Scar

It was the middle of the night when Mrs. Jeffery woke up to find her daughter scavenging through the food in the fridge. ‘I could not sleep and I was hungry,’ the seventeen year old girl said to her mother. They both knew that she was stress-eating. After all, the next day was a big one for her. It was the day of her interview with the officials of “Bisco”.

 Bisco is a company that recruits brilliant young minds and offers them a chance to become one among the greatest scientists. Laila was one of the ten, who qualified for the interview in her country. Ever since she was a kid, she dreamt of inventing things and researching about various topics. Becoming a scientist would be her dream come true. 

‘Take a deep breath and be calm. No need to worry. You will do great tomorrow. Now you better sleep, as every princess needs her beauty sleep,’ Mrs. Jeffery reassured her tensed daughter and kissed her on the forehead. It would be Laila’s last chance of becoming a scientist, before she has to settle for some other job. Yet, shoving aside the fear and worries, they went to their beds. The next day, ninth of July would be the day neither would forget. 

Laila had to reach the centre at ten in the morning. Due to excitement and nervousness, she was up and ready at seven itself. ‘Do your best baby,’ Mr. Jeffery said smiling at Laila at the breakfast table. ‘Just remember that we are proud of you.’ 

Laila asked, ‘Aren’t you coming to drop me?’ 

‘I have some important work and have to go early to the office. But, mom will drop you.’

 Mrs. Jeffery and Laila were ready in their car at nine. ‘What’s the harm in being early,’ Mrs. Jeffery said checking the amount of fuel in the car. The venue was about thirty minutes away, including the traffic jams. 

                                          

They did not talk on their way. Mrs. Jeffery understood the nervousness and stress Laila was under and let her calm herself by listening to songs. At nine twenty five they took the last turn to reach the building of the school, where her interview was. Laila took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She heard a screech and felt something bump into her. She heard her mother call out to her in agony and she opened her eyes to find herself being taken away in a stretcher. She could see a nurse holding a bottle of saline, a doctor rushing beside and her father, tears running down his cheeks. Before, she could realise what was going on she lost consciousness. 

Laila woke up to see her father having a deep conversation with the doctor. She was in an ICU and her limbs were covered in bandages and was on oxygen mask. She looked around the room. Though her sight was a little blur, she could make out the electrocardiogram next to her and the tray with surgical instruments and some bottles of medicines. 

Her father and the doctor approached her. The doctor examined her and asked her how she felt. The doctor then gave Mr. Jeffery time to talk to her and left the room. Her father, still disturbed and in shock, asked Laila, ‘Are you okay now? The doctor says that you have a broken ankle and your left hand’s radius bone is also damaged. Luckily, there is no serious injury to the vital organs. Although, you have two broken ribs. That is why you are kept on the oxygen thing.’ Tears began to fill up in his eyes and rolled down his cheeks. There was nothing Laila could have done to make him feel better, but to assure him that she would be alright.  

They talked for a while before, Laila came to know about the accident that they faced. On hearing the details, she got worried about her mother. Her father asked her not to worry as she was alright. As a matter of fact she was better than Laila. Her mother would be out of the hospital in about a day. But it might take few months for her to recover fully. 

It was reliving to know that her mother was alright. Now that she was feeling better, with a curious face Laila asked, ‘What about the interview?’ To this her father replied, ‘The interview? That was over two days ago. You have been unconscious for two days.’ This statement broke Laila from inside. Her months of preparations were gone in vain. She had cut herself off from the society to give her all in getting ready for that interview. Her bones as well as dreams were crushed. No one could feel the pain she felt.  

The accident had given her two scars, one might eventually fade away, but the other had no intention of going away. 

                 

                                              

To be continued...