Day 1: The Grim Reality
As the morning light filtered through the makeshift curtains of the infirmary, Emily sat beside Hruday, her brow furrowed with worry. Despite the antibiotics and painkillers they had managed to retrieve, Hruday's condition wasn't improving as quickly as she'd hoped. The infection had been partially subdued, but his body was still weak—too weak.
Emily knew what needed to be done, but the thought of it made her stomach churn. She had discussed it with Michael and Roy the night before, and though they all agreed, the risks were daunting.
Hruday needed a blood transfusion.
His blood loss had been severe, and despite their best efforts, his body wasn't producing enough on its own. Without a transfusion, his chances of survival were slim. The problem was, that they were in the middle of a ruined city, with no proper equipment, and only a rough idea of everyone's blood types.
The Decision
Michael and Roy entered the infirmary, their faces set with determination. Emily looked up at them, her expression mirroring their resolve.
"We need to do the transfusion today," Emily said, her voice steady but tinged with apprehension. "I've checked the supplies we brought back, and we have the basics. It's not ideal, but it's our best shot."
Michael nodded, his jaw clenched. "We don't have a choice. If we don't do this, he won't make it."
Roy, who had been quiet throughout most of the discussions, finally spoke up. "I'll donate," he said, his voice firm. "I'm O positive. It should be compatible."
Emily looked at him, relief washing over her. "Thank you, Roy. But you need to understand, this is risky. We don't have the proper equipment, and if anything goes wrong, he might…"
"I know," Roy interrupted, his gaze unwavering. "But it's Hruday. He'd do the same for any of us."
Emily nodded, her respect for Roy growing. "Alright. Let's get started."
Emily had cleared out one of the makeshift cots in the infirmary, setting up what little equipment they had. Michael helped her sterilize the tools, while Roy prepared himself for the procedure. The atmosphere was tense, the gravity of the situation hanging over them like a dark cloud.
Hruday was barely conscious, his breathing shallow and his skin pale. Emily approached him, gently brushing a hand against his forehead.
"Hruday," she whispered, "we're going to do a blood transfusion. You're going to be okay."
Hruday's eyes fluttered open for a moment, his gaze unfocused. He tried to speak, but all that came out was a weak groan. Emily squeezed his hand, trying to convey all the reassurance she could through that single gesture.
The procedure itself was a harrowing experience for all involved. Emily worked with a focus that bordered on desperation, her hands steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides. Michael stood by, ready to assist with whatever was needed, while Roy lay on the cot next to Hruday, his own blood slowly being transferred.
The minutes stretched into what felt like hours, the only sounds in the room the soft beeping of a heart monitor they had salvaged from the hospital and the occasional rustle of movement.
Finally, Emily stepped back, her face pale but determined. "It's done," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Now we just have to wait."
The hours that followed were some of the longest the group had ever experienced. Hruday's condition remained critical, but there were signs—small, barely noticeable signs—that the transfusion had helped.
Emily monitored him closely, checking his vitals every hour. She knew they were far from out of the woods, but for the first time in days, there was a glimmer of hope.
Michael and Roy stayed by Hruday's side, their exhaustion evident in the dark circles under their eyes and the slump of their shoulders. But neither of them was willing to leave, not until they knew for sure that Hruday was going to pull through.
It wasn't until the early hours of the next morning that Hruday's condition began to stabilize. His breathing, while still labored, became more regular, and his color started to return. Emily finally allowed herself a small sigh of relief.
"He's going to make it," she said, turning to Michael and Roy with a tired smile. "It's still going to be a long recovery, but the worst is over."
Michael closed his eyes, relief washing over him like a tidal wave. "Thank God," he muttered, his voice thick with emotion. "I knew he'd make it."
Roy, who had been uncharacteristically quiet since the transfusion, finally spoke up. "I wasn't so sure," he admitted, his voice shaking slightly. "I thought we might lose him."
Michael reached over, placing a comforting hand on Roy's shoulder. "But we didn't," he said, his tone firm. "He's a fighter, just like the rest of us. We're going to get through this."
Roy nodded, but the fear hadn't completely left his eyes. "I hope you're right," he said softly. "I really do."
On the third day after the transfusion, Hruday finally began to stir. His eyes fluttered open, taking in the dim light of the infirmary. He felt weak, more exhausted than he had ever been in his life, but he was alive.
Emily was the first to notice he was awake. She quickly moved to his side, a smile breaking across her face. "Hruday, welcome back," she said softly. "You had us all worried."
Hruday tried to respond, but his throat was too dry. Emily handed him a small cup of water, helping him drink slowly.
As the cool liquid soothed his parched throat, Hruday's mind started to clear. He looked around the room, taking in the concerned faces of his friends.
"Hey," he croaked out, his voice barely above a whisper. "What… happened?"
Michael stepped forward, a relieved smile on his face. "You had us scared for a while," he said, his tone light. "But you pulled through. We did a blood transfusion, and it worked."
Hruday nodded slowly, his mind struggling to piece together the events that had led him here. "Thanks… for saving me," he murmured, his eyes flickering with gratitude.
Roy, who had been standing off to the side, finally spoke up. "We're just glad you're okay," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Don't scare us like that again."
Hruday managed a weak smile, but it quickly faded as he became aware of a new, humiliating problem. His body had needs, and he was too weak to take care of them on his own.
He shifted uncomfortably, trying to find the right words. "Um… I need help," he mumbled, his face flushing with embarrassment.
Emily immediately understood, her expression softening. "It's okay, Hruday," she said gently. "We'll take care of it."
Despite her reassurances, Hruday felt a wave of humiliation wash over him as Emily helped him onto a makeshift bedpan. The process was awkward and uncomfortable for both of them, but Emily remained professional, doing her best to make him feel less embarrassed.
When it was over, Hruday closed his eyes, wishing he could disappear. This wasn't how he had imagined his recovery—being so helpless, so reliant on others for the most basic of needs.
Over the next few days, Hruday's condition continued to improve, but the embarrassing moments had increased. He hated how dependent he had become, how he had to rely on Emily or his friends to help him with even the most basic tasks.
what made worse were thier reaction and comments michal damm man i always wonderend why you were so protective in the toilet always delibratly avoiding i though you were small but mann was your gradfather a African
hruday glared at him " shut up" after a day later roy coughed while helping hruday Michael couldn't hold it in laughed this so toxic i bet it would melt this pan itself if didn't dispose of it now roy coughing man how are pissing and shitting so much were is it coming from
hruday was weak if it wasn't for it we would have killed him what made it worse was Emily was giggling from embarrassment hruday wanted to die
But as the days passed, he began to realize that this experience was teaching him something important. He didn't always have to be the strong one, the one who carried the weight of the group on his shoulders. He had people he could rely on, people who cared about him and would be there for him when he needed them.
And that was something worth fighting for he started to discuss about other things with them.
Micheal said were u conscious when scout leader had come hruday said yes i am sure he put something my voice is like this because of him
frowning Micheal said we need to do something about him he has been acting up while bringing medicine from the hospital he tried to trap me I barely escaped and i don't have proof I cant do anything about
hruday said wait what you went to that hotspot how then realised his eyes turning dark and then he said thank you for keeping me alive Micheal said common you would have done the same hruday took a pause and thought would I?
Micheal explained the whole situation hearing all this Roy said we need to get stronger
Roy said yes he is acting around like he owns and makes me do things in front of others and shakes my hair treating me like a pet it makes my blood boil
Micheal said the scout leader now has a group of his own he has joined hands with those criminals they even tried to take the gun from hecter if we had them he would have been able to take it we have to deal with them
hruday had a dark thought but did not want to share it In fact, it wasn't just a thought anymore but he had let him be because of public perception and the book has changed his entire mindset so he was reluctant to share anything even his friends he knew troy was out of the question but roy and Micheal seem like true friends and he hated that he questioned their friends ship for a second clearing his thought
hruday said I will think something about it