The Girl Named Mirage

Don Augustus staggered and almost fell on his knees. Dr. Travis and Adams were quick to aid the Don. Nicolo took a glance at the papers their grandfather was still holding, it was a DNA test result. And based on what the Don says, it was confirmed that she was the lost daughter of his eldest son, Alfonse. Adams offers the old man a chair and helps him sit down beside the hospital bed. The old man clasped Mirage’s hand and planted a gentle kiss. Tears ran down his face.

” I finally found you my dear. I’m sorry, Grandpa took so long. Please forgive me. ”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

The high and mighty Don Augustus Esquibel who was a notable and a renowned business tycoon known for his overwhelming wealth, possessed a domineering authority, showered by lots of respect, possessed limitless power and connection was crying now on his knees and begging for forgiveness to his still unconscious granddaughter.

Adams gave Nicolo an apologetic look and motioned to him that he would leave them alone. The young man turned to Dr. Travis and nodded towards the door.

The doctor’s eyes followed Adams as the latter walked out and closed the door behind him. The two men looked each other in the eyes. They both knew what had just happened. And from the looks of it, it’s beyond what they could ever have imagined. It’s a miracle that the baby they saw being switched for a dead baby 25 years ago was now lying in the bed in front of them.

Nicolo, still holding the baby, can’t bear to look at his old man whom he thinks highly of even though they often clash. He quietly walks towards the window and looks nowhere. Dr. Travis kneels down with one knee and gently pat the back of the weeping old man.

” Gramps, everything will be alright. Please take a rest now. We don’t want you getting sick. You need to be strong to face her when she wakes up. ”

Don Augustus heeded the words of his grandson. Adams, who was waiting quietly outside the room and Dr. Travis accompanied Don Augustus to the car park where his driver was waiting so he could go home and rest.

” Don’t worry, Gramps, we’ll call you as soon as she wakes up.”

The old man smiles at the doctor. His eyes are red and swollen.

” Thank you, if anything happens, please informed me immediately. ”

And the car took off.

But nothing happened after that. Nothing because she didn’t wake up as they thought she would…

It’s been a week since the operation and Mirage’s still haven’t woken up. Everyone’s getting anxious.

” Mommy! Mommy! ”

Euphemia holds up her little hands towards her mother who’s still lying unconscious. Nicolo carefully puts her beside her mom. She quietly sat beside her and then suddenly she lay her head on her Mom’s chest and wrapped her tiny arms on her waist. It’s kind of sweet and heart breaking at the same time.

” Don’t worry sweetheart, Mommy’s gonna wake up soon. ”

Nicolo said while he softly stroke the baby’s hair while he’s sitting beside the bed. He can’t deny the fact that he’s growing attached to his niece. And Euphemia seemed to like him a lot, too. She only wants Nicolo to take care of her. The nurses were having trouble if Nicolo wasn’t around. She cries on top of her lungs and it’s non-stop!

But Nicolo’s never tired of cuddling her or feeding her. She loves his hugs and attention. She always clings on to his neck and nuzzles her face on his shirt collar. He loves it all.

Someone knocked at the door and then it opened. Dr. Travis and some other doctors and nurses entered. Nicolo picks up the baby and takes a few steps away from Mirage. The baby stayed quiet and just looked around. Observing the adults.

” Hello Euphemia! ”

Travis smiles but sadness is evident in his eyes. He knows he did everything and they don’t encounter any problem during operation but still he feels so obligated. He’s not having any good sleep since then though doctors really don’t have the luxury of sleep but knowing she’s their long lost cousin makes him a bit depressed.

” Everything’s normal Dr. Williams. ” said the nurse. But still there’s no sign of her waking up anytime soon.

“Every brain injury is different and unique and as a result every patient will regain consciousness from being comatose at a different rate. Generally, the more severe the brain damage, the longer it will take for the patient to recover. ”

” Sometimes, a patient may suddenly lose consciousness after being fully awake. Other times, comatose patients may gradually regain consciousness. Due to the unpredictable nature of consciousness in the early stages of traumatic brain injury, it is nearly impossible to predict whether they will wake up after 24 hrs. ”

Dr. West, the Neurologist Department head calmly explains as he sees Dr Travis contemplating. The door suddenly opened and Don Augustus entered. Everyone exchanged pleasantries when suddenly Euphemia started to wiggle out from Nicolo’s arms. Nicolo puts her down on the floor but doesn’t let go of her hand. She walks towards the bed yanking Nicolo behind her. Everyone just watches out of amusement.

” Mommy, Mommy! ” Euphemia said as she reached the side of the bed. She let go of Nicolo’s hand and touched her Mom’s hand where tubes and needles were connected.

And to everyone’s astonishment, her eyes slowly opened.

Her pupils constricted as the light hit her eyes. She tries to get up but her body seems to be stuck in place.

Mirage, who is still lying prone on the bed, stares at everyone who’s looking at her with big eyes. Her sight is blurry and she has trouble focusing. The IVs in her arm and those machines that were connected to her are making her very uncomfortable. The painkillers she got from before had already worn out and she winced from pain. The doctor quickly goes over to her. He takes some tissues from the box placed next to her bed and wipes some sweat away from her forehead.