'I don't want to miss my exams'

Three days after her school bus driver ran her over with his ears plugged to music sixyearold Zahraa Sheikh says she cant wait to join her friends at school and munch on her favourite food Even though she is in obvious pain evident from the blood clots in her eyes and bruises on her slight frame it is sixyearold Zahraa Sheikhs indomitable spirit that is most noticeable at first glanceThough she is recuperating from major trauma the feisty child has effortlessly charmed her way into the hearts of all the doctors and nurses who are tending to her with her endearing naivete and the volley of innocent questions she subjects them to The getwell card that was prepared with love by Zahraas school friends at Podar Zahraa now recuperating at the paediatric ICU of Nanavati HospitalZahraa had the whole city on tenterhooks a few days back when she was hit by her own school bus on Tuesday evening after she and her 11yearold brother Junaid had alighted from the vehicle to walk to their home on St Anthony Road in Vakola Ears plugged to music bus driver hits 6yearold February 2As she recuperates in the paediatric ICU of Nanavati Hospital her cheeriness and fortitude make it difficult to believe that she has escaped death by a whisker She recently left a doctor nonplussed asking him artlessly if he was related to the nurse as he referred to her as sisterMissing her friendsYesterday her childlike fervour to recover and return to the playful company of her friends from Podar School was palpable The colour drains from her face at the mention of a school bus but her eagerness to be reunited with her friends is enough to make her forget Tuesdays traumaThe child is also worried that she will not get well in time to prepare for her written and oral exams which are due later this month Agar exam nahi dungi to mere sab dost mujhe peeche chhod ke dusri class main chale jayenge If I dont give my exams then all my friends will leave me behind and go on to the next class she insisted tearyeyed She promptly recovers promising not to cry so that doctors discharge her earlyDriver uncle ne itne zor se mujhe mara meri eyes black ho gayi Driver uncle hit me so hard that my eyes went black she said recollecting the accident which caused multiple blunt injuries and abrasions all over her bodySubsequent medical tests revealed a lung contusion resulting from internal tissue bleeding due to trauma I have asked my Ammi mother to prepare my favorite spaghetti in white sauce when I go home she said I cant have chicken burgers and pizza here nor surf the Internet she complained grudginglyShes got mailShe is thrilled at receiving a getwell card from her school friends with her favourite cartoon character Winnie the Pooh and a special handwritten message In the card one sees a thoughtful message from friend Khatija which says I want to share my tiffin with youu00a0On being informed that there is a small playroom with swings and slides outside the paediatric ward she immediately requested that her mother click some photographs of it and show her how to use the different play gear once she is wellZahraas schoolteachers who visited her described her as a bubbly and talkative child who is always chattering with friends as well as with strangers Doctors at the hospital who are treating her say it is this very positive spirit that will help her bounce back from the accident Zahraas mother Juwairiah Sheikh said her only concern was that her daughter returned home safe and healthy We have no complaints against the school but would want precautions to be taken so that such accidents borne out of the carelessness of the driver do not repeat My three children study in Podar and we never had any such problems in the past she saidThe Other SideSanjeev Lele Transport manager at Podar School said We are still investigating the matter to determine what happened in the bus The female attendant is also to blame We already have a list of dos and donts in place for school bus drivers We are working on them now to make them stricter