The new girl

ESTHER POV

Seeing Amber makes me feel something again though I must admit things arent the same anymore...

Feeling dizzy and tired, I still need to get up going to my duty, two major operation and few minors, I try to skip the work for today but I cant, within me is telling that I still need to be productive!

When I got to the hospital, I check the details and find out who is my patient...

"Dolly Holist"

I am trying to figure out why the name is familiar to me until my cellphone got a notification, I recieve a message from Amber...

Fuck! It is Amber's nan!

"Esth, my nan was brought to your emergency last night having a stomach pain, I hope you can check on her please, I am still at work overnight-Amber"

So I am correct, it is her nan, I quickly find her room to check on her,

"What is Dolly Holist room?"

"305 doc!"

"Okay thanks"

I head to the room and see Dolly on that state though I can still see the positivity within her face.

"Hey Doll, how are you feeling now?"

"Esth...! I am happy you are here! I miss you since the day you were gone..."

"I never gone doll, you know I am always here for you, I am just a call away and you know that!"

"Hmmmm thank you, I hope you and Amber will be okay again"

"Actually we are, being friends is more exciting than being together.."

"No matter what it is, I am still glad that both of you are okay now"

"We do Doll so you dont to worry okay"

And she just smile at me, the way I can see her she seems okay now though I must check her stomach further,

Few test is what I recommend her before the operation then check my other patient.

Going to the E.R I heard a loud cry of a child, I check her details and she was suspected to have Intussusception,

I walk towards them and a nine years old girl is crying so hard to her mom...

"Good morning maam, can I talk to this pretty little girl.."

And I can see that she stop from crying and just give me a blink of an eye.

"Hey babygirl, I am doctor Esth, you know I can be your friend"

She didnt response but just look at me, I smile at her and she seems to smile but I can see pain around her face.

Then I let out a piece of toy, and her face suddenly becomes light and bright.

"Do you like this toy?"

And she just nod at me so I offer it to her but in one condition...

" I will give this to you if you can play with me"

"What are we going to play"

I feel lighted when she finally response to what I said.

"We are going to play question and answer"

"Hmmm what are you going to ask?"

"Is there any pain you feel?"

She didnt answer yet, she just look down to her tummy, I guess I know what she is trying to say.

"Does your tummy hurts?"

I ask but before she answer me the mother speak before her.

"She always cries about her tummy, but all I need is medicine for her, she cant go into any surgery doc"

I was stopped with what I heard, preventing her child to get cured is something unusual to my ear.

I dont judge people by its look but she seems to be capable enough to get a surgery if it is needed, so it is very surprising hearing those things from a mother who supposed to be the one aiming for her childs wellness.

"As her doctor, may I know the reason about not getting surgery if ever needed?"

"You see, since she was a baby, she has always been chosen to be a model for commercial until she get to this age, being a famous commercial model is her dream and we are actualy leaving for US for her biggest offer, she cant lose it, so please just cure her pain."

She said and honestly if I could, I want to smack her face out of this hospital though I cant put some burden to this kid.

I was about to say something when Amanda my head resident tap my shoulder and ask permission to the mother to talk to me for a while.

I walk with her at her office, I guess I know what this is all about.

"We cant disagree to the patients guardian specialy parents, they have the right to decide on their childa welfare"

"I get that but doctors also has the right to discuss and gives an alternative action for the health safety of the patient"

"Whatever your opinion is, we cant interfere the parents decision"

Suddenly I feel like I want to shout in anger again!

I didnt say anywords to her anymore and just let it passed and get out of the office.

I climbed up the rooftop and just shout my heart out one more time!

"I Love my Job.....!!!!!!"

I shout in pissed, I am just doing my job yet there are people stopping me from doing so!

I just let out a huge air and then look up the sky...

Good thing wind never fails me...I kind of feeling better now..

I was about to go out of the rooftop when someone speak to me.

"You still love to hangout here"

I look behind and I am correct defining who that voice came from...

"You know you cant be here Doll"

"You know how I love going here it make me feel better"

"But Doll your not okay, what if you get pained, and no one will be here"

"I know you will be here"

After she said that, my serious face turns to smile,

"You really know how to make me smile Doll"

I said smiling and then sit beside her.

"Why do you always go up here?"

I ask facing her,

"Me and my husband loves a great view, we spend a lot of time watching from above, mountain hikes and rooftops"

"I see, special moments last a lifetime"

"How about you, what is your special moments?"

"Hmmmmm special moments...aside from being single my whole life before meeting Amber, I am not sure what is a special moments for me"

"How about special moments with Ambi?"

On that question I am caught off guard...damn, she is right, how about special moments Amber...do I have?

Remembering our relationship, the first year has always been a bunch of surprises...

"Sorry Babe if I cant go home early, a lot of VIP cuastomers are coming!"

"Your kidding me Babe, you know what date is today"

"Huh? What date?"

"Nah! Never mind!"

(Call ends)

And when I open the door of our apartment that time, I was surprise to see her there, wearing and preparing something nice.

"Oh my God! I never expect this! You got me there babe!"

"Surprise! I am on leave for two days, I have planned for this since friday"

"Oh...I love you babe, I thought you forget this day!"

"How will I ever forget our anniversary"

"That's why I love you"

"And I love you too Babe"

Those time, is that a special moment for me? I am now asking this to myself...sigh..

"It makes you quiet"

I was hit in reality when Dolly ask me again...

"Oh, well I kind of thinking about that, I guess I do have though it seems to be a lot to enumerate hahaha"

"Okay if you say so dear"

Then silenced surrounds us first before she ask me another question.

"How about you, why are you here this time? I assume it isnt about your friends to hangout anymore"

"Hahaha nope, well, my job always limits me from being a person"

"No one can limit us being a person especially being a good one"

"Hmmmm, since I got this career, being a good person has always been compared to being obedient...obeying rules rather than being a good one"

I was stopped when she hold my hand and her smile somehow makes me feel better.

"No matter what is going through you, just always do what is right, and being a good person is always a deffinition of doing right"

She said and somehow it give me good point of what should I do...

We both smiling in relief for some reason, and we both decided to get out of the rooftop when a two nurses with a woman arrives.

"There she is, Ms. Dolly Holist"

Nurse Anton said,

"Oh God, Why are you doing here grandma?"

Grandma? Who is she...Amber's sister?...

"I am fine Casey, I am with a the best Doctor here, let me introduce you to Doc Esther"

The woman name Casey just look at me and simply said hello without returning the handshake I am offering,

"A good Doctor should know what is best for the patient and I am pretty sure they dont tolerate them staying at the rooftop"

"Excuse me who are you again? And how are you related with my patient whom I have known for how many years personaly, I am much aware that a patient should only be with a trusted guardian"

"Fine, I am Casey Garline, I am her grand daughter's partner and she ask me to look after her Nan, now of youl excuse me Doc, grandma needs to rest to get healed which is your supposed to be priority"

She said and hold Dolly's hand, I just let her do what she wants besides she is somehow correct with what she said.

Damn! I never done any good today for pete's sake!

When I get back to the emergency room, the child with her mother has already inside a room and get confined,

Upon entering the room a loud cry from the child will be heard, the emergency button was pushed by the mother.

I quickly get in and check on her, sweats all over her face while holding tight her stomach, I cant hold it anymore not doing what I supposed to do.

As the nurses arrives I call for for a pre-op and ready the operating room but the mother stops me.

"You still dont know my terms!"

"She needs to be surgery!"

"No! You will ruin her dream!"

"I am doing my job maam, and if ruining her career will make her alive then I am proud with what I do! Just in case you dont notice, she is now almost dying in pain, you dont want to see a commercial model expressing a great pain instead of a beautiful smile! I am doing my duty how doing yours, excuse me!"

I said and my team of nurses move the child's bed to get in the operating room, the last expression I saw at mothers face is regret...

I just cant figure out to what for is that regret.

We then start the operation for Intussisception with the best team I have.

It almost took an hour for the operation to take place,

This is actualy a minor surgery for me, simple procedure yet dangerous if it isnt perform on time.

After the operation, honestly I am not expecting a smile or anything good from the mother though she ask me politely this time how was the surgery went through.

"The surgery is succesful but she need to take proper rest to gain her energy, other post-op will be discuss by the nurse later"

I said and she stop me from going and hold my hand.

"Thank you for saving my child, I thought her d****e is important, I overseen that her life is what matters above all, thank you for making me realize that"

"I am just doing my job Maam"

I said and then head to my office when my I recieve message from Amanda to come in to her office.

I dont what she wants but I must prepare myself  though I am always aware of her feeling threat for me with her position...

Well I dont care about any position, I just want to do my job.

I walk in her office, she is just looking straight at me and makes me sit,

"So, what now?"

"Feeling proud huh?"

"Proud about what?"

"Oh come on, you have done what you want, feeling great isnt good Esther, you might be happy since things go on your way but if not, you will be kick out in here for sure"

"I am not proud I am just doing my job and its principle, saving a life, and those who care for once life will always understand what I did"

She was silenced by what I said, I dont like arguing with her and honestly I dont know either what is the reason she called me here!

"If you have no words to say I still have patients to see"

"I just want to remind you, I cannot always save you! you may go"

I just get out of her office feeling pissed with what she said, damn her! As if she saves me!

I walk towards my office when the nurse reminds me about Dolly,

"Doc Esth, Holist stomach is cramping as per the patient"

She said and I quickly go to her room to check on her, I just get in and didnt notice anyone inside, I check her stomach and I can see a mass around her right lower quadrant.

"I will press this part and tell me if it is painful if I press it or if I let go of my hand"

I press that area and she seems alright but once I let go of my hand she suddenly express pain on her face,

I required her for whole abdominal ultrasound to confirm what I suspect

After that, the nurses then prepare her to be brought for her ultrasound.

When they push her bed out of the room someone hold my arm and I was stunned to see Amber beside me with her girlfriend.

"Hey thank you for looking after Nan"

"I am just doing my job, you should thank her, she was the one beside her"

"Oh, ahmmmm Esther this is Casey my girlfriend"

"We already met earlier honey"

The woman said, I dont know what to say to everyone anymore!

I know her tone, she is being sarcastic, but I have no time for any sarcasm.

" Yes we met at the rooftop while Dolly spends her time there as usual"

"And you let her do that still instead of getting her out of there, good luck with doing your job"

"I cant disagree with that, I apologize Amber, anyway, if what I see is right providing the ultrasound result, she seems to have acute appendicitis, she will be schedule for surgery"

"Okay...thank you Esther"

Amber said and I left them to still check on my other patient.

After 4 hours, I can say that I really have a long day today, I didnt even know how many times I said that I am doing my job for this whole fucking day!

When I got home, I sit on my couch thinking about Dolly's question...

"Special moment with Amber"....

I said in while staring at the corner, those years with her has been very fast, I want to remember the feeling in each day I have with her but I dont seem to recollect all of it.

We are both busy and just get home to sleep...those times...

"Hey babe, I cant go home early today, lots of minor surgery left in me"

"Okay, I will go ahead and sleep, just be careful driving okay"

"Okay"

Those are the usual scene everyday, we barely meet every night, we ar lucky if we can have our off days together.

That kind of usual scene, is it consider as special moments? How can I identify such special moments though...

I am on my thought when someone ringing my doorbell.

As I open the door, the person I didnt expect to see is now in front of me.

"Hi"

Shock is still on my face before I get to response her,

"Hey, ahmm what are you doing here?"

And then she just lift her hand holding those snacks, as I look further into it, I realize that all food that she brings are my favorite.

"Like the old time?"

"Old time..."

"Yes, when we just eat our favorite snack just to kill the time"

And then I remember it now...we used to sit outside the gate at the gatter drinking coffee and eating something

"Yeah, so, black coffee?"

"You know it"

"Get in first, let me prepare it"

She just get in and sit on the couch, honestly I am still surprised to see her here, well we are friends now, I guess there is nothing wrong with that.

I prepare the coffee and sit beside her,

"Ready to go outside?"

"Ofcourse"

And then same thing goes, we sit at the gatter then place our snack at the same position we used to do it.

"Your coffee is still the best!"

"You just get used to it"

"I disagree, I have loved your coffee ever since"

"Well, thanks"

"Hahahah your cute!"

"Hahahaha" I laugh on it as well and then silenced again.

"So, what is really your reason going here?"

"Oh...okay, Ahmmmm I just want to apologize, you see she knows you"

"Yeah a natural reaction for a girlfriend to the ex"

"Hey, I am not here to give credits on her but to assure you are alright"

"Well, explaining how my job works the whole day is not a joke!"

"What?" She said seemingly trying to laugh

"Yeah! Hahhaha you see everyone today isnt that easy to talk to especially your girlfriend! Though she is right, I let Dolly stayed at the rooftop, it makes her feel better but hospital protocol I am wrong"

"I know you just do things your way for a good reason, not just because it is your job"

She sincerely said it, honestly I appreciate her more right now than any day, years and time passed...

I am not sure if she express this kind of sincerity before, maybe...I guess I just let our momemt pass by that is why I took for granted each and every moment had.

"Thank you..."

"What friends are for.."

"Yeah right!"

"Kidding aside, ahmmm Casey wants to know you more, I told her we are now good friend so she wants to confirm"

"Confirm? For what?"

"I dont know....are you mad?"

"Not really though it seems you are making me please her"

"It may look like that but...."

And then she stop from talking and I get it...

"You know you dont have to do it.."

"I have lost you as my girl, I cant lose you again as my friend..."

She said and on that point I guess making friends with my ex's girlfriend isnt that bad...I hope so..

We are just proving our friendship after all.