Lost

Jocelyn’s POV

Rays of sunlight mixed with a pungent antiseptic smell wafted into my line of sight and that of smell respectively, forcing me to squeeze my eyes open.

I frowned, utterly confused, when I realized that I was lying in a bed–a hospital bed to be specific, given how there was a cannula in my hand and nostrils, with machines beeping beside me.

“Josie!” The familiar voice of a female trailed into my ears, and I carefully tilted my neck toward the voice only for me to see Nancy Shepherd, my best friend, since middle school, who I hadn't seen since I got married.

The both of us were raised together as our mums used to be best friends before Nancy’s mum passed away some years back. Her dad was never in the picture as he had abandoned Nancy and her mum before she was even born.

“Nancy?”

Only then did I realize something; I had vision in both eyes and my eye patch had been removed.

“I can see with both eyes now!” I shrieked in utter disbelief tinged with confusion. “But the optician told me that there was no solution.”

“You are really awake,” Nancy shrieked, placing her hand on mine. “We were so scared. Thank you for coming back to us, Josie. And yes you can see, the doctors here are that good.”

I had lived with partial blindness for over a decade, so seeing clearly again seemed too good to be true.

Judging from her swollen and reddened eyes, Nancy had definitely cried a lot because of me, and the thought filled me with so much guilt because I hated having people worry over me.

“Y-You are welcome,” I croaked. “How long was I out? Where's my mum? Where am I? How and when did you come?”

“Let's take the questions one at a time, babe. Also, you sound like you need to cough,” She said. “Let me grab you a glass of water before calling the doctor in. Afterward, I'll answer your questions. What do you think?”

“Okay, “ I whispered, to which she smiled before elevating my bed to a more comfortable, sitting position.

“Are you alright with the bed?”

“Yes, thank you.” I nodded and she smiled again before rinsing a glass cup in a nearby sink and pouring me a cup of water from the dispenser.

“Here you go,” She said, gently feeding me the water. “Look at how pale you've become. That bastard really made you a shadow of your former self.”

It was then everything hit me; from how Eduardo had given me divorce papers and had invited his girlfriend to our matrimonial home to the accident that landed me here.

“Oh, him.” I mumbled.

Nancy darted me a look of concern. “What do you mean “oh, him”? I'm talking about your ruthless ex-husband, Eduardo. The one who has been parading his thot mistress all around the internet.”

Raking my hand through my hair, I let out a shaky sigh. “It's all in the past and I really don't want to think about it right now. Please.”

“Okay,” Nancy said, patting my back. “I'll be back in a minute. Let me go get the doctor.

Moments later, she returned with a female doctor.

“Good day, Miss Roswell. I am your Dr Abel, your neurologist,” The doctor divulged, outstretching her hand and I reached forward to clasp her hand in a handshake.

“Good day, doctor.”

“So how are you feeling right now? Do you feel any pain in your left eye?” She asked, and I frowned, my hand reaching upward to touch my eye patch.

Chuckling, the doctor responded. “There is always a solution to every problem. I take it that you have no problem with your eye.”

“Yes, and I feel alright.”

“That's a relief,” The doctor responded. “We feared the worst but fortunately, you prevailed.”

“Thank you so much, doctor.” I said, to which she smiled.

“You're welcome.” She said as her expression turned solemn.

“Is everything alright?” I couldn't help but ask and she sighed.

“Miss Roswell, we found something,” She began. “On the day of the accident, you were three weeks pregnant and unfortunately, you lost the baby. A further scan also showed that you lost your first baby about three years ago.”

“Oh my goodness!” Nancy shrieked in horror as my eyes welled up with tears.

“I should be happy, right?” I croaked out. “There's nothing connecting me with that scumbag again. So why the hell am I crying?”

“Oh, babe.” Nancy sniffled, pulling me into a hug. “Don't say that. You deserve something that was a part of you.”

“Then I'll be on my way,” Dr Abel interrupted the emotional moment. “Once again, I'm truly sorry for your loss.”

So I had lost two babies just like within the short span of three years. I couldn't help but wonder what I must have done in my last life for the universe to hate me so much.

Had I started a war or had I massacred a whole country?

“That jerkface will surely pay for this,” Nancy sniffled, as she hugged me. “I will see to it that it happens.”

Fluttering my eyes shut, I whispered. “You haven't answered my questions yet, Nancy.”

“Oh, I'm sorry,” She said, pulling away. “It was three weeks ago when I called you that I was told you were in a coma at the hospital. I came here as soon as I finished my finals. So I've been here for almost two weeks and you're currently in Australia.”

“How did I get to Australia?” I asked, confused.

“According to what I heard, your mum arranged everything,” Nancy divulged. “But unfortunately, she collapsed on seeing you and has been in the ICU for about a month now. You were in a coma for more than five weeks.”

“What?” I gasped in shock. “When can I see her?”

“I don't know, we will ask the doctor,” Nancy replied then gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “But I'm sure she will be fine.”

“My poor mum,” I wept, as Nancy enveloped me in a warm, reassuring hug. “What do I do, Nancy?”

Rubbing soothing circles on my back, Nancy said. “Don't worry yourself, Josie. Aunt Susan is brave and she will fight.”