1 The Start and End

He was sick for most of the time I knew him.

Sick in health, sick in temper, even sick of me.

I stuck to him like glue throughout our childhood because I thought that time makes the heart grow fonder, only to be pushed away countless amounts of time.

"I'll take care of you for your whole life. Don't worry about me, I love you enough for the both of us."

"Tsk, if you love me that much, then listen closely to what I'm saying-" He starts coughing uncontrollably as the nurses come in to aid him. Upon seeing his condition, they quickly call the doctor on call.

"Sir, patient Adam Chen has started another coughing spell... Yes Sir, I am afraid there is much more blood this time compared to the last."

"Hurry! Help him please!" I say as I get pushed away towards the exit.

"How many times have I told you not to come here!" I shudder at the loud, booming voice that comes closer to me.

"Madam, I was only here to keep the young master some company since he has not had any other visitors in a while..."

"Sarah! If you wish to keep your life, I'd better listen up now. You will never be with me son. Never! If I so much as see you look his way once more, I will kill you myself." Her eyes giving off a murderous glint.

"I was only trying to-" I try to explain as I feel a sharp pain throughout my body as I am shoved harshly onto the hospital floor.

"She's only a child Madam! Show some restraint, what would the public think if the president of a prestigious cosmetics brand was seen abusing a child!" Her assistant chimes in to ensure that the situation does not escalate out of control.

"Hmph, little girl you will never be good enough for Adam. A poor girl like you could never amount to anything worthy enough to even lick my shoe. Stop this delusional day dream and get your head out of the gutter!" She leans in so close to me that I can feel her angered, uneven breath.

"If you love him so much like you say you do, do him a favor and stay away."

And I did.

--

"Doctor Zhu! Doctor Zhu! Hurry a mass trauma has come in. I heard there was a bus accident not too far from here, prepare yourself!"

I shake myself out of those bad memories and bring my attention back to my job. I had not even noticed that I was staring at my half eaten piece of toast for longer than any normal person would. I quickly wrap all my trash together and throw it in the bin, and follow the intern out into the emergency ward.

"Give me an update on the status of the incident." I start putting on some gloves as I look at the charts coming in endlessly.

"About ten miles away there was a head on collision between a bus and a truck. The truck driver was pronounced dead at the scene, where as the bus passengers are all in critical condition. There are about thirty patients that have been admitted."

"Mommy! Mommy! Help me, I'm scared!" I turn my attention to the noise amidst the groans and screams of the others in the ward. I run over to the little girl and see blood gushing down the side of her face.

"Sweetie, calm down okay? Everything is going to be okay, we will go and find your mommy when you are all better." I carry the little girl to the nearest bed and prop her up with a few pillows.

"Can you count to ten for me?" I take this opportunity to grab some gauze and apply pressure to the wound.

"5….6….7…"

"Very good, can you tell me your name?" I apply a layer of antiseptics and wrap her head with the remaining gauze.

"Annie… my name is Annie."

"What a beautiful name, Annie. You're going to be better in no time. We are just going to run a few tests and you are all set to go." I turn to the intern on duty with me and tell him to run a CT scan on her while I go tend to other patients.

"Wait Doctor!" I look back at Annie, just as I was about to leave.

"Yes, is everything all right? Are you feeling any pain?" I look her up and down to make sure there weren't any wounds that I happened to miss.

"What about my mommy?" She looks up at me with tears that threatened to fall.

"Aw honey, don't worry about that for now. Your mommy probably wants you to just rest up and get better as soon as possible!" I wipe away her tears as Annie nods her head.

"Alright be a good girl, Annie! I will ask Mr. Tommy to look for her when both of you are done with your pictures okay?"

"But Doctor Zhu! I heard there was an amazing surgery taking place today that I really wanted to see!" I gave him a look to shut him up.

"Okay, but next time you definitely owe me one!" He shouts as he wheels Annie down the hall. I shake my head as I look around for other patients to help.

"Move out of the way! This patient must make it to a surgery room right now. We are losing her!" A crew of nurses and Doctor Lu run through the hall pushing a gurney.

"Doctor Zhu, come with us right away! You are the only cardiac surgeon we have working tonight!" Doctor Lu yells as I run to catch up with them.

"Of course! What's wrong with this patient?"

"It appears that some metal fragments have went through the chest during the accident and have punctured her deep within the cavity. I only hope that it didn't make it far enough to reach the heart."

"Her BP is dropping Doctor we must hurry!" I push open the doors to the surgery room and immediately start to cut her open. I see exactly where the fragments had hit her.

"It's in too deep Doctor Zhu, how should we proceed?"

"Everyone move aside!" I examine the organ once again and start my work.