Anand has lost one hand too

CHAPTER 18

Anand has lost one hand too

Anand was in the operation theatre and Dr. Shrikanth was examining him with other doctors. Anand was lying unconscious.

Parents, coach, Anand’s friends and their parents, other people from the complex and principal were all waiting outside the OT.

Suddenly, Dr. Shrikanth came out of OT. All looked at him anxiously.

Anxiously, Rekha asked, “Sir, how is my son?”

Desperately, Shrikanth said, “He needs blood urgently otherwise he will not survive. I have sent the nurse to get it from our storage.”

The nurse came with sad news. She said, “Sir, A+ blood is out of stock.”

Everyone came forward to donate blood. Dr. Shrikanth was surprised and said, “Wait we need only A+ blood.”

Avinash extended his hand saying, “Sir, my blood is A+.”

Shrikanth looked at the small boy with doubt saying, “How do you know?”

Avinash was excited. He said, “We had blood test in our school.”

Dr.Shrikanth looked at Avinash with admiration. But he realized that Avinash was a small boy. He said, “But we cannot take your blood without the permission of your parents.”

Immediatly, Avinash’s mother came forward and said, “Sir, I am his mother. Please accept my son’s blood. We all want Anand to survive.”

Shrikanth looked at Avinash with admiration saying, “Good, come with me, my boy.”

Dr.Shrikanth took Avinash into the operation theatre and the nurses made arrangement for blood transfusion. Avinash gave blood to his best friend Anand happily. His only wish was that Anand must survive. Doctors gave treatment to Anand.

After some time, Shrikanth looked at the other doctors with relief and said, “Ah. Now he is alright by god’s grace. Please shift him to his room.”

All were waiting anxiously outside the operation theatre. Dr. Shrikanth came out of the OT. All looked at him anxiously. Shrikanth approached Rekha and said, “Rekha madam, by god’s grace, your son is now out of danger.”

Rekha held Shrikanth’s hands most gratefully and said, “Thank you, Sir.”

But desperately with heavy heart, Shrikanth said, “But I am very sorry to tell you that his whole body is now crippled. Only his right hand is movable.”

Rekha was shocked to hear this. Tears rolled down her face. She looked at Raghuram and said, “I cannot bear to hear this.”

Raghuram was sad on one side but with little hope he said, “Sir, I am happy to hear that at least he is still alive.”

Giving assurance, Shrikanth said, “He will regain consciousness in the morning. You can meet him then.”

When the sun rose next morning, nurse came out of the room in which Anand was kept. She approached Rekha and said, “Your son is now conscious. You may go in to see him.”

Rekha entered the room. Hearing the sound at the door, Anand looked towards the door. He saw his mother approaching him. She looked at his body and then at his face and felt very sad. She took his head on her lap. Anand kept staring at her. Rekha couldn’t bear it any more. Tears started coming out of her eyes. The tears fell on Anand’s face. Anand raised his right hand and wiped her tears. Rekha was shocked.

Consoling his mother, Anand said lovingly, “Mummy, don’t cry. I still have my right hand. I can still play chess.”

Rekha clutched his hand and cried loudly saying, “I am not worried about chess. But look at your body. What has happened to it?”

Looking at his mother, Anand said, “Don’t cry, mummy. You are everything to me. You are my hands and my legs. Please don’t cry.”

At that instant everyone entered the room.

Raghuram was full of admiration for the small boy. He said, “You are a wonder boy. I have to bow my head at your will power.”

Anand was full of excitement and high spirit. He said, “Uncle, let us play chess.”

Raghuram patted his head and said, “Yes. You can still play chess.”

Dr.Ravi was amazed. He looked at Raghuram and pointed to Anand. “Look at his spirits. He is really a wonder boy.”

From next day, the training continued for the National championship. Coach Raghuram played chess with Anand. Mother Rekha looked after the boy. Vimal came to see his son every day in the evening. He brought gifts and sat talking to him happily.