Life in the hospital has never been easy. Double shift, forgotten meals and almost no rest even during weekends are the struggles Catherine has to live by as a surgical nurse and aspiring Cardiothoracic surgeon. Attending school during day and doing rounds at night is her daily routine since the last three years and it definitely took a toll on her body. Some would say that loosing weight is a good thing but when you shred those fats due to stress and overwork, one would wish to keep those extra pounds just to look healthier. Not able to take good care of her skin, even combing her hair before work is now treated as a hassle and a waste of time. Aside from all her personal delimmas, Catherine would have to come home every so often to visit her sick mother. In that accord, Doctor Jonathan Hanes, her ex - boyfriend is the least of her concern.
The automated glass door slides slowly before Doctor Benjamin Craig walks in with pride. The soft edges of the gold framed circular glasses sitting comfortably on his high bridge nose glimmers as the bright light of the tight spaced recovery room reflected on it. He inserted his ID inside the left hand pocket of his neat white gown after taking it out for scanning. Selected a regular black pen out of the three that were inserted in the same hem and started clicking the button as he review a three page document piled on a clipboard.
"Dr. Craig?!" Nurse Lowes almost fell from her seat. She was quite unready to see the doctor.
"Why do you look so surprised? Did I interrupt you in the middle of something?" His interrogative tone has always been disliked by Stephanie. Though Dr. Craig and Catherine are relatably close, she did not receive the same treatment from the famous surgeon unlike her long time friend and therefore, understanding this man's personality has always left a bitter taste in her mouth.
"Nn.. nothing to be concerned of Dr. Craig. You just looked so dazzling hence my reaction." She smiles sheepishly.
"I see. you can go ahead and re - check your schedule. There might be another operation in an hour." He instructs Nurse Lowes, again with a cold shoulder.
Stephanie chose to not answer, instead she silently moved towards the exit, afraid that the conversation will prolong and she won't be able to avoid further questions.
"Hold on.. by the way, where is Nurse Jacobs? I knew there was something odd as soon as I came in. She was supposed to be here, not you." Stephanie thought she already escaped this situation. She was only supposed to give Catherine and Dr. Hanes a few minutes to clarify things but her selfless action might've put her in trouble. Though hesitant, she turns her head towards Dr. Craig, hoping she could tell a lie believable enough for him.
"Uhmm.. Nurse Jacobs stepped out a bit and asked a few minutes."
"What for? where did she go?"
"Bb.. bathroom?!"
"What's taking so long? The comfort room is right at the corner."
"Maybe it's a.. huge one?" sweat started rolling down from her forehead. She is cursing and apologizing to Catherine at the same time in her mind.
"The patient is at stake Nurse Lowes. Tell me the truth." Dr. Craig crosses his arms around his chest and Stephanie gulped in her fright.
"I am telling the truth.. Nurse Jacobs is.." and the door's sliding sound jolted her. It seemed louder than before but not deafening enough to subdue the thumping of her heart. The person in question finally arrived at the scene.
"Nurse Jacobs! where have you been?" Dr. Craig puts down the clipboard and started asking without wasting any second.
"Comfort room Dr. Craig. I'm not feeling well." Catherine immediately responded. She rubbed her tummy to signal her discomfort on that area. Stephanie sighed in relief after hearing that answer. It was as if they rehearsed it prior.
"Told you Doctor. It may have been a huge one." Stephanie inserted and giggled. She sounded more confident this time but all she got as a response was a stern look from her friend and an unamused gaze from Dr. Craig. She backed away in small steps to her embarrassment.
"I'm out! I'll leave you professionals to do your thing." and the door locked out and that's how she disappeared from their sight.
"We will continue this conversation in my office. Now help me check Mr. Green's condition." He picked up the documents again and handed it to Catherine. He is always in the look out for her, both in school and at work and this may have been one of his ways of helping her get used to the practical job of a surgeon, getting her ahead of the other students. Nurse Jacobs accepted the challenge and flipped through the pages before talking. She discussed about the valve replacement, the method used and how the operation went. She included the aftercare and the vitals that needs to be checked every three hours. It was like she read it directly from a manuscript.
"Good! But 1000cc is too high. Our patient is an elderly and we just operated on his heart. That will kill him after two dozes." he corrected her.
Catherine took down notes then re - read the highlighted section.
"Got it. 350cc to 500cc max."
"That is right. He should wake up soon so monitor the urine as well." Dr. Craig continued and Catherine nodded in agreement. After a few more checks, both of them went out and asked another nurse to check on the sleeping Mr. Green. Just like what he said, the conversation earlier continued in his office.
"So what was so important that you left your patient to an anesthesiologist?" He sat down in his chair after hanging his coat.
"Just like I mentioned, I was not feeling well." She talked comfortably since she knew she is now with a friend not a surgeon.
"Your eyes are slightly red and your voice is quavering. Why did you cry again?" He inquired. His voice is now softer and calm but Catherine just lowered her head.
"Gastritis?" He asked and she nodded.
"So he bothered you again?"
"How did you even come up with that conclusion?" She wondered. Though his hypothesis is correct, she is unsure on how to answer him.
"For the years that I worked closely with you, never did you throw up or cried out of overwork. It was only when he is involved or your mother. I figured he is the reason."
"Wow. Am I that obvious?"
"Nope. Only to my eyes." Dr. Craig's words perhaps had another meaning behind and Catherine understood. She inadvertently looked away.
"You always run away Catherine. Finding excuses to reject this topic." Dr. Craig found his way to where Catherine was sitting. He kneels with one foot then rubbed her now wet hands. She heaves, remembering the past she can't get rid off.
"How far would you like me to go? How long do I have to wait?"
"This is sympathy your feeling.. nothing else. Please don't mistake it." She replies in between heavy breathing.
"A thirty -four year old me surely knows the difference between affection and sympathy. Don't twist it."
"But you know my story. What I've been through and will have to go through in the future. Do you still dare?"
"It's because I know your story. What you went through and will have to go through in the coming days. I will no longer hide nor hold back, I promise. I just need your permission and I'm all yours." His tone was totally different than how it usually is. The prideful prodigy and aristocrat does know how to treat a lady.
"I'm still afraid Ben. It would be unfair to receive hundred percent of you when I am still broken inside."
"I don't need it to be fair Cath. Just be with me and let me hear you call out my name every morning after I wake up.. that's all I ask of you." and he kissed both of her hands. They looked at each other and she received a peck on her forehead afterwards.
"I should stop here or else.."
"Thank you Ben.. and I fully accept you and your feelings. This is as much as what I can offer now but I'll trust you." Catherine wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.
"I love you Cath." He says before their lips met.