Make me forget how i ran barefooted on those street, make me forget how i screamed at night for help under the rain with blood streaming from my body, make me forget the ruthlessness of that night as rain soaked me and the thunder roared over my plea for help... Make me forget.
It all started on a Friday morning. My Sister 'Laura' had been sick for three weeks and her health wasn't getting any better, it kept deteriorating despite medications both medical and herbal. Laura was my immediate Elder Sister. She was such a bright, happy, intelligent and joyful soul to have around. If Laura wasn't around or sick, everyone would feel it because her energy always lit up the face of everyone around, just like this time. For the first week of her ailments, she kept trying to push herself beyond her strength to be her natural self but she couldn't, sometimes she would collapse while trying to walk and it only got worse as the days went by.
This particular Friday, she had a doctor's appointment and i was to accompany her to it. From our place to the hospital was about an hour's drive.
After i had prepared her, assisting her to bath and put on her clothes, I quickly hurried to go prepare as well. On coming back to her so we could start going, she had already removed the shirt i put on her. I asked why and she said she was tired and didn't feel like going anymore. My Mom and i insisted she went for the appointment so things doesn't get so bad (i wish we didn't). After so much pressure, she agreed and i assisted her to put on her shirt and jacket.
We had to use public transport as we didn't have a car. Getting a public transport wasn't an easy feet. Laura couldn't stand on her own so i had to support and also try to get a taxi at the same time. Finally, we got a taxi and arrived at the hospital.
When we got to the Hospital, the Nurse told us the doctor had an emergency call outside the hospital and had to quickly go for it. She advised us to wait that he would soon be back. As soon as i heard that, i knew we were in for an episode. My mom kept calling at intervals, she's quite elderly so she didn't come along.
After what seem like two hours+ of waiting, i went back to the Nurse to complain and she said we should be patient, the doctor was already aware that he had people waiting at the hospital. I didn't have any option so i went back to where we were sitted. Laura didn't have appetite to eat anything so she could only take water. I kept trying to keep her engaged with random conversations and videos online but she didn't seem to be in the mood.
After another long wait, the clouds were forming and some people were leaving, i went back to the Nurse and she said The doctor wasn't going to come till Night shift. I was furious and retorted
"When were you going to tell us! You left people in critical condition waiting for nothing"
The time was already about 6:30pm so we could not wait any longer especially because that location was known for all kinds of mischief at night and it was about to rain.
The distance from the hospital to the junction where we could get a taxi was a long walk. I asked about two cars that were leaving the hospital if they could give us a ride to the junction but they couldn't for various reasons.
I tried to piggyback Laura for some distance and after a while when i got tired i dropped her so she could walk by herself which was very slow. The worse happened, the rain started pouring heavily and we were more closer to the junction than the hospital at this point so i took Laura on my back again even though i was literally exhausted and hurried as much as i could towards the junction.
We finally got to it and it was empty, was it the rain? I couldn't even find one taxi in sight. We had to hide under a big tree which was the only shade there, even though the tree didn't do much.
I hugged Laura to increase the warmth and when i felt her shivering, i couldn't help but let those hot tears stream down my eyes. The worst was still lurking around.
It was already dark and i could see a huge man coming from a distance, with a hoodie and both hands in his pocket. He was walking at a fast pace towards our direction. When he got to us he said
One thing i forgot to mention about Laura is that she's stubborn.
"No, we won't. We are stranded and..." Laura said with all the strength she had still shivering before the man pushed her to the ground, collected my bag and reached out for Laura's pocket. And as she tried to guard her pocket, he stabbed her with the knife and i let out a scream. He took Laura's phone, held her both legs and dragged her through the ground. Her legs were up, her back and head to the ground as he pulled her. Maybe as a punishment for resistance.
I shouted while crying " Please! She is sick!!!!!" and went to pull her hands from the opposite direction. Everything happened so fast.
He let her legs hit the ground and took off running.
My heart had never experienced such pain as i held Laura in my hands to check if she was still alive. She was breathing but blood kept running from her side onto my body. I ran barefooted crying and shouting for help to anyone that could hear me. But no one came through. The thunder made it difficult.
I went back to Laura, pulled my shirt and tied around her waist as i had always seen in movies to reduce the blood.
After was seemed like seven minutes, the hospital's ambulance truck was heading back to the hospital when i ran towards it screaming for help. Thankfully it stopped and they came out to help me carry Laura.
After everything, Laura was no more after a week in the hospital.
I feel so many emotions when i think of that day; pain, guilt, fear, sadness and regret.
These images keep playing over and over in my head, from how that day started till the end, please make me forget.