Fiction: Group 2
A Respected Doctor
G.T. (Ellen Yeung) College-Primary Section, Kwong, Gaia - 12, Fiction: Group 2
n a laid–back Sunday, my family went on a picnic. We laid on the grass bed, listening to
birds singing, and feeling the touch of gentle breeze. There was a huge screen in the park,
just showing news about the recent Ebola outbreak in Africa.
Suddenly, I came to think of something. “Dad, was SARS a very hard time?”
“Surely, it was,” Dad answered, “SARS was on the news headline every day. Everybody was
afraid of getting infected.”
The birds were still singing, and the breeze was still flowing. We stopped talking about SARS
and I closed my eyes, my thoughts were wandering.
I was awakened by my own coughing, and I smelled medicine in the air, I tried to get up but
failed. I was too weak.
“Why am I in a hospital? Doctors are walking around. Everybody is wearing a mask, and the
atmosphere is gloomy. Sometimes I hear moaning and coughing.”
I vaguely remembered the scene. “Gosh! Am I back to 2003, when SARS broke out?” My heart
sank!
A doctor walked towards me, and she was holding something like a medical report.
“Where’s my mom and dad?” I asked.
“This is an isolation ward, and you can’t see them now.”
I was very worried.
“Hopefully, you may be discharged soon.” But it appeared she was just trying to comfort me.
“Am I having SARS?”
“Don’t you remember that?” She was a bit surprised. “Yes, but don’t worry.” She took my hand
in hers. I felt her warmth, and getting a bit relaxed.
“I want to see your smile.” I thought it would help to soothe my fears.
She pulled down her mask, and smiled. It was an angelic smile! But…her face looked so familiar.
Where did I see her? On TV? Likely. On the web? Not sure. I kept on searching my
memories…Oh, on a magazine cover! It’s HER, one of the SARS heroes, a doctor who sacrificed
her life!
My heart sank again! Out of concern and curiosity, I asked, “If you died of SARS, will you
regret to be a doctor?” She shook her head, smiling: “You have so many questions my dear, my
duty is to save lives. My patients need me now. And as a doctor, I need to have courage and faith! I
will do my best, and fight the disease till the end.” She said gently in a firm voice, “It’s pretty late
now. Have some rest and hang on!” As she walked out of the ward, I felt a grief. That was my
saddest moment ever, since I knew her final destiny.
Then, a nurse came and gave me an injection. And I faintly heard her voice, “Be brave, we shall
overcome.” Then I felt dizzy and fell asleep…
When I opened my eyes, I found myself lying on the grass bed again. I looked at the huge screen
in the park, which showed the date: 14
th
November 2014, Friday. Oh I was back in my normal life
again! My SARS trip into Hong Kong’s past was like a nightmare, but I truly treasure my time
traveling experience.
O
