The realization
Kung I-Chi was lying in hospital. He had been there for quite many hours but it was only now that he regained consciousness. He vaguely recollected being hit by something but after that it was blank. He slightly shifted his head to be able to see the door. The injury hurt him terribly. He could hardly open his eyes. He tried to move his legs. He could hardly feel any sensation. He closed his eyes and wondered what had happened. Somebody was coming for he heard shuffling footsteps beside his door. An attendant entered the room and quietly moved about doing his work. Kung I-Chi opened his eyes with an effort and looked at him expectedly. The attendant came closer and examined him tentatively. He smiled, trying to convey to him that all was well with the world.
“How are you feeling now, Sir ? We’ll have you up and about in a week’s time. The doctor is very hopeful about your case”.
“May I know what is exactly the matter with me ? I am terribly tired and can hardly move”.
“You met with an accident. It was a case of hit and run. A truck knocked you down and then disappeared and for hours you must have bled when a passing car picked you up and brought you here. You’ll be alright soon. Sir. It is mainly loss of blood and fractures in the legs. At the moment you are still recovering from the after-effect of anaesthesia”.
Kung I-Chi looked at him as if still dazed. He was straining his memory to remember why he had gone out of the town. What had taken him away ? Nothing came back to him. The attendant chattered on, “Not to worry, Sir, your friends have responded quickly to your needs. Mr. Lim has been in constant attendance. He was the first to reach the hospital”.
Kung I-Chi closed his eyes. The attendant after filling in some charts left the room leaving I-Chi to his thoughts. Kung I-Chi was lost in past memories. He thought of his friend. Lim Hsiang Lin. He had never appreciated Lin who had been a faithful and devoted friend all these years. He remembered when they were at school. They used to sit side by side. Lin was a better student but very quiet and modest. Many a time Kung I-Chi had received his help and many a time he had wrongly got the credit from the teacher. He remembered that when his father had died Lin had come to him and had helped him sort out the papers. When there had been some problems connected with his land. it was Lin who discussed things with him, sought legal opinion and had stood by him. Kung I-Chi remembered that when he, in his newly gained freedom, had invested heavily in the ore market and had lost, Lin had mortgaged his own property to save him. They were both of the same age, but Lin was sober and was a source of strength whereas he himself was impulsive and hasty.
Lying here in the hospital, he realized that all these thirty years of his life he had been like a parasite. He resolved he would change, he would strive towards stability. Lost in this self-assessment he made up his mind to begin anew. Lin would not be the only one to give. Kung I-Chi would reciprocate. Once he was well he would be a different man.
It took days for him to he himself. When he was well he learnt that he had needed blood and Hsiang Lin had been the one to give it: he had needed money and immediately Lin had provided it. Lin had comforted his wife and children and had been always there a source of strength. He realized that he could never repay Lin for all he had done. He realized that though he was not worthy. he was fortunate enough to have the friendship of Lin.
