Afrikaans | Trainwreck Casanova
Treinwrak Casanova – B1
Hoofstuk 3: Die Ontwaking
Die aanhoudende gepiep van die hartmonitor het die stilte in die dowwe hospitaalkamer versteur. Steve maak sy oë oop en sien die skoon wit plafon. Hy knip sy oë en probeer verstaan waar hy is.
’n Verpleegster het opgemerk hy is wakker en het vinnig na hom toe gekom. "Meneer Thompson, jy is wakker! Hoe voel jy?"
"Wat—waar is ek?" vra Steve swak, sy keel voel droog en seer.
“Jy is in die hospitaal, skat,” antwoord die verpleegster vriendelik. "Jy het 'n verskriklike ongeluk gehad."
Steve het alles onthou—die opgewondenheid om te wag vir die spesiale passasierstrein, die naderende trein, en dan … niks. Hy het probeer regop sit, maar het 'n skerp pyn in sy ribbes gevoel.
“Wees versigtig,” waarsku die verpleegster en sit ’n hand op sy skouer. "Jy het 'n paar gebreekte ribbes, 'n beenbreuk en baie kneusplekke. Jy is al drie weke in 'n koma."
"Drie weke?" sê Steve sag. Die verpleegster knik en lyk ernstig.
Terwyl hy daar gelê het, het Steve voor die ongeluk aan sy lewe gedink. Hy was alleen, obsessief met treine en modelspoorweë, en heeltemal ontkoppel van die wêreld. Hy het geweet hy moet verander, om met ander te skakel en die lewe buite sy treine te ervaar.
'n Week later het Steve 'n boek genaamd "The Game" deur Neil Strauss in die hospitaalbiblioteek gevind. Hy het begin belangstel in die wêreld van optelkunstenaars (PUA's), mans wat daarop fokus om vroue te verlei en te lok.
Tydens 'n daaglikse fisioterapiesessie het Steve met sy terapeut, Mark, oor die boek gesels.
"Het jy gehoor van 'The Game'?" vra Steve.
Mark lag. "Ja, ek het daarvan gehoor. Dit is nogal omstrede."
"Hoekom?" vra Steve nuuskierig.
"Wel, dit gaan daaroor dat mans tegnieke leer om vroue op te tel. Sommige mense dink dit is manipulerend, terwyl ander dink dit is 'n manier om selfvertroue en sosiale vaardighede op te bou," het Mark verduidelik.
"Dink jy dit kan vir iemand soos ek werk?" vra Steve, hoopvol en onseker.
Mark het 'n oomblik gedink voor hy antwoord. "Ek dink enigiemand kan leer om meer selfversekerd te wees en hul sosiale vaardighede te verbeter, maar dit is belangrik om daardie tegnieke met respek en met goeie bedoelings te gebruik. Op die ou end gaan dit daaroor om ander met vriendelikheid en begrip te behandel."
Steve het Mark se woorde oorweeg en meer vasbeslote gevoel om te verander. Hy het sy vrye tyd spandeer om meer boeke te lees en video's oor selfverbetering en sosiale dinamika te kyk.
Eendag het Steve met 'n ander pasiënt, Jenny, in die hospitaaltuin gepraat. Hulle het hul ervarings bespreek en die veranderinge wat hulle in hul lewens wou maak.
“Ek het baie oor myself geleer,” het Steve gesê. "Ek moet 'n paar ernstige veranderinge in my lewe maak en geluk vind buite my stokperdjies."
Jenny glimlag. "Dit is 'n wonderlike gesindheid. Dit is nooit te laat om te verander en te vind wat ons gelukkig maak nie."
"Dankie, Jenny. Ek sal my bes doen om 'n beter, meer selfversekerde mens te word," het Steve gesê.
Soos Steve se toestand verbeter het, het hy meer vasbeslote gevoel om sy lewe te verander. Toe hy die hospitaal verlaat, was hy gereed om 'n nuwe hoofstuk te begin, gevul met groei, konneksie en die strewe na geluk.
Chapter 3: The Awakening
The constant beeping of the heart monitor disturbed the quiet in the dim hospital room. Steve opened his eyes and saw the clean white ceiling. He blinked, trying to understand where he was.
A nurse noticed he was awake and quickly came to him. "Mr. Thompson, you're awake! How do you feel?"
"Wha—where am I?" Steve asked weakly, his throat feeling dry and sore.
"You're in the hospital, dear," the nurse replied kindly. "You had a terrible accident."
Steve remembered everything—the excitement of waiting for the special passenger train, the approaching train, and then… nothing. He tried to sit up but felt a sharp pain in his ribs.
"Be careful," the nurse warned, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You've got some broken ribs, a fractured leg, and many bruises. You've been in a coma for three weeks."
"Three weeks?" Steve said quietly. The nurse nodded, looking serious.
As he lay there, Steve thought about his life before the accident. He'd been alone, obsessed with trains and model railways, and completely disconnected from the world. He knew he needed to change, to connect with others and experience life beyond his trains.
A week later, Steve found a book called "The Game" by Neil Strauss in the hospital library. He became interested in the world of pick-up artists (PUAs), men who focus on seducing and attracting women.
During a daily physiotherapy session, Steve talked to his therapist, Mark, about the book.
"Have you heard of 'The Game'?" Steve asked.
Mark laughed. "Yes, I've heard of it. It's quite controversial."
"Why?" Steve asked, curious.
"Well, it's about men learning techniques to pick up women. Some people think it's manipulative, while others think it's a way to build confidence and social skills," Mark explained.
"Do you think it could work for someone like me?" Steve asked, hopeful and unsure.
Mark thought for a moment before answering. "I think anyone can learn to be more confident and improve their social skills, but it's important to use those techniques respectfully and with good intentions. In the end, it's about treating others with kindness and understanding."
Steve considered Mark's words and felt more determined to change. He spent his free time reading more books and watching videos on self-improvement and social dynamics.
One day, Steve talked to another patient, Jenny, in the hospital garden. They discussed their experiences and the changes they wanted to make in their lives.
"I've learnt a lot about myself," Steve said. "I need to make some serious changes in my life and find happiness beyond my hobbies."
Jenny smiled. "That's a great attitude. It's never too late to change and find what makes us happy."
"Thank you, Jenny. I'll do my best to become a better, more confident person," Steve said.
As Steve's condition improved, he felt more determined to change his life. When he left the hospital, he was ready to start a new chapter, filled with growth, connection, and the pursuit of happiness.