Pretty Doctor

Anika quickly made payment for her medicine, and on her way out, threw two pills in her mouth. She was on her way to the hospital.

Heaving in a deep sigh as she arrived at the entrance, she told herself to be strong. She would call Lark again and try to...try to what? Well! She would figure something out.

On her way inside, she bumped into a figure. Tall, fine young man. His eyes were a set of dazzling blue, staring deeply into hers. She hadn't meant to stare that long but this man was just...there was an air of mystery around him.

Until his lips parted in a sluggish grin. "A fine afternoon to you too, miss." He said, making Anika snap back to reality.

She instantly knew she didn't like him. The likes of these handsome men knew what influence they had on women...why had she been staring like a fool with her mouth open?

She coughed, clearing her throat, and said only "sorry", before making an attempt to leave.

His lips pressed together in a fine pause as he heard her. "Sorry?" Was that all she would say? He scoffed with a chuckle. But at this point, she was already walking away. "No, wait!" He called out after her. Slowly, she turned to face him, brows arched up.

She wasn't even that pretty so why was she playing hard to get? Slender, long brown hair, pretty eyes and rosebud lips. Yes, she wasn't even that pretty! Compared to the models he'd seen before.

"Do you need anything?" She said dismissively.

"I'm Christopher. Christopher Shall?" He said proudly, but she's just staring at him as if he hit his head and was having a concussion. Feeling embarrassed, Christopher cleared his throat loudly. "Nothing. That's all." He said, watching her walk away.

Something unsettled in him. He couldn't bare to just let her go like that. Did she really not know who he was?

He was walking behind her, pretending as if they were heading the same way. She moved elegantly, waving and smiling to people as she met them on the way.

Seemed like she'd been there a while. Was she a patient? Nah, he didn't think so.

Ryan, a little playful 7 year old cancer kid jumped up as soon as he saw him. His heart ached whenever he saw Ryan, wishing he could work magic and heal him very fast. The poor boy had a bright future, he could sing so well. Christopher shrugged and was about to go and meet him. Only for him to see his excitement had not been for him.

"Anika, Anika! My friend is here." Ryan began to chant in a singing tone. Christopher did not know when he began to smile too.

The lady, Anika, started clapping, dancing as Ryan hyped her up. His P.A and best friend, Phil, appeared beside him.

"I want her number." Christopher muttered. "She's just...I like her."

Phil did not say anything at first. Then, "she's the daughter of the patient at ward 13. I think."

Christopher blinked. Did he hear him right? "Ward 13? Are you for real?"

Phil confirmed with a big nod. His lips was stained with blood, apart from that, with his sleek black hair and fair skin, you wouldn't believe Phil to be this rogue dude. He must have gotten into a fight last night for getting that blood stain. But Christopher would not even bother to ask.

"Interesting..." His mind raced back to earlier that morning. "I need to speak to him. I can't—no. I won't."

"It's impossible, you've already been assigned with your patient at the VIP ward." Phil told him.

"But—"

"You can still save her if you want to. But you've got to prepare yourself for the surgery later today. You can't just switch patients at the last minute. You don't want to make the Chairman angry."

He glanced toward Anika again.

She was feeding Ryan biscuits from her bag, pretending not to notice the IV attached to the little boy’s arm. She looked exhausted but still smiled.

Christopher felt something uncomfortable stir inside him. People usually looked at hospitals with fear.

But she walked through suffering like she belonged in it. She must have been carrying pain for a very long time herself.

He was so furious right now. But he knew Phil was right. "Whatever. Let's go prepare then."

I'll be back for you, Anika. He made a promise to himself.

As Christopher walked through the hallway, nurses straightened immediately.

“Dr. Shall.”

“Good afternoon, Doctor.”

Even senior surgeons lowered their voices around him.

Anika noticed it now. This man wasn’t just some arrogant flirt. He was important too. Their eyes locked but he quickly averted her gaze. He smiled at Ryan though before walking in a hurry.

"What's that look?" Little Ryan said to her. "You can't fall for him. He's off limits."

Anika blinked, taken aback. "W-what?"

"He's going to marry my sister. They look so good together."

"I'm married, Ryan. He's all yours." Anika smiled, patting him on the head. She then hurried to check up on Mary first before seeing the doctor.

She sat beside Mary, gently rubbing her cold fingers. “Look at you. You look better than yesterday." She said with a smile.

Mary smiled weakly too. "You said that to me yesterday too."

Anika forced out a bitter laugh. "Did I? Well, it's cos you keep getting pretty and pretty lately." She was terrified.

The doctor's call had sounded urgent. Emergency surgery? Immediate intervention?

Otherwise...

Anika swallowed hard before the thought could finish. "I spoke to the nurse," she whispered quickly. "A specialist is handling your case today."

Mary only smiled sadly. "We poor people should not trust hope too much." She said, "You've spent all the last penny you've ever saved. When will you give up on me, the way Lark and his family already have?"

Anika jumped up to her feet, and knuckled a tear from her eyes. "We're not having this conversation."

"I'm not even your family. I'm not your mother, Anika." She continued, wheezing.

But Anika would not listen to this. She cleared her throat, "I need to see the doctor quickly. I'll be right back."

***

Christopher stripped on his gloves aggressively as they entered the surgical room. "Blood pressure?”

“Stable.”

“Anesthesia?”

“Ready.”

Everything sounded distant because his mind was elsewhere.

Ward 13.

He had reviewed the file briefly earlier.

Female, 52 years. Severe mitral valve deterioration.

Surgery had already been delayed twice due to incomplete payment. Now her condition was worsening rapidly.

If he operated today, she still had a chance.

If he didn’t—

"Sir?" The sharp voice pulled him back.

His face hardened. He had work to do.

His mind replayed again to her. The way she lit up that depressing hallway for a sick little boy while her own world was collapsing. Something about it disturbed him deeply.

Christopher removed his gloves slowly. Phil had stepped out to meet him too. He was walking so fast it seemed like he was running.

He heard Phil's voice behind him muttering...something. But his mind was elsewhere.

Finally, he reached Ward 13 but—

Christopher stopped breathing when he saw her. She collapsed beside the hospital bed, still holding her mother's hand. As if refusing to let death take her away completely.

Christopher felt sick.

For the first time in years… A patient’s death felt personal.