that Melly is right. I wouldn't leave her side, just like she wouldn't leave mine. That's our love.
"In a few months, I will take Derek's place in that bed or a similar room to this, but for different reasons. While he isn't obligated to, I know he wouldn't leave my side. That's just us." She said. From the tone of her voice, I know she said it with a shrug.
"You're right. Sorry." John said, quietly.
"It's okay. I know you mean well." She responded. For some reason, I know they're hugging even with my eyes closed.
"Just don't miss anymore school days. You need it." John said.
"I'll try. No promises though."
I mentally laughed at the thought of her winking at him as she said that. John stayed a while and talked to my girlfriend on whatever was on their mind until he realized it was late and he had to go home.
Melly sighed as I heard her sit back down on the seat. "I have a song that I hope you don't mind me singing to."
Please do. I love to hear her song. She doesn't have the strongest voice in the shed, but it is the most beautiful one I've heard. In my opinion of course.
Melly took a deep breath, before she sang in a voice quiet enough so no one else could hear, but me:
"Hold me close and hold me fast,
This magic spell you cast
This is la vie en rose.
When you kiss me, heaven sighs
And though I close my eyes
I see la vie en rose
When you press me to your heart
I'm in a world apart
A world where roses bloom
And when you speak, angels, sing from above
Everyday words seem
To turn into love songs
Give your heart and soul to me
And life will always be
La vie en rose."
Melly sighed in sadness as I feel her face approach mine. "I love you." She whispered as she presses her lips on my forehead.
I swear just like magic, I finally opened my eyes.
Disclaimer: I do not own "La Vie En Rose" by Edith Pith remade by Cristin Milioti playing Tracy McConnell on How I Met Your Mother(2005-2014).