Imperfect Desires

737 Nature's Course

Looking at their grave expressions, the doctor slowly started, "Although the amount of drug that managed to enter the patient's body was minute, it was quite harmful. Fortunately, the patient was brought to the operation theatre immediately so we managed to control the damage it could have done."

"So, Xiu is alright now?" asked Zhao Huan cautiously.

"The patient is out of danger," said the doctor and everyone heaved a collective sigh of relief. As if someone breathed life into their shells all over again.

"And her baby?" It was Xin Zimen who questioned it with trepidation palpable in his eyes.

"Call it a miracle or whatever but the baby is fine. For now, the vitals are stable and we don't see anything wrong."

Xin Zimen closed his eyes and exhaled a breath that even he didn't know he was holding. He knew if anything happened to the baby, both Xiu and Darren would take a huge hit. He didn't want them both to experience the pain of losing their child.

"Can we see her?" asked Xin Zemin.

The doctor shook her head, "We are gonna shift her to another room. Then you can see her. But..." the doctor's sudden pause made their breath stop again. "As I said, the drug's amount was small but it was still very effective. The patient might suffer some side effects we can't predict."

"But she is safe now?" asked Xin Xiaoli.

"Yes, the condition is stable," replied the doctor.

Soon Xiu was shifted to another room and during the whole process, Xin Zimen had kept an eye on everything. He was vigilant and didn't allow any mistakes anymore. They couldn't afford it.

Now, they had to wait for Xiu to wake up. It was another torturous time but at least, they knew that she was safe. That much reassurance was enough for now.

He repeatedly instructed his subordinates but he still wasn't at ease. So, he decided to not move an inch away from Xiu's side. He was gonna keep a watch on her himself this time.

"Dad, I've arranged everything at the villa," informed Xin Xiaoli. He was already arranging the required equipment at the villa but now that this happened, he arranged everything even more meticulously. "When should we move them?"

"Did you call the doctors, I asked you to?" asked Xin Zimen solemnly.

"Yes. Dr. Philip will be arriving from the UK tomorrow. As for Dr. Ling, she is already on standby."

Xin Zimen nodded his head, "Alright then. Arrange for the shift right now. It's better to take them home. I don't want them to open their eyes in this place and be reminded of any unpleasant things."

Before he could finish, his father placed a hand on his head to stop him. "We all think it'd make a difference if we had made different choices. But trust me, it would change nothing. Your mother used to say, nature has its way to find its course. We're powerless before it. So, instead of blaming yourself for the past, think about what you can do to bring the change."

Xin Xiaoli suddenly hugged his father and said, "I know I don't often say it, but I really love you."

"I know," replied Xin Zimen.

....

Ah-Si received a call from his brother telling him that Xiu was out of danger. He finally calmed down and held Nora's shaking body again as he told her, "You can stop worrying now. Xiu is out of danger. Both the baby and Xiu are fine."

Nora had been in utter shock from the time everything conspired right before her eyes. She had been in a daze since then. She didn't know how she managed to run at that time to call the doctors. She could only remember that her only thought was to help Xiu and Darren. In any way possible.

Even though she knew Xiu was in the operation theatre, she stayed with Darren. She knew someone would stay there for Xiu, she needed to be with Darren or else if Xiu knew, she'd be upset with her. She had been so scared all this while but she had no way of voicing out this fear.

Even when Ah-Si came to accompany her, she stayed silent. She didn't say a word since everything happened. That looming fear that what if Ying hadn't realized something was wrong? She was so close and yet she didn't know that something was wrong. She was of no help to her best friend. She couldn't even protect her.

Oddly, from the time everything happened, Nora had been more scared regarding Darren's condition than Xiu. She couldn't get the image of his bloody arm out of her mind. The slash across his arm was deep but the doctors said it was his head injury that was dangerous. Since he moved around despite being told not to do it, his condition was something to worry about.

She slowly held his hand and said in a small voice, "Did you hear that? Xiu and your baby are fine. So, you also have to be fine. You can't leave them alone in this situation. You better hurry up and wake up. Xiu will be really mad at you otherwise."

Ah-Si patted her shoulder, "Stop worrying. He'll be fine."

"I really hope so," whispered Nora.

"Did you inform at home?" asked Ah-Si and Nora's whole body shook again.

"I don't dare," replied Nora. "Leave mom and dad aside, if Jackie found out that Xiu's condition is not good, he'll breakdown."

"But you have to tell your parents," Ah-Si insisted. "Or else, they'll be angry with you for hiding such a big thing from them."

"I know they'll be angry but..." she looked helpless. "But I don't know what to say or how to say it. I can't bring myself to say anything to them."

Seeing her condition, Ah-Si sighed out, "It's okay. I'll call them for you. Give me your phone."

Nora silently passed her phone to him and continued to look at Darren's unconscious figure laying peacefully before her eyes.