Conscience Never Spares

The story involves reckless driving, a moral dilemma, death, and an issue related to mental health.

Temples were throbbing, forehead was covered with droplets of sweat, and his heart was racing fast. Little Gloria ran to get a handkerchief and pressed it on her Dad's forehead with her little hands to absorb the sweat. She gave a peck on his cheek. "Don't be scared, daddy, it's just a dream," Gloria said.

Joseph opened his eyes, saw her little girl, hugged her and said," Daddy is not scared. Daddy is a strong man." Gloria's eyes lit up, and a bright smile crossed her lips. "Daddy is Superman," she said. She started twirling on her toes and giggling.

"Go, girl. Tell your Mom to keep the breakfast ready. I will be down in twenty minutes. I have an important appointment."

Gloria hopped to the kitchen, twirled her Mom's wheelchair, and giggled, as she always did. She was too young to understand what it felt like to be in a wheelchair. All she knew at her age was that it was fun. "Mom, Dad will be down in twenty minutes. Keep his breakfast ready," said Gloria.

Kara had lost mobility in her legs in a car crash. Joseph came as a ray of sunshine in her life. Joseph met Kara for the first time at her friend's party. They had nothing in common except that they both didn't drink. This common habit led to their relationship. At the loud party, Joseph and Kara found a corner to sit and engaged in meaningful conversations that faded everything in the background. Kara had the depth of an ocean in a shallow world. Tragedy brings out the best or the worst in people; it had carved Kara into a profound human being with whom Joseph fell in love.

Joseph was the most eligible bachelor in the community. He was a surgeon; accomplished, attractive, emotionally mature, and genuine.. Seven years ago, the community club had a New Year's party.

"Young man, haven't you found the lucky one?" said Colonel Ryan, patting Joseph's back.

"Yes, I have," said Joseph.

Everyone thought that Joseph was joking. He went to the stage, took the mike from the DJ, and said at the top of her voice, "Kara, will you marry me?"

There was a pin-drop silence in the club. Everyone was shocked, including Kara. They thought Joseph was drunk and didn't know what he was saying. Joseph opened a ring box with a gleaming one-carat diamond ring from his pocket. He repeated, "Kara, will you marry me?"

Now, everyone knew that he was serious.

Joseph's Father rolled Kara's wheelchair towards the stage where Joseph was standing. Soft music played in the background. Kara looked into Joseph's eyes, and a bright smile came on her lips for the first time since the accident. "Yes, I will," said Kara. Since then, they have been living happily. It was a made-in-heaven marriage.

Joseph came down for breakfast; he kissed Kara like every time, and sat at the table.

"You look tired, sweetheart. Was it the same bad dream?" asked Kara.

Joseph ignored the question and continued eating his breakfast.

"I will be late today. After finishing my appointments at the hospital, I have a health camp to attend," said Joseph.

"Sure, honey," said Kara.

Joseph's phone rang. It was an emergency call from the hospital.

"There is an accidental emergency, please report to the hospital fast," said the colleague

Joseph rushed to the hospital.

It was a young boy, twenty-five years old, who was hit by the car. The colleague briefed him about the case; then he rushed to the OT. It was a complicated surgery, and the next forty-eight hours were crucial.

Joseph reached home, completely exhausted. He didn't speak to anyone and went straight to his room. He took a warm shower and went to bed. Two hours later, her temples were throbbing, there was sweat on her forehead, and his heart was racing fast. He screamed, "Please forgive me, please forgive me, and started howling. Kara could hear him in the hall. She told Gloria to rush upstairs to Daddy. "Don't worry, mommy, daddy had a bad dream," said Gloria.

Kara rolled her wheelchair into the lift and went upstairs. Joseph was gasping. She gave him water and asked, "Was it the same bad dream?"

Joseph remained silent like always.

He was restless the whole night. The next morning, he was a little better.

After breakfast, he headed for the hospital. The drive felt very long. The young boy was playing on his mind. After reaching the hospital, he checked on the boy; he showed no improvement. Joseph cancelled all the day appointments and informed the staff not to disturb him unless there was an urgency.

Joseph rested his head on the headrest of the chair and dozed off. Again, his temples were pulsing, and his heart was racing. The sweat trickled down his temples, and he screamed.

Hearing the scream, his colleague rushed into his room. "Are you okay, Joseph?" he asked.

Joseph kept quiet. He felt suffocated. He picked up his bag and headed out of the office.

While driving on the same road for years, for the first time, his gaze stopped at a board:

The Psychology clinic

Healing the soul

Couselling

Personal.Couple.Family

Dr. Olivia

Time: 5:30-7:30 PM.

Monday closed

Contact; 5768542

Joseph pressed the brake pedal, and the car came to a screeching halt. It was Monday, so he pushed the accelerator and drove toward his house. The next morning, he called the number and fixed an appointment for the next day.

On the way to the office, Joseph always dropped off Gloria at school. He was driving on a four-lane highway when he noticed a car crash in the far lane. He quickly parked the car, ran through the fast-moving traffic, and helped the victim by providing timely medical aid, ultimately saving his life.

In the evening, when Gloria entered the house with her Dad, she screamed at the top of her voice, "Mommy, Daddy is superman! Daddy is Superman!"

Hearing about everything," You are too good to be true," said Kara.

Joseph remained quiet. In the night, He tossed and turned restlessly on the bed.

Kara hugged him tightly, "Is it again that bad dream?" she asked.

A tear fell from the corner of Joseph's eye. The night felt long. He needed help.

The next day, at 5:30 PM, he pulled the car into the clinic's parking.

He registered himself in the clinic.

Joseph's heart was beating fast, and sweat was trickling down from the temples..

Dr Olivia called him into the therapy room, offered him a comfortable seat on the couch, and she sat on the sofa at a distance right in front of him.

"What has been bothering you, Dr.Joseph?" Dr Olivia asked

"I am a bad person; I had a choice," a tear dropped from his eyes, said Dr. Joseph

"Please tell me what happened. I can help you," said Dr. Olivia

Joseph couldn't bear the burden of the secret any more.

"Nine years ago, I had just completed my medical degree, and before starting my job, I decided to take a holiday in the mountains. I met a young man named Ryan. He was twenty-two, and enthusiasm about life was infectious. In a short time, we became good friends. Every day, he would come up with an exciting plan for the day. One day, he suggested we drive to the top in our cars. Unfortunately, the weather turned bad; it rained heavily, and the visibility was reduced. I was of that age, I drove at a high speed and recklessly crossed a blind turn. There was a gaping abyss to swallow me. I was terrified for my life. Reversing the car was the only option I had to save my life. Ryan's car was right behind my car. As I started to reverse, I saw Ryan frantically waving his hand to stop me, but I was scared of dying, and I kept reversing. Joseph wailed loudly; I knew my decision would haunt me for the rest of my life, but at that moment, seeing your death on your face was scary, and I wanted to live.

No matter how much kindness I show, philanthropic efforts I make, or lives I save, nothing compensates for my act of choosing my life over someone's, and a loud cry echoed through the clinic.