1 12 A.M

It was almost midnight when Thena decided to go back to her apartment.

Her back was aching from the continuous patients that she treated today. There was a handful of unfortunate people that needed her help. That's why she didn't have any time to rest and eat. Or even just time to stretch her aching back.

Checking her patients for the last time and ensuring she didn't miss anything, Thena left the hospital with an exhausted body, but her heart was satisfied and relieved.

Being in the hospital for 43 hours straight wasn't new to her. When things go terrible, those 43 hours is still not enough to treat countless people with life-threatening situations.

Every so often, she couldn't even come home for a week.

Thena has been doing this for the last five years. It was hard at first, but the satisfaction she gained when she saved someone's life is enough for her to continue doing her job well.

Besides, she doesn't do this every day. Working at a hospital was just her part-time job. Most of the time, she travels to different places to treat people. Well, people can say that she's a freelance doctor.

When Thena opened her apartment door, she ran towards her room after tossing her bag on the floor.

She immediately threw her body into her bed and became one with it. She felt that all the exhaustion her body couldn't feel earlier was now slowly seeping in.

'I'm already at my limit. Should I still take a bath? I think I really smell bad, and my body feels sticky, though. Or maybe I should eat first? What should I do?'

In the middle of her contemplations, the sound of her phone brought her back to reality.

At first, Thena wants to ignore it until the call stops, but when she hears the unique ringtone, she can only forcefully drag her body out of bed to pick it up from her bag.

Before answering, she returns to her glorious bed and dives into its warmth.

"Doctor Thena, I didn't know that you are now courageous enough to let me wait." Those were the words she heard the moment she answered the call.

'It was just seven rings. Ha! Shouldn't have picked it up when I got my chance earlier.' Thena thought as she rolled her eyes.

"Well, Mrs. Veluz, Doctor Thena is currently tired and doesn't have any time to entertain a spoiled brat like you." Thena teasingly retorted.

Well, everything that she said was half meant. She's drained, and she doesn't have the energy to talk to other people right now. She just wants to sleep.

"I guess Doctor Thena is now an adult, who is very independent and reliable. What a disciplined doctor. But, let me guess, you forgot to do something yesterday, didn't you?" Thena can definitely hear the sarcasm that's coming through the phone.

"What do you mean I forgot something?" Thena, who was left muddled at the question, was now starting to get impatient at the thought of being in bed but not actually sleeping on it.

It was pure torture for her.

"So, that means you ate your lunch and dinner? You also didn't forget to wash before going to bed, right? And I'm sure you remember that you needed to call me last week, is that correct?" Mrs. Veluz relentlessly asked.

Thena's droopy eyes shot open at the woman's remarks.

How did she know all of these? Is she a psychic or something? Maybe she put a CCTV on her body, or perhaps it's in her room.

Thena immediately scans her room to see if there's a camera filming her right now.

Upon making sure that there weren't any, she closed her eyes again.

"I mean, I might have done a few of what you said, but what do you mean about last week? Mrs. Veluz, I think you have gotten it all wrong. It's just past midnight on Sunday. I was planning to call you later after I woke up. I guess in your age, you can get it... wrong?" Thena felt all of her soul leave her body when she looked at her digital clock and saw it displaying a big "Monday" on its screen.

Right at this moment, Thena was sure that she fucked up.

"Well, now I kind of forgot who's my favorite between my children..... Oh yes, I remember!" Mrs. Veluz tauntingly said.

"Please no, wait, mom! I can explain-" Thena tried to talk but got cut off.

"It was your brother, who politely called me yesterday and the one who didn't forget to take care of himself. I better call him to relay the good news. Goodbye, Doctor Thena. It was not so nice talking to you."

Before Mother Veluz could hang up on her, she hurriedly said in desperation, "Hey mom, that's unfair. You already told me last time that I'm your favorite. You said it would stay that way for a month. I already rubbed it in the face of my brother. You don't have the right to change that. I will tell dad that you're bullying me."

"Then you better take care of yourself before I have the time to call you again, and even if you tell your dad, you know that he can't do anything about it. Remember everything that I said next time. You have limited free days because of your work and hobby, so when you're free, don't forget your mother, you stupid daughter." The call ended just like that, and Thena was now reluctantly getting fresh towels so she could take a bath, but before that, she hopefully texted her dad.

"Dad, these are the times that I wish you were not too in love with mom. Protect your daughter from the angry monster!" Thena added crying emojis to her message to make a more pitiful impact on her father.

Why did she even do that? How stupid can she be?

"Ahhh!" she frustratingly messed up her hair and bitterly thumped her feet on the ground.

"How did you forget the day today, you stupid Thena! Now we're gonna lose to that fucking moron!" Thena screamed at herself.

Her mother needed only one call every week. It was a favor she asked her children, just so she can be updated to their lives.

Thena couldn't believe what had happened. She really was too busy this week. It would not be her fault if many people were scheduled for surgery today.

Just for today, she cut and sewed three people. Or was it yesterday? She doesn't even know anymore.

At this point, she can even forget who she was.

She could have explained this to her mother, but the problem was Thena's mother couldn't care less about her reasons. Or maybe, even before the call, Thena's mother already knew how busy she was, considering that the hospital she was currently working at was owned by her mother.

But no, Mother Veluz doesn't care. She just needed the output.

Perks of having a sly businesswoman as a mother.

"God, how lucky I am, right?"Thena dramatically asked.

Now, not only was she burned out, but she also needed to pacify her angry mother.

Thena could only sigh her heart out and plan on how she could make the spoiled brat happy with her again.

While heading to the bathroom, she wondered what food she should cook tonight. But, the right question should have been, is there even food in her fridge?

Just as she reached for the bathroom door, her phone beeped. Her father must have sent a reply. Does this mean that she can still be saved?

Thena immediately flew to her phone and opened the message from her father.

But after reading its content, she wishes that she just let it stay unread in her inbox.

"Dad will help you, princess. Don't worry, I will pray for you."

"Thanks a lot, Dad," Thena whispered before putting her hands together and quietly prayed for a better tomorrow.

Maybe for a stronger father also.