304: THE HECK? ARIEL’S POV “Miss?” The nurse’s voice brought me back to the present, her expression filled with concern. I blinked, focusing on her face as I struggled to push away the lingering thoughts of my prayer. “Yes?” I replied, my voice hoarse with emotion. “I just wanted to let you know that the man you brought to the hospital is now doing fine,” the nurse informed me, her words bringing a sense of relief. “We’ve taken care of his injury, and he’s resting comfortably now.” A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I nodded, gratitude flooding my heart. “Thank you,” I murmured, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. “That’s a relief to hear.” But as I glanced around the hospital waiting area, my eyes fell upon a commotion unfolding nearby. A man, clearly agitated, was engaged in a heated argument with a doctor, their voices escalating into shouts. Before I could process what was happening, the argument turned physical, and they began to exchange blows, sending shockwaves through the otherwise serene atmosphere of the hospital. “What on earth?” I exclaimed, my eyes widening in disbelief. The nurse beside me gasped, her hands flying to her mouth in horror. “Oh no,” she muttered, and she was filled with so much concern. “We need to stop them before someone gets hurt.” Without hesitation, the nurse rushed towards the altercation, but her efforts were futile as the two men continued to grapple with each other, oblivious to the chaos. they were causing. Other nurses soon joined in, attempting to separate the brawling individuals, but their efforts proved to be in vain as the men seemed determined to inflict harm upon each other. “Where’s security?” I demanded, my heart pounding with fear and disbelief at the violence unfolding before my eyes. Just then, a team of security guards arrived on the scene, their presence. commanding attention as they swiftly intervened, pulling the men apart and 304: THE HECK? restraining them before they could cause any further harm. It was a tense moment, and the air was thick with tension as the hospital staff worked tirelessly to restore order amidst the chaos. The commotion gradually subsided, and the men were escorted away by security, I didn’t know, but I felt sort of shaken by the sudden outburst of violence in what was supposed to be a place of healing and solace. How could such aggression take place within the walls of a hospital, where lives were meant to be saved and suffering alleviated? The nurse returned to my side, her expression grave as she surveyed the aftermath of the altercation. “I’m sorry you had to witness that,” she murmured, and she was sort of sad. Like, sad to a certain degree. “Violence has no place in a hospital, but sometimes, emotions run high and tempers flare.” I nodded, still reeling from the shock of what I had just witnessed. “It’s just… I never expected to see something like that here,” I admitted, and my voice was filled with disbelief. It shouldn’t be, because I’ve seen people do more sh*t. Well, not in tranquil places like this, but sh*t was sh*t. There was Harriet, the good–for–nothing psychopath, and Mason, who I genuinely had no idea where he was now. However, it goes without saying that these two morons were mentally ill. Like, really, really sick. And they should go to a mental asylum. How cool would it be to see those bozos locked up? Not in a cell, but in a location that looks like you’re in hell. The nurse sighed, her eyes reflecting a shared sense of dismay. “Unfortunately, it’s not as uncommon as we’d like to believe,” she confessed. “But rest assured, we’ll do everything in our power to ensure the safety and well–being of our patients and staff.” I nodded, grateful for her reassurance, but the image of the violent altercation lingered in my mind, a sobering reminder of the fragility of human nature and the unpredictability of life itself. So while I watched the nurses attend to the aftermath of the incident, I had this gratitude for their unwavering dedication and commitment to their calling, even in the face of adversity. Unlike some people that I know, who would run from the chaos when they saw things crashing down, Okay, Ariel, who the hell are those people anyway? “Can I go inside the room where the man is?” I asked the nurse. My voice wasn’t 304, THE HECK? 3/4 that clear after I yelled during that commotion. Trust me, it wasn’t great. Getting a broken voice right now was definitely not the thing. The nurse nodded in agreement; she had this sympathetic expression. But it was for the best. “Of course,” she replied softly, and she gestured toward the door. “Take all the time you need.” “Thank you,” I murmured gratefully as I slowly made my way towards the door of the room where the man was resting. Entering the room, I found him lying on the bed, his eyes closed as if in peaceful slumber. He seemed to be resting comfortably; the tension from the earlier altercation was nowhere to be seen on his face. Yes, so that was it. Right here, where I stood, I could still recall how Luke had put so much effort into saving this man. At that moment, things were a little bit different. And Luke made me love him more and more. I approached the bed cautiously, my footsteps echoing softly in the otherwise silent room. Drawing closer, the man slowly opened his eyes, blinking in confusion, before focusing on me. “Who are you?” he asked in a soft voice, his gaze searching mine. I offered him a small smile, hoping to ease any discomfort he might be feeling. You don’t know me,” I replied gently. “But I’m glad to see that everything went well.” The man’s expression softened, a hint of relief flickering in his eyes. “Thank you,” he whispered, his voice filled with gratitude. “I’m grateful to be alive.” I nodded, feeling a swell of emotion rise within me at his words. “You’re welcome,” I replied softly, my heart heavy with the weight of what had transpired. “I’m just glad that you’re okay.” The man sighed, looking upwards. “You know, when my car crashed, I thought I wasn’t going to make it. I thought it was the final chapter of my life. But you saved me. Thank you.” “Oh, yeah, you’re welcome. But actually, my husband was the one who saved you,” I admitted, a sense of pride swelling within me as I spoke of Luke’s heroic actions. The man’s eyes widened in surprise. “Your husband?” he echoed, clearly taken aback. I nodded, a small smile playing on my lips. “Yes, he did a lot to pull you out of the wreckage. He was really determined to save you, no matter what.” A look of gratitude washed over the man’s face, mingled with newfound respect. “I owe him everything, then.“. “You sure do.” “Well, I would love to see him.” “And he would love to see you too. But, as a matter of fact, he’s not here right now. Just know that he wishes you all the best in your recovery.” The man nodded, understanding evident in his gaze. “Can I please know your name? “My name?” He nodded, smiling at me. “Oh, it’s Ariel.” “Ariel. You have a beautiful name, and you’re just as beautiful.” “Say what now?” I raised an eyebrow.
