THE DOCTOR’S FILE
256 Words
Amara waited in her room with a brown envelope.
Zahra entered and closed the door.
Is this it? Zahra asked.
Yes, Amara said. The doctor’s file.
She opened it. Inside was paper with old writing.
This is Dr. Kalu’s handwriting, Amara said. He was the nurse on duty.
Zahra read the first line. Patient A. Baby girl. Exchanged for Patient B.
Date: 20 years ago.
Her hands shook. There’s more.
Amara pulled out a bank slip. Money transfer. My husband sent 500,000.
To Dr. Kalu’s account. One week after birth.
Zahra stared at the number. So it was all bought.
Yes, Amara whispered. And this.
She gave Zahra one last page. A signed paper.
I, Dr. Kalu, confess I swapped two babies for money.
Zahra put the papers down. She could not speak.
He died 5 years ago, Amara said. We kept this hidden.
Zahra stood up. I need copies. All of them.
You can have them, Amara said. I have no more secrets.
Zahra took the file. Then we go to the lawyer. Today.
The red ink was now black and white proof.
Zahra held the envelope tight.
The paper felt heavy.
Twenty years of secrets inside.
Amara watched her.
`I’m sorry,` she said again.
Zahra did not look up.
`Sorry is late,` she said.
She put the papers in her bag.
`We meet the lawyer at noon.`
`No excuses.`
Amara nodded fast.
Zahra walked to the door.
Her heart was cold but clear.
She had proof now.
No one could deny the truth again.
- Writer
