MAX ACCIDENT
Early every morning, Max starts his work before his kids even get dressed for school. His job was demanding, but he always made sure to find time for his family. Sometimes he came home early, and on other days, he video-called his family to stay connected. Collins, Max’s son, struggled to find a girlfriend in school, but he would often bring girls he had a crush on to the house. Unfortunately, none of them seemed interested in dating him. Jane, on the other hand, would occasionally sneak out to parties at night without her father knowing, taking advantage of her mother Stella’s night duty. Max’s work schedule made it challenging for him to wake up at night, even with the help of an alarm. One Saturday morning, Max sat with Jane, engaged in a heartfelt conversation, when his phone suddenly began to ring. He turned his attention to the phone and realized he had completely forgotten about a business trip he was supposed to take. A wave of sadness washed over him as he looked at Stella, who was eager to know what had changed his mood. “What’s the matter?” Stella asked. “I completely forgot about my business trip. My flight is scheduled to depart at 10,” Max explained. “You’ve been working so hard, trying to balance your job and our family. It’s understandable that things slip your mind sometimes,” Stella reassured him. “You’re so understanding. I don’t deserve you,” Max replied. “Of course, you do. We need each other,” Stella said, planting a kiss on his lips. “How long will you be gone?” “Three days,” Max replied. “You better hurry then. We wouldn’t want you to miss your flight,” Stella urged. Collins, who had been engrossed with his phone, seemed unbothered by the conversation. Max noticed this and silently signaled Stella to come over. Stella quietly approached Collins from behind, and they both looked at his phone screen. Collins had been taking pictures of Lara, a girl he had been infatuated with. Max, feeling a mix of surprise and concern, entered his room to get ready for the business trip. While getting dressed, Jane approached him. “Father, it’s Saturday. Aren’t you supposed to be at home?” Jane asked. “I wish I could, but I completely forgot about a business trip. Thankfully, I set a reminder on my phone just in time,” Max explained. “How long will you be gone?” Jane inquired. “Three days, my love. I have to leave now, but I’ll be back before you know it,” Max assured her as he kissed her forehead and left the house. As Max drove, he suddenly realized his brakes were not responding. Frantically trying to save himself, he unbuckled his seatbelt and jumped out of the car before it crashed into a building. However, he hit his head hard on the ground, losing consciousness. Meanwhile, Jane, Collins, Stella, and Lara were watching a series on TV when a phone call interrupted their movie. Stella answered the call with a sense of unease. “Hello?” she said. “Am I speaking with Stella Max Johnson?” the caller asked. “Yes, this is she,” Stella replied. “Your husband, Mr. Max, had a car accident due to brake failure. He’s currently at Citizen Life Hospital,” the caller informed her. Stella’s heart raced as she rushed to get her car keys. “What’s wrong, Mom? You seem unsettled,” Jane asked, worried. “It’s your father. He had an accident,” Stella explained. They quickly got into the car and drove to the hospital. The doctor allowed them to see Max, who was in a critical condition. Stella broke down in tears, blaming herself for not stopping him from going on the business trip. While she wept, Dr. Clark entered the room. “I can see you’re all here. I believe you’re the wife,” Dr. Clark said, addressing Stella. Through teary eyes, Stella nodded. “Yes, I’m his wife.” “I don’t know if this is the right time to break the news, given that you’re already in tears, but I need to inform you that due to the fall and the impact on his head, your husband is in a coma. He also has a broken leg,” Dr. Clark revealed. Stella fell to her knees beside Max’s bed and prayed fervently, tears streaming down her face. “If there is truly a higher power, please bring Max out of this coma,” she pleaded. Lara observed Jane and Collins, who were struggling to hold back their tears, lost for words. She approached Stella and offered her comfort. Three days passed, and Max showed no signs of waking up. Stella refused to leave his side, and Jane became distant, while Collins was lost in his thoughts. Although Collins had always enjoyed his father’s absence as an opportunity to bring girls home, he now felt empty with his father lying unconscious in the hospital bed. Lara, witnessing the family’s pain, decided to intervene. She chose to fulfill Stella’s prayer, acting as a guardian angel of sorts, even though she feared revealing her true identity might make Max hate her. Late at night, while Jane and Collins were asleep, Lara jumped out of the window, landing gracefully on her feet. She ran swiftly to the hospital, making sure not to attract any attention. In Max’s ward, she quietly shut the door from the inside. Lara approached Max, being cautious not to disturb Stella’s sleep. Gently, she placed her hand on his head, entering his sub consciousness. Inside, Max found himself in a blissful setting with his perfect family, unaware that he was in a coma. To his surprise, Lara was there too, sitting in the living room with Stella and the kids. “Who are you, and why do you look like Lara?” Max asked, bewildered. “That’s because I am Lara. What you see here is your sub consciousness creating an ideal family for you,” Lara explained. “I find that hard to believe,” Max called out to his wife and children. Lara having the power to shape consciousness, waved her hand, and suddenly, Max and herself stood in a white room. Curiosity filled Max’s eyes as he tried to make sense of what was happening. “What is going on?” Max inquired. “You are in a coma, and your wife and children are worried sick. None of them have found any happiness in the past three days,” Lara revealed. “Three days?” Max repeated, shocked. “Three days,” Lara said with conviction. Max stared at her, his confusion evident. “If I’m really in a coma, how are you here?” he questioned. “I am not from your world. I am a goddess, the princess of Sky City,” Lara replied, her voice tinged with otherworldly grace. “You must be insane. This has to be some kind of joke. I’ll wake up any moment now,” Max retorted, his skepticism evident. Lara sighed, realizing the gravity of the situation. “Very well, then. In the name of your wife’s kindness to me, I have no choice but to show you the truth,” she said. Max’s curiosity was piqued. “What are you going to do?” he asked cautiously. Without warning, Lara ascended into the air, illuminating the surroundings with a brilliant light. “Max, lover of Stella, father to Jane and Collins, bow before me, Princess Lara, daughter of Arthur. With my power, I shall free you from this place,” she declared. Max was awe-struck by her radiant beauty and found himself falling to his knees. “If you truly are who you claim to be, take me back to my family. I will forever worship you,” he pledged. Lara descended gracefully and approached him. “Hold my hands,” she commanded. As their hands touched, a brilliant light passed from her to him, revealing Max lying in a hospital bed. To his astonishment, he opened his eyes and saw Lara standing beside him, her eyes glowing with an otherworldly brilliance. She smiled at him and whispered, “Do not speak of me to anyone, for I am not of this world.” Max nodded in agreement as he watched her leave the ward, disappearing in the blink of an eye. Meanwhile, Stella, Max’s wife, slept peacefully in the hospital room. Max gently tapped her on the shoulder and said, “Good morning, love.” Stella’s eyes widened with astonishment as she saw Max standing beside her, out of his coma and on his own two feet. Overwhelmed with joy, she let out a scream that echoed through the corridors, attracting the attention of nurses and doctors who rushed to witness the miraculous recovery. Dr. Charles, shocked to see Max fully recovered, insisted on running further tests to confirm the miracle.
Stella, in her excited state, called Jane on the phone and shared the incredible news of Max’s recovery. She told Jane and Collins to expect their father’s return home within an hour. Excitement filled the hearts of Jane and Collins upon hearing their father’s rapid recovery. Later that evening, Dr. Charles entered the room, still amazed at Max’s quick turnaround.
“Madam, it seems that God has answered your prayers. You may take your husband home. He appears to be in perfect health,” Dr. Charles announced.
Stella and Max returned home, where Jane had prepared a feast to celebrate their reunion. The moment Max stepped through the door, his children engulfed him in a tight embrace, brimming with joy. After the warm reunion, they all gathered around the table, laughing and joking as one big family. Lara, observing the happiness that had returned to their lives, excused herself and retreated to her room. Aware of her modest appetite, no one bothered to check on her.
While Lara secluded herself, Max desired to have a private conversation with her. He excused himself from the family, requesting a few minutes alone with Lara. As he approached her room, he knocked softly before entering.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything. I wanted to ask you something,” he said, settling down beside her and fixing his gaze upon her.
“Why are you here in our world, goddess? Have you come to pass judgment upon us?” Max inquired.
“Judgment?” Lara looked at him, surprised. “A curse was placed upon me before I even existed. It binds me to be more beautiful than the dark realm’s princess and desired by every man, including my own father. This curse threatens to destroy our kingdom and turn the universe against my father. That’s why I’ve been sent here to find a true love’s kiss to break the curse. Once I’ve succeeded, I can return home and take my rightful place alongside my father.”
Max pondered her words and spoke up, “If it’s a true love’s kiss you seek, shouldn’t your mother or your father be the ones to break the curse? The prophecy doesn’t specify whose kiss it should be.”
Lara sighed, realizing the depth of Max’s understanding. “It’s said to be the kiss of someone who loves me genuinely, not for my beauty or my position as a princess, but for who I truly am,” she explained.
“Now that I’ve pledged myself to you, what do you expect from me?” Max inquired earnestly.
“Simply continue being yourself. I don’t ask anything of those who are my subjects. Instead, I give them everything they need. Just as I have given you back your health and the ability to walk,” Lara responded.
Max rose from his seat and bowed slightly before leaving her room. As he walked away, Lara watched him, realizing the profound impact of his maturity and understanding. From that day forward, she resolved to respond to the prayers of her subjects by establishing a communication link between their two worlds.