Paul's Gift (699 words)

Paul ​​hurried ​ through the hospital corridors to meet​ his elder sister Stella. ​She was recovering after a major surgery​. The young boy was attached to his sister but never liked the sterile, unpleasant​ ​smell of ​the hospital. The family members took ​turns to be in the hospital. ​P​aul was required to spend ​two hours in the evening till his mom relieved him. He brought​ flowers, a couple of times​,​ for the vase by Stella's bed​ knowing how much the bright ​​flowers in vibrant colours lifted her spirits.​ Paul would ​​recount to her all the happenings in school and about her pet dog that had turned quiet and morose after she came to ​the hospital.​

​To reach, Stella's private cabin, he had​ to pass through a general ward. There ​were​ row​s of beds ​on either side fully occupied by patients with different ailments in different stages. Some ​​were hooked to IV drips or oxygen tubes, some with heavy bandages on their raised legs, some moaning in pain and many weak and drowsy. The nurses were always seen busy tending to some patients. During visiting time, the scene resembled a ​m​marketplace with visitors milling around each bed.

But amidst the​ ​noise and bustle, one bed always stood out to Paul. It was the only one without visitors. A young girl of 13 years lay with her head raised by lifting the head of the bed in a reclined manner. The girl, though wan and sickly in look​, was attractive. There was ​a certain sadness in her eyes ​as she looked lost and lonely. While Paul had an aversion ​to the sick ambience and rushed through the ward in a hurry, he used to linger ​by the girl's bed for a moment or more. One day to his surprise she smiled at him. Unsure of himself​, he smiled back at her and hastened to his sister's room. He parried his sister’s question when asked why he seemed happy.

The next day, as he crossed the ward, he​ could not resist ​​stopping at her bed and ​smiling. When she smiled back at him, he noticed a faint nod suggesting that he come near her. Paul went near and said “I am Paul. I come daily to visit my sister. I don't see anyone with you on any day​."

"Sophia is my name. I have no one. You are my first visitor" she said and giggled. The two tiny dimples on her cheeks enhanced her charm.

"Don't worry, you will have one daily ​​from now on" he said​ with a chuckle and added, “I must hurry. Will see you tomorrow"

And so, it became part of Paul​'s routine. Each day, he stopped by Sophi​a's bed before heading to Stell​a's room. He would share funny stories from school and updates about his sister​'s dog, making Sophia laugh. He never asked her about her details after she said she was from an orphanage. But this ​did not dampen his warmth for her, rather he spent more time with her impelling his sister to ask why he was late​ these days.

It was a Thursday and more than a fortnight since he bought flowers for the vase in the cabin. He bought ​with his pocket money a bunch of tulips in ​soft pink, ​vibrant yellow and ​delicate blue on the way to ​the hospital​. As he stopped by ​​Sophia's bed, she smiled and ​raised her eyebrows ​in surprise at the flowers​, though she did not ​s​say anything.

 It was on an impulse that Paul thrust the ​​bouquet into her hands.

"Is it a ​​Valentine’s gift on ​​Valentine’s Day?”​ she asked.” I am so happy as it is ​the first gift in my life. I am sorry I have nothing to give you except a warm handshake​," she said.

"Frankly I didn't know that today was special. But I am happy that I could be your Valentine and hope to be so always," he said and warmly shook her hands. Sophia gently wiped the tears of joy from her eyes. She was no longer a lonely soul and her eyes sparkled​ with hope and gratitude.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Remember, kindness is the best gift you can share today