It was Elena's third year in college, and the semester had finally come to a close. The campus was thrilled with excitement as everyone packed their bags, anxious to leave behind lectures, assignments and sleepless night.
Summer vacation was finally here and for her, it meant something more than just a holiday. After what felt like eternity, she was finally going home. The thought of hearing her dad's voice and receiving her mom's warming hug filled Elena with so much joy.
She hadn't seen her parents in months, and her heart raced with anticipation. Home for her wasn't just a place --it was the comfort she longed for during those long nights of study and stress.
On the morning of vacation, Elena called my parents to let them know that she'll be coming home. Excitement stired up inside her so much that she could hardly keep still. The only thoughts that crossed into her mind were of home. It was memories of the bakery and sweet flavours and aroma that comes from a freshly baked cake. She could almost taste the buttery softness of freshly baked bread and hear the crackle of a crust straight out from the oven. Watching the kneeded flour from the oven transform into a masterpiece is magical.
"Uuurghhh I can't wait to be home" Elena muttered under my breath as she snapped out of her thoughts and rolled her bags out of the room each step echoing with anticipation. She hugged my friends one last time and assured to keep in touch with them. Feeling butterflies in her stomach as she dragged her bags towards the waiting cab, the campus fading behind her like a chapter coming to a close.
"Are you ready to go? And are these all your bags?"the cab driver asked Elena politely, his voice warm and steady.
"Yes I'm ready. And yes, that's everything" she replied with a smile.
He carried my luggage with care, placing each bag neatly into the trunk before closing it gently.
With a courteous gesture, he opened the back sit for and she slid into the seat. The thrill of finally going home wrapped around her like a blanket.
Her journey home had begun. As the cab made its way along the busy road, she leaned against the window, letting the hum of the engine and the tires soothe her. A gentle wind swept across her face, carrying with it the faint scent of earth and summer. Birds perched on the road side trees filled the air with cheerful whistles , their songs rising above the sound of the passing cars. It felt like nature's way of saying welcome home.
Finally, the cab came to a halt at a bus stop, the perfect spot for her to cross over to the opposite side of the road that led to her street. Looking at the street alone flooded her mind with sweet memories.
The cab driver gently pulled out her two bags.
Driver: "Here you go. Take care of your".
Elena:"Thank you so much. Have a safe drive"
He gave a small wave before driving away.
Elena was so overwhelmed with joy that she stepped into the road without a second thought, not even glancing left or right.
In an instant, a deafening horn blared on her. Her body stiff and not willing to move, her heart raced and before she could even scream, the world spun violently as metal slammed into her and fell as blood spread everything went blank.
She was immediately rushed to the hospital few minutes after the accident. The doctors wasted no time in attending to her and her parents where called immediately--it was a matter of life and death. When her parents arrived, they both broke down, crying helplessly as though they had already lost her.
After examination, the doctors delivered the kind of news that shatters a family. Both Elena kidneys had been severly damaged during the course of the accident and without an immediate transplant, she wouldn't survive.
Her parents, Mr & Mrs Gregory were shocked as the words from the doctor sank into their ears.
Mrs Gregory's hand flew to her mouth, her sobs breaking through the sterile air of the ward. Mr Gregory, tho trying to stay strong, staggered back a step as though the ground had been pulled from beneath him.
The doctor sounded urgent, as he explained the situation at hand. "We need to act fast. The cost of a kidney is fifteen thousand USD and there's no time to waste--you need to decide now" the doctor said.
Tears streamed down Elena mother's face as she screamed turning to her father "where are we going to get that kind of money from? Even if we sell the bakery it wouldn't even amount quater of the money the doctor called".
That moment tears began to flow down from Mr Gregory eyes heavily. He had never been in a helpless and hopeless situation before.
"There's another means of getting a kidney transplant" the doctor said
Mr Gregory dad turned, and asked him what other means?
"Any of you can decide to be the donor as long as you both kidneys are fine. We can pick one out of it" He said with his words bringing a sense of hope.
"Take mine, if it means my daughter lives, then I'll gladly give her one of my kidney"
Her dad told the doctor.
Without wasting another second, her dad was rushed into the operating room. The doors swung shut behind him, leaving her sobbing mother with her hands clasped together in desperate prayer as she looks for where to sit in the hallway.
Hours later, the surgeon emerged, his face damp with sweat. "The surgery was successful," he announced.
Her mum hearing this was relieved. "Thank you doctor". She said.
There was no time to rejoice. Almost immediately Elena was wheeled in for the transplant. Her father's sacrifice had become her only chance at life.
Operating room was filled with urgency, beeping machines, masked faces, hands moving swiftly. And then.... silence. The procedure was over, her body had accepted the kidney.
The same surgeon emerged again after hours and with a warm smile told her mum "the transplant was successful, congratulations! your daughter survived."
Elena's mum leaped for joy as she knelt down and thanked God. She was short of words.
"Can I see them both now?" She asked
"You can see your husband but for your daughter, not now" the surgeon replied.
Her mum quickly rushed in to see Mr Gregory her husband with tears of joy flowing down her cheeks. Not knowing how to express her excitement.
He lay resting, still and quiet, his eyes closed as mrs Gregory, Elena's mum sat beside his bed, gently clasping his hand into hers. The long hours of worry finally wore her down as she slept off by his side.
It was midnight already and finally… it came to an end. It was the dawn of a new day. Mr Gregory was awake as he saw his wife sleeping right next to him holding his hands.
Suddenly, Mrs Gregory woke up on hearing footsteps of the nurses that came to check in on him.
The nurses confirmed that Mr Gregory was doing just perfectly fine.
"Excuse me please, can we see our daughter Elena? she was admitted yesterday and did a kidney transplant" mrs Gregory asked the nurse.
"Yes please, come this with me let me show you her ward" one of the nurses replied politely.
She carefully helped Mr Gregory sit up and try to get down from the bed but the sharp pain from the surgery was still too much for him to bear.
The nurse quickly advised that he rests a little longer.
Without wasting time, she made him lay back to his bed and followed the nurse as she hurried towards Elena's ward.
The doctor was already in the ward, checking to see if Eleana had woken up and ready to ask how she was feeling, but she was still unconscious.
Moments later, Elena's mum quietly walked into the room.
"Good morning ma'am," he greeted her mum.
"Good morning doctor, how's she feeling?"
"Well, from my observation, she's doing great, her body is responding to treatments. She's just unconscious for now. But she'll wake up soon." The doctor said.
Mrs Gregory came closer to her daughter's bed where she laid down to hold her and see her child that got fortunate with life's cruelty.
Seeing her lying down hopelessly, she held her hands and whispered "your dad and I are waiting for you Elena, please wake up"
Sensing the depth of a mother's pain, the doctor decided to leave, giving her the space to share a private heartfelt moment with her daughter.
Just as he was about to step out, a faint tremor ran through Elena's fingers. Her mum's eyes widened--- she leaned in closer, her heart racing and then she cried out, her voice breaking with both fear and hope,
"Doctor! Her fingers…they just moved!" She screamed.