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There were about a couple of minutes left until shift ended, which I was thankful for. I offered god my thanks mentally, before setting to task. I was given the duty to take care of a special patient.

The lady was to be given antidepressants regularly, after having lost her son and husband in a car accident. Upon hearing the news, and seeing how much she'd been fighting for her own life in the hospital, it truly pained me to see how much of a shell one could become of themselves.

So that's why, whenever I'd visit her, I'd make sure to remove all my worries at the door and instead focus on my patients happiness. Make their life a bit easier.

"Hello beautiful, how are you doing Señora Davila?" I asked in English, making sure to have the brightest smile on my face.

She looked away from the window, her sorrowful eyes lighting up slightly upon seeing me. If possible, my smile stretched more, almost ripping apart my face.

"Bien, doctor" she rasped tiredly, her eyes glancing at the tray in my hands. It was her breakfast.

"I'm glad to hear, now, let's have breakfast before anything else" I ushered her, placing the tray on the table and helping Misses Davila into a sitting position.

"Gracias" came her feeble reply.

Placing the bed tray in front of her. I decided to let her be, so she could enjoy her breakfast in peace. Just as I was about to turn around, a hand on my wrist stopped me.

I looked back to see Misses Davila looking up at me, with an expression I could not comprehend. I looked back at her expectantly. Did she need anything else?

"Thank you..." Her eyes wondered to my name tag "Laila, for everything you've done for me so far!" She smiled much to my shock. Not once since she'd been here for the last three days did she smile, or show any other expression other than acknowledgement.

My heart warmed at her gratitude.

"You are most welcome" a smile broke out onto my features, but I wasn't quite satisfied. There was so much to be said with words barely contained on the tip of my tongue.

"If you don't mind" hesitation laced through my tone as I began. "Can I tell you something?" A sigh of relief escaped my mouth upon seeing her nod. This was my cue.

"You are a strong women Misses Davila and although it may not seem that way to you, just know that you are much more than those antidepressants. I've seen the way you look at them with disdain and I can understand how it must feel to be defined by depression, but just know that you are incredibly strong" now it was her turn to be shocked. I nodded with a tender smile on my face, encouraging her.

"As part of being a student doctor, we are informed of patients medical histories, and I was of course informed of yours. Please don't feel neglected or alone, as much as it may seem like that in your head. You've been through worse situations and managed to pull through, so please don't ever stop trying, not only for yourself but for your loved ones"

Her eyes were bright with tears, which wasn't the reaction I was expecting to be honest. Did I hit a nerve and make her relive all those painful memories. But what came out of her mouth only made me feel less anxious.

"Oh Laila. You are too sweet, my child. I-i" she stumbled, unable to say anything. I don't know what came over me, but I couldn't help it. I bent down and gave Misses Davila a comforting hug, my hands running up and down her back in an attempt to sooth her.

"It's all going to be okay, Misses Davila" I said, closing my eyes and trying to reach out to her heart. I wanted to say so much more, but I didn't. I couldn't, not when my own heart was breaking. Tears formed in my eyes, but before they could have a chance to escape, I wiped then away with my fingers.

Pulling away from Misses Davila, I smiled much to my ability. She wiped her own tears, rubbing her fingers together as she spoke.

"Thank you Laila. You're like a ray of sunshine in the darkness. Its so hard to find people like you know a days" her response humbled me, but also set my heart on fire. Don't cry Laila. Don't cry!

"May I say one more thing" she nodded for me to continue, as she continued wiping away at the tears.

"I believe as a Muslim that God does not burden a soul beyond which it can bear. Similarly, Misses Davila, God knew of your strength and hence put you through so many trials. The fact that you are here today, is a miracle in itself and this time should be celebrated and not spent in the dark. So please, Misses Davila, I urge you, once you're outside this hospital, find your purpose in life and know that you were chosen to be tested, and you succeeded, coming out the other end as a kind and generous soul" I ended shortly, hoping that my words resonated with her and didn't make her feel alone.

It was better that my words were coming from a stranger, someone she'd never encountered before,being at the hospital. I hope it showed her that she isn't alone and that there would always be hope.

Her hands collected mine in their own embrace, as she squeezed tightly around them. Her eyes were much more brighter now, almost as if she'd let go of her worries. I hoped that was the case, or would soon be the case.

"Your words means so much to me, dear. I would be foolish to turn a blind eye. Thank you, my child, for showing me that not all is lost. May God forever keep you happy, just as you have made me feel after quite done time, Amen"

The day went by in a blur, my thoughts often going back to the encounter with Misses Davila. She had been through so much, and yet still mamanged to see the world positively. She didn't become bitter about her situation and neither did she compare her life with others. Something I'd been doing as of lately.

Maybe this was also a test to me from God. Maybe God was making me realise something, something which I couldn't grasp the concept of before.

Just then, Marissa rushed towards me, looking flustered. She was always one to be calm and nonchalant in a rising storm, so it must've been something big for her to react this way.

"Lai-laila, someone's here for you" she breathed out in one go, not stopping to catch some air, or notice that patients around us were looking at her weirdly. Almost as if realising this, she stood straighter, no longer slouched, and cleared the throat.

"Can I talk to you for a sec?" She said once having gained control of herself. I nodded, wondering what she'd said. I turned back to my patient at hand momentarily, informing them I'd be back. In return I got a brief smile and a nod.

Not wasting anymore time, I ushered myself out of the room, with Marissa's hand pushing me from behind. We came to a stop just outside the ward. She breathed out deeply before speaking.

"Laila, you remember some time ago how I was smitten with a guy at the hospital" my eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Marissa's crushes changed faster than I could come up with a simple sentence in Spanish.

Let's start from the begging. At first, there was that nerdy guy, a family relative of a patient, whom Marissa seemed to be quite infatuated with. But of course that didn't last long. And then there was one of our senior doctors. He was around thirty, I'm sorry more like thirsty-five years old, with a "tall frame and intense eyes", as quoted by Marissa. And of course, how ciukd I forget Marissa's deal breaker. He had veins running aoing his hands, which cringed me out because cutting through those would lead to a lot of blood loss.

When I'd told Marissa this wonderful idea of mine, she almost was about to cat fight me. Almost, but then she must have imagined what I'd said and just blenched at the thought.

"You're weird, Laila" she mused after some time, looking down at me as if I was a disappointing child, and her my equally disappointed mother.

Swiftly moving on, the third guy was a waiter in a cafe we'd chose to go to on our lunch break. It was rare now a days to catch a break with so much workload as student doctors, yet when an oppertunity arose, we took it like a silver lining. Safe to say, Marissa's day got even better when she discovered the newfound guy whom she so obviously flirted with throughout our duration there. If I didn't know any better, I think I'd been third wheeling.

"You know Laila, that tall guy who was always so serious.." she looked at me expectantly only to be met with a blank stare.

"The one that hung around Antoinette" Antoinette... She was always in the reception, surrounded by- oh no! It couldn't have been Rafael. Oh god, I hope it wasn't. I didn't know how I'd look him in the eyes after sleeping next to him!

Guilt ate up at my heart, reminding me of the night I so desperately wanted to forget. Astaghfirullah.

"Are you sure Marissa?"

"Yes! I wouldn't mistake that Adonis for no one!" she beamed happy that I'd remembered. I wish I felt the same as you Mar.

"Now come on, he's been waiting long enough, the poor guy" and so she made sure to drag me along, despite my feeble pleas and excuses.

The lift opened in record time and before I know it, I'd found myself walking towards Rafael's back, on my own two feet. Marissa gave me a thumbs up from behind me, as my eyes signalled for her to stay. She shook her head, smiling cheekily just before the lift closed.

You little shaytaan! I seethed mentally. My jaw gritted in vexation, thinking of all possible ways I could get back at her. Aha! I know exactly what I should do!

But I couldnt think about that right now. I had a talk with the devil I needed to overcome. His back was still facing me, but before I could clear my throat or gather his attention, he began walking towards I'm assuming the exit. What is he doing? Did he want me to follow? But it was too cold!

I decided to go after him, curiosity getting the best of me. Meanwhile, I stared at his broad back and observed the way the muscles flexed underneath. A gasp escaped from me upon discovering he had a neck tattoo! The ink ran down his neck, hiding under the collar of his smart shirt.

Now I was even more curious as to what that tattoo could be, but the demons abrupt stop startled me. My own feet immediately stopped, as if following an unspoken command of his.

I saw the way his head turned right and left, before he looked down. I stood behind him, waiting patiently for him to turn around, but of course he wasn't that polite to do so. So I cleared my throat in the hopes for him to even acknowledge my presence, only to be cut off by his hand. It was raised in the air, shutting me up instantly.

Tapping my foot in annoyance, he went back to fiddling with something, his head lowered down. After a couple of seconds, I'd realised he was lighting his cigarette, as the smoke wafted about him in streaks. Only then did he turn around, and when he did, my body instantly shivered. It's as if the coldness from his eyes had surged into my body, making me freeze momentarily.

Whilst looking at me, he took a big puff of the death-stick, stepping closer to me and blowing out from his nose, right into my face. My face automatically scrunched up In disgust, as coughs erupted from deep within.

"W-what is wrong with you!" I seethed, attempting to breath normally. It took some time for the taste to disappear from my mouth. His lips pulled up into a knowing smirk at my question.

"Everything" he replied. I fought the urge to roll my eyes, as standing in his presence was was going to do more bad than good to my attitude. And God forbid, he didn't like a bad attitude. But I didn't care. He deserved it.

"Why are you here?"

"Can I not come to see my fiancé every once in a while?" His voice somehow increased in volume, and I had to physically shut him up with a loud "Shh!"

"Don't go spreading around false rumours!"

"Oh?" His eyebrows raised, mischief swirling in those pools of hazel.

"If I do remember correctly, a couple of days ago, you were quite content in my arms, snuggling up to me" my cheeks instantly turned red, I could feel it as heat swarmed my face. Thankfully we were out in the cold.

His eyes trailed down to my face, I'm presuming the blush not going past him. He smirked devilishly, upon seeing how much his words affected me.

"Don't fool yourself" I snorted in denial. "Now tell me why you're really here"

All smiles and mischief disappeared from his countenance. It worried me slightly upon the instant change of atmosphere, yet I didn't let that stop me. There must have been a big reason for him to come to the hospital after two months. Not that I'd been keeping tabs.

"I want you to take a week off from hospital" came so easily his command. But so did my anger.

"What? No, I'm not going to do that!" Anger laced my tone. I was annoyed. Who did he think he was bossing me around like that!

"You don't have a choice woman! You will not come here from tomorrow. I want you away from here until I say you can come back" his voice was firm and moreso than that, his face was hard in anger. He doesn't scare me. Not anymore.

"No!" And with that, I turned around, ready to walk away. I was stopped by a hand around my arm, spinning me with force harsher than the wind.

"Listen to me Laila, and listen well. Do not come to the hospital for a week. I don't give a shit about what excuse you'll use. I don't want to even hear from my men that you breathed around this hospital. Do you understand?"

That was the second time he said my name. But unlike last time, this time he was dead serious. When he didn't hear a reply from me, he shook my upper body, with each word exiting his sinful mouth.

"I said do you understand" came his growl. I nodded, not understanding and not wanting to listen. I stepped back from him, upon his release of me. He shook his head once in, I suppose goodbye.

Not replying back with anything, I turned away from him and continued my walk to the hospital.

With a final glance towards his direction, I smiled at him sweetly, giving his still standing self a mocking wave before disappearing behind the doors.

Let's just say, the look on his face was deadly. Too bad he couldn't shoot me in a hospital. A grin took over my features, knowing I would not heed his words. Only I get to decide what I can and cannot do.

If only I could turn back time...

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oneno