"Ma'am, are you awake? Can you hear me?" The doctor called out to me, leaving the wound compression to the nurses.
My body felt heavy, my head felt like it was being hit by a thousand stones. Regardless, I managed to give a nod.
"You need to get your guardian here as soon as possible. Here, who should we call?"
He brought out my phone and flung it to my face.
I weakly opened my mouth and muttered a single word, "husband."
"Ohh. Your husband?" I nodded.
The doctor operated the phone a few times, and a loud calling tone came up.
Grrr!! Grrr!! Grr!!! The phone rang a couple of times before an angry voice came up.
"Hey, what the fuck is this call for?"
Everywhere went silent. I didn't miss the look of shock, mixed with surprise that registered on everyone's face as the phone was on speaker.
"Hmmm, Hi Simon, can I speak with you for a minute?" I summoned the strength to speak.
He scoffed.
"You already wasted thirty seconds out of a minute, you have just thirty seconds left."
Without wasting time, I muttered weakly, " I got into an accident, I need the consent form for the surgery to be signed. Can you come over?"
Silence clouded everywhere but a loud thump could be heard, it was the fast beating of my heart. I was secretly praying he wouldn't give me one of his usual excuses.
"Get someone to do that for you, I am busy..."
It seemed like he was distracted for a moment, a tiny voice sounded slowly clouded his own, "can you peel me an apple?"
My hand slumped.
My head fell backward, hitting the metallic headboard. A sharp pain jotted through my entire body and settled in my heart. I felt my eyes roll to the back of my head and the last thing I remembered was a loud alarm from the nurses... I slumped.
***
I don't know how long I was unconscious for but I woke up feeling lighter and better, although there were aching pains all over my body. I was alone in the room but I could see the passing silhouette of the nurses from the transparent curtains. I let my body relax for a while before detaching all the wires and drips that were glued to my body.
The moment my feet touched the ground, I swayed. I felt a tight pull in my stomach stitch but I shook my head.
No! I mustn't stay here for a night. My husband will be pissed, Simon doesn't like when I stay late outside.
I was still in my hospital cloth when I found my way to the receptionist. It seemed like they were on evening break.
I could see the familiar faces of some nurses gathered at the reception, they were happily talking until a few of them sighted me, they looked surprised.
"Ma'am, when did you get up?" Two of the jotted up to assist me but I was quick to stop them.
"Not long along, Can I get my belongings?" I requested, my face a little pale from the stinging pain of the fresh wound.
"We need to examine you and administer your drug, can you come with us back to the ward?"
I didn't think twice before shaking my head, "No, No. I am good, we have a private doctor at home, I can't stay here another night."
They exchanged a long stare, followed by a shrug. One of them excused herself and returned with my bag and car key.
"Your car is ruined, you might not be able to drive it," I nodded unconsciously then passed them my card. They flashed it and just like that, I was discharged.
As I dragged my feet out, I heard the low gossips from the nurses. They emphasized on how wicked and nonchalant my husband was but I didn't get angry. There was just a sad smile on my face.
A smile of self mockery.
It's been four years.
Four years of tolerance, four years of coldness. Four years of holding on.
'It gets better with time,'I have managed to convince myself with this painful quote but I know better...
A loud horn brought me back to existence. My ride was here. I soullessly dragged my feet to the waiting car and we zoomed off.
Sound came from the radio system, "Mr Simon Sinclair, the CEO of Sinclair holdings was seen in a channel shop with his rumored girlfriend. The store was allegedly closed down for their private shopping moment..."
I couldn't bear to listen to everything before a lone tear dropped from my eyes. My condition is just so laughable.
While I was battling my life in the operation room, Simon was squandering money with his girlfriend in a channel shop.
We have been married for four freaking years, I have been playing the duty of an obedient wife while being hidden from the world.
Several times, he has appeared in public with his girlfriend and every time, it hurts more. I couldn't even share the same initials with him, talk more about appearing in public with him.
Am I not such a joke?
I teared up. My heart clenched tightly to my chest.
I hiccuped, followed by a slow tearing sound. My wound was slowly reopening.
My eyes clamped shut from the unbearable pain. I whimpered in silence till I got to our estate. The cab wasn't allowed in so I limped all the way to the house.
As soon as I stepped in, a flying cup met with my head. My vision immediately went blurry.
It took a while before I adjusted to it.
Standing in front of me was Mrs Elena, the housekeeper with a disdainful look on her face.
"So you went to fuck around for two nights," she said to me with disgust.
My lips hung low but no words formed in my mouth. For the first time in four years, I hit the realization.
I was nothing!!! Even a mere housekeeper has such a big audacity , what else?
Something crept into my head. Courage. Resentment. Anger. Everything mashed up into a thought.
I am going to get a divorce.