Strategic thinking, creative writing
  • About
  • Services
    • Coaching
    • English laundry
  • Free Trial
  • Clients
  • Blog

Let's converse

He already paid

28/3/2020

3 Comments

 
He has not walked or talked for years. He is always on the bed. The only movement you notice is in one eye. Just barely. He breathes, so he is alive.
Then one day, the inevitable. A bed sore. It was deep and infected.
The world was locked down on account of the corona pandemic. But he had to be taken to the hospital. The wound required cleaning and dressing. The doctor hoped to discharge him after a week.
The hospital was under pressure. His condition was stable enough. The wound was healing, but slowly. One of the nurses agreed to come home every day for the dressing. For 15 days. So, he was discharged on the third day.
The nurse arrived in the afternoon the next day. She did a good job. Patiently. With great care.
As she was about to leave, I asked her about her fees. That was when I noticed the tears in her eyes.
“Years ago, we used to meet almost every evening. He would be on his walk and I would be returning from the hospital. One day he stopped to talk. He was amazed that I was walking a long distance back from the hospital. Maybe I should try a scooter, he had suggested. That became a routine. We would pause for a chat. He would always say something funny. Thanks to that I would reach home smiling, the day’s tension forgotten. I wish I could return the favor now. But he does not know me, cannot hear me.”
She wiped her tears and opened the gate. She paused. “No, you don’t have to pay me anything. He already paid, a long time ago.”
(Based on a true incident.)
3 Comments
Srinagesh Simha
28/3/2020 02:18:04 pm

Very touching. Thank you for sharing

Reply
Gus Mendonca
28/3/2020 03:45:55 pm

A truly emotional incident ...wonderfully portrayed in your writing.
Thanks for sharing.

This endorses the fact...."In giving....you receive".

Reply
Rita Singh
29/3/2020 08:41:55 am

So touching and true to life.there are many Good Samritans on this earth.They keep doing their duties.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Author

    Vijayakumar Kotteri

    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Book Extract
    Cancer
    Compassionate Care
    Covid 19
    Covid-19
    CSR
    Musings
    On Communications
    Stories On The Go
    Unseen Faces

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    August 2021
    April 2021
    September 2020
    August 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    September 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016

    Earlier posts
Picture
COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT
BLOG WRITING
ENGLISH LAUNDRY
COACHING IN WRITING
PICK WHAT YOU NEED

© 1996-2023. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
​PRIVACY POLICY
  • About
  • Services
    • Coaching
    • English laundry
  • Free Trial
  • Clients
  • Blog