A CHRISTMAS GIFT

Chapter 1

Narrator:

“What do you think doctor? Will she recover?” Jose asked the doctor as he examined the girl who has been unconscious even after 24 hours!

The doctor sighed and got up. He looked at Jose and then at Mariana and said shaking his head, “She is alive and that is all Jose! But I am afraid, if she remains unconscious for long, the baby won’t be able to survive! Even her life is in danger. I would suggest that get her admitted to the hospital!”

Jose looked at Mariana who stood behind him and asked, “What do you say Mariana?”

Mariana shrugged her shoulders and replied, “I don’t know! But I think we should take her to the general hospital! I know it is not private but at least it is better than keeping her at home! The cost will be less and we can use the money saved for our daughter’s marriage! If God wants us to do so, he must have plans for Zoe!”

Jose nodded and then looked at the doctor. “Please help me to admit her in the hospital doctor.”

Dr Fernandez pressed Jose’s shoulder and said smiling, “I will arrange everything, don’t worry! You both are good people Jose, Mariana! I am sure God will take care of your problems. You are doing a good work!”

The doctor left to arrange the admission of the unknown girl they have rescued. Soon an ambulance arrived at Jose’s house and the girl was taken to the hospital. Jose also accompanied the girl carrying a part of the money they have saved.

It was evening and Jose was not back from the hospital. Mariana and Zoe were preparing dinner.

“Mama! What will happen to the baby if the girl doesn’t wake up?” Zoe asked peeling potatoes.

Mariana was stirring a pot of rice and she gave a sympathetic look to Zoe and said sighing, “I don’t know Zoe! The baby can’t survive if the girl doesn’t wake up! The pregnancy is too pre-matured! Just a little more than a month!”

“I hope she gets better and wakes up soon then!” Zoe mumbles sadly. After working silently for a moment or two, Zoe asks again, “Mama? Do you think she will be able to remember everything?”

“I hope so! First I am just praying that she wakes up!” Mariana says with a worried face.

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In the hospital the doctors have already reported the incident to the police who came to the hospital and investigated but couldn’t conclude anything since the face of the girl was so much distorted that it was unrecognizable! She was unconscious and hence they couldn’t find out her identity.

“Once she regains her senses, please let us know immediately doctor.” The police officer said and Dr Fernandez nodded shaking his hand, “Sure Officer.”

After the officer left, Dr Fernandez asked Jose to follow him to his chamber.

“Please have a seat Jose!” Dr Fernandez sat on his chair in front of his desk and gestured Jose to take the seat opposite to him.

“Thank you doctor.” Jose sat.

“I know you have many questions and let me first explain her conditions and then you can ask questions if any. Ok?” Dr Fernandez said smiling.

“Yes Please.” Jose said and bent over the desk on his elbows and looked at the doctor drawing his eyebrows curiously.

“I will be straight Jose! She was stabbed on her neck with a sharp dagger which has damaged her vocal cord and she has lost a lot of blood! She may or may not be able to talk ever again! Even if we want to repair her vocal cord, it will cost a fortune and is impossible for you! Coming to her general health, her organs and everything are functioning properly and there is no damage elsewhere but since she was inside water for more than twelve hours and she has lost a lot of blood, she is unconscious. Her baby is as of now doing well and will survive if she regains her consciousness. Her face needs plastic surgery which again is very costly! Now we have been able to stabilise her a lot and we will keep her under observation for next twenty four hours and we can only pray that she regains her consciousness!”

Jose listened to everything very carefully and then maintained silence pondering on what the doctor said quietly.

The doctor pressed his hand on Jose’s and said softly, “I know you are worried Jose, but let me tell you that though her condition is not great yet she is much better after she has been brought to the hospital.”

“What about her memory doctor? Will she be able to remember and tell us who did all this to her?” Jose asked and the doctor sighed, “Honestly, it is not the right time to say. We have to wait for her to regain her senses first.”

Jose just nodded and released a deep breathe.

“It is already late Jose and I think you should return home now. There is nothing you can do here. And I will be here for her and will send for you if she comes to her senses.” The doctor said and Jose agreed.

“Thank you Dr Fernandez! Please do send me a message if she wakes up.”

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That night Jose returned home and though they had dinner and lied on their beds but none of them could sleep! They were worried about the girl.

“Mama! Whenever we discuss about the girl we refer her as ‘a girl’ , ‘the girl’….I think we should give her a name Mama!” Zoe proposed.

“Hmm..let us wait till tomorrow and see if she wakes up and then we can decide! Now get some rest, it is already dawn!” Mariana said and then thinking about what was waiting for them next day, they slowly fell asleep.

The next day very early morning, they woke up to the loud sound of banging of their door.

KNOCK!! KNOCK!! KNOCK!!

“Coming! Please wait.” Jose shouted from inside and after exchanging a worried glance with his wife he rushed outside.

“Coming, coming…” Jose quickly opened the door to find Finn waiting outside. Finn was a vegetable vendor known well to Jose and his family.

“Jose! The doctor has asked you to go to the hospital immediately!” Finn said urgently.

“Why Finn? What happened? How is the girl?” Jose asked with worried face, frowning.

“I don’t know what happened but only that she is awake now! Please meet the doctor fast Jose. I have to leave now.” Finn informed and left.

As soon as Jose learnt that the girl has woken up, his heart filled with genuine happiness! He ran inside screaming with happiness, “Mariana! Mariana! Zoe! Get ready fast!”

Mariana and Zoe came out of their bedroom and asked frowning, “What happened?”

Jose held Mariana’s arms tightly and laughed freely giving them the news, “The girl is awake and the doctor has asked for me! Quickly get ready! We will have to go to the hospital fast!”

“Really? That is a great news papa! Mama! Let us get ready fast. I will get some flowers for her meanwhile!” Zoe jumped with joy and ran to get ready. She decided to make a flower bouquet for the girl since they cannot afford to buy one!