23March2025
The operation theatre lights flickered, a sudden bang echoed, and darkness swallowed everything. After a few seconds the gloom loosened and a voice crackled through the monitor: Emily Foster, we have a rescue, somethings burst out there. I felt a hand tighten around my throat. I forced my eyelids open; it was a struggle. In my vision a rectangular pendant, its surface etched with zodiac signs, hung before the eyes of a nurse in a white coat.
To the theatre, now! shouted a voice right beside me.
Later that evening my parents returned from work. Mother dashed into the kitchen, glanced into my room where I was doing homework, while my father, David, entered and instantly sensed my sour mood.
Whats the matter, Tom? he asked, ruffling my hair.
Nothing, I muttered, still a fourthgrader.
Come on, spill it.
Tomorrows International Womens Day. Our teacher kept us after school and told us we must make presents for the girls.
My, and whats the problem? my dad smiled.
Boys and girls are paired up by the teacher. Ive been matched with the notsopretty Emily Erford.
Everyone wants a gift on Womens Day, even those deemed plain, my father said, treating me as an adult. How did she sort it out? Alphabetically? By zodiac?
Its by compatibility. Emilys a Virgo, and a Taurus matches best with a Virgo. Im a Taurus.
Thats handy, then! Maybe youll fall for her.
Me? For Emily Erford?
My father burst out laughing. Mom stormed in:
Whats happening in here?
Lucy, go to the kitchen, my father said sternly. We need a serious talk.
When she left, I asked in a low voice, Dad, what am I supposed to do now?
Make a present.
What kind?
Ill have something ready for your chosen one at work tomorrow.
Dad, you work at a plant. What could you possibly make?
Believe it or not, Im in the galvanising department. We coat all kinds of metal.
Dad, I dont get it.
Youll see tomorrow.
***
The next day my father brought a goldtoned chain with a rectangular pendant. One side bore the symbols of Taurus and Virgo; on the other, in tiny elegant script, read:
To my classmate Emily, on International Womens Day. From Anthony.
It shimmered beautifully, and when mum slipped it into a clear plastic bag it looked even more striking.
***
On 8March the teacher didnt plan a lesson. First the students handed her a gift, which she thanked for at length. Then she announced that the boys should give presents to the girls.
Chaos erupted. Every boy sprinted to his chosen one. I approached Emily Erford and recited what Dad had told me:
Emily, happy International Womens Day! Perhaps one day destiny will unite a Taurus and a Virgo.
Having spoken the rehearsed line, I returned to my seat, completely oblivious to the fluttering of my own heart at the thought of this supposedly plain girl.
Soon after, Emilys family moved to another borough, and she transferred to a different school in Year5.
***
I opened my eyes to the white ceiling of the ward. My left arm was the only one that could move.
Where am I? I asked, confused.
A nurse on a trolley leaned over and asked, Are you awake? Youre in the emergency surgery unit.
My limbs are all intact? I whispered.
Shes happy to say theyre all there, just wrapped in bandages from head to toe.
A doctor entered, checking my vitals. How do you feel?
What’s wrong with me? I replied.
The injury isnt lifethreatening. Your hands and legs will work again. Youve only got a few small scars left, she said, handing me a phone. Your mother wanted you called when you woke up.
Through tears, my mothers voice came: Son.
Mum, Im fine, I tried to sound upbeat. They said only minor scars remain. I should be discharged soon.
She cant stay the night with you, she said. Ill be there shortly.
Ill try not to be a bother, I answered, placing the phone beside me and managing a smile for the nurse. Thanks.
She smiled back. Well have you out in about three weeks, if all goes well.
A fellow patient, a fellow rescue worker, shuffled over. Anthony, you okay?
My arms and legs are fine! I can only wave with my left hand though.
He laughed. Good luck, mate.
Later a colleague from the plant, Gordon, arrived and burst into my bed.
Hey, Tom! How are you?
My limbs are fine, I said brightly, though I could only lift my left hand.
He asked what had happened after the explosion. I recounted how the gas balloons in the factory had detonated, how we rushed in, pulled the injured out, and I was the last one out when another balloon went off.
Sounds like you earned this, Gordon said. We might get a medal for it.
A doctor in his forties entered: Hows it going, hero?
Alright.
If youre talking, youll live. Let me check you over.
Did you stitch me up? I asked. No, Emily Foster will be back the day after tomorrow.
***
Two days later I was trying to sit up. The pain in my legs persisted, my right arm was still numb, and I bore a dozen bruises across my body. Two sat on my face from the blast, but I managed to thrust my right hand forward just in time. My reflection still showed a swollen visage.
The doctor who had operated on me for five hours straight the day before came for rounds. She was young, striking, with glasses that only added to her charm, and a crisp white coat that suited her. I was twentyseven and already divorced; the split was due to clashing temperaments and my exwifes disapproval of my rescueworker salary.
Good morning, she said, approaching my bed.
Good morning, did you operate on me?
I did, she smiled. Everything alright?
Everythings perfect! Thank you very much.
Let me have a look.
She leaned over, and the pendant with the zodiac signs swung at the edge of my neck.
Emily Erford! I blurted.
She stared at my swollen face.
Sorry, she murmured, not recognising me.
Im a Taurus, I pointed to the pendant.
Tom Gordon? her lips trembled. You remember me?
Of course, Emily. I placed a small flower on her hand as tears welled in her eyes.
Sorry, she whispered, pulling a handkerchief to dab her eyes. I never imagined wed meet like this.
She never entered my ward again after that day, but I realised we both kept similar schedules: day, night, and two days off. I didnt want to appear helpless in front of her. The next day I shuffled around the ward, leaning on beds, occasionally holding onto the wall for support, and even ventured into the corridor.
Evening came, the dayshift doctor left, and a new night team arrived. As the routine rounds began, footsteps and hurried voices filled the hallwayanother casualty being brought in. Ten oclock, the night nurse dimmed the lights. Yet something kept me awake. Past midnight, I heard soft sobbing down the corridor. I followed the sound and found my former classmate, Lucy, sitting at the nurses station, head in her hands.
Emily! I called, placing a steady hand on her shoulder.
She tucked her face into my shoulder, whispering, I operated on a woman who fell under a car. I did everything I could, but shes now in intensive care and may not survive. She has two children, her husband is beside her.
Take a breath, Emily, I urged. Ive been a surgeon for three years; Ive seen death countless times, but we also save many lives.
She looked at me, eyes weary. Im still single, living with my parents, and my exhusband left because Im never home.
Its only twentyseven; we have our whole lives ahead, I said.
This is what we signed up for, she replied. We cant stop caring.
A nurse shouted, Emilys pulse is dropping! and Emily rushed back to the resuscitation bay.
I lay awake that night, the sounds of machines and distant footsteps echoing in my mind. At dawn, the nurse came in, as usual, to check my vitals.
Is the woman we operated on last night alive? I asked, surprising even myself.
Shes alive, but her condition is critical, she replied.
***
Three weeks later my wounds had begun to close. I saw Emily only during her shifts, and each encounter pulled me a little tighter toward her. Yet the emergency department wasnt the place for personal confessions. During a morning round, the attending doctor announced, Im discharging Anthony today. Youll go home to your GP, and theyll decide on any further followup.
Can I collect my things? I asked.
Take your time. Well have your discharge papers ready.
When the doctor left, I shaved, looked in the mirror and noted that the two remaining scars added a rugged charm to my face, while the others could be ignored. I gathered my things and stepped into the corridor, thinking, Shes finally seen me!
A nurse handed me the discharge form: Good luck, Anthony! Dont be a stranger.
I have a modest flat, but I drove back to my parents house. Mum was waiting, hugging me tightly.
Son, youre alive! she exclaimed. Come, Ive made you a proper meal.
Its good to be home, I said, feeling my stomach rumble at the smell of homecooked food. Ill stay here until I get back on my feet and maybe settle down.
She laughed, Your rooms still empty, you knowwash your hands first!
Later that evening I stopped by the barber, fetched some clothes, and my mother helped tidy everything. Dad arrived from work later, and we all sat together, reminiscing until the early hours.
I fell asleep thinking, Tomorrow I must go to the clinic, then back to work, and maybe later meet Emily again.
The next morning I headed to the community health centre, drifted between rooms before my shift started, and later that night began packing.
Where are you off to? Dad asked.
Remember when, back in Year4, you made me that pendant for a classmate?
Emily Erford, the plain one? he replied.
Yes. You even said I might fall in love with her.
My words have come true. Im going to see her.
Twentyseven isnt a long time to start a life with the one you love, but its enough to learn that the heart often knows before the mind does.
**Lesson:** When you look beyond appearances and let compassion guide you, you may discover that the connections you feared are the very ones that shape your future.
