She sobbed slowly still trying to move her numb right hand. She sniffed.
"Hey" I called out with a soft voice.
"Are you scared?" I asked
She lifted her left hand, wiped her nose and rubbed it on her gown. She nodded slowly. I smiled weakly
"I'm scared too" I say, not even believing what I had said but it was true, my heart was pounding like crazy.
She looked at me with widened eyes; she was shocked. She gulped and gave me a questioning look
I sigh "I know, I know I'm the doctor and Im not meant to be scared but I am still. I'm a coward" I stare down to the tiles.
All these while I've worked with my team especially during surgeries, I've never worked on my own perhaps that was why my heart jumped the way it did when she started wailing.
Her expression softens as she heard my words "no I'm the real coward" she said and a fresh tear trailed down her face. Without me asking, she continued "I did this to my self and I'm not brave enough to take the consequence" she said with a low voice probably not wanting her mum to hear.
"Well if you had done the job, we all won't be in this situation right now" I said as I looked to the wall avoiding eye contact with her.
"What really happened " I managed to ask.
She looked at me and then at her injured palm and sighed. "It's true I disobeyed and didn't do the work in the shed. When mum locked me and Chuck inside, he complained that his breathing was unsteady and the shade was stuffy. He was finding it difficult to breathe and I panicked.
I tried to open the window but it was stuck, I got frustrated with the window and his sharp breathes I began to bang on it with my fist and suddenly it broke and there was blood then"
I nod my head in realization. After hearing both sides of the story I can tell it was fully a misunderstanding, both mother and daughter blamed themselves. One tried to teach her daughter a lesson and one was looking out for her brother.
"You've done this for your brother?" I ask still unsure, I mean it was either that or she's a genius at lying.
She nodded. If theres anything I've learnt from children is that they are very vulnerable and that's why reverse psychology often works so I had to use my head.
"I bet he looked at you the way he would've looked at a super hero. You showed bravery to him by wanting to help his claustrophobia, I'm sure he'll look up to you from now on" she looked at me with warmth in her eyes
"Yeah he did look surprised" she said with a dry laughter.
I smile in return "what would he think right now if he sees you, crying on the hospital bed like a baby because of a small wound, he probably won't see you as the hero you were earlier he might think you're still the weak little girl you used to be and you did all that for show "
The little girl stared at me a while without blinking "he would think of me as a coward who's scared of needles and bandages" she replied.
"Is that what you want?" I ask her,
"No of course not, I want him to look up to me as an elder sister and call me in times of need or when he's being bullied, I want him to know that I'm never scared of anything and that I'm always able to help and fight for him"
I smile at her strong willed words. Atta girl!.
Recalling, I quickly add "you know, the scars are what makes the heros" I folded up my sleeve, revealing a former dark scar. She looked intensively at it.
"What happened?" She asked me
"I can't remember quite well but I was trying to save a kitty from falling over" I lied through my teeth with a smile
Actually, when I was 10 I was trying to climb the kitchen cabinets to steal sweets and candies but unfortunately I feel and hurt my arm. How terrible of me, lying like this I almost believed myself.
"That's really good of you" she praised.
"You can be better, go home today and show your little brother that even glass can't stand in your way when it comes to his protection"
She nodded with a new heavy expression on her face, she now looked determined and stronger than ever. "I'm ready! Take out the glass piece" she said confidently.
I sigh, glad it turned out positive.
I carefully and cautiously dressed the wound and applied antiseptic to it ; all while patting myself on the back.
Once I'm done she called out to me "doc, thanks for helping me. But you weren't really scared were you?" She asked.
I nodded slowly "I was and no need for thanks it's what I do. We helped each other".
I'm embraced tightly from behind. I turned around and it was her mother. Her eye bags were slowly resting and there were dried tears on her face. She looked at me happily but weary and hugged me more
"Thank you, thank you so much. I don't know what you did but thanks so much. I'm sorry I didn't acknowledge you at first thank you".
Speechless, I Nod.
Hastily, Silas and Dr Melendez walked in but stopped at the entrance to view the current situation.
I felt triumphant and my lips curled up to a smile as Silas eyes wandered around the room in confusion. The woman rushed towards Dr Melendez to explained what had happened. Her approach to him made it seem like they knew each other.
Silas came closer to me "what happened here?" He asked arching an eyebrow.
I smirked and place my hand on his shoulder. "Well you see, like you said, a pediatricians job is to take care of the children and make sure they're calm and healthy so..... maybe next time I'll take care of the patient while you handle their parent okay?" I raised my brows
He sneered and shrugged my hand off his shoulder.