THE HEART OF SACRIFICE
EPISODE 3
WRITTEN BY RUKEVWE MERRY
Alex left the doctor’s office, his mind made up.
He returned to work, going through the motions.
But his thoughts were with Maddie.
That evening, Alex sat at his desk, preparing his will.
He named Andre as his executor.
Next, Alex visited Andre, his best friend since childhood.
Over drinks, Alex revealed Maddie’s secret.
“Andre, Maddie needs a heart transplant,” Alex said, his voice shaking.
Andre’s eyes widened. “What? That’s terrible!”
Alex’s resolve hardened. “I’m donating my heart to her.”
Andre’s face contorted in shock. “Alex, no! You can’t!”
Alex’s jaw set. “I’ve made up my mind.”
Andre grasped Alex’s shoulders. “Think about this, Alex. You’ll d!e!”
Alex’s eyes locked onto Andre’s. “I’d rather d!e saving Maddie,than be alive without her.”
Andre’s voice softened. “Let me help. I’ll contact every hospital, find a donor.”
Alex shook his head. “I hope for a miracle,but if there isn’t,I will donate mine.”
Andre’s expression turned somber. “Then let me be with you through this.”
Alex nodded, grateful.
The days passed, Alex’s preparations underway.
He visited his family, saying goodbye without revealing his secret.
Maddie remained unaware of Alex’s sacrifice.
As the surgery date approached, Alex decided to visit Maddie one last time.
He knocked on her door, and to his surprise, she opened it after two months of silence.
Maddie’s eyes widened, shocked to see Alex.
Alex composed himself, hiding his emotions.
“Maddie, dear, I just came to wish you happiness,” Alex said, his voice trembling. “I promise I won’t disturb you again.”
Maddie’s expression changed from surprise to curiosity.
“What’s changed, Alex?” she asked herself, murmuring.
Alex continued, “Please, just one more hug.”
Maddie hesitated, then wrapped her arms around him.
As they hugged, Alex’s tears fell onto Maddie’s shoulder.
As they parted, Maddie noticed the tears on her shoulder.
Concern etched on her face, she rushed outside.
“Alex, wait!” Maddie called, waving her hand.
Alex stopped his car, waiting for her.
As Maddie crossed the road, a speeding car struck her.
Maddie fell, blood pooling from her injuries.
Alex leapt from his car, rushing to her side.
He scooped her up, cradling her in his arms.
“Maddie, no! Hold on!” Alex pleaded.
Rushing to the hospital, Alex’s heart sank.
Doctors swarmed around Maddie, assessing her condition.
The doctor’s face turned grim.
“Mr. Arthur, I’m afraid Maddie’s condition has worsened,” the doctor said. “The accident-induced hypovolemic shock and severe thoracic trauma have accelerated her cardiac deterioration. She needs an orthotopic heart transplantation within 24 hours.”
Alex’s world crumbled.
The doctor continued, “We’ll need to stabilize her vital signs and prepare her for emergency surgery.”
Alex’s face was etched with worry as he made the necessary calls.
First, he informed Maddie’s parents about her accident.
Next, he visited his own parents, deceiving them with a fabricated travel plan.
“Mom, Dad, I have to travel for work. I won’t be back soon,” Alex said, hiding his true intentions.
He also reached out to his friend Andre.
“Andre, please take care of my parents. I’m counting on you,” Alex requested.
With his affairs in order, Alex recorded a heartfelt video message.
He then returned to the hospital, where Maddie’s parents awaited.
“Mrs. Smith, Mr. Smith, I have an update,” Alex began.
“Maddie needs a heart transplant. Fortunately, the hospital has found a donor.”
What? Mrs smith exclaimed.
He handed them his tablet.
“Please give this to Maddie when she wakes up. Tell her to watch the video.”
Maddie’s parents nodded, unaware of Alex’s ultimate sacrifice.
Alex departed, leaving to settle the hospital bills.
**********FIVE DAYS LATER**********
Five days passed.
Maddie open her eyes, surrounded by her parents.
She was shocked to be alive, memories of the car accident flooding back,she remembered crossing the road to go meet Alex.
“Mom, where’s Alex?” Maddie asked.
Her mom’s voice trembled.
“Alex traveled, sweetie. But he left this tablet for you.”
Maddie’s curiosity piqued.
“What’s on it?” she asked.
“Alex instructed us to tell you to watch the video.”
Maddie’s heart skipped a beat.
She took the tablet from her mom.
Maddie’s fingers trembled as she opened the tablet.
A video played, [Alex’s smiling face appears on screen, his eyes shining with love and warmth]
Alex: [softly] My love, Maddie… by the time you watch this video, I’ll be up there, watching over you. [pauses, his smile faltering for a moment] Please, don’t cry. I want you to smile, to laugh, to live.
[His eyes well up with tears, but he continues, his voice trembling]
Alex: When I told you I love you, I meant every bit of it. You were my everything, my reason for living. And now, I’ve given you the greatest gift I could ever give โ my heart.
[He pauses, taking a deep breath]
Alex: You carry my heart now, Maddie. And with it, my love for you will beat forever. I’m not dead; I live inside you. [smiles] You’ll feel me in every heartbeat, every breath.
[His voice cracks, emotion overwhelming him]
Alex: I know I had to leave, but I’ll never truly leave you. You’re my home, my haven. Cherish our memories, our laughter, our tears. And when you need me, just listen to your heart.
[Alex’s face glows with love and peace]
Alex: I love you, Maddie. Forever. Always.
[The video fades to black, Alex’s smile etched in Maddie’s mind]
Maddie’s cries echoed through the hospital room, her heart shattered into a million pieces.
“Who told Alex I had heart issues? Alex, you foรธ! Who told you to do this?” she sobbed, her body shaking uncontrollably.
The doctor rushed to her side, administering a sedative to calm her down.
As Maddie drifted off to sleep, her mind reeled with questions.
Meanwhile, at the hospital’s ICU.
Alex opened his eyes, groggily taking in his surroundings.
He was surprised to be alive.
With Andre sitting in the hospital ward with him…
TBC
Rukevwe Merry
