MAYA
Smoke devoured our street. Police sirens wailed. Awful pleas of ambulances echoed. I slowly got down. An unknown fear curled around my heart and it suddenly froze as the fire fighters brought my father and mother in stretcher. My mom’s nylon scarf stuck in her neck.
Neighbours tried to console me. But I wasn’t crying. I didn’t know why. My heart felt heavy as if it would sink inside the earth. I was not ready to accept the fact that my parents were NO MORE.
“It can’t be. It really can’t be” my voice broke. My heart felt like it stopped. Suddenly my heartbeat went high.
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“Where is my brother?”
I tried to go into that still burning house. A dozen of people pulled me back. My shrill scream rose above that chaos.
“Maya.” My aunt hugged me. “Oh my child! This should happen to no one. Be strong dear” she cried. Still not a single tear came out of me.
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An hour passed. I stood still watching my burnt house and my parents. My aunt kept weeping beside me. Grace’s brother was talking to the police about my brother. Grace never left my hand.
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The fire fighters cleared the place. A car came. My cousin Jane rushed out of it. She hugged me tightly.
“I’m sorry. We have to go” she rushed me into the cab.
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After a not-so-long journey we reached a hospital. She pulled me out. Still Grace didn’t leave my hand. She took me to a room. A relief. Actually it was something good no, the only good thing in this evening. My brother laid there. ALIVE.
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“What happened?” my voice was barely more than a murmur.
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“He got into an accident. Your parents were about to come here. They tried calling you but........” Jane stopped when the doctor called us.
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“In what way the patient is related to you?” the doctor asked
“My brother” I spoke
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“He is under supervision. Only after observations we can conclude anything” He paused for a moment and continued “His body is so weak. He got some internal bleeding. We want you sign this so that we can proceed with the surgery.”
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He gave me the papers and a pen. I hesitated.
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“It should be done as soon as possible mam”
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Once I signed it they allowed me to meet him. He laid like a doll. His eyes slowly opened. He removed the oxygen mask with trouble.
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“Ma... Maya..... Take... ke... care of mom and.... dad....” He stammered.
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The nurses took him inside the operation theatre as I held back the urge to tell him everything and lament. I held his hand tightly as a sign of affirmation.
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