Chapter Three

It was a Monday morning and I approached my boss to take a leave and he decided to grant it unwillingly considering the cases that we had for the month and leaving my prospective career for a complete stranger. I had already thought about this and it was too late to change my mind. The only person that I was yet to tell was my mum. I returned home that day and told my mum that I had already taken a leave from work and about a patient that I wanted to spend my time with. With worry and reluctance, she gave her assent and this brought me some measure of relief.

The next day, as early as going to work, I was on my way to the hospital. I went straight to her ward and told her about the sacrifice that I had to make to be here with her. I went to the doctor and asked him how she was faring and he said that there is still no trace of improvement. After hearing the doctor's remarks, all that I clung to was hope. I went back to her and played soft music and I fell asleep.

Around late hours of the noon that day, I woke up very hungry and I had to get something to eat. I went to a nearby restaurant and purchased something to eat and brought it back to her ward. I ate it in her presence and frequently asked her if she was going to eat. I asked about twenty times and got no response but the ticking sound of the life-machine. I brought my book, "Leviathan" along with me and I read it aloud as if she was listening. When it was already late at night, I touched her hand and felt something that I really can't explain. Anyways, I shunned it and left the hospital.

Mum was fast asleep when I reached home, so I had to have dinner alone. I slept with the thoughts of her condition on my mind. The next day, I woke up late and went to my mother's room to tell her about the lady and she just smiled and said that she knew that I always had this trait of compassion in me, just like my father and she wished her speedy recovery.

When I reached the hospital, I went to the doctor's office to enquire her name and he said that her name is Jessica. I loved that name probably because it was a name that I have not heard in a long time. When I reached her ward, as usual, I told her what I had for dinner and extended my mother's regards to her sleeping state. I did this repeatedly, since the doctor said that there was a probability of her hearing some things that are said to her.

I always touch her hand to make her feel that someone cares, hoping that she comes round in time. The only odd thing about this comatose state is that I can't remember hearing anything at all when I was in it. Time really flies a lot whenever I am with her. The doctor is always applauding my courage to carve out time to visit and care for a complete stranger.

It has been four consistent days of late dinner, my mum was already in bed anyways. There was a football match today, between my club, Chelsea and Bayern. It's one hell of a match that I dare not miss, at least, not today.

The rays of the early morning sun splashed on my rough face. I had just realized that I slept off on the couch in the middle of the match. A wide yawn broadened my mouth and I wiped the grip of sleep off my eyes, it was already some minutes past nine A.M. I went straight to mum's room to greet her; it has been a while since I have done this in recent times. As usual, she prayed for me and wished her safe recovery.

I got to the hospital quite late today and went to her ward with some chocolates that I purchased on my way here. I told her a story, or should I say, stories, because they were many. I held her hand and whispered some words into her ear. Suddenly, I felt this grip on my hand, her grip. I was bewildered and the next thing that I did was to shout, "Yes!" I ran to the doctor who was alone in his room and told him that she gripped my hand; he was not surprised at all. I was worried and he opted to follow me to her ward. When we got there, he looked at her and touched her, but he said that he did not see any substantial improvement.

He explained to me that people in coma often had some reflexes such as a smile on their face, laughing and sometimes, moving their hands. He admitted that if I really felt her grip, it was a rare form of reflex and that I should continue to keep her company, hopefully, she will recover timely. This gave me a ray of hope and increased my zeal towards ensuring her recovery. It has been fifteen days out of the twenty-seven that I was given off.