59 3.16- Isll Be There For You, These Five Words Isd Swear To You... (2/2)
After wiping my tears off, I walked and entered the small prayer room where there were an incense holder and a few incense sticks to burn and offer prayers. A string of squared prayer flags was strung across the front of the wall which faced the incense burner, a small tinkle bell, a 108 prayer beads and a metal prayer wheel were set beside it.
A small water fountain was in the corner of the prayer room and the flow of water seemed to roll the ball that was sitting on top of the fountain to revolve against the flow of water.
I removed my shoes and shuffled slowly towards the mini-altar. I kneeled down and sat with my feet underneath. I took a small incense stick and lighted the end. I held it in my palms of my hands and bowed several times before placing it in the holder.
Soon the slow spiralling smoke of the incense rose into the air and filled the room with a slight rose scented scent. I took the 108 mantra wooden beads in my both hands and chanted several prayers as my hands twirled the beads slowly with my fingers.
In the quietness of the room and with me silently chanting the prayers, I fell into a sense of peace and tranquillity as the encircling swirling smoke from the incense seemed to soothe my nerves.
Suddenly I fell over and fell asleep in a fetal position from where I was kneeling earlier...
Some hours later I awoke after the Incense in the burner had long gone out. I placed the wooden mantra beads back into place and bowed several times before I slowly shuffle back and wore my shoes.
The nurse that I met before at the counter had already changed her shift. I had lost track of time and fallen asleep due to the sheer exhaustion of my overwhelming flow of emotions earlier. The clock above her showed almost 4 am.
I asked about Akira's condition and she told me that she had been moved from the Operating Theatre and into an observation ward upstairs.
After thanking her I went straight up to Akira's room. I sought permission from the nurse in charge and she guided me to Akira was put up and told me to keep silence at all times. The earlier nurse was thoughtful enough to inform the nurse in charge of the observation ward to let me through once I had woken up from the prayers room.
I went inside the solitary room where Akira was lying in bed. The topside of her head was wrapped in thick bandages and her right arm was set and plastered. There were several other dressings on her left cheek and under her chin. An intravenous glucose drip was inserted into the left cradle of her elbow and an ECG machine was hooked up to her vital points.
The nurse that accompanied me entered with me. She withdrew her clipboard at the end of Akira's bed and explained to me the contents of the progress and informed that Akira is still in a coma and has not given any kind of responses yet from the doctors and physiotherapist.
I gently placed Akira's hand in mine and made a fluttering butterfly kiss while stroking with the side of my face. I looked at her face that seemed so at peace and made no sign of response when I stroked her head and touched her face.
I sat down alongside the bed and continued to hold her hand. The nurse informed me that her aunt had been notified and would be arriving at the hospital shortly after. She asked me if I need anything else but I said no. All I wanted was to wait beside Akira as she regains her consciousness.
The nurse placed a gentle hand on top of my head and said Akira is in a coma and would take some time to be awakened. I asked her what could I do to assist but my question was left answered as the nurse slowly turned and walked out of the solitary observation room.
”I am here, Watashi no saiai...”
I don't wish to leave her side... I wanted to stay beside her all the time... I wanted to be able to see her flutter her eyes and sees me beside her instead of a swarm of nurses and doctors in white... All I wanted was her alone...