A College Seeress' Diary

Thorn in My Bone

Dear Jesus, 

While I was still in the school clinic, dreaming in my unconscious state, Mike, who disregarded his minor injuries—road rash and bruises from breaking my fall—wisely took my phone and contacted the numbers I had saved for emergency cases.
Mom and Dad. My bestie, Kathy. My roomie, Portia. 

Only my roommate didn't pick up, which wasn't too surprising because I hardly called her and had gotten her phone number illegally—that is, through sneaking a peek at her hostel biodata form which she'd left carelessly on her paper-strewn desk one day.

My parents, who had almost gotten to their destination had to turn back and race over to the College Clinic.

When they arrived, Mom was all over me, crying like I had been given a death sentence. I tried to reassure her that I'll be fine but the tears didn't stop, and neither did her mumblings of, "My Baby... Oh Radiance, my Star...". It was embarrassing, to say the least.

Daddy was all fatherly, demanding to see the authorities so that the culprit could be nailed.
I saw as he profusely thanked Mike, the hero of the hour, for his discretion and tried to siphon out of the poor boy every detail about what had happened.

In no time, Kathy, Pris and John came too.
Mike repeated to them what had happened, while the doctor was explaining some medical jargon to my parents.

Since I was already bored of listening to a replay of how the accident happened, I tuned in to listen to the doctor's professional voice briefing my parents on my condition.
After all, I could use this opportunity to learn the craft of the professional I'll practice in the future.

From the bits and pieces I gleaned, I had a lower extremity injury. My right fibula was slightly cracked, but thankfully not fractured.
They'd also had to suture the deep cut I'd sustained.
The doctor was confident that I would heal in no time as long as I didn't strain my leg.

My friends were quite supportive. Seeing them all lessened the pain that was traversing my body.

"Radiance, I'm so sorry for not being there with you," John said as he watched me, looking like he was beating himself up.

"It's not your fault. It was an accident," I said softly.

"Are you going to be okay?" he asked, looking into my eyes with those grey pools full of concern.

"Yeah, I'll be alright. I guess I'll be going home for a few days," I said, nodding my head towards the cluster of my parents and doctor's body at the door of the ward. 

Yes, Lord. What you told me was playing out before my very eyes. No big surprise there.

The doctor highly recommended that I recuperate at home and issued me a report so I could be officially excused from school activities for at least two weeks. 

"I'll be praying for you every day. At that place I showed you the other time," John said.

We shared a silent knowing smile ourselves. I knew he was referring to the GWW. 

"We'll all be praying for you, Radiance," Kathy added, and Pris nodded in the background.

Kathlyn had already changed her clothes into a gown with a pattern of yellow blotches on a chocolate background, and it looked good on her.

Priscilla looked like she had just slumped to relax on her bed because she was still in her now-rumpled straight black skirt and a silvery white, short-sleeved shirt.

"I wish I could come with you. You know, take care of you," Kathy said, her blue eyes glazed with concern.

I felt touched.
"Don't worry, bestie. And besides, why should I make the genius miss her classes?" I joked.