CHAPTER 2

"What is wrong with Lyra?" I asked with a very heavy voice and fear filled me.

"Ma'am, Lyra was brought in by her Co-worker who said she passed out while working. Lyra has been stabilized but is still unconscious...

"Unconscious?" I asked, interrupting the lady on the other side of the phone. How in the heavens is this happening? Lyra was fine this morning when I left her.

"Yes ma'am, she is still unconscious but we suppose that she will be awake soon. Please we would need you to be at the hospital as soon as possible."

"Okay, I will be down there as soon as I can," I said in a low voice.

"Okay ma'am, we will be expecting you," she said and hung up the call.

I was so shocked that I didn't even know how to feel. I felt so numb, I couldn't lift a pin. God, my world felt like it was about to crumble the second time.

This time, I couldn't hold the tears that came running down my cheek. I know I can't leave the office right now as it's my first day at work, a day I am meant to be happy, I thought sarcastically.

"Olivia! Olivia!" Nat called me while jolting me to bring me out of the world I was in.

"Yes! Yes! " I answered while realizing I was actually crying, I cleaned my face but it was so late because she saw me already.

"Olivia, what is the problem?" she asked as worried filled her voice.

"Why are you crying?" she asked again when I refused to speak to her.

I couldn't figure out what to say to my best friend whom I stared at with a blank and emotionless face as many thoughts were going through my head. I was so scared and at the time asking myself different questions.

"I got a call from the New York Presbyterian Hospital, that Lyra was brought into the hospital unconscious and that my attention is needed as soon as possible," I said with a feeble trembling voice."

Nat didn't know what to say to me, she brought me up and gave me a hug I desperately needed. We stayed like that for about three minutes. She pushed me away slowly from her and looked at me with a gaze full of empathy, affection, and hope.

"Come on Olivia, you were only informed that she was brought in unconscious and you are already panicking. Calm down, don't forget it's your first day at work so please relax, when you're done with work for the day,then you can go to the hospital to hear from the doctor." Nat said to me as she took me to my seat.

Casting a quick glance at my best friend, I lowered my shoulder in a gesture of vulnerability, acknowledging the need to rely on the expertise of the doctor before jumping into conclusion.

With a nod, I conveyed my agreement to wait for medical insight. Seeing the gravity of the situation, I turn to Natasha and gently asked,

"Do you mind accompanying me to the hospital? Your support would mean a lot to me especially in moments like this.

In the moment of uncertainty, her willingness to assist became a beacon of comfort and I appreciated the understanding in her eyes as she agreed to be there for me during the visit.

...….

The remaining hours of the day passed by uneventfully as I tussled with the concern of Lyra still being at the hospital. Despite the weight on my mind, I made a conscious effort to shield my work from its impact. I worked diligently to complete every task assigned by Mr. Stone.

After meticulously organizing my bag and setting it atop of my desk. I hastened towards his office door.

With a sense of urgency, I knocked firmly at his door and patiently awaited a response.

"Come in." I heard him say.

I opened the door and stepped into the room, Mr. Stone was busy running through a file that grabbed all his attention.

"Is there anything you want me to do for you before leaving Sir?" inquired with a voice tinged with urgency, actually aware that Nat awaited my presence in the parking lot.

"No, Olivia." he said as he looked around to be sure he didn't need anything from me.

"You can go." he waved his hands toward me as a sign of dismissal.

I hurriedly left his office, picked my bag along the way and made my way to the elevator. At the top of the elevator on the ground floor, I hastened my steps to meet up with Nat Who was already waiting for me

"I'm sorry I kept you waiting babes" I apologized to Natasha as I sat in the passenger seat. She responded with a nod and immediately started the engine of the car.

In an hour's time, we were in front of the New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, in Manhattan.

We made our way into the hospital and we directed to Dr. Andrew Peters.

Anxiety clawed at me as I turned to my best friend, a mosaic of worry, fear, and doubt. My voice trembled as I voiced my concern

"Hey, I have been thinking about everything and I can't shake off this sense of worry. Are you sure everything is gonna be alright? There is this gnawing fear in the pit of my stomach. Can you talk me through it? Reassure me that we have this under control? I just need to hear it from you."

The weight of uncertainty hung in the air as I waited for her response, hoping for the assurance that would calm the turbulent storm of emotions within me.

She looked me in the eyes with a reassuring gaze and said

" I understand it's a bit overwhelming right now but trust me everything would be alright." Her tone carrying a mixture of confidence and empathy.

"Life throws challenges our way, but we've faced them together before, and we will do it again." she placed on my shoulder wanting to convey not just words but genuine commitment.

"You're not alone in this. I've got your back, always. We would navigate through whatever comes our way, just like we always do. Lean on Me whenever you need to, we are in this together."

In the moment, her words aim to provide comfort and assurance, solidifying the bind that stood as the foundation of our unwavering friendship.

I was too emotional to talk, so I answered with a nod as she held my hand in anticipation of Dr. Andrew Peters.