TST, 2020
Freddie ran with the doctor and nurse to the school’s hospital. His whole body was wet. He couldn’t afford to lose his only child. They stopped at the door written 201 on top. The doctor and nurse surged in. Freddie wasn’t allowed.
“Wait here.” The nurse said as she closed the door.
Wait? How could he wait? His only daughter was fighting for her life and the only thing he’s asked was to simply wait. He moved back and forth near the door hoping the door would open soon. More doctors and nurses entered the room. Freddie didn’t have a chance to talk to any of them.
He remembered when Isla was ten. He took her out to the beach. It was their first family voyage, him, Sonia, and Isla. Isla always carried a book with her. He didn’t remember the name of the book. How a slapdash father he was? But that day on the beach, Isla had a book in her hands. While other children were swimming and playing around the beach, she slept on the sand and read her book. He approached her.
“What are you reading?”
“A storybook…”
“What does it say?”
“It says…” she looked at him. “Remember that people are guests in your story the same way you are only a guest in theirs. So make the chapters worth reading.”
He sighed, staring at the ships far away from the Indian Ocean. How could a ten years old kid read such a powerful book? Did she understand the power inside those words or was she just reading for fun?
“Don’t you like swimming?” He said.
Isla sighed. “I don’t know how to swim.”
“Want me to teach you?” he said, extending his hand
Isla grabbed his hand and they went swimming. That was the last family voyage too. It was the only funny moment he remembered having with Isla. Did he make his chapters worth reading?
After two hours, a door opened and the nurses and doctors walked out. Their faces were not happy ones.