14!Tear Me Down!

Sylvia 

The sun was shining brightly as I arrived at the hospital. The gates were already crowded. People from different walks of life, old men, young women with children, pregnant mothers, and teenagers, were lined up, waiting to get medical help. Some looked tired, some looked nervous, but they were all hopeful.

Our hospital was alive with activity. The volunteers had helped earlier that morning with setting up decorations and serving refreshments to the staff. Nurses rushed about with charts. Doctors walked quickly to their stations, calling out names and checking patients. The air was filled with the sound of conversations, footsteps, and announcements, laughter, sentiments, and all types of sounds you can think of.

As I walked through the main entrance, wearing a simple white coat over a navy dress, people smiled at me, some even greeted me with, “Thank you, doctor!” or “God bless you!”

I smiled back, nodding. “We’re happy to help.”

As I walked by I heard some of the patients talking, “ There she is, the one who made it possible.”

“Really, she is so beautiful.”

“I heard she made it possible in a day, some doctors kicked against it, but she stood firm.”

“I'm happy this hospital has someone like her.”

“We would never have been able to afford this hospital, not only this hospital but this medication, not only was I given treatment, they gave me the medications that would last a couple of months, by that time, I would be able to save and get another.”

“Really, that's very nice of them, this is the Internet days, we should appreciate them on social media, it would boost their records this way.”

“That's true, I am truly grateful for this.”

I made my way to the front desk, checking in with the registration team. Everything was going smoothly so far. I looked around, proud of what we had accomplished in such a short time.

Suddenly, I heard someone scream.

“Somebody help her!”

I turned quickly. Just near one of the examination rooms, a crowd had gathered. My heart dropped. I didn't want to think about negative things, but this was the kind of thing Maryanne would pray for to happen on a day like this.

I pushed through and saw an elderly woman lying on the ground, gasping for air. Her daughter knelt beside her, crying. A few nurses were already there, one was checking her pulse, another was trying to lift her head.

Without a second thought, I dropped my bag and knelt beside her. “What happened?”

“She couldn’t breathe all of a sudden,” the daughter sobbed.

I quickly felt her pulse, it was weak. Her chest rose and fell quickly, struggling. “She’s in respiratory distress,” I said. “We need oxygen, now!”

One of the nurses rushed off while another ran to get the crash cart. I gently tilted the woman’s head and spoke calmly to her.

“You’re going to be okay. Just hang in there.”

The nurse returned, handing me the oxygen mask. I placed it over the woman’s nose and mouth, adjusting it quickly. “We might have to start CPR,” I said, my voice firm.

The moment felt like hours. My hands moved automatically, years of training kicking in. I wasn’t scared, I was focused.

Just as her breathing began to stabilize, I heard that voice. That annoying, sharp voice I knew all too well. I was wondering why she hasn't come over yet, I was expecting her as this was her specialty, to ruin things.

“This is your fault, Sylvia!”

I didn’t turn around. I didn’t have time for nonsense.

Maryann’s voice rose. “This is exactly why I told the board this whole idea was dangerous! You don’t just open a hospital to the whole world like it’s a food bank!”

Emily wasn’t far behind her. “Yeah, you just want everyone to think you’re some kind of angel. But people could die because of this mess! The day hasn't even gone far and this already happened.”

I ignored them. “Push one more round of oxygen,” I told the nurse. “She’s coming back.”

And then, like magic, the woman’s eyes fluttered open. She blinked, confused but alive. Her daughter gasped and hugged her, crying loudly.

“Thank you, thank you so much, doctor!”

I smiled gently. “She’s okay now. Let’s get her to a proper bed so she can rest.”

The nurses moved her onto a stretcher and wheeled her away. The crowd that had gathered around clapped and cheered. “Well done, doctor!” someone shouted. “God bless you!”

Still, Maryann wouldn’t stop.

“This could’ve been a disaster. What if she had died?” she shouted following behind me.

One of the board members, Dr. Linda, who had arrived just in time, turned to Maryann. “But she didn’t. Because Sylvia was here. That’s the difference.”

Emily rolled her eyes. “You’re all falling for this drama. This was a lucky save, not skill.”

Before I could respond, another doctor added, “I don’t care what you call it, but I’ve seen enough today to say this health day is one of the best ideas we’ve had in years.”

Maryann’s face twisted. She hated losing. She hated being ignored.

The hospital director walked up and spoke calmly, “This was an isolated incident. We’re a hospital, emergencies happen. But our staff handled it well. We should focus on the hundreds of patients being cared for today.”

Maryann stormed off, her heels clicking angrily against the tiles. Emily followed, but not before throwing one last glare at me.

The rest of the day went on smoothly. Patients received treatment, prescriptions, and kind words. Laughter and smiles filled the rooms. Volunteers served drinks, snacks, and water to patients who had been waiting. Some kids even got free toys and coloring books.

By 1 p.m., the treatment session was over. Everyone started going home to rest before the banquet in the evening.

The banquet hall was decorated beautifully. Soft golden lights glowed across the white tablecloths. There were flower arrangements on every table. A grand buffet was set up with delicious dishes. The maids helped guests find their seats and offered drinks.

As I entered, applause broke out. Some of the nurses stood and clapped. I blushed a little.

One of the junior doctors raised a glass. “To Dr. Sylvia, for reminding us why we became doctors in the first place!”

Everyone cheered. Even the board members smiled and lifted their glasses.

As people laughed, danced, and enjoyed their meal, I stood quietly near the window for a moment, watching the happy faces. This… this was why I did this. For the people. For my father’s dream. For the hospital.

Maryann and Emily came late to the banquet, dressed in expensive gowns but with sour expressions. They walked in like they owned the place, but no one stood to greet them. No one cheered.

They sat quietly at a table in the corner, watching everything with tight jaws.

I turned to Dr. Linda. “Do you think they’ll ever stop trying to tear me down?”

She smiled. “Let them try. Because every time they do, you just shine brighter.”

And she was right.

Tonight, I didn’t just feel like a doctor. I felt like a leader.

And I wasn’t going anywhere.