THE CHALLENGE

The surgery went on for 3 hours and the hospital staff panic as my grandfather’s

condition is getting worse. They provide the blood supply on the time, but his body is refusing the transfusion. The various attempts made by the doctors are going in vain. I can sense the rising tension in the atmosphere. The paramedical staff is running in and out from the ICU, supplying few medicines and instruments to the doctors working inside.

I don’t understand how Grandpa suddenly had a heart attack when he was healthy

and fine. There something I need to dig out from the deep. I notice grandma crying, sitting on the chair. I try to calm her down but it’s her husband who is fighting for life and death. How can I stop her?

With this burden on my chest, I can’t breathe. In the morning, he was sitting with me and discussed the plans for my future..

“I don’t want to hear another word from your side. You

are going and it’s final!” his words echo in my

brain.

My brain constricts and explodes at the same time, but my heart is sinking deep in regrets. I want to slam my fist hard because I can’t help it. I lost my parents when I was a toddler but my Pa was there to raise me, now he is leaving me too. The doctors came out from the ICU, heading towards us. Grandma and I look curiously at them, expecting good news at least.

“What’s the matter, doctor? How is my husband?” Grandma asks worriedly.

The doctor removes his mask and from his expressions, I can tell he is up to no good

here, “I am sorry Mrs. Ashford; your husband is no more. We tried our best but what we are in front of gods.” He states and points at me, “take care!” and the doctor left, after breaking our hopes into spicules.

For a moment, I can’t hear anything, like I am stuck in a vacuum. The news brings the Thor’s hammer right on our heads. It crashes everything, the hopes we build, the moments we created, the future we foresighted together. Everything fell apart.

I gain my senses back when I hear a loud thud, looking for the distraction, and found Grandma lying unconscious on the floor. The paramedical unit admits her immediately and diagnosed her with a shock.

I fear for her life now. I have lost one angel; I don’t want to lose other one.

3 Days later

The rain is pouring heavily while the priest is completing the ritual of Grandpa’s funeral. As the coffin is laid down deep in the pit in the ground, my heart wrenches in extreme pain as I still hope that Grandpa will get up and say, “Blaine! I am back! That’s all was a prank.”

 The pain is excruciating from the chest as the ritual continues. People around me console but they will come and go, the only one is left with me is my Grandma. I vowed to myself that I will take care of this woman sincerely. She has lost so much than me but still she is concealing the pain, just to see me stronger.

“Let’s go, Grandma!” I state and hold her hands firmly. She smiles at me and we went

back to home.

It took us a week to adjust back into our normal life, but nothing is normal. The place of my Grandpa is empty, like a void, said honestly. Grandma remains lost in her thoughts. I notice her eyes sometimes which are red and swollen. She cries for him, but alone, so no one will see her terrible state.

Even on the dining tables, we hardly spoke to each other unless it’s necessary. I had my usual breakfast and left the dining room to head to the school.

“Blaine!” Grandma calls.

I turn to her, “yes!”

“I found these letters from your Grandpa’s cupboard. They are meant for you!” she hands me few envelopes. I nod my head and keep them in my bag. I bid her goodbye and left the home for the school.

As I step into the school grounds, Oliver runs to me and gives me the brotherly hug I was craving for.

“never felt like you are alone, I am always with you, buddy.” His positive attitude can break any kind of negativity around us.

“that’s why you are the best!” I smile slightly and we went to the lectures.

The day was boring than I expected, the same ugly faces to gaze, and the same place to roam. Nothing adventures ever happened in my life, except the DJs part.

After the lectures, I return the books as I am no longer interested in studying to

top the school. As I wait for my turn to return the books back to the library, I glance at Rebecca issuing more books. I scrunch my brows and avoid her.

She passes by me but suddenly her books fell on the floor and I turn my face to see

her. She is glaring wildly at me.

“How dare you, Ashford? You pushed me and made me fall.” She is putting the blame on

me, like seriously?

“Are you crazy? I was far away from you when you passed by my side.”

“You are lying!” she accuses me.

“Low down your voice!” I hiss dangerously at her, “Just because you’re a girl, it doesn’t mean you can raise your voice to prove your point right. I was standing on a good distance from you.”

She brought tears to her eyes, the same thing every girl does and I hate it, “you pushed me because you can’t compete with me. You are a loser and loser always find a wicked way to cheat cleverly.”

I clutch my fist to control the rising temperament, but she gets on my nerve. Without thinking twice, I slap her across the face. I hear few gasps around me and whispers lingering in the library.

Rebecca’s eyes are bloodshot red as she glares daggers at me, “you will pay for this Ashford!” and left.

The principal Louise calls me in her office. I was standing outside the door and I can hear Sinclair couple arguing with the Principal. 

“The Principal is calling you inside.” Her secretary informs me and I burst inside with the worst attitude of mine.

Henry Sinclair keeps glaring at me from his furious eyes and my gaze falls on Rebecca’s cheek where I can see my art printed.

“Pathetic! What else we could expect from Ashford’?” he states.

I roll my eyes on him and he points to the Principal, “see! Did you see that? This is his Attitude in front of a respective family! I wished that Albert Ashford Sr must have given you some manners and generosity, but he failed it.”

“Not a single word against him, I swear I will forget the limit between elders and young. It would be very embarrassing for if you people outside finds out that a young boy insulted a respectable, honorable, Sinclair’s heir.”

“Enough! Blaine Ashford! Keep your mouth shut and Mr. Sinclair, please keep your family grudge against the school. We are here to educate the young generation.” the Principal shuts all of us.

“My apologies, Madame Louise.” I state while glaring at him.

The principal sighs and turns to me, “did you hit Rebecca Sinclair?”

“She accused me false!” I clarify.

“You physically assault my daughter and humiliated her in public.” Mr. Sinclair states.

“She humiliated me first. She accused me that I pushed her and tripped. If you don’t believe me, I suggest you to check the CCTV footage. Everything will be clear as water!” I smirk looking at Rebecca whose face turns white.

The Principal asks for the footage of the library where it proved that Rebecca lied and accused me falsely.

“Do you want to say anything in your favor?” the principal asks.

“I am sorry!” she apologizes rudely.

“so, everything is clear now, I suspend both of you from the school, for a week. I hope you both will reflect on the things you did.”

“Madame Louise! We have annual exams in 3 weeks.” Rebecca cries.

“You should have thought of that before creating this drama!” the Principal states, “both

of you can leave.”

We left the office and I went to the ground where Oliver is standing, waiting for me usually. I glance at Rebecca and her parents who are approaching me.

“Ashford! Don’t consider yourself as a winner. The only winner here is me. I will finish you!” Rebecca threatens me.

I chuckle, “is that so? I challenge you to prove me wrong because this time, I will not only finish you but I will crush your whole family. I will break your attitude. See ya!”

I spat and turn my back to leave the school premises. This girl, I swear I will crush her and her family’s pride.

I turn to gaze at her one last time before leaving and she is looking at me with same furious eyes.