Chance in Love

Arlet Rivera

The Great Loss

I open my eyes and see a white ceiling. Slowly, I turn my head to the side and observe several machines, recognizing that I am in a hospital room. But what happened? I try to sit up, but I can't. My body is heavy as if something is holding me down on the bed, and this sensation is terrible. My throat is dry, and I can't swallow. I feel an immense urge to cry. What happened? Where is my daughter? My husband? A tear streams down my face. I slowly move my head and look ahead, where I see the door to the room. I want to scream, to get up, to know what's going on. When I look at my belly, desperation hits me. I don't see my pregnant belly. I try to get up again, but I can't! My body is like lead, so I start crying desperately.

I don't know how long I stay here alone, silently crying, with no one by my side.

"Look who's awake!" I hear a nurse say as I suddenly realize she's standing right in front of me. I was so distracted that I didn't even see her come in. "Do you feel anything? Why are you crying?" she asks as she begins to check my vital signs.

But not a word comes out of my mouth, I can't even move.

"I want you to try to stay calm, okay? I know you're confused and want to know what happened, but your blood pressure is very high, dear. Please try to calm down, or I'll have to give you a tranquilizer. Calm down before I call the doctor." Her way of talking to me doesn't make me feel comfortable. I know something serious happened, but despite everything, I try to stay as calm as possible, even though all I want to do right now is scream.

Some time passes and Mrs. Haile enters, and when she sees me with my eyes open, she starts crying.

"Gracias a Dios, mi hija" (Thank God, my daughter) she approaches carefully, hugs me, and cries, then my crying starts again.

We stay hugged and crying for a long time. It's like she needed it, like she had been holding on for a long time. I want to ask her what happened, but my voice won't come out, as if something is blocking it.

"Mrs. Martinez," the nurse calls for her attention. She then releases me and sits on a chair next to the bed. The nurse looks at me and says, "I want you to stay calm. We don't want another hypertension episode here, do we?" She says it with affection and looks at my mother-in-law, who nods her head.

She holds my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze.

"How are you feeling, my daughter?" There's a sadness in her eyes, and it terrifies me. I want to answer her, but nothing comes out of my lips.

"She's not saying anything, ma'am, it's normal considering what she's been through," the nurse responds. "Don't worry, this warrior will speak soon," she gives a comforting smile. "I'll call the doctor," and then she exits the room, leaving my mother-in-law and me alone.

The silence between us is distressing. I try to get her attention, but she only gives me a sad smile and says nothing. To be honest, I'm even afraid to know what happened.

I don't know how long it was after that, but a doctor named Henrique Vales, whose name I saw written on his lab coat as soon as he entered, began to examine me. He doesn't say much and starts examining me. When he gets to my legs, I don't feel his hands on them...

"Mrs. Rivera, I know it's difficult for you to make a sound, but from what I can see, you can move your head well, so I'll do some tests on your legs, okay? I don't want you to get agitated, I just want to confirm what the tests have already shown. After this test, we'll talk about what happened to you, all right?" I nod my head.