Duty - A short story by Thahseen Emamudeen

 

I rushed into the hospital , the doors closed to a sheer silence from the deafening noise of rain. I walked closer until I saw her. People say that she looks like she is sleeping, peaceful. I couldn't agree she looks exactly what death feels like , frozen! Stiff like a rock, anything but alive. My whole body knew but then again I couldn't convince myself that she is dead. I touched her cold body and thought i could save her. I kept my hand over her chest trying to revive her, compressed her chest aggressively,faster and faster until I heard a crack. It was her rib bone, my hands slipped and my knees got week i fell on the ground.Tears rushed in, i couldn't cry what if? What if I don't believe what I feel? Can I stay where I am?

Curled up under her bed where she lies dead. she is dead! It hit me, my mom is dead . I can't stay where I am , I can't melt into the ground, I have to stand up, as a doctor it's my duty to save the rest of the soldiers in the shelter. There are more people coming in , half alive, half eaten by shells,crushed under boulders and war debris. I can't save you from the ways of this world but I can save your life , I can't cure this misery but I can heal you. I have to stay strong as it is my duty.

Story by

Thahseen Emamudeen

Aspiring writer who believes in harmony among all human beings despite age gender, religion and sexuality