CHAPTER SIX: JASMINE REMAINS

Morning resumed like nothing happened with Jasmine back into room 301, staring intently at the chart in her hand still waiting for what would happen next. After some minutes the door clicked open and it wasn't Mrs Margaret nor the new nurse but Dr. Richard with a stern look. He looked straight at the chart in Jasmine's grip, then at the line in different ink:  

   Family requests a private nurse. Effective 0600 tomorrow.

His jaw tightened, “Come with me” he said.

His voice was low but it carried the kind of weight that made the corridor go quiet.

Jasmine followed with no words. Her scrub felt too thin. They didn't stop at the nurses' station. They went past the HR and walked straight to the third-floor admin wing. The glass door read: MEDICAL DIRECTOR’S OFFICE/NURSING ADMINISTRATION. 

Mrs. Priscillia, the Head of Nursing Administrator was already there with Mr Drake from the legal team and two people Jasmine only knew as the “one's who signed the cheques”.

Dr Richard didn't sit. 

“This,” he said, placing Jasmine's chart on the table,” has stopped being about patient care. it is now about hospital policy”. 

He tapped the chart with one finger.

The Cole family are donors. I respect that but they do not decide our duty rosters. They do not override attending physicians nor do they dictate nursing assignments”.

Mrs. Priscillia opened her mouth. “Doctor the ICU wing…”

“Was built with their money, yes”. Doctor Richard cut in.

“And we are grateful for their support but that doesn't mean we bend every rule for them” he completed.

“A patient is admitted under a medical team. The team assigns care and that assignment stands until transfer, discharge or a documented reason before it is changed”.

‘Family preference’ is not a clinical reason. Dr Richard added.

The room was silent except for the hum of the AC.

He turned to Jasmine and for the first time since morning, the look on his face had softened.

“Nurse Jasmine Carter has been in charge of Mr Harrison Cole's care since his admission. Her documentation is complete. Her compliance is full. There has been no adverse events under her watch”

He looked back at the admin. “Therefore Nurse Jasmine remains in charge. This should be effective immediately and until Mr Cole is discharged, any other arrangement will require a written order. And I will not be signing one”. He concluded by maintaining a firm face.

Mr Drake from the legal team cleared his throat and nodded once.

“That is… correct per policy”.

Mrs. Priscilla exhaled. “Noted, Doctor”.

Doctor Richard picked up the chart and handed it to Jasmine.

“Back to work”. 

“Yes sir”, Jasmine replied, stretching out her hand to collect the file.

At once, both left the office while they headed in different directions.

  The walk back to room 301 was different. The chatter at the nurses' station stopped as Jasmine appeared then started again when she was out of sight and right in the middle of it was Sharon Bennet.

She was leaning against the counter with two nurses,arms folded with her voice sharp enough to make anyone want to listen to her.

“Did you hear?” Sharon said. “Admin had to come save her like she's some damsel in distress”.

One of the nurses frowned. “Sharon, Dr Richard upheld the policy, that's all”.

“Policy?”, Sharon laughed. If it was me I'd walk into that office myself.

“But Jasmine?, she's always looking like someone needs to rescue her. Always the quiet one. Always the victim”. She added looking back to make sure no one was coming.

The other nurse glanced towards the private wing, “Maybe she just doesn't want drama”.

“Or maybe”, Sharon leaned in, “she likes it”. She likes being the one everyone pities.

Mark my words, the Cole’s won't let this go. Jasmine won't let them remove her, but she also won't know how to stand when this gets worse”. 

“She acts tough but let's see how long it lasts”. Sharon added, sipping her water.

The two nurses didn't answer her.

 Inside room 301, Jasmine heard none of it. Harrison was awake. He looked at her then at the flowers that Margaret had left by the window. Jasmine set the chart down, her hands weren't shaking anymore. Pressure hadn't left the room but for the first time it wasn't all on her.

   By midday, security outside room 301 increased. Staff movement slowed. Even Sharon who always had something to say walked past the corridor without a word. 

Because news travels like air in the hospital, the air was already carrying one message: Dr. Richard Lawson met with the admin,Nurse Jasmine remains in charge until discharge. The decision had been made. Margaret Cole heard it even before she even arrived. Something was tightening around Harrison Cole's case. Everyone felt it but no one said it.

Margaret Cole arrived just after noon. She entered like she owned the hospital. Her heels were quiet on the polished floor but her presence wasn't. A man on suit walked behind her like he counted her steps. The men In Front of the room immediately stepped aside as she approached while her guard opened the door for her.

“Goodday ma”, Jasmine said, avoiding eye contact.

Margaret increased her step towards Harrison while ignoring her.

“Mother, you shouldn't have come”.Harrison said as he tried to adjust himself on the bed.

Jasmine rushed forward to help but Margaret raised a hand up with her palms out, a silent command to stop. She didn't say a word. She didn't have to. The look on her face did all the talking. She helped him sit up on the bed.

“You are not improving fast enough and it is affecting the company”.

“I also heard my order was disapproved”, she added as she scanned Lawson's note on the bedside tablet. Her expression stiffened.

“Restricted monitoring”?,she said.

“It is  precautionary”, Harrison replied.

“And you, you're still assigned to him?”.

“Yes ma,” Jasmine replied.

Margaret already knew the Admin overruled her order hours ago. She expected her influence to settle this matter but it hadn't.

“He responds better to consistency”, Margaret said.

“Consistency is maintained”, Jasmine replied evenly.

Margaret turned to Harrison. “You are attracting too much attention from the hospital”

“I didn't request it.” Harrison said, picking up his tablet near him.

“You rarely need to request consequences”. Margaret added. The words landed heavily but Harrison said nothing.

   

   There was a light tap on the door of Dr. Richard’s office and immediately the door opened. The nurse whom he had instructed to inform him about Mrs. Margaret’s arrival entered.

“Dr. Lawson, Mrs. Cole is in the hospital. She’s in the ward”. The nurse said.

He didn’t look up from the file. “I was expecting her.” 

“You can leave”. He added 

“Okay Sir” . The nurse responded and closed the door behind her.

He closed the folder, stood up and headed for room 301.

Entering the room he walked in swiftly with his file in his hand.

“Good day Ma , this case is now under executive review,” he said.

Margaret readjusted herself on the chair, Harrison’s eyes narrowed while Jasmine didn’t move.

Lawson continued. “Due to financial and reputational stakes, the hospital board requires extended oversight protocol.”

Margaret’s voice hardened. “That was not discussed with my family.”  

“It wasn't needed Ma”

Then Harrison said; “Meaning?”

Lawson met his gaze.  

“Meaning your care is no longer just medical but political too”.

The room fell quiet. Care was becoming controlled,recovery was no longer about getting better. Everyone seemed to have an opinion on what will happen next.

Harrison didn’t speak right away. He just processed what he had heard.

“Get out.” Harrison shouted after a few seconds.

Lawson didn’t react but immediately closed the file. 

“I will return with an updated plan.” He said and left.

Margaret picked up her bag.

“This is becoming larger than I anticipated”.

“ Leave us!” she added looking at Jasmine.

Jasmine hurriedly left and waited outside the room.

Harrison exhaled, humorless. 

Her eyes sharpened.  

“You will not allow this to spiral.”  

“I don’t control the hospital.” Harrison replied.

“You control perception,” she said. “And that doctor?, He needs to learn his place” she added.

With that Margaret turned and left. She paused on seeing Jasmine in front of the room.

“You,” she said quietly.

Jasmine looked up.

“Do not make emotional decisions in this environment “.

Jasmine didn't answer because it wasn't advice. It was a warning.

Then she adjusted her grip on her purse with a deliberate small motion which the guard understood. He took the purse from her and followed her as she walked away.

And just like that, Margaret Cole left, and her  warning stayed behind, heavy on Jasmine's mind.