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The final part of this series! By Ernest
They remembered what Sunna Robinson said(big big crabs men)took Richard back to the kitchen and introduced him to his lunch."they're crabs Richard and when they're cooked they are very tasty."Nothing to be afraid of really,except those two huge claws and look,they are tied up,so stop crying and go and wash your face" said his Mum,comforting him with a hug.Later they sat down to lunch.Richard really enjoyed the crab curry and rice,but not the doll with brinjals.He could'nt stand brinjals in doll and they decorated the rim of his plate."Richard eat your brinjals"said his dad in a stern voice.
Richard made a face and whinged, "Daaad,please?"His Dad caught His Mum's eye pleading."Ok,give your Mum your brinjals,just this time mind! you must learn to like them, they're good for you".He said,but quickly turned away with a big lump in his throat.Their little son did not know how ill he was.How could he be ill,he looked so normal.What does a boy who has only two months to live look like anyway?He pulled himself together,his wife was watching him,she knew what he was going through.They both looked at their son and said a silent prayer.Dear Mother of God,save our child! save our son!
They went to the beach that evening.Richard was running mad,picking up sea shells,chasing baby crabs as they scurried across the sand to their bolt holes,splashing the water with his feet,wilfully standing still in the water,so he could experience,again and again,the strange illusion as the waves coming in made him lose his balance and fall into the water,laughing joyfully each time he got wet.They had a task getting him to come out and dry up."we'll come back tomorrow evening"they said.Richard was flushed with joy,and as they made their way back,he said,very seriously,"Mummy and Daddy I love you and I love this world".
On the way back to Mrs Lobo's they went to see Fr Fernandes.He looked very kind,and carried up Richard as they walked into the vestry.Richard's Dad --- still on his knees--- introduced himself and his wife."And this must be Richard"he said.Would you like a sweetie Richard? Whats your favourite? said Fr Fernandes "Coconut squeet",said Richard quick as a flash."I'm sorry, said Fr Fernandes---with an amused smile---- I'v run out of Coconut Squeet?but,I'v got a few kumracuts here in this tin,would you like to try one?"yes please" said Richard and popped the hard sweet into his mouth."These are my only weakness,said Fr Fernandes,my mum who lives in Royapuram in Madras buys them from"Kuniramans bunk" and sends them to me with any AI coming to Velankani.These are really special,because you could eat them right down to the end,no sand in the last chew.Anyway,let me tell you about whats happening tomorrow."
They had stayed to watch two altar boys help Fr Fernandes put on his vestments for Benediction.They left when the choir started singing the gregorian chant "Aspergis me,domine is so po et munda---------Richard slept like a log that night,he was really tired.He dreamed he was an altar boy,but his legs were tied up,so he could'nt get up to go into church,to help Fr say Mass.Just as he was chanting with the choir "Free my legs-- Free my legs" his Mum woke him up.Richard got up,washed and put on a new white shirt and long white pants and his new shoes and socks. He put some lavender scented vaseline in his hair and his Mum combed his hair with a side parting.He looked like a shiny new one anna.Richard's Dad was on his knees all the way to church.They went early for the 9 o'clock "high mass" and managed to get a seat not too far from the front.The whole feeling of being in such a big and beautiful church became dream-like for Richard.After everybody had recieved communion,Richard's Dad held Richard in his arms and with his wife beside him on her knees,they went up to recieve communion.Fr Fernandes waited at the communion rail for them. The whole church was still,Richard became worried because his Mum and Dad had tears in their eyes and here and there he heard whispered voices saying,"oiiyo parvam-- oiiyo parvam".People had their hands to their mouths and the whole journey seemed to take forever.They recieved communion and Fr Fernandes blessed Richard.Still on his knees and carrying Richard,they went to Our Lady's statue,where Richard's parents offered up Richard to Our Lady's care.
Richard enjoyed the journey back home from Negapatam even more than the journey there.He would never forget the seaside,it was a magical experience and he loved it so much.His Mum and Dad however were still in an emotional mess.As soon as they arrived back in KGF they took Richard to the hospital for a check-up.Dr Jefferson was especially thorough,when he was examining Richard,and all the time he wore a puzzled frown."I cant believe how well Richard is looking"He said."how was your holiday at the seaside?"he asked Richard."I saw monkeys at Mallur station,the hill at Jolrapet disappeared and then came back,my lunch frightened me,I fell into the sea and got wet and Mummy and Daddy were crying in church".He said all this in one breath."Well I have to take some blood and do a blood test,you know we have to send it off to Bangalore,so I'll see you in two weeks,ok?.
Two months,since Richard was first diagnosed with leukemia,theRego family were sitting in Dr Jefferson's office once again,waiting for the doctor to come.He came in with Matron Edna.Richard's Mum and Dad,immediately looked worried,but he put his hand up to reassure them."I dont know what to say,or how to say it".He said."Its good news,"said Matron Edna."My examination and the results of the blood test show us that Richard does not have leukemia".said Dr Jefferson.The Regos were stunned,speechless.They clung to each other,feeling something that as yet could not be expressed. Then,realisation came flooding.They grabbed Richard and hugged him and kissed him,laughing and crying at the same time."Are you sure Doctor?Are you sure? they said."I'm sure,said Dr Jefferson,Yes I'm sure".When they had calmed down he said quietly. "There is something else you must know.Richard never had leukemia in the first place" What are you saying?What do you mean?Said Richard's Dad."I'm sorry,but we have since found out that,the clinic at Bangalore mixed up the blood test results."Richard never had leukemia".I'm sorry.
Some of Richards relatives,upto today still believe that Our Lady Of Velankani cured him.some believed the doctors explanation,that the science was still in its infancy and the recording system imperfect.As for Richard's Mum and Dad,they could'nt care one way or another.They had their faith,they had each other and they had their son fit and strong.Well ok-- not quite yet!! he still faints at the sight of his own blood,but at least hes learnt to eat his brinjals.
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Thank you
Written by ernest on 2006-10-25 01:04:37
Big thanks to all for reading the story and posting your kind comments. Congratulations must go to Conrad Abraham, for this ever blossoming website. God Bless. ernie | Beautiful...
Written by ashwynfernandes on 2006-10-19 03:42:07
Beautiful story, and very well told... loved the anglo-style narration.  | Written by lyndcosta on 2006-10-14 12:57:18
That's a great story Ernest - God never gives us any more than we can bear - so true! Loved the narration - so simple and real! | No problem!
Written by domestic engineer on 2006-10-10 11:38:32
Thanks for clearing that up. Heck! the more prayers the better right?
Take care of yourself and good luck with your fight to stay fit! If you visualize yourself fit and healthy it can manifest!!
 | I'm Sorry
Written by ernest on 2006-10-10 10:54:30
Charlotte, thank you for your caring note, but I did'nt mean to mislead. I had this heart attack last march, I was just trying to be a little facetious. I'm fine really, just finding it hard to keep fit. But My God all those positive wishes, I cant fail.Thanks again. Ernie. | Get well soon Ernest!
Written by domestic engineer on 2006-10-10 09:06:10
Sorry to hear about your little heart attack! Like I told someone else in here...you are Blessed with another chance of a happy, and healthy life! My prayers are with you. Looking forward to more of your short stories in here! Good health & God Bless!
Take care,
Charlotte | thank you.
Written by ernest on 2006-10-10 02:52:01
So now in the late summer of my years, I still do a little singing, a little acting,and now on PW a little writing, and I've had a little heart attack --- a small tickle-up. But I'm well looked after. and happy . So God bless and Thanks. yours Ernie. | thank you.
Written by ernest on 2006-10-10 02:45:58
A big thank you to everybody at PW, for all the good wishes and encouraging comments."Oolugamadi"was my first attempt at a short story.Your comments spurred me on,to write more. ---Contd. | And i'm so happy !
Written by monique on 2006-10-06 11:32:47
I am just too glad to find out that Richard did not have leukemia and if he did it was purely a miracle that got him better.Good on Richard's parents. As the saying goes' All is well if it ends well'.
Excellent work Ernest!
| Awesome!
Written by conradical on 2006-10-06 08:29:12
Ernest.. you write things that are so real and that anglos can connect with immediately though it's things some of us have not said or did recently.
Do write more! For those who don't know.. Ernest is the one who sang "I married a female wrestler"
He's a household name. | wordsmith extraordinaire !
Written by agnelo56 on 2006-10-06 04:43:52
Good work. Dont stop, give us another story. | Awesome Narration!!!
Written by gavin on 2006-10-06 00:44:38
Ernest, there is something about your name that is familiar with this narration. Great job and its a real beautiful story that touched me and I'm sure there would be many others. God bless... | Good Job Ernest!
Written by domestic engineer on 2006-10-05 21:15:18
A great story of faith, trust and love!
I had forgotten all about eating kumracuts. Ahh I can just taste them in my mouth!! Crab curry my favorite! I eat crab like a little piggy!! LOL "Doll" and brinjals thats funny! the uneaten brinjals that "decorated the rim of the plate" brings back memories! The whole scene about the crabs running around...man my grandfather did that just to tease us grandkids. He'd stand there chuckling and enjoying watching us little kids screaming and running around! "Whinging" haven't heard that is a very long time!
Again, thanks for the memories!
Charlotte |
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