[CERPEN] THE LIGHT

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim....

Looks like I can't wait any longer, plus I will be away from my laptop for some time after this... So I decided to post up my story earlier than IMAM. I hope we can all learn something from this, and become a better person, a better doctor, and a better muslim, inshaaAllah. 

THE LIGHT

The room was quiet. Everything was still, except for a figure sitting at the table, totally absorbed in what he was doing. Even the crickets are afraid to make any noise which will disturb his attention. His concentration was so great; his eyes glistened with each word he read from the thick book. His lips were pursed, and his brows met as a straight line as he finished yet another chapter from the book after 4 hours of non-stop reading.

Slowly, he smiled. He took off his glasses, and massaged his eyes which were sore and exhausted from the exercise. The smile changed into a laugh. Now, he’ll be sure to win the favor of his lecturer during their class tomorrow. He can no longer stand Syazwan’s greediness to be the best in all subjects. That good-for-nothing-know-it-all! I’ll show you how low the grounds can be!

His life had been a life full of competitions. Ever since he was little, he was often compared to the other kids of how he will perform, in his studies, as well as in his life. He was brought up that way. And now, even after entering the university, he always strived to be the best among them, just to keep his pride. Habits die hard. He will only be satisfied by being on the top.

Yawning, he peeked at his watch. A quarter past 4 in the morning. Oh well, 2 hours of sleep will have to suffice. He quickly performed the subuh prayers, slipped under the blanket and snored away into his own dreams…

Bam! Bam!

His eyes rolled in their sockets, still hesitant to open themselves. He grunted and pulled the blanket higher up, covering his head to ward off the noise that interrupted his peaceful slumber.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

There it went again. Who was it? Who dared to bang on his door when the sign of ‘Do Not Disturb!’ was clearly hanging on the doorknob?! Who’s stupid enough to wake him up even though it was not morning yet?

Or was it?

“Asyraf! Wake up!!! You’ll be late for the test, dude!”

His body automatically sprung up from the bed. THE TEST!!!

He sprinted into the bathroom, brushed his teeth, splashed some water to freshen up his face, and grabbed a pair of jeans and a fresh T-shirt. With no more time to delay, he simply scooped some hair gel, and went for the messy hairdo. Hm… not bad, handsome! After the quick glimpse of himself in the mirror to make sure that he’s presentable enough, he dashed out to catch the very next train to his university.

The subway was packed with people - students, teachers, clerks, and managers, though it’s already 10 o’clock in the morning. Usually,  the morning crowd would have lessened by this time of day. Did something happen?

Ignoring his curiosity, he waited, like everyone else for the next train to the center of Moscow. Everyone was restless as they all knew that they’re going to be late for whatever purpose that they need to fulfill. About ten minutes later, the long-awaited train arrived, and everybody quickly got on board. Asyraf sighed softly as he took out his notebook for a quick revision as the train slowly left the station.

Suddenly, a loud explosion was heard and the train shook sideways due to its strong force. There was a loud chatter between the passengers as the train slowed down, until it reached to a complete stop. Everyone rushed to the windows to try to peek at what was going on, but with no success. The tunnel was pitch black. And so were the insides of the train, when the electricity was cut off a few seconds later.

Boom!

It was another explosion, but nearer than the previous one. The windows cracked, and with the light from the blast, dust and bricks can be seen everywhere. Everybody panicked and screamed. Little children cried for their mothers, and mothers called for their children. Crash! The tough boys smashed the windows to try to escape from the unknown danger. Cries of pain were heard as they trampled onto each other to save their own lives.

Asyraf was tugged along with the sea of people to board off the train. He was shocked, and lost himself for a moment. His body stiffened like a statue, while his mind was emptied. All that came out from his lips were: Ya Allah! Ya Allah!

Bang!

“Everybody, please do not panic!”

A well built man in a uniform stood confidently in the middle of the crowd, while his partner rushed to the front of the train to contact for help. He held a flashlight, and was putting his gun back into the case where it belongs. Then, he faced the crowd once again.

“Please, calm down as we try to investigate what had happened. It would really help us if everyone get on board and wait patiently as we try to call for help and decide what should be done to overcome this incident. Meanwhile, please do not wander off into the tunnel as it is not safe!”

“And what should we do as we wait? Pray to God?” A husky voice shouted.

“What’s wrong with that? This is the time to pray our hardest and repent for our sins!” Another man replied.

“What about my son? He’s injured!” A worried mom sought for help.

“Mommy! Mommy! Where are you?” A child was seen wandering alone, searching vigorously for his mother.

“Help! I think I broke my leg!”

“Where’s my bag? Where’s my bag?”

Everybody started to talk all at once, complaining of their problems. Some climbed back into the train, while the others remain in the tunnel. Asyraf was about to regain himself when the roof of the tunnel unexpectedly shook and collapsed onto the middle part of the train, burying everything underneath it. Women screamed and it was havoc all over again.

The officer bravely moved towards the rubble, while looking up occasionally to make sure that the roof will not fall down for a second time on top of him. Weak moans can be heard from underneath.

“Quick, I need men to help me save these people! Come on, lads! Be a man!”

Slowly, one by one young men appeared to the front to help the rescue mission. Several passengers were already found dead, while the others were severely injured. The tunnel reeked of blood. The officer tried to save more passengers, but the roof shook once again and threatened to collapse for the second time. The officer was forced to stop his efforts.

“Are there any doctors here? We need doctors!”

Asyraf stiffened. He looked right and left, but no one came forward. The officer called out once again for volunteers, but still, not a soul budged from his or her position.

Come on, Asyraf! Volunteer! You are a medical student, are you not? This is the time to use all those knowledge that you have been chasing all along! Don’t be such a chicken and let’s use that brain and skills to help these poor people!

He breathed deeply. He was afraid. Suddenly his mind went blank, as if he had never read anything about medicine before. He had never blanked out like this before, ever, even when the examinations were tough. Yes, he studied real hard to get the best scores among his peers. But, today was different.

It was the real deal.

“Doctors! We need doctors!”

An old woman came forward. “I worked as a nurse, can I help?” she said softly with a trembling voice. The officer nodded and led her to where the survivors were placed.

“Anyone else? Please, come forward and help!”

Asyraf struggled with himself. What should he do? Should he just sit here and pretend not to know anything? Or should he be brave like the old woman who offered her services to treat their wounds?

‘But what if I made them worse? Oh, what should I do???’ He thought.

All of a sudden, it dawned upon him. He did not study for the sake of the knowledge, but only for the sake of the fame, and the money it will bring him. All that he cared for was to defeat everyone else and to be the best in his year. He never thought that this time will come, where he would have to prove the practicality of all the topics that he had studied.

He was ashamed of himself.

He stood up, and said, “Me! I… I’m not a doctor, but… I’m a… medical student. Can… can I…?”

“Come, son! We need all the help that we can get!”

He was ushered to the victims as well, and their moans of pain pierced his ears as he approached them. He looked at the old woman earlier, and their eyes met. Her eyes were strong and full of hope, while her lips smiled as if nothing bad had happened. Where did she gain her calmness?

“Come. Help me stop the bleeding from this young man’s wounded forearm. You know how to apply a tourniquet, right?” The lady asked softly.

“Ye…Yes… What do I use… for the tourniquet?” he asked.

“Well, your belt will do. Make sure to check it regularly after this. We do not want his wound to worsen.”

Asyraf quickly obeyed the woman’s instructions. The bleeding stopped and the man seemed a lot calmer now. Asyraf was about to go to another patient, when the man grasped the end of his T shirt and said those magical words.

“Thank you.”

Asyraf was surprised by the man’s gratitude. But what’s better, he was happy. He smiled, and nodded. Out of the blue, he gained confidence and urge to help the others. All he could think of was to save them, and to decrease their pain as they all waited for help to arrive. Until then, he will be their salvation.

He stopped several bleedings, patched a few lacerations, and splinted some broken bones. All of the victims whom he treated thanked him, and it was enough to make him more eager to help the others. It was only now that he understood the real meaning of helping others. The real meaning of being a doctor.

And this isn’t even a glimpse of it.

A woman’s sudden scream surprised everyone. One by one, the rubbles are pushed from the other side, Voices can be heard, giving instructions and precautions to the other rescue team members. 

And the last thing that Asyraf remembered…

There was light.

7 years later…

“Quick! Stop the bleeding, check for the blood type and get the infusion ready! Prepare to make x-rays and ultrasound. Make sure the blood pressure doesn’t go any lower!”

Without any hesitation, Asyraf gave orders to the staff nurse to be completed to treat the new patient that was brought in only a few seconds ago. He mustn’t waste any time, as it will endanger the patient’s life. Once the patient is stable, that is when he will feel relieved and satisfied.

That was the last patient of the day. He had worked for 36 hours straight, but he was not even slightly tired. He looked around the department, and put the stethoscope back around his neck. This is his world now. This is his home.

Yes, everything happened for a reason. And if it wasn't for the incident 7 years ago, he wouldn't have realized the joy in helping the patients. He wouldn't learn how to be sincere in his actions. He thanked God as He had led him back to the right path, a path where he could give, while waiting for nothing in return. A path where he belongs.

Say, ‘Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah , Lord of the worlds.’ (Al-An’am: 162)

He made a step slowly, leaving his friend who was sleeping on the wooden table. “Click. Click.” The black pen in his hand was clicked several times. The path he had chosen was not a game. His mistakes, one could suffer. This is his life. A life as a doctor.

-end-

Please, do comment yeah? =)