Silent Shadows

4. The 'ZERO' hour

The sound of the siren echoed all over, as the ambulance raced its way towards the hospital. A car followed it, maintaining the distance and the speed. The nervous hands changed gears and overtook another car, as the car kept following the ambulance. The tension in her mind reflected on her driving, as she was overspeeding her way. Time was running out, and there was no sense for her to follow rules. The ambulance, on the other hand, snaked its way through the crowd and moved towards the hospital. The loud siren helped in providing a way to the ambulance. The medical staff inside the ambulance looked pale. He was trying everything to keep the patient in sense, till they reach the hospital. The pulse rate was fast falling, and he was trying hard to keep it stable. The patient was losing consciousness. The bleeding was not stopping, and the internal bleeding could have done further damage. Today, the hospital seemed so far, even though the ambulance was speeding. The ambulance took a turn, and the lighted hoarding of the hospital shone like a star. They have reached the hospital.

The stretcher was waiting at the emergency gate. The patient was swiftly put on it and rolled towards the operation theatre. The lady parked her car and ran towards the emergency ward. She was stopped by a nurse.

'Ma'am, you need to fill the form and deposit the fee. He has been taken inside for the operation.' informed the nurse.

She looked at the nurse. It felt like the fee could only save him. If she did not deposit the fee, he would not be operated. But she had no time to think about it. She ran towards the desk, and paid the required fees, filled the form.

'Ma'am, do you have insurance?' asked the man sitting on the other end of the desk calmly.

'Just take the money. I would provide the details later. Something is more important than insurance.' the lady said in an angry voice.

The man silently swiped the card and gave the receipt back along with her card. He forwarded the document to a person informing her that the payment has been done. The lady went and sat in the waiting hall. Her eyes were filled with tears. The hospital was crowded, and she could hear loud cries from a woman in a corner. Her family members were consoling her. Seeing it, she felt anxious and came outside. She lit a cigarette. The large puff of exhaled smoke took her on a flashback.

'Do you accept Derek as your lawfully wedded husband?' asked the priest.

Blossom looked at Derek and said, ' Yes, I do forever.'

'I now pronounce your husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.' announced the priest.

Derek and Blossom had met during their graduation days. It started as a college raging and ended up both getting married. It was the first day of the college and Derek was asked to propose Blossom. She was the most popular girl in the college. Proposing a senior was not Derek's cup of tea, but when he saw her, he could feel the violins playing all over. There were showers of flowers all over. He could feel a dash of cool wind hitting on his face. The air was filled with a soothing, intoxicating smell. His legs stopped trembling as he progressed towards Blossom to propose to her.

'Hello, Can I say something?' said Derek.

Blossom looked at him. She knew the drill. She had to grill him, and he would stumble before proposing to her. She and her friends would take her for a ride by making him pay the canteen bill. But today it was different.

Derek went on his knees, forwarded a rose in confidence and said, 'I love you.'

There was stunned silence all over. No one could ever muster the courage to propose to her, and today a fresher proposed to her in front of everyone. His voice reflected his seriousness. Blossom smiled, took the rose, and went away. She said nothing. That was the day the most memorable love story started.