13. Hold on!!

"I can't believe it's been four months!" She let out a smile that held relief. She was shocked at how fast time rolled, hours into days, days into weeks, weeks into months, it was incredible but to be honest, keeping herself busy and working like a dog did it for her. She took two shifts, she didn't like the idea of home and just lazing around watching TV or eating or maybe sleeping or probably talking with her mom, she didn't have anytime to catch up with Lola or talk and moreover she was filling up those lonely times with her sister, they missed eachother.

"I know right" She heard him chuckle through the phone. "Are you still taking the two shifts?" He sounded somewhat worried.

"Totally " She massaged her hand around her neck. "To keep myself busy "

"Hmm.." He sighed. "Has Lola abandoned you?"

They both laughed. "She's unfortunately stuck with me but she has her own shit to go on about, her sister is back to her old self after a long time, so they're bonding" She explained.

"I see"

"I only look forward to weekends to go to dad's and see my brothers" She held an affectionate smile. She saw them every Saturday and took them out, she adored them.

"I'm jealous " He smiled.

"And there is Lawrence too, he's been a friend, I'm not gonna even lie" She admitted over the phone and she hears him sigh, he didn't sound pleased.

"No man and woman is just friends especially someone who you know likes you" He pointed out.

"Don't worry, I stated it to him. He knows his limit " She assured him.

"I hope he does" He said. "I have to go now, babe. Talk to you later "

"Oh-okay, bye"

"Bye-love you " The call ended with a broad smile on Rissa's lips.

The door threw open as Dr.Flynn walked in not wearing her usual nonchalant face, she looked quite angry at the moment. Dr.Sandra Flynn was Rissa's colleague and they both shared the office Rissa had been using alone all this while, when she had first moved into the office, she had a office mate but the man requested a change of office because according to him, the view which was Rissa's best thing about the office was a problem to him, he felt the large window view was a distraction and he was moved and ever since she had no one she shared the office with until two months ago, she had gotten so used to using the office alone but now she had a partner.

"Hey-are you okay?" Rissa continued observing her face.

"Do I look okay?" She went over to her seat by her, it was just about two meters away from each other. "I'm good" She brushed her hair with her hand.

Rissa didn't quite get along with her because she was quite sensitive, infact oversensitive with a nonchalant face, she wasn't quite the friendly type, not everyone was or should be but Dr. Flynn was just unnecessary at times and Rissa always avoided her unless it was on work basis, well, not all your colleague is a friend.

"I can't ignore the unusual face" She looked away trying not to be bothered but it did and she was curious.

"Dr. Oteo?"

"Dr. Flynn?"

"Learn to at least mind your business" She stated switching back to her unfazed face.

"Oh" Rissa let out a sarcastic laugh. "I'm sorry" She stood up and walked away.

"Meddling in people's business is literally giving yourself a heartache that's not yours and you ask how you have got it" She sighed.

Rissa was really pissed as she walked on. "Mind my business" She kept smiling sarcastically. "It's not like I care anyways" She was so annoyed. "Why does she have to trigger me everytime".

"Are you going nuts?" Lola watched her approach. "Why the hell are you talking to yourself? Do you need to see a psychiatrist?" She looked at her the moment she got to her.

"How many questions shall I answer?" She wasn't taking the joke nicely.

"Wait! Did your office mate upset you again? " Lola asked swallowing the laughter that was oozing in.

"Are you making fun of me? " She held a stern face.

"What? Oh no" She waved her hands in the air. "Why would I?" She hoped that sounded assuring but she knew it didn't.

"Excuse me" She walked her way past her angrily.

Lola had to laugh. "I don't know what makes her think everyone needs warmth, some are fine with being cold at" She said still smiling.

Luke in his white shirt and black pants could be mistaken as the manager while Mr Carter who also seemed fit might be mistaken as probably an assistant or something. He seemed nervous as he kept rubbing his palms together.

"You don't have to feel nervous" He said. The fact that Mr Carter, an American had lived in Italy for over six years and he didn't even have a bit of that Italian accent was admirable since the accent was very contagious and it stuck once you get it in, he didn't think he would be able to bear it if he actually did.

"I mean-is it alright I could sign a contract while I'm still under training?" He was asking this for the 100th time since his manager, Mr Carter told him that a huge gallery wants his work.

"I already spoke with the director and he actually allows it since they like your work, this art gallery is no ordinary one, high profile people visit there and considering the fact that you plan to leave immediately after your training. You should begin soon" He explained.

"I trust you on this one then" He smiled. "What are their terms?" He seemed calm now and relieved.

He got up to grab a file off the desk and handed it to him. "You should review it properly and check the ones you can go with" He said.

"I see" He nodded staring at the file.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Their heels kissing the cold white tiles of the hospital within every minutes, Rissa needed all the rest she could get, she was exhausted. She had to admit working two shifts wasn't a baby's joke especially if they were consecutive, she took up the morning and afternoon at once without blinking.

"Do you have a talent for walking fast?" Dr.Flynn said glancing at her. "We're walking together here " She played around with a smile around her lips.

Rissa had not seen enough with this so called colleague, one minute she was cold then the next minute she was just being neutral, how can she be so casual when she had earlier spoken to her with so much coldness.

"Someone is waiting for me" She replied without smiling. "Since my car broke down, a friend comes to pick me up" She added.

"A friend?" She sounded surprised as they both got into the lift, hitting on the fifth floor to go sign out. "That hot dude who's been picking you up for three days now, is a 'friend' "She couldn't believe it.

"How do you even know the days?" Rissa smiled, she knew she was sensitive and observant but not to this extent. "He's a friend" She said again.

"We don't talk about it doesn't mean we don't see it" She rolled her eyes away. "So he is not the everyday caller?" She held a teasing face.

The door opened and they both stepped out, heading past the nurse station to the signature room to sign out, they were heading out with so much class.

"Hi-ladies" Lola approached them. "Well, you both look exhausted but wonderful" She smiled to them.

"Sup-girlfriend" Rissa flashed her a smile. "I'm heading home, I guess your shift just started?" She glanced over at Dr.Flynn who was standing by her, waiting. The normal her would have walked away but she was actually waiting for her.

"So sad, right?" She made baby faces. "I'll call you though" She patted her arm.

"Okay-then" She winked. "See yah" She threw air kisses at her and walked away with her partner.

"Who then is the everyday caller?" She asked as they continued walking and stepped into the elevator heading for the ground floor this time.

"Is that why you waited?" Rissa said blinking with smiles, definitely she must be crazy.

"Oh.. c'mon, if he's not then does the hot guy know this? Girl, you are bad" She slapped her shoulder playfully.

Rissa had never seen this side of Dr.Flynn and it was actually refreshing. "I'm not pls" She laughed. "And--he knows about him, he's just a friend" She replied.

"I see" Sandra couldn't wrap her head round it, if he knows then why was he sticking around. "Why is he around or is your boyfriend comfortable with him?" She sounded concerned for Rissa.

"My boyfriend is not in the country at the moment and honestly if he were it would still be the same, he knows his boundary, so do I" She made sure she sounded assuring so she knows there is nothing to worry about.

"Okay then" She smiled.

"He's Dr.Shamble's son though" She stated, they both walked out heading to the exit glass doors.

"I knew that" She replied almost immediately. "I've seen them together once and I asked the Doc" She added without blinking.

"Oh-" That she did not expect. "I can see you know a lot of things" She said actually admiring her level of observation.

"Maybe" That said they both walked towards the parking lot, other doctors seemed to be conversing with eachother. Rissa bid few goodbyes with smiles while she watched her office mate avoid everyone, kept her chin straight and walked to her car.

"Sandra Flynn" She said with a smile as she opened the car door, she went in.

"Hi-pretty" Lawrence flushed with smiles as he tore his gaze off her and started the car.

"Hi-hottie" She smiled too, Lawrence and her had gotten close but not romantically, he was like a male friend and he was a good one at that, sweet too. She had told him that they could be friends, that's the only place whatever she had with him could go, she had told him and he didn't care as long as he was with her.

"Don't call me that" He focused on the road with smiles plastered on his lips. "I might loose my mind" He stole a glance at her.

They both laughed loud. "You don't have to pick me anymore, my mechanic would have my car delivered to me at work tomorrow" She said before staring at the window.

His face suddenly changed, he looked displeased. "I was enjoying my job as your chauffeur?" He let out a gentle sigh. "But it's alright" He tried to feign a smile.

"You know we could always see" She knew that was the issue for him, taking her home everyday for the few days was so nice and it meant a lot to him.

"I know" He smiled again. "We're friends" He nodded reassuring himself.

"That's better" She smiled along.

They had stopped by at McDonalds to get some snacks. Yes! She was exhausted but also famished. The drive became shorter with the heavy metal music that filled the car while she dug into the tacos, they were really delicious.

She finally arrived home. "Bye" She held a bright smile as she waved. "Drive safe". She cared about him no doubt, he was a good friend and a good man and probably would have been a good lover but the heart wants what it wants.

"Thanks" He smiled back. "See-yah" He roared the car once again and drove off.

Rissa took her steps carefully as she climbed the short stairs that led to the front door, it was opened which meant that her mom was home.

"What are you cooking up today?" She smiled frantically as she stepped into the house and saw Rose in the kitchen.

"Just this recipe I saw on net" She said quickly as she continued deep frying whatever it was she was frying in the oil.

"I see" She dropped on the couch with a long tired sigh. "I feel like a mess, mom" She rubbed her forehead continuously.

"Did you expect to feel as strong as a lion!" She said over the counter in a pitched tone. "A shift makes you feel like crap but you decided to add another one" She complained.

"Pls mom, do not scold me" She rested her head on the cushion pillow. "I'll be alright." She sounded convincing.

"Here" She came towards her holding a tea cup. "It's a special tea brand made in korea, heard it helps relieving stress" She handed it to her.

Rissa sat up to collect it, she peered into cup and inhaled the smoke oozing out from the cup. "It feels relieving." She took a small sip.

"I know right." She went back behind the kitchen counter and continued what she was cooking.

"Can I have this everyday I get back from work?" She requested taking a longer sip. "It's so relieving" She could feel the medicinal taste of the tea but it wasn't bad at all, it was like honey was also included in it's making. It was like a herb but in a tea form which would be consumable.

"And who would do that for you?" She shook her head at her request. "If you can get it done yourself then it's no problem." She said stirring the mixture in the pot.

"C'mon mom, please.." She did the puppy eyes, there was no way she would not give in now.

"You are so manipulative with that cute face" She smiled. "Fine.." She she sprinkled salt in the pot.

"Thank you" She was so excited as she took her final sip of the tea. "I'm heading up to my room" She got up and took the cup to the kitchen.

"Dinner?" Rose asked behind her.

"No-I'm good, I had something. I just wanna rest." She yawned this time.

"Sure-sleep tight" She said.

"Thanks" She rested all her body on her legs and dragged them across the room and up the stairs.

Dr.Flynn threw her stethoscope across her neck, grabbed her coat and rushed out of the office while Rissa followed behind. They were in so much hurry that one could easily know that they were heading out for an emergency, there were heading to the first floor, that was where emergencies were treated. They got into the elevator and met with one of the nurses who was sent to go get them.

"We got a call." Dr.Flynn spoke. "What's the case?" She looked really stable.

Unlike Rissa who was always nervous in times like this and she was actually nervous now because her palms were getting wet.

"A ruptured womb" She began. "She gave birth about a week ago with a weak womb, apparently it was her first child and the doctor had advised the couple not to try child birth anymore because the woman's womb wouldn't handle it." She explained.

"So the womb didn't get damaged after delivery?" Rissa asked because she had expected it would since it was a weak one, a weak womb is literally like getting a transparent and thin elastic bag which might not hold too heavy things and even if it would then it would not be for so long if not boom! It bursts out. That was what should have happened to this patient but apparently she held the child in and also delivered, what a dare devil chance.

"No, I think she did something strenuous that must have warranted the sudden burst." She pointed out.

Dr.Flynn let out a sigh, she seemed to be in a quick thought.

"What are you going to do?" Rissa asked because this wasn't her field, she was the gynecologist here and she didn't even understand why she was needed. Why was a cardiologist needed in this sort of surgery.

"Hysterectomy!" She announced. "If that isn't done then we would loose her that's why we might need a cardiologist because that sort of surgery needs her heart rate and activities being monitored closely by a specialist in the field while operating." She said to Rissa, clearing her of the reason why she was needed.

"Womb removal? Is that it?" She asked.

"Mmm" She nodded.

Rissa sighed, well, that was the only option. The three stepped out of the elevator with the nurse leading. The supposed husband was outside the OR with the baby in his arms, he looked pretty horrified, the way she must have been brought in must have been a fearful one.

Going in, two other nurses were also there by the patient, her condition looked pretty critical.

"How was she brought in?" Dr. Flynn said in a low gentle voice.

"Apparently, she collapsed and the husband said she had always been bleeding too much and he thought it was only normal since she just had a baby.

She walked towards the patient and studied her critically. "It looks like the womb had been ruptured for about few days ago." She looked up at the blood she was taking in.

"She lost tons of blood, this is her third now and we are almost out of her type, the A+." The nurse giving all the information stated.

"Dr Oteo?" She turned to Rissa. "Check her heart." She sounded nervous now.

"I spoke with the husband concerning the blood and he said he's a general donor and would donate his, I already sent a sample to the lab to confirm that and make sure it's also safe to go with it." She emphasized.

"Good" She turned to Rissa now.

"Obviously, the heart rate isn't normal. It's faster than normal but it looks like something we could work with if we can get to balance it at intervals." She explained.

"Let's begin then". Dr. Flynn pulled her surgical gloves on and cut a piece of the patient's cloth where the cutting in would begin.

"Scalpel."

It was over two hours in the OR when suddenly the door opened, Rissa and Dr.Flynn came out with a nurse while the other nurses were wrapping things up. They looked like they had been working a manual job or something with the beads of sweat that gathered on their faces, with their gloves off and mask on.

"The husband?"

"He's in a ward since we got his blood" The nurse replied with smiles.

"Transfer her to the ICU and once he's awake, send him to my office." She made to leave.

"Good work" She said to them still hovering the smile around.

They didn't say anything, they walked away and headed for the washroom, privately for doctors. They needed to clean up.

"You looked like superman in there" Rissa was the first to speak as they both washed their hands as the cold water hit their hands.

She scoffed. "And you looked like my sidekick" She splashed the water on her face feeling very pleased with herself.

"To think that I actually was." Rissa replied with a smile taking the surgical outfit off revealing her casual outfit, she threw her white coat on.

"We did well" She finally admitted to herself. They did a good job there.

"You're right. Wasn't an easy one but it was a little better since the patient was also cooperating with us" She pulled off the head bonnet.

"What do you mean cooperating?" She turned fully at the mirror to put on her earrings.

"Well-I think if a patient is also fighting for their life and wanting to live, it makes it easier for the doctor" She stated.

"Oh-really!" This girl was crazy, she found herself laughing. "I see."

"We haven't told the husband about the womb removal, he's going to be shocked, so would she." It stressed her how the woman might react if she found out she no longer had a womb.

"That's why I directed them to tell him to see me but wait! If he reacts some sort of way then he's being inconsiderate and unreasonable." She also threw her coat on.

"How?"

"What do you mean how? Her life was at stake here and they've got a kid. They should just do a good job with the child." She reasoned. "Even if she had no kids, I would unapologetically be saying this. The woman's life is as important too." She added.

"I'm just saying." She shrugged. "No need to get worked up." She patted her shoulder.

"Yeah-yeah, whateves." And they both giggled out of the washroom.

Rissa never imagined that she would have gotten this casual with the sensitive and irritable Dr.Sandra Flynn, one minute she was cold then the next minute she was casual or another minute she was just nonchalant.. different shades of her and Rissa was here for all of it.

If you were to be a doctor, what would be your specialty?

Mine would have been a dentist. I think they are cool but haha I'm not.

What do you think is next for Rissa Oteo and Luke Maddins?

Pls do vote,like and comment. Thank you.

IG: instagram.com/plainlytiana

Cha Cha