Chapter 8

Chapter 8

 It had been 6 hours of nerve wracking waiting in the waiting room. Those who were injured were advised to go home and rest while few stood on guard, including Martin and Richard as they refused to leave Bolt and Josh. 

 Josh was scared as shit. He had never encountered a situation to see someone being shot and that too critical. As per the description of the hits, Josh was praying in his heart for nothing fatal. 

 He knew the under ribs area was itself a red zone and not to mention the bullet that hit God knows where at the back. The most precise location was between shoulder blades. That could end worse if it hit any vertebrae. 

 He cursed himself in his heart for the umpteenth time but he was helpless. His knee was bouncing restlessly only to be stopped gently by Pete who had just arrived after closing the restaurant. 

 Richard was thankful to him that he brought food for everyone because no matter what, they needed their energy to stay strong for Bolt. 

 Josh stubbornly rejected the food and Pete looked at Richard and Martin with helpless eyes. 

 “Josh, if you don't eat, I will send you home. I am seriously regretting my decision to inform you about Bolt. And let me tell you, he won't be happy to hear about you neglecting food”. Richard knew he was harsh but he had to put his foot down. 

 For hours, Josh had just sufficed on water and the worry was starting to wear him off. Josh looked at him with unbelievable eyes but gulped as soon as Martin nodded his head too. 

 Man, they could be intimidating if they wanted to be. And he knew he had no way out. He held the plate Pete set for him and took a deep breath. He felt a wave of nausea passing through, indicating he had been hungry for so long that worry had clawed his stomach deeply. 

 “Slowly take a bite and chew it. Don't rush. You have been empty stomach for so long that it's making you nauseated”. Martin patted his shoulder in sympathy. 

 Josh started eating his food one bite after another and soon finished the whole meal followed by the coffee. He felt the wave of energy passing through his body and he could feel his body regaining strength, both physically and mentally. 

 “Thank you so much Pete. I really appreciate it”. He thanked Pete who smiled at his boss who was nothing but kind and considerate. 

 “Feeling better now?” Martin asked Josh who smiled this time. 

 “That's better. You cannot fight with your demons when you don't have any strength”. Richard added his two pennies from the corner. 

 Josh was about to say something when they heard the doors opening to the operation theater. 

 They all stood up, anxious and nervous. 

 “Well, it was really tricky. He has just missed his heart by three inches. And that could explain the severity of the hit. Also the bullet at his back had slightly grazed his spinal cord but that won't affect his health or performance. 

 He needs rest for at least two weeks. Let him take a few steps but don't let him tire okay. There were other injuries too, minor, that had been treated. He will be shifted to the ICU for the next 24 hours. No one needs to stay here but one person. 

 You can visit him once he is moved, two at a time and follow the protocols. Understood?” The doctor explained in a tired yet stern tone. 

 “Yes sir. Thank you so much for everything you did for him”. Josh couldn't stop himself as he stepped forward and held his hands. The doctor smiled at him and patted his shoulder before turning to go back inside. 

 “Phew. That was close”. Josh slumped down on the chair followed by Bolt’s team as they all chorused their gratefulness. 

 —----

 It was past midnight when everyone visited Bolt and although Richard wanted to stay with him, Josh insisted that he go home as they all had a tough day. 

 They exchanged numbers in case Josh needed some help and handed Bolt’s personal things to him. His mobile and wallet but Josh refused to take his guns. 

 Richard and Martin left off laughing at how frightened Josh was just to hold the weapons. But they understood him. Holding a kitchen knife is deadly but not more than a gun held by an inexperienced person. 

 A nurse saw him swaying on his seat as she did her round and gently shook his shoulder. 

 “Huh? What happened?” He stood up alarmed as if something might have happened to Bolt. 

 “Everything is fine sir. How about you sleep on the couch in the ICU? There is no doctor due till 8 in the morning and I will wake you up by then. It isn't comfortable for you to sleep like this. You will end up straining your neck”. She was kind and Josh really wanted to take the offer but what if… 

 “Believe me sir. Nothing will happen. Come with me”. She quietly opened the door to the ICU and prompted Josh to go inside. 

 He saw Bolt sleeping under medicines and somehow his color had returned a bit. He made himself comfortable on the couch as the nurse gave him an extra blanket and a pillow. He made sure to take care of the things Richard had given him and laid down properly. 

 “Just two hours of sleep”. He thought to himself before closing his eyes and he next moment he was out to the world. 

 —---

 Josh woke up with a start. He opened his eyes to an unfamiliar room with a constant beeping sound. For a moment he pondered about his whereabouts and then it all came rushing down. 

 He sat up properly and turned to see Bolt sleeping peacefully. He was attached to too many devices but he trusted the process of healing. 

 He was about to go to the bathroom when the door opened to Martin coming inside the ICU. 

 “Morning. Go get fresh and come outside”. He nudged Josh at his shoulder and motioned him to follow. Josh followed him without a question and excused himself to get fresh. 

 Martin had dished out the breakfast for him in the waiting area and he started head on while discussing it with Martin. 

 “Josh, I had a word with the doctor. Bolt will be unconscious today, he needs rest. How about you go home, sleep, bathe and then come back at night?” Martin suggested. 

 “I had already slept here”. Josh said, taking a sip of his coffee. 

 “That's good but it isn't like your bed. Go home. Take a break. How about you go to your restaurant and get us some lunch and dinner? Richard is coming here too. We can take the day shift while you can stay the nights. This way your work will not be affected. 

 Also, we will be in touch and I will inform you as soon as Bolt wakes up?” Martin suggested and we'll this time it clicked. 

 He was reluctant but he couldn't leave his work, also, Bolt had his friends with him. 

 “Okay. I am leaving after looking at him once more and then I will send Pete with lunch. I will visit by 7 okay?” Josh entered the ICU once again and as much as he could understand that everything was fine, he couldn't help holding his hand before leaving the hospital. 

 —----

 He went straight home to change and visit the restaurant. He knew Pete was capable enough to handle it but it wasn't fair to let him deal alone. 

 His staff was worried about him and it gave him a warmth to be loved and taken care of. Pete gave him a run down of the events from the last day as Josh prepared for lunch. 

 “I am going to pack the boxes for six people. Take it over to the hospital okay. I will go in the evening with dinner”. Josh was quickly working on packing the food and instructing Pete who was nodding attentively. 

 “How Bolt by the way?” Pete asked him. Josh sighed, taking a long breath. 

 “He has managed to survive fatal injuries but will take time to heal. The doctor had advised him at least two weeks of rest with non tiring exercises. I am not sure if he would comply with the instructions or not”. Josh said with a little smile. 

 “And how are you holding up?” Pete was more concerned about him. 

 “I don't know Pete. I am trying to wrap up my mind around it. It's still spiraling around the ‘what ifs’. The doctor explained the nature of his injuries. You know his heart missed the bullet by just 3 inches. And then he could have been paralyzed if the bullet stuck in his vertebrae.

 It's a miracle that he is alive and breathing and I don't know how long doctors will put him on medicines. But I am sure it will be a hell of pain once his pain killers are reduced. 

 Richard said he will call me if and when Bolt wakes up. But he hasn't informed me as of yet. That means Bolt is still sleeping under medicines”. Josh explained in detail. He had closed his eyes like a pigeon, too scared to face the cat but he knew he had to. 

 “Don't worry. He will be fine. Now hand me over the boxes and I will go feed the hungry vultures.” Pete picked up the boxes, making Josh chuckle at his joke. 

 It was around 8 pm when he entered the hospital premises. He got late due to a last minute reservation. And he could not say no to his client. 

 “Hey. I am sorry guys I got late ….”. He saw Martin running towards him and he thought he was late but he was stupefied when Martin pulled him in a beary hug. 

 “Bolt is awake. He is currently being checked by the doctors. He is fine, Josh”. Martin pulled off patting his shoulders. 

 “Oh my god”. Josh had almost dropped the food boxes only if Richard had not rushed towards them. 

 “Hey. He is okay. He is going to be okay. Don't cry”. He pulled Josh in his arms. He could see the relief and the pain in those beautiful eyes. He had seen him in agony since he had informed him about Bolt being hit so he wanted to tell him on face about Bolt waking up. 

 “Can I see him?” Josh held his hands as if Richard had all the powers. 

 “We can buddy. But we have to wait until the doctors finish their checkup. Once they give us a heads up, we will go see him okay”. Martin handed him tissues to wipe the tears.  

 Josh sighed in relief as if he had just realized something a lot bigger than losing a friend. 

 May be Bolt was more than a friend and he had ignored the signals. 

 -----

 Tabby