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| Illustration by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels |
This short story is based on a true story but the character’s names have been changed.
Heavily breathing on oxygen. surrounded by white walls, Ashley felt excruciating pain in her chest and her depressed heart. She was hospitalized in the Kamuzu central hospital. Her mother was sitting beside her, and the doctors were standing beside her. She was diagnosed with COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] three years prior. She couldn’t breathe without the oxygen machine, and she felt hopeless because of that.
The sickness had taught Ashley to hide, fear, feel less confident, and to not socialize. She was afraid of dragging everyone into her dark, miserable world. Or perhaps she was just afraid of been abandoned just like her best friend, Victoria, and her boyfriend, Jake had done. This increased her pain and led her to depression.
“I cannot do this anymore”, Jake had said without mercy.
“can’t do what?”, Ashley had asked curiously, wondering what he meant by that statement.
They were standing behind the classrooms because it was an obstructed place where they could discuss matters privately. Jake explained that he was breaking up with her. He was abandoning her when he had promised he would not. Her best friend did the same. Ashley knew it was because of the COPD, and she had animosity building up in her heart because of it. she was enraged for trusting them.
The depression was one of the factors that had led to her being hospitalized. She had always dreamt of being a voice for her generation. Unfortunately, she could not find her euphoric key to do it. Joyful, her brother, was never indolent and looked after Ashley very well. He was born with a heart of gold.
“Ashley…...snap out of it!”, her mother said, looking at Ashley with a wide smile on her face.
“Mom, I’m scared I’m going to die”, Ashley responded with tears rolling down her face.
“You won’t”, her mother said, placing a hand on Ashley’s forehead.
Her mother’s magical touch calmed Ashley down, and she felt loved at that moment. Ashley wanted to live in amity with herself, and not be depressed. That was not just a physical battle for her, though. It was also an emotional one. Ashley stared at her mother weakly and lethargically. Her mother was still sitting beside her in order to soothe her into sleep.
“what will I do? I want her to recover”, her mother said with tears falling out of her eyes. She then put a hand over her mouth because she could not bear it. She watched her daughter as she slept soundly while breathing through nostril cannulas.
“She finds peace in her dreams”, her mother thought, and without knowing it, she also dozed off.
In her dreams, Ashley saw herself fighting for other people’s rights.
“I slept …”, Ashley’s mother said, holding her head, which felt like it had been hit by a
hammer. It was morning, so she looked over to Ashley. “At least you still smile in your dreams. May that smile never fade”, she said.
While Ashley’s mother was busy, a nurse knocked on the door and entered. She then checked on the drips, oxygen machine, and then looked over at Ashley’s mother. “I will be back, let me call the doctor”, she said looking worried.
Later, when the doctor was walking through the door, Ashley’s mother thought he had an antediluvian sense of fashion, so she giggled. The doctor then checked everything while Ashley was still serene and asleep.
“She is okay. Her oxygen levels are better now. We just need to scrutinize her condition properly, and keep a close eye on her. She will be discharged soon”, the doctor said tersely, and then walked out.
After the doctor was gone, Ashley’s mother called her son, Joyful, in order to tell him the good news. After some minutes, Ashley woke up.
“Mom, why are you smiling?”, Ashley asked curiously.
“why? Can’t I smile? You looked very beautiful while you slept”, her mother responded, giggling
“Mom”, Ashley said, blushing.
“we will be discharged today”, her mother said.
“Really?”, Ashley asked looking jubilant.
“yes, your oxygen levels are back to normal”, her mother responded, speaking with an exhilarating facial expression.
“I’m so happy”, Ashley said, feeling that she was already getting better.
They say good news has always been good medicine for a crushed spirit, and for Ashley, that was true. She could not wait to get back to her domicile. After sometime, she and her mother got discharged and left for home.
“We can leave”, Ashley’s mother said, shutting the door of the car outside.
“Okay”, a man with a very hoarse voice responded. He was Mr. Muhar, their personal driver, and he drove them home safely.
“Anyone home!”, Ashley’s mother said, opening the door of the house that was left ajar.
Ashley, on the other hand, was sitting on the veranda for some fresh air.
“I am in my room!”, Joyful vociferated.
“Okay”, his mom replied.
After a while, Ashley’s mother went into Joyful’s room and talked to her son. Luckily, they were on a one-week midterm holiday, and they were opening on Monday. The both of them then went out together to keep Ashley company, and they prepared some Soya porridge.
On a brumal Monday morning, Ashley went back to school. She was obdurate about the issue, even when her mother tried hard to convince her not to go to school. She had no one to call a friend, though, especially ever since her friends abandoned her.
When Ashley’s classes were done, she went to the car park to wait to be picked by her mother. While she was there, her eyes came across Jake, and he was holding hands with Victoria. He even went as far as kissing her in front of Ashley.
“Traitors”, she thought, feeling heated up. She then looked away.
After seeing Jake and Victoria, Ashley felt her heart’s wounds reopen, and she shed a tear. She later managed to pull herself together. She knew they were not worth it. They were traitors and deserved each other.
“Hey there!”, a voice said from behind her.
Ashley turned, and It was Tales Banda, the coolest girl on campus. “Hey”, she responded in a low tone.
“I have been looking at you, and I think I might know you”, Tales said blithely.
“Observing people does not mean you know them”, Ashley responded rudely.
Tales left in disgruntlement after Ashley’s response, and Ashley’s mother was making her way to the gate. When Ashley saw her mother’s car, she went to it and entered. She was lost in thought as she stepped in, thinking of how rude she had been to Tales because of Jake. Her mother only looked at her and thought she needed some space. Ashley soon stirred herself out of her introspection.
“I will apologize tomorrow”, she thought to herself.
The following day, Ashley went straight to where Tales was. “Can we talk?”, she requested.
“Sure, girls excuse us”, Tales responded, and then snapped her fingers.
Once the other girls were gone, Ashley apologized for her rude behavior the previous day and Tales forgave her. Tales then invited her over to her house. Ashley agreed and felt good about what she had done. After a long time, she had been able to actually talk to someone.
The following day after school, Ashley made her way to Tales’s house. She had already explained everything to her mother.
The following day after school, Ashley made her way to Tales’s house. She had already explained everything to her mother.
“So, tell me, what happened between you and Victoria?”, Tales asked while offering Ashley a sumptuous meal.
“COPD”, Ashley replied promptly.
“what is up with it?”, Tales asked curiously.
“I have it, and Both Jake and Victoria left because of it. They never said it, but I know it.
On top of that, they are dating after all the misery they caused me”, Ashley elucidated sadly.
On top of that, they are dating after all the misery they caused me”, Ashley elucidated sadly.
“wow! I did not know. I am sorry for all the pain. Well, forget those morons. I feel like you need help. I have seen how sad you are, but there is someone above who heals, gives life to the dead, and makes us better. His name is God. Get to know him personally and leave whatever this world has to offer”, Tales said.
“I have heard somethings about him. I just do not think he can heal me from COPD”, Ashley responded with a feigned smile.
“Have faith my friend. He saves from anything. He saved me from drugs”, Tales said.
“what? Then help me! I do not know such things”, Ashley responded, sounding surprised.
Ashley thought what Tales was saying was incomprehensible, but she still decided to stick around and learn. She wanted to get over her persistent depression and get revenge from her traitors.
Weeks went by, and the two girls became very good friends. Ashley was learning a lot about Christ from Tales, and she became a better version of herself because of it. She was less depressed and happier, and even though Victoria and Jake tried rubbing salt on her past wounds, she remained tranquil. She did not want revenge anymore, and she was a changed person. She and Tales prayed together every Sunday evening. Tales encouraged her that, one day, her COPD would go away through God’s power.
One morning, Ashley rose from bed and she was unable to breathe. She then called for her mother, who then rushed to the hospital. The doctors found that her COPD had gotten worse. She was then put on oxygen once again, and she would stay there for some time. When Tales got the news, she rushed to visit her.
On that day, Ashley heard a knock on the door, and when Tales walked in, she felt happy. At least one friend of hers still cared about her, and that time she did not leave.
“She is a true friend”, Ashley thought to herself.
“Hey, do not lose hope”, Tales said, encouraged her friend. Shen then sat beside her bed.
Ashley pointed over to a paper and pen. When Tales gave them to her, she scribbled something on the paper because she could not talk with the oxygen.
“It got worse”, the letter said, and when Tales read it, she held her mouth. She then shed a tear, and her feelings seemed irrepressible. “Well, you’ll still be fine”, she finally said, feigning bravery while tears rolled down her cheeks. “I have to go”, she said evasively, and then rushed out of the room.
Before Ashley’s mother could stop Tales, she ran out because she was probably going to burst in tears outside.
“Pick her up!!”, people later shouted.
A car had crashed into Tales. She had crossed the road without looking in all directions. When night fell, Ashley’s breathing got heavier and she felt lightheaded. she then cried. Her mother woke up, and when she heard Ashley’s wheezing, she rushed out to call doctors.
“Save her! Save her!”, she said, shouting and crying uncontrollably.
“CPR”, one of the doctors suggested.
Even though the doctors were trying their best to save Ashley’s life, she knew she was taking her last breath. Her eyes finally dimmed and she slowly felt everything fading. She watched her mother cry and she spoke in her heart. “you said you will always be with us in Hebrews 13 verse 5, then why are you forsaking me? At least receive my spirit”, she said.
“We are losing her”, the doctors screamed.
Just when the doctor said those words, a man dressed in white appeared to Ashley. He was an angel, and Ashley had to squint her eyes to look at him because of how bright it was. The angel stretched out his hand.
“Come alive dry bones”, the Angel said.
Right then-and-there, Ashley felt something leave her chest. She suddenly could breathe properly, and that was when the angel vanished.
“She is coming back”, the doctors said.
Ashley could breathe again, so the doctors removed the oxygen. They then checked her and said everything was okay.
“Young lady this is a miracle. your COPD is gone. You have just been saved from the claws of death”, the doctor said, looking amazed.
Ashley’s mother hugged her daughter tightly, and they later went home. She wanted to tell Tales about everything, but when she got to her house, she found out that she had died the previous day afternoon in a road accident. Ashley then cried and soaked. She later decided she would become a motivation to others just like Tales did.
“That is my story. God loves you. He does wonders. Never judge a book by its cover. I thought Tales was one of the pompous girls, just because she was popular, but I was wrong. I was looking for love in the wrong places, but Jesus is the one true love. I learned it through her. Tales had faith in my recovery and I recovered. Doctors treat, but only God heals”, Ashley said one day, and then came down the stage. People applauded and cheered for her.
*This story was written to give hope to people who have been told to have incurable conditions or diseases like severe asthma, COPD, bronchitis, severe sinus etc. It’s a reminder that even though they constantly end up in hospital, they are loved by God and they will be healed one day*
THE END!!
Note: All characters and events in this blog's short stories, including those based on true-life events, are entirely fictitious. Names, characters, settings, and incidents are either made up by the author or utilized fictitiously. Any likeness to actual events or people, alive or dead, is completely coincidental. For additional information, please see our Disclaimer.