Chapter One
1491 Words
The Transplant
“Eva darling, please do it for your man and your family,” Mrs Laura Harvey said touching Eva on her shoulder and jolting her back from her thoughts.
“I'm trying Mom, it's not going to be easy” Eva replied her eyes bulging from crying all night.
“ Take a look at him,” Laura said again their gaze both fixed on Gabriel lying helplessly on the hospital bed. “He is going through a lot.” she was sobbing this time “I can't lose my son”
“ Hey baby, stay strong for me okay” Eva said squeezing Gabriel’s hand in hers as he lay helplessly on the hospital bed.
Gabriel had been diagnosed with renal failure and been in the hospital for weeks. The money for a kidney transplant was never the problem but rather getting a matching donor was a Herculean task. Eva, his wife was tested and found to have a matching kidney.
Laura,Gabriels mom has not rested since the discovery. She pressured Eva to go ahead with the transplant.
Eva got up and left the ward for the lobby. She stood there for a while contemplating on what to do.
“Out of my way,” Laura’s voice hit her ears as she shoved her arm walking out of the hospital angrily and muttering a few words.
Eva walked feebly to the reception. “Can I see the doctor?” She asked her voice shuddering.
“This way ma'am” replied a nurse leading her to the doctor's office
“I’ll do it” Eva said, her voice shaking.
“Calm down ma’am” the doctor replied lowering her into a chair
“I'll give him one of my kidneys”
"Are you sure that's what you want? We only discovered the compatibility this morning. I think you should sleep on it before you decide”
“No! I'm ready my man is in pains” she said admits sobs.
“Okay. Alice set up the theatre for the operation” said the doctor to the nurse adjusting the stethoscope around his neck.
Eva looked brighter now. A beam of hope sparked up on her face. She left the office for the ward.
“Mom is dad going to die?” Alexander asked immediately she stepped in.
“No baby dad is going to be alright” she said leaving a kiss on his forehead and dialing a number on her phone.
“Hello!”
“Yes” Laura’s entitled voice came from the other side
“I'm ready mom come stay with Alex. We are going into the theatre.”
“Now you're talking. I'll be there soon”
The call dropped Eva heaving a sign of relief
“ Go quickly” Laura said barging into the ward as she took hold of Alex.
The theatre was set and Eva went in for the transplant. Gabriel was carried in as well.
While the surgery was going on, Laura paced around outside the theatre all tensed up while Alex slept off at the lounge unaware of what was really going on. She bounced up from her chair as soon as she saw the surgeon coming out of the theatre. Her face inquisitive.
“You can go in ma” he said leaving for his office.
She rushed into the theatre grabbing Alex’s hand behind her.
“How are you feeling baby?” she said sitting beside Gabriel’s bed.
“Fine mom” Gabriel managed to utter
“You’ll be alright okay” she said holding his hand.
“How is my wife?”
“She’ll be alright” Laura replied apparently undisturbed.
All she cared about at the moment was her son’s recovery and nothing more.
“Grandma whats going on with mom and dad?” Alexander asked breaking the awkward silence in the car as they drove home.
“They are going to be fine okay”
The car parked in the parking lot of the Harvey’s estate. The driver helped them into the mansion which was extremely quiet and cold. No one had been there for days and the servants were all sent home.
Alexander was taken to his room. “Goodnight Mom” he said as Eva tucked him into bed.
“Goodnight baby”
He hold her hand as she turned to leave. “No story, no kiss” his eyes were blue.
“Baby mommy doesn't feel very well today okay? We’ll leave bedtime stories out today”
“Okay mommy. Get well soon” his countenance fell.
She kissed him softly on the forehead and tucked him into his blanket then she exited the room.
“Thanks babe. I love you so much” Gabriel said holding Eva’s hand as she entered their bedroom.
“I love you” Eva replied both gazing into each others eyes.
“I owe you my life,” he said this time moving closer and grabbing her by the waist.
He led her to the the bathroom and into the shower and stripped off their clothes. Making a lather with the soap, he washes himself. Then he massages some shampoo into her thick, long, brown hair.
The water felt really hot and so… good as it streamed down their bodies. He helped her to wash herself too as she rubs his back.
After the bath they snuggled up in their pajamas feeling all nice and fresh.
Gabriel carefully removed a shiny, black disc from its case, walked over to the CD player, opens the tray, places the disc into the spindle and closes the tray. He pressed the play button and the player whirs to life. The speaker began to emit the sweet sound of Celine Dion’s - have you ever been in love.
“I…” she started to say as he sprayed a cologne behind her ears.
“Shhhhh” He said something quietly his breath mingling with hers. Then he stopped and kissed her like he was drenching. It felt as though she was on another planet. The only thing that mattered then was the music and the both of them.
Passionately and desperately both eyes closed and tongues intertwined. She slid her hands into his thick brown hair as he caressed her smooth skin, unbuttoning her soft cotton pajama shirt.
“Ouch,” Eva shrieked freeing herself from his grip and grabbing her tummy in pain. “Gab I have to lie down ” she moaned quietly heading for the bed.
“We should get some rest” Gabriel whispered his voice hoarse. He helped her to lie down then he lay down beside her. He moaned in pain his body aching with unanswered longing until sleep finally eluded him.
The morning air was cool and refreshing filled with the scent of the dewy grass. The atmosphere felt clean and new with soft, golden light. The kind that radiates energy on a stale day. Eva woke up stretching and rubbing her eyes vigorously while touching the other side of the bed to reach for Gabriel. Her hands fondled the thick, fleecy soft blanket in futility.
“Where could he have gone?” she thought loudly shoving her hair behind her ears and stretching.
“Hey girl friend” Danielle’s voice came breaking her thoughts. She walked into the bedroom and sat down on the bed beside Eva.
“I met Laura in the living room. She told me you were here alone. It’s been a while. How are you...?”
“Not so good friend. I'm really weak” she answered putting her legs on the floor from the bed and reaching to give Danielle a hug.
“Oh my friend, I'm so sorry. Hope you are taking your medications faithfully”
“Yes dear I am”
“So far I know you don't walk in the morning. Morning walks refreshes the mind and body”
“Apparently, but I feel sleepy and tired”
“The only medicine is for you to walk in the fresh air” she said pulling her up from the bed. “Now you'll dress up and we will go for a walk”
Eva staggered reluctantly to her wardrobe where she picked up a pair of track suit and headed back to sit down whilst struggling to put them on.
“Thanks for always looking out for me” she turned to Danielle and said letting out a feeble smile and holding her hands.
“Anytime” she responded and smiled too.
Danielle and Eva were good friends right from high school days and she held a position at the Harvey's company.
“Quickly put on …” she started to say when her phone rang and she let out a wider grin as she picked it up.
“Girl who is making you smile so much?” Eva asked trying to look into her phone.
- Writer
