CHAPTER FOUR: THE DIFFICULT PATIENT

 Sound didn’t travel the same way here. Conversations along the corridor to the private wings were lower. Movements were more deliberate. Even the lighting felt different;softer, intentional, expensive. 

 At the far end,two men stood outside room 301 in suits and earpieces. The black glasses on their eyes and lack of smiles on their faces made them look unapproachable. These were not the kind of people you mess with. It was clear they weren't hospital staff. They didn't move when she approached.

“Staff only”, one of the men said.

She raised up her badge, “Room 301” she said as she showed them the front page of the file.

One of them gave a short nod while the other stepped aside.

Jasmine let out a short breath and stepped in fully, closing the door behind her. The looks of the man lying awake on the bed was enough to scare anyone who enters the room. 

“What kind of man can be allergic to smiling”.She muttered within herself.

 “Good Morning Mr Harrison, I'm Nurse Jasmine Carter”.

He looked at her disgustfully and ignoring her greeting, she moved to the monitor first. The Vitals read; Pulse 110b/m elevated but stable, Respiration 28c/m controlled,Oxygen,within range. She noted everything then moved to the IV ,checked the line and adjusted it slightly. Behind her, the man who ignored her said;

“Your new”. 

Jasmine didn’t turn immediately.

“No.”

She finished the adjustment before facing him. “I’m assigned.”

Harrison watched her without speaking or reacting but just observing. She moved to the side table, checking the medication prepared for the morning. Everything was in place. Nothing was touched.

“You didn’t take this.” 

Harrison’s gaze shifted briefly to the tray. Then back to her.

“Take them away.”

Jasmine picked up the medication. She cross checked them with his chart and then opened up the prescribed dose into a saucer.

“You were prescribed it.”

"I’m declining it.”

She stepped closer and held it out.

“You’re taking it.”

Harrison didn’t move,didn’t reach for it ,didn't respond. He just watched her.

Jasmine didn’t lower her hand nor repeated herself. After some seconds, he took it and swallowed it without a comment. Jasmine stepped back immediately, noted the time and recorded it.

 Harrison leaned back slightly and a sharp pain followed. His jaw tightened but he didn’t make a sound. Jasmine saw it.

“Don’t strain.” she said flatly.

He adjusted again. More carefully this time.

The tray of food arrived shortly after. A staff member placed it down quickly and left without speaking. The door shut and a quick silence followed again. Harrison looked at the tray then away. Jasmine watched for exactly two seconds then turned back to the chart. Minutes passed but the food remained untouched.

“Mr Harrison,the next medication requires eating”. Jasmine said.

Harrison didn’t look at her. He just continued reading what he was looking at on his laptop.

Jasmine closed the file. “ It’s not optional.”

“Read the room, young lady.”

She stepped forward,picked up the tray and set it closer

“You need it.”

“I don’t.”

“You do.” 

 Get out!. He said,his voice cracking through the room.

 She turned to leave but as soon as she approached the door ,she turned back again and walked towards him.

“This is my job sir, and you're my patient” she said.     And you'll do as I say.

 “The food Mr Harrison “ she said, giving it to him.

He picked up the fork. Not because he agreed but because her presence irritated him and doing this would make her shift away from him. He ate slowly and deliberately like the act itself was inconvenient.

Jasmine watched briefly then returned to the monitor, checked again and recorded including the input.

The door opened, Claire Whitman stepped in, tablet clutched in sweaty palms, feet tapping against the floor .

Anyone could tell she was anxious.

What if I say the wrong thing?What if I get fired? . These thoughts ran through her head until she blurted out;

“Mr. Cole, there are documents requiring your review.”

Harrison didn’t look at her. “Later.”

“They’re time-sensitive..” she stuttered.

“Are you deaf? I said later.”

Claire nodded once, stepped back and hurriedly left.

The door closed again.

   Jasmine continued her routine. Uninterrupted, unaffected but aware. Everything in this room resisted control and everything in this room demanded it.

“Call me one of my men outside “ He said without looking up. 

Jasmine stood and immediately called one of them. The man went close to Harrison and he muttered something into his ear. 

“Yes boss”. The man said out loudly and left.

“Get me the remote”, he said again.

Jasmine stood leaving the chart she was updating but on giving him the remote he insisted she keep changing the stations till he found what he was comfortable to watch. Jasmine kept switching from one channel to the other as she stood for almost 15 minutes. Harrison just kept operating his laptop. She suddenly turned back only to notice he wasn't even looking at the television screen the whole time. She didn't know whether to yell or scream. 

He finally looked up ”Switch it off, ” he said, referring back to his laptop . 

Moving to the power button, she couldn't feel her legs anymore but she managed to pull herself and on switching it off she leaned onto the wall to get herself again. 

He looked up again and his expression showed he was satisfied with what he saw. He hasn't started, this was just the beginning he said within himself.

    The sound of heels clicking across the room pulled Jasmine back to the present. She hadn't eaten since morning and now 15 minutes on her feet?, that was a lot. The sounds echoed closer and at once the door opened. 

      A woman in her late 50s appeared. Her attire was quietly expensive, her posture straight, her expression so composed that it showed she had never needed to raise her voice to be heard. She needed no introduction. Jasmine knew exactly who she was: Margaret Cole.

"Good day, ma," Jasmine said.

She didn’t respond immediately. She took a step forward, then another.  

"Call me the doctor in charge ."

Jasmine, who was still trying to steady herself, exhaled tiredly and hurried out.`