The Injured Woman

Eric Crown rushed into the hospital, carrying the injured woman very mindful of the fact that she is heavily pregnant. He left his assistant Andrew behind, who was trying to catch up with him.

Andrew had tried to carry the woman from Eric but he refused to allow him or even allow his driver to touch her.

"We need a doctor now" Eric immediately alarmed the hospital nurse at the reception he entered with the injured woman.

The emergency staff and nurses ran to him immediately seeing the injured woman in Eric's arms.

Doctor what can be done for her Eric asked she is so seriously injured.

We have to get the baby out of her first, the doctor replied assessing her injuries. We will try to save her life, I hope the baby is still alive the doctor added.

What! Eric exclaimed shocked.

Take her to the operating theatre the doctor instructed the emergency personnel there.

The nurses and emergency staff put the injured woman on a hospital stretcher and started wheeling her to the operating theatre.

A nurse came with some papers for Eric to sign, he didn't even look at them he just signed.

Dr Robert, the medical director of the hospital was already informed of Eric's coming. He just got to Eric at this time and asked who the woman involved in the accident was.

Eric, still in shock with blood all over his shirt and trousers turned to Dr Robert puzzled. What does that have to do with anything?

Dr Robert was surprised by Eric's answer. Mr Crown, I wanted to know if she was a family member he explained.

No, I don't know her. She was hit by my car and we just rushed her here.

Dr Robert has known Eric for a long time, well known for his compassion and charity work but he never gets emotionally involved. From the look on Eric's face, Dr Robert felt there can only be one explanation so he asked "were you driving"?

No, my driver was Eric answered.

I see, you don't need to wait. Be rest assured we will take good care of her, it's just that from what I have seen she is in a critical condition.

How critical Eric asked Dr Robert.

She might not survive Dr Robert answered heavily, they were all quiet until a nurse came and told Dr Robert they were ready for him at the operating theatre, and he left with the nurse.

She can't die, she cannot die Eric told himself. He felt this strong sense of attachment to her. Why is he feeling like this? As if, as if we have met before he thought.

Sir, sir. sir? Andrew called out, touching Eric's shoulder lightly.

Eric don't know how long he stood there but he suddenly realized Andrew was calling out to him.

Sir, you need to change, there is a restroom over there Andrew said holding a change of clothes for him and pointing toward the restroom.

Eric just continued to sit there, dazed! The incident played over and over again in his mind. How come she was on the road at this time of the night? He wondered.

She is heavily pregnant, why would any man allow his wife to move around at this time of the night? and she was alone.

Come to think of it, Eric didn't notice any wedding ring on her he thought, probably he didn't look properly.

Mr Crown, a nurse called out.

Eric Crown looked up at her wondering when he sat down. Andrew immediately asked her what she wanted

We need to know her name for our records the nurse said

We don't know Andrew answered...

But...the nurse was puzzled.

It's an emergency, we had to rush her here and she was already unconscious Andrew explained.

Dr Robert suddenly came out of the Operating theatre, pulling his face mask off. They stood up as he walked towards them, eager for news.

You have a baby girl Dr Robert said smiling

Me? Eric asked surprised!

Well, you brought her in Dr Robert said laughing.

What about the woman Eric asked, his heart beating fast. Eric remembered Dr Robert said she might not make it.

Dr Robert looked at Eric seeing how worried he looked, 'she is alive but in a coma'. We have taken her to a private room, she is not doing well. Do you want to see her?

Eric found himself nodding, as they made their way to the woman's room. ⁶ Robert looked at Eric and said you don't have to be so worried, she is in good hands you know. It's just that her condition is very serious.

It's not that Dr., I feel very responsible Eric answered in a worried tone.

You weren't driving, he reminded me and you're doing your best.

As they stopped in front of a door, Eric felt...I feel so responsible he explained again. It's my car after all.

As Dr Robert and Eric entered the room where the injured woman was, he looked down at her on the hospital bed. Her face was all cleared up now and he suddenly felt she looked familiar but with all the bandages and plasters on her Eric couldn't be sure.

He stood there for some time, just looking at her face. There was a bandage on her head, some plasters on her left cheek, and arms, one on the right part of her neck and her left leg was lifted so he is assuming that's broken.

How did she survive? Eric wondered aloud

She has a very serious head injury, and we think that's what is causing the comatose state the doctor explained. But she is a fighter and we're all surprised she made it out of the OR.

We want to invite some specialists to come and assess her if that's okay. Dr Robert explained looking at Eric for consent.

Whatever it takes Dr Robert, treat her as though she is my guest Eric confirmed. The doctor was surprised at this.

Okay, he answered after some time, but we have a problem.

What? Eric asked not taking his eyes off the woman, her stomach kind of flat now.

The baby, who is going to take care of her Dr Robert asked

Eric looked at him suddenly realizing that they don't know anything about the woman. Yes, the baby? That's a big problem.

Eric put his hand through his hair wondering how to handle this. He turned to the door and asked his assistant, Andrew who was standing by the room door if there was no identification found on the injured woman or any handbag.

No sir, I have already sent someone to the spot where the accident took place to check. No bag or purse, nothing.

Eric looked to Dr. Robert and asked him if they found anything that can be used as a form of identification when they were undressing the woman.

Nothing Mr Crown, we didn't find anything on her.

Oh boy, Eric sat down on the sofa by the window in the hospital room. What do we do? Eric was kind of worried especially for the baby.

Eric has been working on this acquisition for about 3 weeks now, sleeping very little so right now his brain is shutting down If there is anything like that.

We can keep the baby for some days while your people try to identify her and look for a family member to take the baby Dr. Robert suggested.

Okay, that can work Eric"s tired brain said. He stood up, "take me to see the baby'.

You want to see her Dr. Robert asked surprised

Yes, Eric answered surprising everyone there including himself. What man? Just go home Eric told himself but he still moved forward with Dr.Robert.

When he and Dr Robert got to the newborn baby ward, Eric looked through the glass at all the other babies there.

Eric has never been to a baby's hospital ward before. There were some doctors and nurses there attending to them, some checking their vitals, some feeding them.

There she is, Doctor Robert pointed her out.

Eric looked to where Doctor Robert pointed, The bàby was laying down and sleeping quietly.

She looked so beautiful and cute.