Un-Till Christmas

Harry's POV

Four months ago

The darkness was moving closer; crawling, running or flying, I couldn't say, all I know was it didn't stop coming after me no matter how much I run. Next thing I know, I found myself on the ground with a heavy stone settled on my right foot and even though I tried getting up and running, I still couldn't move an inch. As I looked up, I saw the darkness was near, screaming, the darkness consumed me.

I jerked away from my position and looked around me to note my surrounding, then it clicked, I was in my office.

What just happened! I rarely had dreams and any time I do, it was always a message. This time around, I just can't understand what sort of dream that was.

I was sweating, I mean drenched in my own sweats even though the A.C was on. I looked around to see if anything was unusual.

I got nothing. Nothing!

The soft sound of the AC and the tickling of the clock along with my unheavened breath were the only sounds in the office. I rubbed my face with my palm and I returned back to my seat to take a look at what I was doing before sleep enveloped me.

The documents before me took much of the time than what I had expected it to; it was a medical report of a patient that I'll be operating on tomorrow. I still have to go through the other files but I don't think I'll be able to do that tonight; I have a lot on my table. I was practically the only gynecologist available in the hospital where I work for that week, the others left for a seminar in London and I can't leave because of my family. I need to be here for them.

"Doctor Harry, it's eight already. You need to take your leave now" I had instructed one of the nurses in my department to remind me once its eight o'clock, so I'll take my leave from the hospital. Today is my daughter's first birthday and we're going to celebrate it at an amusement park. the dream and the fear that accompanied it vanished as I pushed it to the back of my mind as smile lingered on my face when I remembered my daughter.

"Thank you Marie, I'll take my leave now" I appreciated her and she smiled back before taking her leave.

I placed the document at the side of the table with the other documents, making a mental note to return back to it the next morning as early as possible. I removed the doctor's coat, picked up my phone and car key before proceeding to leave the office.

As I step into the elevator, I dialed my wife's number.

"Hey babe, I promise you I'm on my way already. Just wait for me outside the house, I'll come get you in five minutes"

"You need to fulfill your promise this time, you just can't keep us hanging like that everytime" She complained bitterly.

I couldn't blame her for the constant nagging; it has always been my fault. If I don't forget the anniversary, I'll be late to her birthday dinner or I won't even remember to ask her how she was fairing with work, home and Ken, our daughter.

After I realized the importance of this night to my home, I made up my mind to do my very best and that's one of the reasons why I've decided to take them to one of the best amusement parks in the state.

"I won't keep you guys hanging. I swear on my life, Ava. I'll be there very soon"

"Fulfill your promise. Ken is already looking up to that"

"I will. I love you babe"

"We love you too, be home soon" We ended the call and I focused my attention back on the road.

I met my wife when I was in Senior high school, she was my junior but still I fell in love with that. She was this gentle, easy going and beautiful young lady, and she was absolutely my type.

I walked up to her one day and then boom, from there, the whole thing started. Seven years later, we got married and we've been together since then. We can't say it has been a smooth ride but it has been good so far.

I smiled widely immediately I saw my apartment and once I was outside, I honked so she'll know that I was outside.

I saw her come out of the house with Ken in her arms smiling at the fact that I was actually there.

"Thank God you showed up, I would have strangled you to death" she placed Ken at the back seat before she takes the seat next to me and placed a kiss on my cheek.

"Awwn, I'm blushing" I grinned widely "use your seatbelt Mrs" I instructed and she rolled her eyes at me before using the seatbelt.

"Hey princess" I smiled at Ken who was busy playing with one of her toys. "My gorgeous, beautiful and charming peanut" I ruffled her hair and she looked up before trying to take hold my hand.

"Where are you taking us?" She asked

"It's a surprise" I replied

"You know I hate surprises"

"You'll love this one, I promise"

"Will I love it as much as I love you?" She brought out her lipstick so as to apply it on her dry lips

"You'll love it more" I replied

"I can't wait for this surprise then"

"So, how was your day?" I asked Ava and she looked at me suspiciously before she replied.

"Awesome and the fact that you're actually here and asking how my day went made the day gorgeous" She replied happily

"Can a day be Gorgeous?" I asked playfully.

"Don't worry about that, only I understand. I hate this seatbelt, it always press my stomach down and I feel sick afterwards" I wanted to stop her from removing the seat belt but I was stopped by the ringing of my phone.

"This is Dr Harry, what is the problem?" It was a call from the hospital and I knew it was an emergency because I instructed them not to call me unless it was very urgent and important.

"I'm really sorry for calling you at the crucial time" Nurse Marie apologized

"Just go straight to the point, what is going on nurse?"

"You need to focus on the road Harry, it's a highway. Anything can happen" Ava complained from beside me.

"Just five minutes babe, I'll be done" I replied her before talking back to the nurse

"It's the patient you operated on today, she's bleeding sir and we can't stop it. You need to come to the hospital right now"

"Okay, I'll be on my way but you need to do something for me, go back into the hospital and get Dr Felix...." My attention was divided as I was trying to ignore Ava's warning which has turned to scream and giving the nurse the instruction on what to do that I didn't notice a truck coming our way.

I tried all my possible best to drive away from the road to avoid any collision with the truck but only to realize that the car was already in front of us. It was too late.

All I heard last was Ava's screams, all I felt last was the impact of the heavy truck on ours and all I saw last was darkness surrounding the cloud. Darkness! Darkness enveloped me just like I dreamed.

Chapter 2

Forgetting you

Harry's POV

It has been four months since that tragedy strucked and it has been four months since my life was Normal. Lost three previous gems on the same day and bet it with it, I can actually say this is what my patient's family feel and I feel way worse than that.

I woke up in the ICU two weeks after that accident and it was all dark, my colleagues and friends were all there beside me trying to get to me and help me through that dark moment, but nothing worked, not even the whimpering of my mother every night or the elevating talks of my pastor as he used to say.

The first thing I did when I woke up was to ask for my family and they told me they were fine. Fine, and yet I couldn't see them for two days straight up. Today is the day when I'll finally get to see my family, I'm leaving the intensive care unit to a normal Ward and I'll get to see Ava and Ken.

"How do you feel Harry?" One of the doctors in charge asked

"I'm good except for this bandage round my face. I can't wait for it to be removed so I'll see my family" I was excited at the fact that I was going to see my family and that allowed me to push back the discomfort I get from this bandage around my face that had been there since I woke up.

"Okay, that's good news from you though" he replied. "So, Harry, I'm really sorry but I have good news and bad news about your eyes"

My heart almost stopped at that but I had to summon up the courage for my family.

"Which one first?, Good news or bad news?"

"Give me the bad news first"

"Okay, from the accident, shreds of glass entered your eyes and that is really bad. I'm sorry Harry, you've lost your vision"

Swallowing hard, I replied "what's the good news?"

"The good news is that, your vision is not completely gone, but maybe sixty something percent of it. We'll be able to confirm that when you go for a proper test and that will be now. After that, we'll transfer you to a normal Ward and you'll get to go home few days after that" he explained and I responded.

I was taken to another room not without the help of my mother, the bandage was taken off and I was told not to open my eyes till I was taken to the front of a small optical machine that was used to perform several test.

"We'll get back to you about the result but till then you should stay around. We all are praying for a good result for you. You'll be fine Harry" the doctor promised after placing the bandage back on my face.

"So, can I get to see Ava and Ken now. Even if I can't see them with my eyes, at least, I want to hear their voices" My mother was silent for a while

"Mom, is everything okay?, Are you there?" I asked

"I'm here son, we'll talk about Ava and Ken later. Let's just focus on your health right now"

"Do you want me to remove this bandage and start screaming for my wife and daughter before someone bring them to me?, Is it until I turn this hospital upside down before you let me know where my wife and daughter is?" I asked angrily.

"You need to calm down, Harry"

"Excuse me for a second there, calm down?. Who are you to even tell me to calm down?, I asked who are you?" I screamed

"I'm Felix, your sister's fiancee" he replied

"Whatever, I want to see my wife and daughter, where are they?, Do you want me to go find them myself?"

"You have to calm down and listen to me Harry. It's only if you call down that we'll be able to explain everything to you"

"Okay, I'm calm. So please explain to me and I'll really be grateful for that" I said with my heart beating really fast.

"About your daughter, Ken, she really was a fighter. She fought well, I swear for a one year old child, she really did. She fought for more than five days but the wounds we're too much for a toddler, we were all there when it happened and we prayed for her. I'm sorry Harry, Ken is gone"

I shaked my head in disbelief of what I just heard. This can't be happening. My baby just can't die like that, she's too small for all that. She's too small.

I was screaming and I was the only person who could hear it, it was all in my head. Life is so pathetic, no, it's my life that's pathetic.

"What about Ava?, Where is she?"

I asked admist tears, the same tears that was been soaked away by the bandages even before they could reach my eyes.

"She was still alive about an hour ago, she was in coma just like you were but she never woke up. She surrendered to her creator an hour ago. She was a fighter too Harry. They might be two tiny creatures but they are the most beautiful and strongest too. I Know heaven is really glad to receive them back home" it was my mother who responded this time around.

Ever since I became a neurosurgeon, all I did was deliver bad and good news to my patients and their family, I never knew it could be my turn someday.

"Life is so unfair, it is so unfair" I could feel my mother's hand around me, hugging me tightly and telling me everything will be fine.

I didn't wait at the hospital after that, I went home and sat on a spot for more than three days with nothing than hope that my girls will come back to me but none of it happened.

My remaining family which include my mother, sister and her fiance insisted that I stay in town so the doctors will be able to take good care of me but I insisted on going back to the country side with my mother.

I don't want to see the world without my girls and now that they're gone, I don't have any reason to be there anymore. I don't even want my eyesight back.

Their funeral was organized by my mom and I sat down there listening to the priest's sermon and at that moment, I wanted my vision back for a few minutes so I'll see my family again but one part of me is grateful that the wish was not granted. I would have lost my sanity if I saw them like that, lying there like a piece of wood.

My bandage was removed few days after and I was allowed to open my eyes to nothing, all I can see is just faint light, nothing more, nothing less.

It's been four months since their death and yet nothing has changed, our plans for Christmas will never come to pass because they're no longer here to fufill those plans and wishes with me.

It's been four months since I last saw my girls and it's been four months that I cry in secret every night because I miss them and tonight is one of those nights.

CHAPTER 3

"I still insist on getting you a nurse brother. No matter what you say, you're getting a nurse" Me and Veronica, would happen to be my nightmare of a sister had been on this issue ever since I moved here.

She is always on my neck about this nurse issue and I don't want that type of life where someone is always at your back, watching your every step.

"I'm not handicap, I'm capable of doing things on my own. You need to stop all these" I used my walking stick to hit the table before me so as to let them Know I was serious about it.

"If not that you're partially blind, you would have seen the reaction on my face when you said you're not handicapped"

"Yeah, just rub it all on my face. Keep adding salt to my already open wound, please continue to tell me that I'm blind. I'll really appreciate that"

"That's not the point here, you always change the topic anytime I bring this nurse issue up, I'm not trying to hurt you by reminding you about your sight or anything, stop being like this for Christ sake"

"I'm not trying to be anyhow, I'm just trying to let my voice be heard. I'm only blind, I've got my hands and my legs. So leave me alone please"

I said

"Why are you like this?, The Harry I know will never talk like that, you've changed and I mean a lot"

"You're asking a man who lost his wife and daughter and also lost his vision within two weeks why he's like this" I said pointing to myself. "Like you want me to ignore the fact that everything in my life is gone and move on and smile, laugh and play snookers with you" I asked angrily

"What will you use to play the snookers?, You want to borrow my eyes?" She laughed "see brother, im sorry I reacted like that but it's just that I'm not used to this you. It's strange somehow, I'm sorry"

"Apology accepted partially and I'll only accept it totally if you'll give me some of the cake you've been baking" I joked and with the movements that followed, I realized she had placed a plate in front of me and also guided my hand to the fork.

"Oh my God, this is delicious. You should open your own cake shop when you get married, I bet you'll sell more than mom" I said

"Thank you but back to the nurse issue"

"Okay stop, you're too adamant for my liking. I don't like girls who are too adamant"

"I thought you don't like wild, sassy girls bruh"

"In addition to that is adamant girls too. You're becoming so ugly in my mind right now" I replied

"You need to agree to this nurse thing, mom is never around these days, she's either at a wedding of a client or a birthday ceremony of a client. Her business is growing fast and you know how much she loves baking cake. About me, you Know I'll be getting married soon, I won't be here forever and always so you need someone who will be able to help you with stuffs"

Things would have being different if and only if, that event didn't happen.

"I don't want to be a liability to anyone of you" I told her

"You're not a liability brother, not now not ever" she affirmed

"You remember when we were kids and we used to play like family. Where you got married before me and had twelve kids, you remember right?"

"You always tried having more kids than I then, so I kept increasing the number of kids till it reached twelve. I knew then that you wouldn't want to increase yours too and that big Derek who used to bully us then because we won't share our candy with him"

"He was a real bully back then"

"Even though he was, you ended up beating him up and you told him to stay away from me. I was so proud of you"

"I told myself I'll always protect you but now I guess it's the other way round"

"No bro, it's not like that. You've protected me enough, now is my turn to do that"

"Okay, do enough if all these emotional talks, I hate it. So, who is this nurse you'll hire for me"

"Don't worry, you should know her. In Fact she's someone you know"

"Can you pass me a glass of water?" Few seconds later, my hand was guided to the glass of water and the touch was different. Maybe someone else was around but it's not necessary asking who.

"What's her name?" I asked after gulping down the water to a satisfactory point.

"June" she replied

"Wait, same June from high school. Your childhood best friend, you mean the same June Sandler"

"Yes" She replied laughing.

She Knows how much I dislike June and her lifestyle, not like I hate her as a person but the fact that I hate her wold, sassy behaviour is true. I've known her since I was in junior high school and she's everyday trouble. She was always getting Veronica in trouble and it got to an extent that they were arrested. She's bad news in one word.

"Do you have a gun there?, I'll rather die than let her be beside me all day, she's one hell of a nightmare"

"If she's nightmare then what is she doing here in broad daylight?" I was trying to comprehend what she said when someone tapped me on the shoulder

"Hey Harry, long Time no see" Right there, my death judgement was passed.