Lady Macbeth {A5:S1)

____________

My positive thoughts faltered.

Demanding things now are we.

I could practically imagine that vicious smirk adoring his face.

Sighing in annoyance, I realised this whole convincing thing was going to be a lot more difficult. And also, I didn't want to come off as if I would be begging him either, which left me in a difficult position.

No I'm merely just asking. I have something important I want to talk about. Can you meet me? I texted back.

No. Came his short and simple reply.

Rude much! I don't need your stupid presence anyway.

I'll deal with this headache later. I'm going to go get lunch for the patients.

And that I did, until I exited the restaurant out into the reception. Those poor patients just be hungry, yet I was also curious about these men that just entered the private area.

No Laila. It's the patients health first and then any other personal issues. With these thoughts running around in my mind, I took the food trolly upto the adults wards and gave out the patients food.

Some thanked me wholeheartedly, their expressions placed on their face. However, the others, such as the guy I scared the other day mumbled a 'gracias" before snatching the tray from me. He looked me up and down sourly, before digging into his food.

Okay then.

I continued on with my observation of the other patients.

There was this one lady, in her early forties who looked snobbish. For the past week since she's been here, all I heard from outside her room was complaints and more complaints about how the service was very bad.

I'm sorry we couldn't accommodate you to a five star hotel, although in my humble opinion, this hospital was like a five star hotel.

However, one thing I didn't fail to notice was the instant connection Victoria had with this patient. I couldn't help but chuckle internally as it takes one to know one. They must love their gossip sessions.

All of a sudden I heard a female calling for my name. Turning the corner from where I came from, Marissa ran towards me, a worried look on her face.

"Laila. Something's happening at the reception I don't know what but you have to come see what it's about" for a few minutes she was unable to say anything. She blabbered in words until I told her to take deep breaths and calm down.

My face held the same amount of worry as hers as we step in step ran towards the lift. It took us down quickly and we couldn't have been more thankful. Marissa followed on behind as we ran to see what the commotion was.

A group of women clad in black tight dresses stood before Antoinette. From where I was stood, I could tell she was shaking in her shoes. Poor women.

Those ladies looked dangerous for some reason, with their tall stature and emotionless expressions. Whispers erupted from around me but were silenced when I took a step forward in Antoinette's direction.

Marissa's grip on my arm stopped me in my tracks. I mouthed a 'what" just to see her shaking her head.

"Laila, you don't know these people, please stay here" she pleaded, her eyes showing an entire different ocean of pain and caution. I couldn't just stand here and watch as Antoinette was subjected to these ferocious ladies. I had to do something.

With newfound determination, I gently removed her grip and walked towards the commotion.

The atmosphere around me became tense as everyone held their breaths.

"Antoinette is everything alright" I stated politely, placing my hand upon her shoulder to let her know she's not alone. I had made sure to teach her a few English phrases here and there. She angled her head towards me, nodding a yes, but the look in her eyes told me otherwise.

And that was all I needed.

"Hola ladies. I'm a medicine student here at the Royal Madrid hospital, how can I help you today?"

My head was held high despite everything in me telling me to lower it and submit. The lady seemed unaffected by my interference, as she looked down at me.

I suppose the leader of this pack stepped forward, her eyes burning holes through my flesh. I swear I saw something burn on my face. Maybe she gave me nazr.

"Hello Laila Bakhash. We've heard a lot about you" I froze whilst she smiled. The type of smile which hinted at knowledge enough to move a mountain. I could practically see the malice seeping from her eyes.

At that moment, hushed whispers erupted like a storm on a quiet night.

"Oh dear, don't be frightened" her lips transformed into a concerned pout which looked close enough to a sneer. "We were just coming by, you know, seeing how our hospital is doing" I didn't miss the emphasis on our. Who was our?

Were these women a part of those men that kept coming here daily.

"I'm sorry, but I didn't quite catch your name"

"Since you asked so nicely, I'll give you an answer. Tell your friend Itzel was here" she leaned in to give me a hug, which I didn't return.

As soon as her chest collided with mine, a deafening sound from behind me rang out so suddenly, it rendered me deaf momentarily. The familiar beep ringed around me, but was soon hushed by the shrieks and screams.

My heart fell in my stomach upon the sight. Antoinette was on the floor, lying in a bath of blood seeping out from her chest. Her eyes were shut which meant two things. She was either dead, god forbid, or unconscious.

I prayed the latter.

Nothing else mattered but her body, as my knees collided with the rough marble. My pain was nothing compared to Antoinette's agony.

My hands pressed down on the wound, whilst everyone stood in their places. Shocked and fearful. Couldn't the doctors see someone was dying?!

It wasn't until the blood coloured my hands that I felt a presence near my ear.

"Rafael has some nerve involving a Muslim girl into his mess" she sneered the word Muslim with so much distaste that I couldn't help but want to slap her. But I stayed low, continuing with stopping the blood.

She continued whispering to me, as prying eyes looked on.

"Tell him to be a good boy and sort his shit out" she whispered menacingly, patting my head. She knows this would get a kick out of me, but not today you she-devil.

Today I side with patience.

"Oh and this is my gift for him" she kicked Antoinette's leg with her heel clad feet. How dare she! Had I not been so busy with Antoinette, I wouldn't be sat down, but landing her one.

Her heels clicked against the floor and shortly after, other heels were heard throughout the now silent reception. The automatic doors shut which seemed to open people's senses.

I didn't know what else was happening but there was so much blood. So much blood that it made me double think whether being a doctor was for me.

A doctor soon rushed to the scene, checking her heartbeat with her pulse. She must've had one, as he yelled for the doctors to pick her up and place her on a stretcher.

My hands never left her chest throughout the journey to the surgical room.

Ya Allah. Give Antoinette another chance at life and may her operation be successful.

My hands slipped from her chest and replaced with glove clad hands, as the doctors took the body into the room, shutting the door behind them. Only then did I realise my state.

This was the second time someone was shot infront of me. I sat down on the chair, my blood covered hands acting as a pillar for my heavy head. It was heavy with terrifying memories and thoughts.

I glanced at the red light flashing. Maybe God put me in this situation so he could show me how much of a danger Spain has been for me.

But above all, I couldn't help the regret building up within me. If I hadn't interrupted and listened to Marissa, Antoinette would have had a chance of not getting shot.

Ya Allah. What did I do? What did I do?!

A hand on my shoulder jolted me from my thoughts. My wide frightful eyes met with Marissa's concerned ones.

"It's okay Laila. Everything going to be fine" I hugged her with so much strength, I was afraid that she'd let go. I needed comforting right now.

Marissa held onto me, seemingly knowing what i wanted. After a few moments, I pulled back, my tears drying on my face.

"Oh honey" she sighed, holding my face in her hands and adjusting strands back into my scarf. I looked down to see red tinting her pristine white uniform.

"I'm so sorry Marissa" I exclaimed in a broken voice looking at the mess I made. I elaborated at her confused look. " I ruined your coat. I'll pay for the cleaning".

"Are you serious? Sisters don't say stuff like that. Now let's go get you cle-"

"But I fe-"

"Ah ah ah" her index finger moved from side to side before my face.

"I'm not taking no for an answer. They say wearing clean clothes improves ones health and mood, which you need. Now come on. Rapidamente".

Sighing in defeat, I know Maria wouldn't budge from her rules.

I walked towards Doctor Victoria as she had a sombre look on her face. As soon as her eyes fell on me, I could tell she wanted to discuss something. But what I really wanted was to get out of these bloody clothes.

"I'm sorry that you had to go through that" she said in a quiet voice as patients around us were sleeping in there rooms. It was already nighttime and I didn't even realise with all that had happened.

Had I been in another setting, where my usual mood was back I would've visibly expressed my shock at Victoria's apology. But I kept reminding myself of what occured a few hours ago.

A weak smile played at my face as I took the clean uniform from Victoria. "Thank you for caring enough and also it wasn't your fault so don't work your self up too much".

I didn't expect Victoria to suddenly latch onto me, causing me to lose my balance. Thankfully Marissa held me from behind, offering me a small smile. I thanked her with my eyes, coming back to the situation at hand.

The uniform was pressed between us, as my hands darted around her shoulders.

"I'm so sorry for being mean to you, I guess you really can't judge a book by its cover. What you did today was heroic and no body would have ever been able to do it. I thought your kind was bad, but I was pretty wrong. You're our heroine" I couldn't keep the few tears from falling down my face.

Not because of Victoria's sweet words. But because of my naivety and endangering Antoinette's life. The same old guilt was resurfacing and I willingly allowed for that door to be open with my reply.

"Thank you Victoria for your kind words. I'm happy that some of us see me as a heroine, even if I don't see that in myself"

I hated that look she'd give me, just like everyone else I'd encountered on my way here. That pitiful look which just reminded you that your life sucked, whilst others had it remotely easy.

Oh how I wish. But this wish would forever remain a wish, as nothing could truly be undone.

______