When Hayk arrived at the hospital, it turned out that Arevik had already been transferred from the intensive care unit to a regular ward. He was glad about this, but immediately became serious when he was told that he was not allowed to enter. At first, he tried to calmly explain the situation, but at some point, realized that his voice was involuntarily rising. He fell silent, took a deep breath, and made a call. In less than ten minutes, he was officially escorted to Arevik's room.
When there was only a little distance left to the room, Anna called him.
— Aren't you asleep yet? — Hayk asked in surprise.
— I'll fall asleep soon, I was worried, — Anna clarified and added: — Is everything alright there? Have they already let you in to Arevik?
— There was a problem, — Hayk answered carefully, since he was still being escorted, — but I asked for help.
— I can't believe it, — Anna said with slight excitement, — you finally used your connections.
— Anna, until tomorrow, — Hayk said half-seriously.
— Alright, as you say, — Anna replied, understanding the hint. — I'll sleep with one eye open. If there are any questions, be sure to call.
— I'll keep that in mind, — said Hayk and hung up, because at that moment he was already standing in front of the door.
He stood in front of the door and for a long time did not dare to enter. He needed time to gather himself. Taking a deep breath, he slowly opened the door.
In the center of the room stood a bed, surrounded by numerous devices. Although Hayk had been told that Arevik's condition was stable, this sight threw him into despair. The emotions that he had somehow managed to hold back until that moment broke through — tears began to flow down his cheeks.
He stood there for a long time, looking from a distance. Then he slowly began to approach. When he could clearly see Arevik's face, something inside him calmed down. She was sleeping so peacefully that her calmness was involuntarily passed on to him.
Hayk smiled faintly. After all the events of the past days, he finally let go of the emotion that had been dominating him the whole time. Now he simply looked at Arevik — calmly… and with quiet longing.
But that smile almost immediately turned into despair.
— How will I look into your eyes?.. How will I get out of all this?.. — Hayk said aloud involuntarily.
Hearing his own voice, he seemed to come back to himself and took a few steps back. The feeling of guilt was so strong that he did not allow himself to stay close.
Hayk sat down on the couch in the corner and continued watching Arevik's breathing from afar.
He could have watched like this for much longer, but exhaustion took over. After some time, he closed his eyes… and fell asleep, sitting on the couch.
The gradually increasing pain made Arevik slowly come back to consciousness. At the moment when the effect of the painkillers completely wore off, and the pain spreading through her whole body became unbearable, she finally opened her eyes. At first, Arevik looked at the ceiling, trying to understand where she was. When at least some understanding of what was happening appeared in her mind, she carefully tried to remember what had happened to her.
The last thing she remembered was panicked voices around her, sharp pain, gradual loss of consciousness, and the last fleeting thought:
"I wish I could see my baby one more time and…"
— the thought broke off. She had not allowed herself to think about him for too long… and even now she could not finish that thought to the end.
For a moment, panic seized Arevik, and she immediately tried to understand her condition. Carefully, she moved first her legs, then her arms — and felt great relief when she realized that, despite the numbness from long immobility, she could still feel her body.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm down… but her breathing suddenly stopped when she noticed, in the distance, Hayk sleeping on the couch.
She tried to look at him more carefully, as if not believing her own eyes. A slight movement responded with pain. Arevik tried with all her strength not to make a sound, but even the faintest whisper was enough for Hayk to wake up abruptly.
— You're already awake? — Hayk exclaimed, unable to hold himself back. His voice sounded too direct.
Hayk's natural reaction surprised Arevik. She said nothing, but the expression on her face spoke for itself. Hayk noticed it.
— I'll call the doctor now, — he said and immediately averted his gaze.
He had seen her surprised look before — wide, round eyes — but this time it was different. There was no coldness in it… only a silent reproach. When Hayk turned to leave, Arevik spoke:
— What are you doing here? — she asked.
— Where else should I be? — Hayk replied, without turning around.
— Do you think I have no reason to be surprised, Mr. Shalunts? — Arevik said with clear accusation.
Hayk turned around. But her tone changed at the very moment she met his gaze. There was neither defense nor irritation in it — only exhaustion and guilt. He was holding on, but one more word — and he wouldn't be able to.
Arevik understood that. But the pain did not allow her to continue the conversation. She took a deep breath and spoke differently:
— Please… call the doctor, Mr. Shalunts.
She leaned back on the pillow and averted her gaze.
That form of address — "Mr. Shalunts" — had already struck Hayk's confidence hard. But what finally broke him was that she was no longer looking at him.
He silently left the room and almost ran to get the doctor.
As soon as he left, Arevik turned her head and looked after him. The fact that she had averted her gaze earlier was not accidental.
Hayk's behavior raised suspicions in her.
It seemed that he felt guilty.
"Does he know something?"
"I wonder… how much exactly?" — she thought.
— You're already awake? — the doctor exclaimed cheerfully as he entered the room.
Arevik only gave a faint smile in response.
The doctor began the examination. He had already been warned that Hayk was not an ordinary person, so he carefully allowed him to enter after him.
Hayk stopped in the corner of the room, trying not to draw attention, and carefully watched the examination. Every time the doctor seemed satisfied with Arevik's condition, Hayk felt a little relief inside.
— You are very lucky, — the doctor said. — The fact that you were found in time and urgently brought in for surgery… all of this is thanks to Mr. Shalunts.
Arevik remained silent. She already understood too little — and did not dare to speak, so as not to reveal her state.
Hayk also said nothing. It was important to him that the doctor said this — he hoped it would ease his guilt at least a little. But he did not want Arevik to know that he was still in the room.
— I am not mistaken, Mr. Shalunts? — the doctor added, turning to him. — You organized the rescue. Arevik should thank him.
Arevik followed his gaze — and saw Hayk standing in the corner.
There was no longer any chance to hide.
— There is no need for that, — Hayk said quietly.
And, receiving no answer, he added: — I won't disturb you and will leave… but I will come again.
— There is no need for that, — Arevik suddenly replied. — You have already helped enough. Thank you, Mr. Shalunts, but…
— I will come anyway, — Hayk interrupted her. — We have something to talk about.
Arevik fell silent. Now she had no doubts — he really knew something.
Hayk noticed her tension. Realizing that now was not the time, he stepped back. He took out a business card, placed it on the bedside table, and said:
— This is my new number. I will be waiting for your call.
He looked at her.
In his words there was his usual firmness… but in his eyes there was only hope.
Arevik did not answer. She was afraid that her voice would betray her. But, meeting his gaze, she still nodded.
Hayk took a deep breath — as if he had been holding it until that moment. He gave a short nod to the doctor and left.
When the examination was over and the doctor left, Arevik remained alone.
And only then did she allow herself to feel.
Tears flowed on their own. She did not fully understand what exactly she was feeling — it was a strange, heavy sensation, stuck somewhere inside.
She calmed down only when her mother and her child entered the room.
Arevik looked at the baby, quietly exhaled… and gave herself time until discharge.
Because the conversation with Hayk was inevitable.