DIANA

By Charity Ngwenya

Chapter 1

Scene 1:3

Diana was eating, she goblled up all the spaghetti and meat in a rather awkward manner. Grandma stood at a distance and watched, unnoticed by Diana,

“Is that how you eat when you are with your boyfriend?”

“Yes, is there something wrong with the way I eat? Noone has ever complained.”

“Well that’s a story for another day. I didn’t believe them when they said like mother like daughter. Your mother looked at me and lied in my face telling me you went out shopping. She doesn’t know that you are here with me.”

They both laughed at this, grandma started to make jokes about how she used to lie to her parents. The conversation ended up with grandma teaching Diana how to eat and behave like a lady. At some point Diana shouted and complained but grandma didn’t give a damn.

When they were done grandma made coffee for the two of them,

“Thanks for the coffee grandma” said Diana and grandma only smiled. Diana seemed lost in thoughts. All that came to her mind was the strange man and his son in hospital. Something within her urged her to donate a kidney for the boy but she was a bit hesitant, unsure of what consequences she might bear in the future.

“Sometimes if you don’t do what the heart desires, you will live with the guilt of not doing the right thing for the rest of your life” were grandma’s words after Diana told her everything.

Diana stood up and dashed off to the hospital. The strange man was in his son’s room, holding his hand whilst his head rested on the bed as tears gushed out of his eyes. In my culture they say that if you see a man cry, know that the pain is deeper than you anticipated. That was the day when he had given up, he had charged the hospital staff to switch off the machines that gave life to his son. He wanted only an hour to say his goodbyes. He just wanted his son to sleep and rest in peace, nothing was left for him anymore.

“Maybe they can run a few tests on me and if I am a match. I will help.”

The strange man, raised his wet face and mourned as he looked at Diana,

“It’s too late” he continued mourning.

Diana drew closer to him, knelt before him and held both his hands in hers. Her touch gave him hope, this touch reminded him of his long lost love. He pushed Diana away in shock as she brought back all the buried memories. He had vowed to forget all about that woman but now Diana stood there, in front of him, a mere photocopy of that same person who chose another man instead of him. After coming back from the past and realising that Diana was now his last hope. He took her to the Doctor who agreed to run all the tests.

“We have two options, if you want the test results today you are going to pay double the amount but if you can wait for 3 days then…”

“Doctor, I want the results today. Money is not a problem”

After the tests, Diana set in a bench in front of the Doctor’s office. The strange man paced up and down.

“What’s your name by the way. I am Mr Luke.”

“Diana” She couldn’t say more than this as the fear of seeing the results engulfed her. She was afraid of all the outcomes.

After about 3 hours of curiosity the Doctor came out. He confirmed that Diana was a match. She called grandma to come and support her during the surgery and transplant.

The transplant was a success. Luke’s son gained his consciousness in a few hours. Luke was more than elated and grateful to see his son back to life. Grandma cried her eyes out because Diana remained unconscious and she had to call Diana’s family to the hospital……..

To be continued…..