Chapter 9
The fight
Days were passing, 2 days, 3 days...Samantha and Alex were still in intensive care unit. Dr. Hussain was also very busy. Brian was waiting for Thursday night excitingly. Wednesday, he was going home from hospital to rest. Someone stopped him in a darker street.
“Hey, you”
“Yeah?”
“You must be Siobhan Kicker?”
Brian was so surprised. That was him, “Adam.”
“Oh, sh..t” said Brian and started to run away. Adam started to chase him. Brian was running to the that rural area where Alex was living. He thought maybe these guys, gangs might help him. They were both very fast. It was dark, time was around 10 pm.
“Stop you fu… as….” yelled Adam.
Brian stumbled on a stone in the ground and felt down very fast. His head was bleeding. Adam caught him and punched his face. He started to beat him very fast and badly. Brian begged him to stop. Adam’s anger didn’t finish. He kept beating, beating and Brian left his conscious. Adam stopped and worried if he killed him.
“Oh no, what did i do?”
He checked his heart rate. He was living, but he had lots of hits on his head. He might die. Adam was very angry to him but he did not intend to kill him. First, Adam checked around. He saw there was a woman looking at them from window. Adam worried a lot. He was going to try to find water but the woman was calling somewhere. He decided to run away. He was very worried and regretful. He hided somewhere to check what was going to happen. Like 10 minutes later, ambulance and police arrived that place. They took Brian into the ambulance. Ambulance left and policemen were checking around. Adam worried and left the place he hided. He tried to pretend as he was walking in the street. He started to walk forward to the crime scene. Policemen stopped him, asked his id. He told them he was just passing from the street. He also told them that his uncle works at station. They thanked him and did let him go. Adam relaxed and went home, but he was very worried. Luckily, it was night and probably that woman can’t identify him. But he was worried if he did leave fingerprints at Brian’s face. He was going to find some water not to leave a sign behind himself, but that woman on the window ruined everything.
Meanwhile, there was also a policeman at the ambulance. He took samples from his face. They arrived to the same hospital and Brian was taken into the emergency room first. They checked his brain computer tomography. There was little bit edema. He decided to take him into the intensive care unit. Now, all of them were in intensive care unit. Samantha, Alex and Brian. Anesthetist was on duty that night. She was so surprised. There were totally 5 patients in intensive care and 3 of them were like a family. Luckily, Brian’s situation was not so bad, but Samantha saw him. She started to cry and scream. Anesthetist Gabriela, calmed her down.
“Please, Samantha, calm down. He is going to be ok,don’t worry. I checked him.”
“Oh my god, what happened to him?” asked Samantha as crying.
“I don’t know details, but i hope he will wake up tomorrow, please relax, ok? You have to keep your spirit high, ok?”
“Ok doc, ok. Oh Brian, my baby...what happened to you?”
That night was very hard for Samantha. She had to deal with her situation and now she had to think and pray about Brian. She cried silently all night as she was laying down on her bed, taking meds by her vessels. She kept praying God all night, and finally she felt a sleep.
She woke up during morning visit. Her eyes were looking for Brian. But his bed was not there. Doc Gabriela was not there. There was another doc. But Gabriela had informed him about Samantha and Brian. He came close to Samantha and told her,
“Don’t worry, Brian is going to be ok.”
“Where is he doc? Where is Dr. Gabriela?”
“She left, she was on duty all night. She has to rest, hasn’t she?”
“Yea, but where is Brian?”
“He will come back here, don’t worry please.”
Meanwhile, Alex also started to wake up. And Alex was having drug crisis. He was having shortness of breath, starting to move very fast like having a seizure.
“Give me my drugs, give me!!!...” He started to scream and yell.
Docs and other workers called security and they tied him up to the bed. Anesthesiologist gave him some meds. After a while, he got calmed and slept again. That situation affected Samantha. She was so worried. She had only her grandson left with her and she was not knowing his situation at that moment and she was staying in intensive care unit with his best friend, Alex.
“Oh God, please help us. Please save my grandson and his friend. Please save them. If you save them, i will agree to die. Please God, please” was praying Samantha.
So, what happened to Brian? Brian was taken to the brain surgery. Surgeon decided to take him urgently. Before surgery, they took blood samples from Brian to check some viruses. Surgery was successful. Brian was taken back into the intensive care unit. There were big bandage at his head. Samantha became very happy to see him.
“Oh Thank God, Thank you so much…”thanked she God.
Brian was under effect of medicines he took at that surgery. He was still out of conscious. Samantha worried but doc calmed her down. And doc went back to his table to check Brian’s blood test results. Biochemical tests were looking perfect. He opened microbiological tests. His test results were like that:
“Anti HCV: 0.03 Negative
Hbsag: 0.001 Negative
Anti HIV + p24 ag: Call the laboratory director.”
“Oh, no, please don’t tell me he is positive.” worried doc.
And he called laboratory to find out what was going on. He learned that Brian’s result was weak positive a few weeks ago, they made confirmation tests, they became sure that he was negative. But, at that time, they found out that he became highly positive. Doc, talked to the Microbiology Director, Dr. Ian.
“Brian’s result is highly positive right now. I talked to Dr. Hussain. He told me Brian used a HIV positive patient’s needle. So, there was risk. But, at that time, exposure was in a very short time. But right now, it has been a few weeks more and now we see he is highly positive. We will surely do confirmation tests but you need to know and be careful.”
“Ok Ian. Thank you for your help. I hope he is negative.”
“I wish so, but it seems like he turned to positive.”
“I see, ok will you inform Hussain or should i call him?”
“I can do it, see ya”
“See ya”
Dr. Ian called Dr. Hussain. Hussain was so shocked but he was expecting that result.
“How come did his blood test arrived to your lab? I didn’t request yet. He was going to come a few weeks later.” asked Dr. Hussain.
“He is in intensive care unit right now. He had a surgery, they took blood samples just before the surgery.”
“Oh no? Are you kidding me? His grandma and best friend were in intensive care, and his best friend is HIV positive. There might be something wrong?”
“I don’t think so. I heard the story, Brian had a fight, was taken to the surgery. And he is there in ICU (intensive care unit.) Call doc man.”
“Oh ok Ian. Thank you for your help. See ya.”
Hussain ran into the ICU. He really saw Brian laying down there. He talked to the doc in ICU. He learned all the story, and he forwarded to Samantha.
“Samantha, i am really sorry to hear and see that. Brian and you all will be ok Inshallah, please keep praying.”
“What happened to him Sir? I really want to know.”
“Please Samantha, don’t be exhausted. He is doing alright, he may wake up soon and you guys can talk, ok?”
Samantha didn’t say anything else. She kept crying and praying silently. Hussain was very sad as well. He also knew what Samantha doesn’t know. Brian was positive. He had HIV from his best friend. He was trying to help him. Hussain’s eyes were full too. He ran back to his room and cried.
“There is my fault too.
I am responsible from the society i live in. I should have arrived these young men before all of these happened. Oh my Allah forgive me. I have been very lazy and could not do anything about them. I couldn’t protect my people, my neighbors from this disaster, drug. Oh Allah,my Lord, forgive me, everyday we are losing many young men and women. I should have worked much way harder. I did nothing much inside of this fire. Forgive me My Lord, forgive me…” cried and prayed Hussain.
After a few hours later, Brian’s cellphone rang. Nurse in ICU replied, they were calling from station. Commissar asked Brian to come and sign. Nurse told the situation and commissar decided to send a cop to check out. A few minutes later, hospital policeman came to ICU and approved Brian’s situation. He asked doc an official paper indicates his health situation. And then he left. Hussain came back to ICU. Samantha was looking so sad and depressive. She was looking at her grandson. Hussain talked to her, tried to calm her down. But she was not responding. And Doc Gabriela came for night shift again. Gabriela was a single, beautiful, Latin doctor. Hussain was a married and a handsome doctor. Gabriela saw him in ICU, she was impressed and asked his specialization. Because Hussain was wearing his coat. Hussain replied that he was infectious diseases specialist. Gabriela moved her hands to shake him. Hussain moved his hand towards his heart.
"Please, don't misunderstand me, i can’t touch you because of my beliefs." explained Hussain.
"Oh, what beliefs?" asked Gabriela surprisingly.
"I am Muslim. I can't touch other women then my family." replied Hussain.
"Oh ok, no problem for me. So, did you check Alex? He has MRSA, still not responding our antibiotics? " asked Gabriela.
"I checked the antibiogram result. We have just started linezolid today. It is the last choice, i hope he will respond tonight Miss Gabriela. " replied Hussain.
Gabriela liked that he called her with her name. She started to have some feelings with him. She offered him to drink coffee if he had time. He thanked her and told her he had his wife and son waiting for him. Gabriela was disappointed. She actually saw a ring at his finger but she wasn't sure. Gabriela thanked him too and Hussain headed to the door. Just then, abnormal voices started from the device showing the activity of Samantha's heart. All docs and nurses looked at monitor, Gabriela ran there and called nurses,
"Hurry up, she is at VF, bring me electroshock."
Her heart was beating so much faster, which was very close to stop. Gabriela gave electroshock with the helps of nurses. Hussain was watching anxiously. First shock didn't work, and then they did second, no response. Gabriela didn't stop trying. She gave another shock, and finally heart rate turned to normal. Gabriela gave orders to nurses, they gave some meds.
"Great job doc, congrats" Hussain congratulated Gabriela.
Gabriela stopped looking at his eyes and smiled, "It is my job, do you know her?"
"Oh yes, Alex and Brian are my patients, maybe you know Alex is HIV positive, and Samantha is grandma of Brian. And after here Brian will be my patient again. Unfortunately he is probably HIV positive too."
"Oh no, sorry to hear that. You become very close to your patients. Wow, awesome " smiled Gabriela.
"I try to save their lives just like you did for Samantha. Anyway, i gotta go now, have a nice shift."
Nurses were looking at Gabriela's eyes how deep they look at Hussain. Hussain left and Gabriela turned back to her place. 2 nurses were giggling. Gabriela frowned them and told them to do their job.
Hussain was going home with some thoughts about Gabriela. Her deep looks at him, her smile affected him. But he remembered his wife, son and his religion. He was very happy with them.
"A'uzu billahi min ash shaitani r rajimi Bismi 'llahi 'r-rahmani 'r-rahim " prayed Hussain in arabic. It means, " "I seek protection from God against the Devil" "In the name of God,the Most Gracious,the Most Merciful"
Hussain decided to stay away from Gabriela. He should be very careful. He came home, hugged his son and wife. He had dinner with them. He wanted them to pray for his patients in ICU. Hussain's wife Mariam asked him,
"Why do you care them that much honey? "
"Honey, they are just 15. We are all responsible from them. My prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) was very merciful to his society, he tried a lot to save their lives here in this world and in second world after death. He didn't eat, he fed, he didn't wear, he dressed up. He was best friend of poors, dependents, orphans. Everybody was running away to him from any problem. So, we are responsible from the people who we live together, also in this time we are responsible from all over the world. I can't ignore that big fire. I have a kid, he will have to join that society, our responsibility is very important. We must do everything we can. Allah will ask us."
"Oh honey, i am proud of you and I love you..."
"I love you too honey. You are the light of my eyes. I thank Allah made us married. Alhamdulillah (Thank Allah)..."
"Alhamdulillah my sweet hubby. " smiled Mariam.
After dinner Hussain and his family prayed. Muslims pray at least 5 times a day. First one's time starts at the end of blackness of night, and ends just before sunrise. It is called fajr pray. Second is in the middle of day around 12 pm at most of the countries. Third one is when sun starts to get down. Forth one is after sunset. Last one is around before sleeping. Hussain felt great after praying.
"Alhamdulillah, we have a great religion. I feel very relaxed and rested after every pray. We do that 5 times a day. Each one is like talking to Allah. Alhamdulillah. "
"Yes honey, it is much more happier to pray with you for me. May Allah protects our family."
Hussain hugged her and he felt regretful about first feeling when he had met Gabriela.
"Oh Lord, please forgive me. I have a great wife, and i had very bad thoughts." thought Hussain.
Meanwhile, at hospital, Brian was waking up. He felt weird and started to talk.
"Oh, where am i?"
"Oh Brian, relax. It is me, Dr. Gabriela, do you remember me? I used to talk to you about your grandmother."
"Oh, yea. I remember now. What happened to me, where am i right now? You are an ICU doc. So, am i in ICU? "
"Yes, but you are doing great. I hope we can take you into the service soon."
"Oh, how is my grandma? "
"Look, she is sleeping right now. She is doing alright, no worries. "
"Oh thank you so much Miss Gabriela. Oh i was about to forget Alex. How is he?"
" Look, he is sleeping there too. He is doing alright too, today Doc Hussain changed his antibiotic, and his fever decreased thankfully. I hope he can be taken into service soon too."
"Thank you so much Doc. You are very sweet. I appreciate your help. "
" No problem Brian. Brian, can i ask you something? "
"Yes madam"
"What do you know about Hussain? "
"Oh, he is my new friend. He is a great guy. He helps us. We met him after me and Alex' blood tests were positive. He is very helpful."
"What about his family? "
"Oh, i don’t know much about his private life. But i can tell he tries his best to be a good Muslim. He prays five times a day. "
"Oh ok, thank you Brian. "
"Let me know if i can do anything you."
"I will if i need. Now, you have a rest." smiled Gabriela.
Brian looked around and checked Alex. They had tied lots of things on him. His chest, arm, his head. And Brian was feeling too much headache. He called a nurse, asked what they did to him. She told him that he had operation. Brian was so surprised, asked about policemen. She told him not to worry, doc signed a paper for him. After a few hours later, morning time was getting close, Samantha and Alex woke up. Samantha saw Brian, they smiled at each other and they talked. Samantha was very happy at the end which was very good for her health. They started to support each other. Samantha became very happy because she believed that her blessings were accepted. And she started to ask details. But Gabriela, stopped them
to talk sad things. She convinced them to talk deeply after ICU. She remembered that they were in ICU.
After a few hours later, they took Brian into the service. He was doing much better. And after a few hours later they also took Samantha into the service too. They took both of them into the same room because of their wish. They started to talk. Samantha was wondering what happened to Brian. Brian just told that he was walking alone, going home. A guy that he didn’t know stopped him, he was so scared and he had run away and he had fallen down and this guy punched him a lot. Samantha asked,
“Did he take money or your wallet?”
“No, grandma, i had nothing left on me, i have been using credit cards when i needed.”
“Oh boy, but i don’t understand. Why did he beat you that bad? He should have checked your pockets. That sounds like, he really hates you. Tell me, do you have any enemies?”
“No, grandma. I don’t have an enemy” told a lie Brian.
“Anyway, thank God, you are ok right now. Please be careful my son, don’t walk around at late nights.”
“Ok, thanks.”
Meanwhile, policemen came to visit Brian. They asked him some questions. But Brian requested policemen to testify later. He told them he still have headache. Policemen took a signed paper from Brian that he doesn’t want to talk at that moment and they left. Brian didn’t want to talk near his grandma.
After a few hours later, Hussain came to room to visit Brian and Samantha. They both became happy to see him. He gave them good news, supported them.
“I talked to your docs. They both say, you are both doing great and hopefully tomorrow you might be sent home Inshallah.”
“Thank you so much Doc. You are my second son now if you accept.” said Samantha.
“Sure, with pleasure. We are all human and we are both created from soil and our father is same, the first human and Prophet Adam.”
Brian heard the name, “Adam”. His face changed. He was thinking what to do. He really needed to ask Hussain, he needed suggestions. He still had no idea how Adam found him. He remembered his profile. He told him that he was computer engineer. And his uncle is commissar at station, so he probably used technology very well and found out Brian. Brian was so regretful. He met a girl, the girl left him, he tried to know why he left him. He found a way to learn which was not a good way. He cheated Adam, he played with his feelings. And he was punished.
“My stupid head, would it worth such a girl who left me without asking me anything? I was almost dead.” thought Brian.
Hussain noticed Brian’s situation. He wondered if Brian had learned that he was HIV positive. He asked,
“Brian, is there anything wrong?”
“No Sir. But i would like to talk to you private. I hope i will be discharged tomorrow. Can we talk?”
“Sure. Also we can start our regular meetings?”
“Yes, sure doc.”
“Regular meetings?” asked Samantha.
“Yes mum. Dr. Hussain tell me about God and his religion.”
“Oh you were Muslim, right?”
“Yes Samantha. He wants to know more about Allah and Islam. I want to help him, guide him.”
“Oh thank you my son. I wish Brian was a religious christian, but anyway Islam would be ok too.”
“Thank you Samantha. Ok, i have to go now, take care.”
Meanwhile, Adam came to the hospital and asked about Brian. He got relaxed that Brian was taken into the service from ICU. He had also learned that he had operation. Adam was worried to talk to Brian. But, he was going to ask him not to be kicker like his fake profile surname “Kicker”. He came in front of the door, and waited for someone to open the door. At that moment, Dr. Hussain opened door, he was leaving. He and Adam looked each other. Dr. Hussain asked who he is. Adam worried,” i was looking for my friend Brian.”
Hussain closed the door. And he wanted to talk to Adam.
“I know Brian very well, he didn’t mention about you. What is your name?”
“My name is Adam. Please let me go and talk to him Sir. But i want to ask you how he is?”
“He is ok right now, probably he will be discharged tomorrow.” replied Hussain.
“Oh thank God. Please let me visit him.”
“Yes but keep that short.” told Hussain and he left there but he had a suspect. He waited somewhere close to the door to observe them.
Adam opened the door. He and Brian looked each other. Brian was so shocked and surprised.
“May I come in?” asked Adam.
“Yes son, come here.” accepted Samantha.
Adam wished them get well soon. He told Samantha that he was friend of Brian, he wondered about him. He shook Brian’s hand. And Adam asked Brian to meet him after he is discharged. Brian was scared. but he didn’t understand why Adam acted so. Adam gave Brian an envelope without noticing Samantha. And then Adam left. Samantha asked Brian who that polite man was. Brian told her that he was just an old friend.
” I merely remembered him. But that’s a very nice visit.” said Brian.
And then, Brian opened the envelope. Adam wrote a note for him:
“Brian,i am very sorry about what i did. I am happy you are alive. I was so scared man. You know, i felt like in love with that fake girl, “Siobhan Kicker.”
I don’t know why you acted like this, but i should have not beat you that bad. I want to talk to you after you discharge, and i want to know whose photos they were. I really like that girl. And, one more thing. Please, don’t complain to the police about me. I would like to be your friend. Get well soon.”
Brian smiled after reading that note. He hoped to be friends with him,so maybe he can help him to get Kelly. He had been very angry to Kelly, but if there was a new hope, his idea could be changed. He was waiting to be discharged impatiently.
Adam left the room. Hussain was following him, he stopped him. Adam was surprised. Adam was afraid of going to jail. He had seen some TV movies, series about how bad jails were. Hussain asked him,
“Tell me, what happened to Brian?”
“Oh Sir, please. I don’t know. He is my an old friend. We met years ago, i heard that, and decided to visit him.”
“How come did you hear about it?”
“Sir, are you detective or something? You can’t query me.”
“I am his personal doctor and friend. I have to know what is going on.”
“Ask him then. I am just an old friend.”
“You answer my question, how did you hear about it?”
“Just from our common friends.”
“Who are they? Nobody knew about Brian’s situation.”
“I am late, take care.” left conversation Adam.
Hussain frowned him and did let him go. Hussain didn’t like Adam but now he has to go back to his patients, especially Alex in ICU. Alex was doing much better, he responded new antibiotic. They were planning to take him into the service as well. But, Dr. Hussain checked Alex’ other test results. He found out his immune system was in a horrible situation. His CD4 + T lymphocytes were very low, around like 300. That meant, he was under risk of much bigger infections. And, he had to start anti HIV therapy as soon as possible. Hussain went back to ICU. Gabriela was there, she was keeping work after shift. Hussain entered ICU and they saw each other. Hussain didn’t like to see her, but he had to do his work. Gabriela was happy to see him. She stood up and they both came to the front of Alex.
“Good morning” saluted Hussain.
“Good morning Mr. Hussain.” replied Gabriela.
“I checked Alex’ results, we need to start anti HIV therapy as soon as possible. He is under risk for other infections too. What’s your plan about his staying in ICU?”
Gabriela was looking at his eyes very deeply,she was trying to effect him with her look, nurses were also seeing that.
“His fever turned to normal, if you say ok, we can take him into the service. No problem for us.”
“Ok thanks. Hello Alex, h
ow are you?”
“I feel very tired Sir. And i also feel burning starting from my stomach coming to my chest. It also makes me cough.”
“Did he start oral feeding?” asked Hussain.
“Yes, he did. He is well, but he told us he has a pain during swallowing foods.”
“Oh no, it might be esophagitis. Ok Alex, don’t worry. We will take you into the service and we must do some more tests.”
“Please Sir, help me. I am very tired, there is fatigue. I never felt like this before.”
They started moving him to the service. Hussain left fast without saying anything to Gabriela. Gabriela understood she is hopeless to get close to him. She kept doing her job. Alex was taken into the infectious disease service. Hussain talked to Gastroenterologist. He also examined him, they diagnosed him esophagitis. They both think probably it was because of a fungus called Candida albicans. They sent samples to the microbiology laboratory. They saw white plaques at his tongue. This disease was so common at HIV positive patients. If they start therapy late, that kind of infections may lead to the diagnosis of HIV carriage. Hussain understood, Alex had this virus long time ago. He had this infection at his heart valve. Drugs and HIV made that infections easier. He was so worried about Alex. But, they had Brian’s positive test very much earlier than Alex. He had to be fast. He arranged a health insurance for Alex and Brian for HIV positives. It took a few hours for Hussain. Luckily, there were only two patients waiting for him afternoon. After arrangement, he had some help from coworkers to get medicines of them. The meds arrived hospital in a few hours. Also Microbiology laboratory confirmed that Brian is really HIV positive with western blot test. Microbiology lab confirmed also it was fungus causing esophagitis of Alex. So, after finishing patients, Hussain visited Alex first. He started his anti-HIV therapy and fungus therapy. But, Alex’ fever was high when Hussain visited him. Alex was laying down fainted. He ordered nurses to take blood culture samples. They woke Alex up, he hardly swallowed anti HIV meds. They also gave antifungal meds into his vessels. Hussain was trying his best. He was acting like they were his brothers. He was decisive to win this virus.