Lily carefully found respite in the sole unoccupied seat, her body trembling with each painful jolt. Meanwhile, Pradeep took charge of the check-in process, his mind clouded with worry and helplessness. The receptionist, attempting to offer some semblance of reassurance, provided a tentative time frame, ranging from a mere half-hour to the daunting prospect of three or even four hours. The weight of Lily’s anguish proved too much to bear. “Please do something Pradeep”, she cried out. Pradeep longed to have the power to alleviate her suffering, but the reality was cruel and unyielding. He could only hold her hand tightly, offering his silent presence as a token of support, but that wouldn’t take her out of her suffering…
After enduring excruciating pain for nearly half an hour, Lily’s strength began to wane. She started to slip in and out of consciousness, and before she knew it, she had collapsed onto the cold hospital floor.