Hello to my patient readers,
It has been a fun journey, trying my hand at writing short bits of stories that conjoin to form the bigger picture. An experiment of sorts, it has rather been a learning experience for myself. For all those who were waiting for the end. Here are the last three chapters of “Then Life Happened- A Collection of Micro stories”. Story so far:
Chapter 1 –https://www.satpar.in/then-life-happened-micro-story/
Chapter 2-https://www.satpar.in/then-life-happened-micro-story-the-wake-up-call/
Chapter 3-https://www.satpar.in/then-life-happened-micro-story-the-silent-yearning/
Chapter 4-https://www.satpar.in/then-life-happened-micro-story-the-bystanders-shock/
Chapter 5,6 &7- https://www.satpar.in/then-life-happened-micro-story-the-strange-encounter-more/
THE EMERGENCY ROOM
The hospital staff had already begun their work. Joe had called in ahead, to ensure that everything was ready. He even insisted on accompanying the team into the emergency room and stood in a corner keeping an eye on Hae Rin all along. The team of doctors who examined knew that saving both would be a miracle, but they had to try their best. The operation room was booked, the assistants, nurses all scrubbed in. The guardians and friends, which now included Joe and Kimbal too,who had rushed in a few minutes after Hae Rin had been admitted, were explained the condition.
And then began the excruciating hours of dilemma. After the initial minutes of calm, all eyes now rested on Joe. Who was he? How did he know Hae Rin? Kimbal was baffled the attention was directed towards someone else, and was equally puzzled by the presence of a total stranger in their midst.
“Well,I…ehm!.” Joe knew he had to answer, but confrontation usually scared him and made him stutter. He took a deep breath and said, “I am Hae Rin’s brother, if that’s the way to put it. Actually her aunt is my step mother, so, that’s that.”
Oh Really! The exclamation was unanimous. It was a revelation indeed, even for Martha who thought she knew everything she had to know about Hae Rin.
AND THEN LIFE HAPPENED
In the meantime, the doctors were at work. Hae Rin was losing blood, so they had to stop the bleeding first and then proceed with the C-section. A few hours after,the infant was handed over to the pediatric ward, shifted to the NICU, while an unconscious Hae Rin was shifted to the recovery ward. The child was born premature and the complications called for Kangaroo Care.
When Hae Rin woke up 3 days later, she was greeted by the cacophony of the machines. The emptiness in her womb tore her, and she let out a painful shriek. Joe who was right outside rushed in in panic. Seeing Hae Rin awake he rushed out to call the attending. After an hour of checkups, often interrupted by Hae Rin’s queries,she was pushed on a wheelchair to the NICU unit. Kimbal paced impatiently in the corridors, and through the glass Hae Rin saw Martha clutching a tiny infant close to her chest.
EPILOGUE
Two-year-old Jia, ran tirelessly on the moved yard. “Jia, come back right now”, Hae Rin yelled from inside. Martha walked out casually, grabbed her by the waist and carried her inside. Martha’s country home that she had received as an alimony from her marriage was now a home to Hae Rin and Jia too. Martha was now a mother and a grandmother doting over them both. Post retirement, Hae Rin and Jia had become her world. For the first time in her life she experienced true contentment.
Hae Rin was now pursuing her post-doctoral studies. Kimbal had finally settled in a job and dropped in from time to time. Joe had decided to apply for medical school and was trying his best. He dropped by every now and then to play with little Jia and spent hours caring for the yard too when time permitted. Hae Rin finally had the family she always longed for. And as for Jia, she had all the love she could ever ask for. For Hae Rin the bonds that life had created were stronger than blood, and now life just happened each day slowly and peacefully.
—–THE END——
Thank you to all who read through this entire series. Hope that you enjoyed the read. Drop a message if you are looking forward to more stories.
This is Satrangee Parachute signing off with the hope to bring more interesting stories.