Chapter Six- Anthony`s Calamity

     It was day two of Junior`s stay in the hospital. Dorothy returned to stay in her brother`s house. This is to assure all was in good order during their painful absences. Jane and Franck took care of the day-care in the hospital beside their son. With hope that any moment the doctor would come and tell them that their son was already awake. A hope that was more than anything to them, their family and well-wishers. They could give anything so that all should become normal again. Yet the only thing they had was just hope and a miracle to happen.

      Vekov arrived at the hospital that morning. Looking very nervous and disturbed. Probably hit by what had just occurred to his beloved godson-Anthony. He entered the main door where he saw Jane and Franck sitting helplessly on one of the hospital public seats. He went straight to meet them in all due humility like good soul with fellow friends.

     “Jane, Franck sorry I was not in town. I got the news through Mathew and James. I am  really sorry my bro.” Hugging each of them with warmness.

     “I don`t just know what to say. Junior is back to the hospital again after a tragic incident.” Franck disclosed to his son`s godfather with a heavy heart.

     “What actually happened? Because I can`t really get it. He was full of life just yesterday morning.”

       Vekov tried to inquire, expressing a state of disbelief.

     “Junior was knocked down by a bike in the course of following me while I was on the phone call moving out of the gate. Now the shock has caused a disorderly outburst and a tumult in his brain landing him into a comatose state.” Franck tried to recount the sad ordeal to his best friend.

     “I am really sorry brother. Really sorry. I feel your pain. I know my baby boy is strong and is going to make it. He does not deserve it for he`s been through a lot. Anthony is a survivor.” In soft and assuring words, Vekov ushered them to see hope.

     “Thank you Vekov.” Jane whispered with a lot of emotion though in a heavy and painful heart.

     “Franck, have you alerted the cops? Vekov demanded his friend and wife.

     “Yeah, before we left the accident scene the cops were already called by a neighbor. Everything was happening so quickly that we were only concentrated on our son. As the ambulance came and took us away immediately. The bike rider stayed behind till the cops came. He`s the one that called the ambulance I guess or maybe a neighbor.” Franck explained to his friend.

     “Okay bro, I get you. It shall be well. As I mentioned, let`s have faith in Junior`s recovery.” He consoled them again.

      As they were speaking, suddenly, the doctor arrived where they were. He was looking denudated. An aweary look that immediately gave the Dubilas no hope. Immediately they saw him approaching, they all stood up to hear from him. In an eager desire to know what it was all about.

     “Good morning.” The doctor greeted.

     “Good morning doctor.” They all responded.

     “I must be honest with you guys, Mr. Anthony Dubila is still in a comatose state. He`s a strong child and I can tell you guys that his spirit is holding strong. Though in the state in which he is, the body is still responsive to vital senses. With prayers and deep hope he might wake up soon. I cannot tell you when. It could be days, weeks, months or even years. Reasons I request you pray very hard for him. At this stage, he could still give up.”

       The doctor gave a global view of Anthony`s situation then left. Concluding,

      “I wish you people good luck.

      The couple sat there in silence with their son`s god father. Things were now at a level that they knew divine mercy would be their solution. Yet they kept to their strength. For it was not the first time Junior was playing such a card on them. They have seen all sorts of tempting malady cases with him. Just that this type provoked by an event was new to them from their child. Sure they had not seen enough. Time will tell.

     All these because no normal parents or family would accept wishing farewell to their son at such a tender age. It was traditionally and naturally known that, kids come to bury their parents and not the contrary. Junior had not even started life. Facing such challenges could only be a case where only nature could actually explain why. Humanly, it was becoming very difficult for them to handle the chronology of events physically, emotionally and psychologically. All they had to do was to be strong and face the bitter truth in front of them.

     Jane was receiving calls from her parents and sibling about the child`s status. She had to tell them that Junior was still under observation. That he was still in coma while they were waiting to see if he could come out from it. Same inquiries also came in from Franck’s parents. His parents promised to pass there late in the afternoon with Fred, Liza and Doris. The beloved cousins of Junior and children of Jessica. But Franck’s mother advised them through phone to go home and have some rob down. For Dorothy was on her way to replace them and Jessica would be meeting her there soon. It sounded appropriate because the parents of the boy had been there since they took him to the hospital in that emergency ambulance. As they were still having the marks of Junior`s blood on their dresses. It wasn`t too hygienic to be seen. As they carried him on their arms when the latter underwent the shock. First by Franck who was on the scene then later by the wife who heard Franck’s cry out and rushed there too taking the child from his arms seeing the bloody state in which the child was.

       Dorothy arrived the hospital sooner than expected with her fiancé Davido. Vekov was still with them.

      “Hello” They exchanged greetings to each other with a hug.

      “Please, you guys need to start going home. I have already set up everything. You need not worry about food again” Dorothy told them and continued. “…all is in place upon your arrival at home.

     “Thank you very much kid sister, I appreciate every effort of yours.” Her elder brother showed gratitude.

     “You`re most welcome bro, we`re a family. Ain`t we?” She tried to show love.

     “Thank you very much Dorothy. I`m just short of words. May God bless you abundantly.” Jane shared her feelings of thankfulness and cheerfulness to her most preferred sister-in-law.

     “With all due respect sir, it`s going to be fine. From what Dorothy had told me. I think Junior is a survivor. Every great person to be always has a twisted form of life before their greatness is attend.” Davido comforted his future in-law and others.

     “Thanks Davido, I appreciate your concern. And I want you to know you`re most welcome to our family” Franck responded with affection in his heart. They were enlighten by those words from Davido.