The final attack

CHAPTER 28

The final attack

Anand was brought into the house on stretcher. Anand said to his mother, “Mummy, I want to pray in front of mother Teresa’s photo.”

Rekha caressed his head kindly saying, “Ok, my son.”

Rekha placed the stretcher in front of Mother Teresa’s photo.

Anand requested to his mother saying, “Mummy, get me the tape recorder. Place it in front of Mother Teresa’s photo.”

Rekha did all that he wished.

Anand said, “Put on the record button. I want to record my prayer. And then please let me be alone for 10 mins.”

Rekha agreed. She put on the record button and went out closing the door behind her.

Raghuram arrived and entered the house. Vimal greeted him and they sat down to talk in the hall.

Rekha was in the kitchen. She took the rice from the cooker and mixes sambar. It was still hot so she went to Anand’s room. Anand had closed his eyes. Rekah switched off the tape recorder. Then she shifted him from the stretcher to the bed. Rekha went to the kitchen.

After some time, Rekha went towards Anad’s room with a plate of rice. As she entered the room; she was shocked to see Anand. She screamed. Anand’s face had changed completely.

Raghuram and Vimal come inside the room immediately. They too were shocked to see Anand’s face. Raghuram phoned to the hospital. The doctors arrived and Anand’s room got converted into a hospital room with all gadgets and so on. Doctors examined him. The shape of Anand’s face had changed. He was not able to even open his mouth. Everyone was shocked and watched Anand anxiously.

Since Anand had already become famous, the news about what happened to him appeared on TV. People crowded around the house. TV crew also had arrived.

Inside the house, Shrikanth was examining Anand. He said, “Looks like he has suffered the final stroke. We can’t give glucose since his body will not take it. There is life in his face muscles but he is unable to open his mouth.”

The doctors sat in the hall for discussion. The TV crew entered.

Journalist asked, “Sir how is the boy?”

Shrikanth was desperate. He said, “We can’t understand the case. I am helpless.”

Shocked, Journalist asked, “Sir, you are a great neurologist. How can you say you don’t know?”

Shrikanth got a bit angry. “Please you people don’t disturb. Get out all of you.”

Shocked, Journalist asked, “Sir, why are you getting angry?”

Another Journalist said, “Sir, the whole world is waiting for the news. You are the specialist. You are the right person whom we have to ask about the patient.”

Desperately, Shrikanth said, “Please I am telling you. I am helpless. I tried my best. He is not able to open his mouth even. We are unable to give glucose. We are helpless.”

Tears filled in his eyes. He said, “I am just praying to god like an ordinary man, even though I am a doctor.”

People were watching TV anxiously. Anand had touched everyone’s heart. All were praying for him sadly.

Sindu was sitting in front of the TV in her house listening to everything. Avinash had explained everything about what was happening. Her mother brought food. But Sindu refused to eat anything.

“Mummy, I don’t want anything. See, look at Anand. He can’t eat anything. Even Avinash is in death bed.”

TV Reporter said, “Anand is in a very serious condition. Today is the 3^rd day since he ate anything. Doctors are unable to give him glucose. Anand’s condition is getting worse day by day.”

At night, everyone was sitting silently around Anand. Ravi entered the room. Shrikanth got up.

Anxiously, Ravi asked, “How is the patient?”

Worried, Shrikanth said, “It is a puzzle. We are unable to diagnose. We don’t know what to do. But see how he is suffering.”

Dr. Ravi examined him. He touched Anand’s head. Anand clutched his teeth in pain.

Worried, Ravi said, “I think he is experiencing hell. He is in a great pain.”

Rekha put her hand on her chest. She got up and went to the prayer room.

Outside the house, Anand’s friends and well wishers lit candles and shouted slogans. “Long live, Anand.”

Rekha was in the prayer room in front of statue of Jesus.

Rekha prayed, “Oh God. Every mother wishes for her child to live but I pray for his death. I pray to you to please relive him from this suffering. Please give him death.”

Rekha came into the hall.

Anxiously, Shrikanth said, “Madam, come soon. Anand’s pulse is going down. I think he has just a few seconds to live.”

Rekha went into the bedroom immediately and put Anand’s face on her lap. Everybody was silent. They were waiting for Anand to breathe his last. Just a few seconds were left. Suddenly, Anand’s face became normal. He opened his eyes.

Anand requested, “Mummy, please put on the tape recorder. Play the prayer I had recorded.”

Everybody was shocked to hear Anand’s voice. Vimal went and switched on the tape recorder. At that very moment, blood oozed out of Anand’s nose and mouth.

Shocked and sad, Shrikanth said, “It is brain death.”

Suddenly, Anand’s voice was heard from the tape recorder.

Anand (in tape recorder), “Mummy, please forgive me. Nothing has happened to my face. I did it by myself. You know why? I wanted to win the chess championship and give the trophy to you as my memory. But more than that, I want Avinash to live. The championship is still one month away. I thought that anyway I am going to die. If I wait for one month, Avinash will die. So I am dying now itself. Please forgive me. I will always be grateful to you, papa and coach for all that you people had done for me. After my death, please give my kidneys to Avinash so that he will survive. Give my eyes to Sindu as a birthday gift. Also give all my other organs to whoever needs them. Mummy, please don’t think that I am dead. See me live in all these people.”