Rise of Champion From Darkness
(Part 1)
Photo by RDNE Stock project: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-a-man-and-child-practicing-taekwondo-7045572/
It was a bright sunny day in Chicago. It had been raining for many days and it had become cold.
Janifer an experienced Psychologist came out of famous Judo and Karate club. She while enjoying the weather walked towards her car. She suddenly noticed a young smart boy sitting alone on wooden bench in grassy ground of club. He was the boy for which Sir John a former famous Karate player and owner of club had taken her services.
It was her second visit. She closely watched him and passed him. There was something special in that boy that she got attentive. She was about to turn key in car door that she suddenly kept key in her handbag and walked to small shop. She bought from there snacks and two bottles of fruit juice. Then walked back to have a sitting with the boy. She quietly sat on bench near him. The boy stared at her for few moments and then once again went in deep thoughts. Janifer politely offered him snacks and a juice bottle which he after some hesitation accepted. The boy had seen her in club in day. He had joined club only two days before to learn Marshal Arts. They both kept quiet for some time while Janifer continued watching him from corner of her eyes.
She then broke the silence and asked, “What is your name and why are you here?” The boy after some silence replied, “Tony Alfredo.” Janifer once again repeated her second question that why he was there. Tony replied, “To learn Marshal Art to defend myself.” Janifer realized that Tony belonged to a good family and very well knew the manners. She then asked, “Why do you need to defend yourself?” Tony stared at her with angry eyes and then said, “Don’t you know? Are you here to make fun of me?” This was the temperament which Janifer wanted to see and had successfully touched that point.
In order to have him in confidence, she immediately in a soft voice said, “Sorry. I did not mean it. I am here to solve some problems and not to make your fun. Be sure, I am your friend.” She then said, “forget my question. You just tell me something about yourself and your family.” Tony kept on seeing her and said, “Why?” It took some time for Janifer to make him realize that she was not only her friend but also sincerely wanted his wellbeing.”
Tony cautiously said, “I have just one sister Mary. She is younger to me. We are very close to each other. My father owns a car business and we live in this same city.” With this Tony almost closed the chapter and started seeing at a bird sitting on nearby tree. Jennifr realized that it was a difficult case but she had met with many such patients during her professional life. She took some time and talked about weather and environment in and around club. She tried to be very frank during this all conversation and then convinced him to tell her in detail about himself and the bad incident in his life. She told him that more he would treat her as her friend, the more she would be in position to help or plan for his good days.
Tony saw at her with deep eyes and tried to collect his thoughts for quite some moments. He finally spoke, “I along my parents and a younger sister Mary lived a very happy life in this city. Our parents loved us too much and always tried their best to provide every facility and fulfil our every wish. My father owns a car business. He is famous in this Town and surrounding areas for his quality and honesty. That is why good condition cars of different models and brands are always available to us.”
He stopped and Janifer encouraged him to share more in detail. He then said, “I and Mary loved driving. I liked to visit showroom after study hours and spend time seeing new cars and collecting information about their features. I have ample knowledge on this subject and loved to talk on it among friends. On weekends, I and Mary regularly went to showroom for a drive. Mary as per instructions of parents always insisted to remain in area around showroom and never allowed me to go far. Although she is younger to me but I cannot reject her words. That is why the manager of our showroom always ensured to give car key to Mary and not to me. I never disliked it rather enjoyed those moments. The manager always reminded us of father’s instructions and same were reminded by Mary all the way during driving. Life was very smooth.”
Tony took a deep breath and then in a low voice said, “That’s all. After that it is all sad. My brain almost bursts whenever I think on that.” With that Tony wiped his both eyes with his left hand. Jenifer could realize his inner feeling sand knew that he was near to the point which changed his entire personality and social life. She once again pushed him to share his story and said, “You know, I am here just for you. Mr. John is very much concerned about you and that is why has asked me to give some time. In case you do not cooperate then it would be very difficult for me rather impossible to give any sincere advice. It would be just wastage of time and a bad patch on my profession.”
Tony was touched with her soft and polite way of interacting with him and thus said, “As I said our life was very smooth and without any worries. I used to wonder that why people or relatives do not remain happy. Then my own life rather life pattern of whole family changed within minutes. I never thought that happiness could vanish so quickly. It was a dark noon which turned everything. Actually, it was bright sunny day with forecast of heavy breeze and cloudy evening but for me it was dark noon. I, Andrew, Joe and Joerg sat in ground after school hours just chatting. I never had been close to Andrew because he was very conscious of his lavish living style and talked too much about that. He invited us to have a ride on his black limousine.”
He after a pause said, “During the round, I unwantedly told Andrew to drop me at my showroom. It was not planned but asked him with the inner intention of showing him big place. The guard welcomed me but was astonished to see three boys with me. I never had before taken any friend there. The staff there perceived them as clients. My friends were amazed to see triple story showroom with all shinning cars. Two families were already there trying to choose one. Andrew while discussing features, whispered something in Michael’s ear. He then wished for a collective ride on two cars.” He then stopped and said after some moments, “The Manager was not present at that time so I took key from draw and just informing Guard that I would be returning in few minutes. At that time, I thanked God of Manager’s non presence but today I think, that it was my bad luck.”
He while rubbing grass with his right foot, said “George sat with Andrew while Joe and Michael gave me company. I followed Andrew. In few minutes, he was on National express way. It was my first experience of driving there. Breeze there was blowing fast. Joe switched on music in loud voice. In few minutes my car was running at 100km/hour. I was having some difficulty in controlling car because of fast speed and breeze. I got frightened but then decided to first overtake Andrew’s car before signaling him to return. With this thought I pushed throttle. Andrew on noticing my intention further increased his car speed. I pressed throttle further and held steering tightly. At that moment, I just wanted to cross his car. When our both cars ran side by side, he brought his car a bit close to mine for few seconds which shattered my confidence and grip on steering. At that time, I saw at speed meter for last time and it showed 135km/hour.
I got worried and felt perspiration on face. I remember my car heading towards partition wall and loud voice of Joe to be careful. My car collided with partition wall with full force and then it looked to me that as if I had fallen from some height and then being dragged with noise all around.” He then stopped and then spoke in almost weeping voice, “This is all which I remember. After that is not less than a night mare which I came to know through others.” Tony stopped on seeing his mother and sister Mary coming towards him.
Tony stood up and in a shivering voice introduced them with Miss Janifer. His mother shook hand with her. Miss Jenifer explained the reason and because of her being there. She said that a lot has yet to be heard and for that their help was needed before reaching to some result. Tony’s mother was delighted to know about her interest and efforts. She invited her to their home on cup of tea for next details. Miss Jenifer first thought and then accepted the offer. Miss Jenifer left on finalizing time and noting home address.
Next evening, Miss Jenifer having a sip of hot coffee in spacious flat of Tony requested Mrs. Alfredo to give further details of accident day. There was complete silence in room for some time till Tony’s father said, “An unknown call was received at our showroom about accident of two cars. The person had read the contact number from a sticker on our car. We rushed to the hospital about which we had been informed. There was panic in emergency room as thirteen casualties from that point had reached there. Nursing counter informed that two persons had expired but who were they. No one had the answer. I was about to faint that my staff reached there. My manager Rashid struggled hard and at last got information that Tony was severely injured while a young boy and a woman had expired. Tony was unconscious because of head injury and heavy bleeding. In next hour, Tony was transferred to Special care unit as his condition was very critical. Dr. Hina General Physician informed that in addition to head injury, heavy blood loss, left shoulder bone, Tony’s five left side ribs were also fractured. She also told that recovery process would be very complicated because of Tony being diabetic patient. It was another bad news as it had never been diagnosed despite having detailed yearly checkups. At that stage head injury was main concern.”
Tony’s father took a deep breath and said, “Those were very difficult hours. We could not recognize other boys. Rashid had contact number of Stephen a school friend of Tony whom he called to recognize other boys. He along other two friends came and despite severe injuries recognized their fellows. He informed us that Andrew had expired. They gathered contact numbers of their parents to inform of accident. George both legs were almost crushed. Joe and Michael had multiple injuries and fractures but were conscious.
We all thought that accident had occurred because of collision of both cars with each other. We came to know about the reality at the very later stage that both cars did not collide with each other. First Tony’s car hit partition wall and tilted and then got hit by other cars coming from behind. Andrew at that point lost concentration and grip, and collided with dumper. That car was also then hit from behind and. That’s why there were several casualties.”
Mis Jenifer closely watched Tony whose face was wet with tears. Mary was almost hiding herself behind her mother .
(To be continued)
Keywords:
Chicago
Psychologist
Judo and Karate Club
Sir John
Tony Alfredo
Marshall Arts
Car Business
Car Showroom
Andrew's Black Limousine
National Expressway
Car Collision
Accident Details
Head Injury
Diabetic Patient
Recovery Process
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