So close Yet So far

Chapter 1 : New Life

A nurse enters the room, carefully carrying a small cooler containing the donor heart. The entire surgical team focuses their attention on the arrival of the life-saving organ.

Surgical team seems nervous.

Dr. Johan( little tensed) : Now We need to monitor the heart rate.

Other Surgeons ( sharing intense glances): Yes Doc

Few seconds later the heart beat on machine slowly transitioning from a flatline to a rhythmic pulse.

The surgical team shares relieved and triumphant glances.

Dr. Johan : Shift the patient to Post -surgical ward.

Ray lies unconscious on the strecher.Nurse came out from operation theatre.Halsey waiting for hours, outside the OT, ran towards Ray.

Nurse( in hurry) : Sorry, we need to shift the patient to post surgical ward.There, you can meet him.

Halsey nodded and headed towards the recovery room.

Ray is still lying unconsciously yet in stable condition, surrounded by medical staff.

Finally after hours . He opens his eyes.
Halsey ( with hope and worry) : Doc... Doc..Please look at him.Ray opened his eyes.

Dr. Johan: Mrs Halsey, no need to worry.
Our patient is absolutely fine.

Ray( in pain): Hal.. Halsey..

Dr. Johan ( softly): Ray, How are you feeling?

Ray( fainted smile) : better ...different.. My heart is thumping!

Halsey(teary eyed) : Ray, You are a fighter. Nothing's gonna hold you back now.

Ray: Thankyou Doc . ... for giving me another chance at life.

Dr. Johan : Not really, you need to thank Donor's family and afterall you're the one who fought for it. We were just here to help.

Ray: I am feeling weak

Dr. Johan: Take it easy for now and focus on healing. There will be challenges, but you have a strong heart beating inside you now.

Halsey (smiling) : Get well soon Ray, we need to thank Donor's family.

Ray slowly taking his hand towards his chest.

Ray : My new heart is adjusting to it's new home.

The beeping sound from the machines provides a steady rhythm, echoing Ray's new heartbeats.

Ray closed his eyes and speaks to himself : Dear Donor, thankyou for saving my life.I am going to take utmost care of your heart beating inside my body.

The light in the room slowly get dims.Soft music plays in the background, symbolizing a new start of life.

---------:::-----------
After days of recovery, Dr. Johan and other medical staff bid goodbye to their patient ,Ray ,on a note of regular checkups. Beautiful couple Ray and Halsey smiled from the car.

Halsey : I know I am bad at driving.But this time I am gonna do my best.

Ray (Wide eyed): You better do that.

Good laughs......

Halsey started driving and Ray was looking out of windows. The car just passed from a church. Ray got visions of unexplained events and his heart was thumping loud~ A moment of anxiety,sweat dropping from his forehead.He's confused. He had never visited a church before. Neither he knows the city properly.As he was only here for his heart transplantation.