The Dare

ESTHER’S POV

"Scalpel,"

I requested, and the scrub nurse handed it over.

I cut what I need to cut. This is my typical day, cutting and suturing, seeing blood and human flesh.

My colleagues refer to me as Esth, which is short for Esther.

In my 29 years of life, I didn't anticipate to wind up being a doctor, specifically a surgeon. At first, I was frightened of doing all of this; it wasn't really my choice, but my mother is a die-hard doctor who aspired to be, and it is her long-lost goal!

My entire day ends with a sick body and blood on my hands. Then, after cutting and suturing, I can finally relax and get home.

I don’t have a boyfriend, as if! Do I have enough time to acquire one with my current schedule? Geez! Even being laid is not part of my life, so RIP, vagina!

Even if I wish to socialize with anyone, I abandon that goal because it always ends badly!

I often try to date anyone and everyone! But what can I do when my profession calls? Can I ask the sick person to wait? Or to a dying person, to stay still! Damn! So, I've had no choice but to leave the restaurant! I constantly kept my date hanging, and when I returned, they had already left, so dating and relationships are no longer a part of my life!

After my third surgery, I opted to simply hang out on the rooftop. The wind there always made me feel peaceful.

Having my energizer drink and eating my sandwich while staring at those buildings makes me feel better about facing another patient.

While alone, I was taken aback when someone spoke up behind me.

"Chamomile tea,"

A woman said behind my back.

"What? Tea what?"

I inquire, perplexed, and she points to my drink with her lips, directing my gaze.

"My drink...?"

I asked again.

"Change your drink with chamomile tea, it's much better for you."

She said.

"Oh, I don’t drink tea, but thank you, coffee is enough."

I said, but she said nothing, so I just let her conduct her own thing here.

My phone rang, and it was Monica, as it usually was.

I just stared at my cell phone, not sure if I was going to answer it or not.

“Maybe it's vital; try saying yes, and you'll never be alone again."

The old woman surprised me when she abruptly spoke again and went away.

I answered the phone, and I'm not sure why!

"Esth! Good thing you finally answered!"

Monica stated.

"My response is no... I'm sorry,"

I said.

"I didn't ask you yet,"

She exclaimed.

"Why? Are there any differences to what you plan to ask me, huh?"

I blankly replied.

"Well, I'm still going to ask you the same question, but there is a change! Curious?"

She said, and I can picture her reaction!

"I'm not! Bye!"

I said, hanging up the phone, but she called again, so I answered it for the final time.

"What now, Monica...?"

I inquire.

"Caleb will join us later."

She explained. Damn! That stops me! He'll be there later! OMG!

Caleb has been on my mind since I was in senior high. I have a great crush on him; he is actually a member of our circle of friends, but he left to study in France, and now he has returned and is present at our group's hangout.

Monica knows how I waited for him to return, and yeah, I am fucking excited to see him again. Monica must have known that I would be joining this time. This explains why she never stops contacting me!

"Fine...! What time?"

"Really...? Is that for real?"

"Yes! So, Monica, what time?"

I ask again, rolling my eyes now.

"Okay, 8 pm sharp at Felix bar, as you can see, Esth, it's the same place and all you have to do is just drop by every Friday!"

Monica screamed as she ended the call.

Hmmm.... that girl knows me well; she has been my best friend since primary school. She knows I drooled over Caleb...

With that man. How can I even get him?

How come he doesn't realize that I like him? I love him…

After taking a break, I check the schedule board, which shows two minor surgeries and one major... fuck! I can't have major surgery today, so I'll have to beg Vannie to replace me!

“Please, Vannie! I really need to leave early today! Please!"

I asked, hoping for a favor from her, who was only staring at me.

"What? What's with the stare?"

I inquired, perplexed.

"That is new. Are you going home early? Okay, before I say yes, tell me what the reason... is?"

She inquires. Then I came to a sudden halt. Am I truly that obvious? That I am a fucking single who refuses to hang out or even take a work leave because I have no fucking reason?

Damn! Why do I need to tell folks what's going on in my life? Shit! I keep battling with myself, but I can't even speak aloud! So, I guess I don't really have a choice!

"Fine! My ultimate crush is with them later, and I've been waiting for him to return ever since, so I can't pass up this opportunity to see him again. Is it now convincing to you?"

I said, then rolled my eyes at her.

"Okay, the early out is all yours! But promise me, you'll get laid this time! Hahaha,"

Vannie remarked, and left my mouth wide and reddened, with her last words!

Damn! So I guess it's official! Folks know I'm single and a fucking desperate virgin!

Before leaving for my minor operations, I simply rolled my eyes at that concept.

While massaging my neck and leaving the operating room to perform two surgeries, I checked the time and was surprised to see that it was already 7 p.m.

Fuck! I can't be late; Caleb despises being late, so I immediately changed, fixed my hair, and searched for my makeup, only to discover that I didn't have any!

Yeah, right! Why should I put on make-up when I've spent my entire life attempting to keep an unconscious person alive?

Instead, I arrange my hair, apply face powder, and then leave. I know Felix's bar is about 30 minutes away from here.

Inside the cab, I'm not sure what to think; I'm not sure if I'm okay or not, or how I'll react to them. I mean, it has been a long time since I last saw them; they are my friends, but because we don't see each other very often, I feel strange today.

After 30 minutes, I arrived at the bar's entrance. So what can I expect? Several people are laughing!

I just take a long breath before entering. My hands and knees are trembling as I enter.

When I made my first step, I heard Monica calling me out.

"Esth...! Here!"

Monica yells before grabbing my hand and pulling me along with her.

I'm not sure where she'll take me, but it stops me as I stand and stare at Caleb. He's for real here. Monica abruptly grabs my hand and forces me to sit with the others when I am deep in thought.

"Wow! Finally! Monica convinces you!"

Justin said.

"It thrilled us as you finally got along with us again,"

Jane said.

"Why? She had never hung out with you guys before?"

Caleb asks, and I stare at him again.

"Hmm, Caleb, she's extremely busy. Don't you know that she's now a successful thoracic surgeon?"

Monica proudly stated.

"That's wonderful to know. I mean, not everyone can become a doctor. Who would have thought so? I'm pleased for you!"

Caleb expressed himself well.

"Thanks,"

I simply said.

"So it's fantastic that you came back. How long will you be here?”

Justin asks him. It piqued my interest, too.

"Well, I'm here with my fiancé. I'll introduce her to my parents and to the rest of you. That will be next month!"

Caleb said that shook my world. Monica gave me a look when I came to a halt because of what I had heard.

I'm not sure how to react. I just feel like drinking a lot tonight!

I grabbed Monica's wine and drank it, surprising them!

The group understands how I feel about Caleb, but he has no idea how much I love him, so everyone is quiet until Monica speaks again.

"Why don't we play a game? You know, like the old days, the truth or dare game!"

Monica stated, and everyone agreed. Fuck it! I despise that game, but what can I do? They've already approved it!

They spin the bottle, and it points at Justin. He picks the truth, and they ask him a question.

"Okay, so the question is.... who is your ultimate crush before in this group?"

Jane inquires, and honestly, it worries me. I would have loved to tell the truth, but given how they ask questions, I believe doing the dare is a better option!

"Well, I have enormous admiration for you, Esth. We all know how brilliant and wonderful you are, and your jokes and humorous stuff have previously captivated me. My respect for you will always be with me."

Justin said, which silenced me. I didn't expect that, so someone has a crush on me, huh? I promise I did not know that!

"Hmm, thank you! I didn't expect that."

I murmured, and Justin only smiled at me.

"All right, let's proceed! Justin, spin the bottle now!"

Monica stated. Then he rotates the bottle, and it points at me. Honestly, I am not sure what to say, truth or dare, but as Monica was about to say something, my mouth abruptly spat out the word "dare".

"Hmmm, are you sure?"

Jane asks. I stare at Caleb, and he mutters something that I don't seem to understand, but his mouth reads like...

"Game...!"

Caleb replied, and I suppose I don't have a choice.

"Hmmm, yes,"

I responded, and they all looked at each other, whispering to one another before facing me.

"Okay... our dare is, you need to kiss whoever the person coming out of the washroom, either from the boy's washroom or the girl's!"

Monica said that made me rise and disagree.

"What! No! I mean, why should I kiss a stranger?”

I burst out, but Caleb spoke.

"My fiancé and I kiss even though we are strangers, and that is how we started, so I guess there is nothing wrong with that,"

Caleb remarked, forcing me to sit down and stop.

"You have heard it! There is nothing wrong with it! So you're in the game now, right?"

Monica stated, and I had no choice but to do it!

"Fine...! So I assume we need to arrange a time for it. I mean, are we going to have to wait long just to get someone out of there? What if there is none?"

I explained

"Well, you have a point; so, for 10 minutes, if no one exits the restroom during that time frame, you are not required to complete the dare!"

Monica said, and I can tell they all agree.

Damn! It's much better that way! I hope no one is in the bathroom!

We all waited for 10 minutes, and six minutes had already passed. Fuck! Only four minutes remaining!

The count was down to two, and I was ready to smile triumphantly when a woman in a black blouse and skinny pants emerged from the restroom. That completely startled me!

I can see that they all paused as well, knowing that the person I need to complete the dare with is a woman!

"Hmmm, do I really need to do it?"

I ask.

"Of course...! It's part of the deal. You can inform her about our dare, but more importantly, you will be able to kiss her on the lips!"

Jane said that made me roll my eyes.

Shit! I suppose I really should do it. If not, I'll be a killjoy for them for life!

I followed the woman, and she seemed to have a few buddies with her as well.

Okay, Esther... This is it! I was about to approach the woman at their table when she abruptly stood up and walked out.

I followed her, but she was nowhere to be found. Damn! I've lost her! Fuck! Where has she gone!? Oh God! What should I do!?

I looked everywhere for her, and when I turned back, I noticed Caleb escorting a woman out of the car before kissing him on the lips. I feel like my heart has broken into bits!

I couldn't take staring at them any longer, so I was ready to rush away when I hit someone.

"Are you okay, Miss?"

The woman spoke, and when I looked at her, I realized this was the woman I had been seeking. Damn! I finally found her!!!

"I am okay, hmmm, can we... can we talk?"

I stated, and anxiousness was embracing my entire system right now!

"What? Why do I need to—?”

I stopped her from talking and kissed her, tiptoeing to just reach her lips due to her height, and now I'm sure it surprised her!

I do not have an option. I noticed the rest of the group had joined Caleb outside, so I must do it for them to see that I fulfilled the dare!

Then I let go of her lips and went away.

I hurriedly entered the bar, but someone grabbed my arms and dragged me away. When I looked, I saw the same woman I had kissed.

“You’ll do that and then leave? What is your problem, Miss!"

She demands, irritated.

"Hmm, I am sorry, I just need to do that to fulfil the dare, so can we just let it pass?"

I said, but she merely stared at me with crossed arms before speaking.

"Fine...! Under one condition, you will drink with me...! Agree?"

She said that halted me. I mean, what type of condition is that? I am here to chill out and drink! So, of course, I'll drink! Jeez!

"Alright! Please let this pass, okay?"

I said it and she appeared to agree...

We were going to enter the bar, but I noticed my other friends bringing their bags. I faced Monica and asked her.

"Are we done already?"

I ask.

"Hmm, yes, I have an emergency at the house and Jane needs to go home for her mom, and Justin has a few works to do, Caleb is already with her fiancé, I am sorry, Esth, no worries, you don't need to do the dare anymore!"

Monica said, then walked with the others, leaving me alone again...

I gaze regretfully at the woman next to me...

"What's with that lengthy face? You have a deal to complete, so let them go! I am here. I'll be with you instead."

She said.

And the instant she said it, I realized I didn't have an option but to stay with this tall and beautiful woman, and I know where this is leading.... a lot of boys talk, which I am not sure if I can share any!

Good luck to me!