Within 6 weeks of it's discovery, there wasn't a place in the world where it hasn't spread its' deadly tentacles to.
The unnamed disease was so widespread that a team of scientist was assembled from amongst the finest minds in the world of medicine, virology, biology etc. This team was kept in a self contained facility drilled deep into the side of Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South East Asia. Their brief was simple, find a way to stop the disease before it wipes out humanity from the face of the earth.
Six months had passed since the first case was reported. 700 million has died since then with some 1.5 billion more stricken with various stages of the disease. Death was in fact welcome for those who were infected. The deterioration of the body as the disease sucks the life out of the sufferers was more dreadful than death itself.
Many in the world was in despair. They were staring at death in the eyes but are unable to do anything about it... Some turned to their faith and believed that God has a plan despite the suffering while others cursed whichever God they had put their trust in the past over this malaise. Others still sit in utter despair and hopelessness not knowing what else can they do.
The scientist on the other hand, were close to developing a serum to fight the disease. Teams were sent worldwide to collect blood samples from the uninfected in order to learn of their body to withstand the infection.
As the saying goes, it is always the darkest before the dawn. From the depths of despair, a news flash came through like a shining light in the darkness. The scientist have a breakthrough!
As the news filtered through all channels worldwide, people rejoiced with reckless abandon. Strangers were hugging, kissing and dancing in the streets without a care in the world. Civilization was going to be safe after all!
Martin was standing at his porch admiring the beautiful sunset whilst thinking of the plans he had for the future which he feared he would never accomplished just days before. He was jolted back into reality when a convoy of police vehicles and what looked like an ambulance stopped in front of his house with the lights flashing and sirens blaring.
He was approached by two police officers who confirmed his identity before asking him of the whereabouts of his son, Joshua. Martin was bewildered and sought an explanation as to what the police wanted with his son, who was only 6 years old.
A man in a white lab coat introduced himself as Dr Lucian took Martin aside and explained that based on the test that was conducted with blood samples worldwide, it was discovered that Joshua's blood was totally immune to the dreaded disease. In fact, it was from his blood sample that the serum was formulated.
As Joshua was taken to the hospital accompanied by the police outriders, Martin was extremely proud of the fact that Joshua would provide the serum that would save the world. Despite Joshua's apparent fear, Martin soothed him with words of encouragement and praise.
Joshua was wheeled into a examination room at the hospital where a bit of his blood would be extracted for the serum production. Martin waited in the visitor's area with a sense of foreboding and trepidation which belied his earlier pride.
After a while, Dr Lucian came out of the room with a grave look apparent on his face. Martin asked immediately if anything was wrong with Joshua's blood. Dr Lucian shook his head and sighed deeply before explaining the situation at hand to Martin.
Joshua's blood was a proven factor in combating the disease. However, due to the amount of serums needed worldwide, a lot of Joshua's blood is needed to formulate the mass production of the serum. As a result of that, Joshua will not be able to survive such a scenario considering his tender years.
Martin was distraught when he heard this. He was unwilling to sacrifice his son in order to save the whole world. This can't be right can it?
After some moments of reflection and prayer, Martin was resigned to the fact that he has to make the biggest sacrifice a father can make. He has to give up his son in order to save the world.
When Martin spoke to Joshua one last time before the procedure, he held back the tears when the angelic boy asked him, "Father, why did you let them prick me with the painful needles?"
He was at a lost for an answer. Instead, he just said, "I'm sorry son. One day the world will understand what you have gone through..."
Dr Lucian tapped Martin on the shoulder saying, "It is time..."
3 months later
__________
A memorial service was held at the biggest venue in the land. Some 150,000 attended the service. It was attended by the heads of nations, royalties and the common public alike.
Martin was seated at the front of the service as he heard of re-enactment of what happened the fateful day when he lost his little angel. He was touched by the words of consolation and appreciation that was expressed by those invited to speak.
As he turned to survey the crowd behind him, he was seething with anger and despair. He saw amongst the crowd many were in conversation with each other, half asleep or merely texting on their mobile devices.
In his frustration he stood up and said, " Can't you all even spare an hour or so in remembrance and respect of the son I have lost in order to save all of you? "
Epilogue
______
I was one of the crowd in the past. I walked away from the church perhaps subconsciously putting the blame on God for all the misadventures which had befallen me.
I was unwilling to spend an hour weekly in memorial of a loving and merciful God who had sacrificed His only Son for my salvation. I went into a self imposed isolation and lived a life devoid of any personal relationships sans my working one.
I stayed away for a good 7 years before I ventured back to church due to some unexplained longing in my heart. And the very first Mass I attended in donkey years introduced me to CHOICE.
And thanks to CHOICE, I am slowly learning to let go of the past that has plagued me for many years. What would the future hold for me? Of that I'm unsure... But I do know who walks by my side day by day...
Note: My apologies if the story seems a bit disjointed. I wrote it out within 40 minutes. Just got carried away when I started writing. Maybe, I should take a journalistic course to pen better...
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