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I woke up confused and disoriented. Looking around the
large room, I found myself lying in bed. I got the
strong smell of medicine and I knew at once that I was
in hospital. That's rather strange. I told myself. I
thought I was cycling towards Teluk Batik, a popular
fishing village. How did I end up in hospital ? When I
attempted to sit, a sharp pain made me cry out. Why did
my body hurt so much when I moved ? I must have been
hurt and unconscious, and some kind soul had brought me
here. I was suddenly gripped with fear. The ward seemed
so quiet. Where were all the patients ? My cry of pain
brought a nurse to my side. She was a stout-looking
woman with a cheerful smile on her face. she asked how I
felt, at the same time signaling me not to get up.
"It's awfully painful. Where am I ?" I asked
desperately, "Is this Teluk Batick ?" I thought my voice
sounded strange. What had happened to my voice ? I
sounded like an old man.
The nurse stared at me in surprise for an instant but
she did not answer me immediately. She washed my hot
flushed face and put something cool on my body. Then she
gave me a spoonful of sweet liquid that made me too
tired to think any longer. Soon I drifted back to sleep.
I did not know how long I was in bed. When I woke up
again, I was able to sit up effortlessly. The same nurse
came to me and said, "You're much better now. You're
able to sit up on your own. Now tell me where you come
from. A man brought you here. He left without giving us
his name and contact number. You had met with an
accident on your way to Teluk Batik. " She paused for a
moment before continuing. "We wish to contact your
family as soon as possible. You have been here for
almost forty hours."
"Forty hours ! That's about two days. Oh, I live with
my grandmother in Kampung Berapit. I've no other
relatives. I'm an orphan," I replied quietly. "I have
only a close friend living in Teluk Batik. Almost every
alternate weekend I spend my time there. He comes to my
house on the other weekends. What's wrong with me ? Am I
seriously injured ? My throat feels very dry."
"Well, don't you worry so much. The doctor will see
you soon," answered the nurse. "She should be able to
help you. You have been injured. We have taken an X-ray.
I think you're coming along fine. By the way, don't you
think that you grandmother will be very worried over
your absence ?"
"I think so. Usually I stay overnight with my friend
in his house, and grandmother would expect me home the
next evening. That mans I should have been back home
last night. She must be worried sick, but there is no
way to contact her. We have no telephone." The nurse
brought me some clean clothes to change. Soon I was
ready. I sat on the wheelchair and the nurse pushed me
along the long corridor outside my room. I felt a little
dizzy at first but recovered after moving down a few
more corridors. We passed through a door that led to a
lawn where several patients were sunning themselves. I
closed my eyes to the glare of the sun. The right
sunlight seemed to hurt my eyes badly. The nurse decided
that I had had enough and she guided me towards a small
building five meters away. Through my half-opened eyes,
I saw that the other patients were looking at me
strangely and I wondered why. I though of asking the
nurse but remained silent. Perhaps they were just being
curious, I told myself. When I entered the doctor's
office, I saw a young woman sitting behind a table. The
doctor examined the report and the X-ray film that the
nurse had brought along. I said a silent prayer that I
would be all right. After sometime, she said in a
reassuring voice, "Well, you have no serious injuries
except a fractured leg. You will have to stay here for a
few more days. You have been very lucky indeed." I
felt some relief over the doctor's assurance, although I
did not understand fully why I had been lucky. Perhaps
she meant that I might have died in the accident, or
become a vegetable. On my way back to the ward, I learnt
that I was hit from behind by a speeding car. The
frightened motorist disappeared without stopping to help
me. I was lying on the road for almost two hours before
help came. Suddenly I heard a familiar voice calling out
y name. it was y best friend, and my grandmother was
with him. My grandmother was all smiles as she came
forward to hug me, I noticed that her eyes were wet, so
were mine. |
