Prologue
Three years ago
Camilla
A simple check up changed everything.
I walked into the hospital with a headache that wouldn’t go away, a sore throat and an aching heart. It was just life weighing me down like a trench coat. Carol had told me that. Sometimes I cried and screamed but there was no respite.
I hated hospitals. The way they smelled so clinical whispered doom. They sll smelled the same, of death and antiseptic. Still I walked in there like I was in a hurry.
The receptionist didn’t spare a glance or her usual smile. She just handed the clip board while she was doing whatever on that computer. I guess today was a bad day for everyone.
After scribbling my name, birthdate and all the other info they needed, I took a seat close to the back where the over head light flickered as if it was a disco ball. Die already! I thought in my mind looking up at it.
People stared at their phones as a baby cried inconsolably at the front which made me wonder why I chose to come to the hospital in the first place.
I pulled my coat tighter around me not because of cold but due to habit. And my head hurt so bad I needed to know what my doctor had to say about it. I shut my eyes to reduce the pain behind my eyelids. I also noticed I always woke from sleep at about 3am every night. It’s like I feel someone watching me, making it impossible to have sufficient rest.
Work did not help at all. My boss barely spoke with his words. Actions of paper slamming on my desk and sighs was all he did. My coworkers were no better. My love life was worse. I wasn’t sure I enjoyed being me.
“Evans Holder,” a nurse called. A man with grey sweats and a T-shirt walked toward her. She led the man away as I rose on instinct.
Something inside me pushed me forward. I knew what I needed and it wasn’t hospital air. The nurses standing nearby where chatting and didn’t notice when I slipped into the corridor.
I passed by a slightly opened door and voices caught my attention. I was too damn nosey to just pass by.
“What we need right now is O negative, he is losing too much blood too quickly.”
“I’ve already checked the bank, there are no matches and his vitals are dropping “
I shouldn’t have listened. I knew better than to snoop around. But that didn’t stop me from moving closer to stare through the slightly open door.
I was O negative and basically what they really needed was me.
“Have you called his family?” one of them said
“I did but no response right now. I’ll try it again”
“Damn it! we can’t afford to lose another patient today. It will give us a bad name and mess with our high rate of success of mortality.”
A man was dying right behind this door and I could do something about it. I slipped my hand and picked out my donor card from my bag. Ever since I got it I never used it due to always being so busy.
From where I stood I could see the nurse pacing back and forth and the doctor looked so exhausted and frustrated.
I knew my next step would look awkward but I needed to take it. There was no time whatsoever to talk myself out of this.
I pushed the door and all eyes fell on me.
The nurse came toward me trying to usher me out. “You shouldn’t be here. Please leave.”
“I know but I want to help. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but please let me help. I’m O negative, the blood type you need.” I responded hurriedly.
They all looked at me like I had grown two heads.
“Are you a registered donor?” the doctor asked.
I moved forward and handed the nurse my card. “Yes, I am. Here is my card.”
They asked me further questions like if I was related to the family or I was a friend. I shook my head.
“Nurse, take her for screening and transfusion,” The doctor instructed and walked out quickly.
I was taken to a room where my blood sample was taken, tested and screened. All was certified as good and I was asked to lay on the bed for the transfusion.
Once they were done with me, I stood up slowly trying my legs.
“Are you okay?” The nurse asked.
“Yes I am, can I leave now?”
The nurse nodded. “If you feel light headed please come back.”
I was in a hurry to leave. I had rested for 30 minutes already, so I didn’t bother to stay. I left the hospital not bothering to do the check up. They had checked my blood and it was good. The headache had gone and the soreness in my throat had lessened. I felt better helping someone in need.
