Campus Tales: Episode 5 (SURVIVAL AND ACHE)

SURVIVAL AND ACHE

I thought I’d drown. I kept on gulping water – dirty water, rain water. I felt the life force fizzle out of my helpless body, which was now hanging on a thread. I saw darkness – outright gloominess. Then my whole life flashed before my eyes. I could imagine the headlines “School Boy Drowns In A Bid To Retrieve Android Device”. That was not how I’d envisioned my departure from the world.

When I was way younger, I’d imagined how I’d make the world way better. I’d pictured how I’d make life better for my family, friends, and the less privileged.

I guess life happens.

My hands were growing weary of holding on to a rod across the gutter. Then, I let go. I was ready to give up everything. As I let go, I hit my head a couple of times, but it wasn’t as painful as the ache in my head from consuming water through my nostrils.

Suddenly, I felt two strong hands grab me. First on the neckline of my shirt, then on my arm. “Be careful. No fall enter o”. I heard a masculine voice say.

” Pull him! Pull!!” And abruptly, I was lifted but halfway through, I slipped through the hands of one of them, and hit my waist really hard, by the edge of the gutter.

Luckily, I was held tightly. I was so weak, almost like a vegetable. My stomach was filled with water,my forehead was aching, my body was bruised. I felt miserable.

I felt my body dragged into a shade, but my sight was bad from fatigue and body ache. So, I could barely fathom where I was, and the faces around me, but kept hearing faint voices.

The last vague image I saw was accompanied by a feminine voice, surging towards me, and saying something I couldn’t decipher. Then, I passed out.

I couldn’t tell how long I was out, when I started feeling quick jabs of pressure against my chest, restrictions on my nostrils, and soft warm lips over mine, exhaling gently into me. I think my brain was slowly waking, but my body was taking longer to follow suit.

The whole action was repeated again, and again, and then my torso jerked up abruptly, as I spat out water from my mouth.

Slowly, I opened my eyes to behold a log of long hairs, very close to my face, in it’s midst, an oval face with brown eyes. Behind it, was circled about us anxious faces.

“Is he awake?”

“I think he is. He’s moving slightly”

“So he wouldn’t die?”

” Of cause not!” Replied a man irritated.

“Please give him space” demanded the lady hovering over me, moving her right hand hysterically to propel onlookers to move away, while she examined me closely. “Are you Okay?” She asked, seeing my eyes were open.

With a groan, I caressed my head with my left hand but I couldn’t help the surge of pain that followed, as if I’d broken my shoulder. Did it really break? The thought of it sent my heart pounding faster. Anxiety crept in. I kept tilting from side to side, mourning.

“How are you feeling?” She asked, as she stroke my forehead with her left hand – soft, warn, soothing caress. She must have sensed my uneasiness.

“I… Arrr… My body… My body aches” I replied.

” We need to take him to a hospital!”

She called out, alarmed.

” I’ll drive.” Replied a masculine voice.

” No.” I replied, “I’ll be fine.” But will I really be fine? Of cause not! I was only trying to save these kind people the stress. They’d have to drive me down to the hospital, and probably admit me. This, I couldn’t afford, not would allow them do so.

“Nonsense!” Exclaimed the masculine voice, which as my eyes were clear enough to make an outline of, was a well built man in his fifties, with sprinkles of grey on his head, a voluminous goatee, and light mustache. “You need to see a doctor.”

“I’ll be fine Sir.” I answered, trying to get into a seating position. The rain was drizzling, and the road was getting motorable. “How long was I out?” I asked.

“That’s not important.” Replied the lady that was very effective in saving my life. “You need medical attention.”

“I need rest.” I replied.”You guys have done a lot for me. I don’t want to stress you any further. I’m sure you have other important matters to attend to.”

” Your life is important.” She replied. I sensed a lot of concern behind those words, and they were very soothing. I smiled, but she continued. “Dad, will it be okay to drop him off?”

“Certainly!” Answered the man “As far as he’s okay with it.”

“Where do you stay?” She asked, as I was about to protest once more.

“You don’t …”

“Please stop making this hard on yourself.” She interrupted.

” Few blocks from here.”

“Good. Well drop you off.”

“I don’t know how to thank you.”

” The pleasure is all mine.” She replied, smiling.

Every one around looked concerned, and some helped me to my feet, and supported me into the car. I uttered a heartfelt appreciation, as we zoomed off.

This was the worst first day in school, ever!