SHE WAS ONCE MY PATIENT

... The atmosphere was chilly and given that cool smell of harmattan in early September. Life was at its peak that moment. If only Marcus knew he was in for trouble again this morning with his boss, he wouldn't have sat down with eyes closed enjoying the weather.

' and what the hell is all this?"

The loud voice jerked Marcus up from his REM sleep . He stood up hurriedly, shakily " Good morning sir "

" like you have no iota of self responsibility and discipline to be sleeping early this morning" He took a deep breath " on a Monday?" He shouted back.

Marcus knew that at this point, keeping quiet is the best option. He kept on looking down, counting his toes cos he dare not look up to see boss. He kept on thinking how can someone be this arrogant, perfectionist and yet handsome. Bad people shouldn't be this good looking.

" get the Mercedes ready"

Marcus ran hurriedly to the car as he opened the door for him to enter. He quickly took a quick glance through the Rear View Mirror to see his boss "Smith" who was dressed in a black suit , holding on to his white coat and a stethoscope on his neck at the back seat.

"Go- od mor-ning sir" Marcus greeted shakily

"Nothing is good about the morning and you know that, we are already late, so drive faster" Smith replied back not looking at him.

"Really?, Late?, Morning duty literally start 8am and this is just 4:30am and even if they start the journey by 6am ,they will still meet up with time, too much perfection so as not to be late" Marcus kept thinking about this while driving. As much as his salary keep getting paid as due, he can definitely continue with this egoistical attitude from his boss.

There was silence throughout the journey to the hospital. No music. No conversation. Everyone maintaining their lane. One could even hear a needle sound if it gets dropped.

An hour later.

" We are here already, sir" Marcus announced with an heavy breath as a means of breaking the silence.

"Hmmm" Smith mumbled. He came out of the car with his suitcase, facing the hospital. He was about to start moving before....

"Have a nice shift sir" Marcus called after him and he instantly regretted making that statement.

Smith nodded and left.

"Nonsense" Marcus cursed out. He tried to imitate Smith nodding and the way he walks. " Is that all?, How can someone be that so cold blooded or should I say no emotions or something?" He took a deep breath " as good looking as he is!" .

Marcus knew already that as long as he works with him that will definitely be their daily routine. He has gotten used to it but he wish a miracle can somehow happen. He entered the driver seat and zoomed off, knowing full well he must be ready an hour before his shift end.

*****

" Doctor Smith is around" announced happily Nurse Ash.

Doctor Smith had always been everyone's favorite. What's in him that you won't even like?. His height. His good looking cute face. His baritone voice. Or should we talk about how neatly parked ,curly his hair is?. He had won the best doctor for the Year consecutively for three years since he got transferred to Babcock hospital. His god rapour with his patients didn't even go unnoticed. The apple on the nurses's eye. Everyone wants a share in the national cake . He might be unapproachable by the the other staff, a little bit stuffy but definitely one day, he was going to dance to their tune.

The nurses at their desk quickly check into their mirror to adjust their make ups and see if they're in good fit for the groom coming in. They don't want to make bad impression. It could be their lucky day.

"Good morning Doctor" they all echoed beaming with smile interpreting 'pick me'

He waved at them and left without a word.

Nurse Joyce hissed " I don't know what you guys see in him like so full of himself"

"We know you would talk , if you don't want him, then leave him for us who does" Nurse Ash snapped back.

" Well, well, I need to get these files to him while you"ll fight a battle you can't win" She laughed hysterically as she packed the files on the table.

That's Nurse Lisa. She believed she doesn't need to be in battle with other nurses as she is close to Smith ( they went to college together) and it by luck they work together. Others even thought they were dating as some point and she was never tired to make them think in that direction.

"Because you have him now, doesn't mean it's forever" Nurse Joyce snapped back at her

Lisa looked back with a middle finger expression" whatever".

Nurse Ash looked back at Joyce and laughed. She left the table as she can't afford to be Joyce's rant victim.

Daily routine at the Babcock hospital since Smith's transfer to the hospital three years ago. Smith comes in, nurses throwing advances to him, he snubbing them , Lisa acting as the winner, Joyce bringing them to order, Ash with her dreams and the other nurses hoping for a day to be with him. Every single day. Joyce just wished that one day, this guy will pick his girl from all these horny looking eyes nurses and she can be at peace. There are other doctors here, they should go for them. This is Babcock hospital not smith's. She always thought.

Joyce noticed recently when she returned back home how she forget things easily unlike before. Always feeling down and weak , sleepy and kind of high. She thought it was her caffeine intake and reduced it but these symptoms still persist. She started scrolling through her Facebook news feed until she slept off.

Joyce knew she is in for it for coming to work late today which is completely unlike her. She really need to see a doctor. How come she slept that long even with the alarm ringing?. She ran to the nurse's desk.

" Jeez, nurse Joyce, you were never this late" Nurse Ash said worriedly holding her hand to catch a breath " just calm down"

" I'm sorry, it's not intentional" Joyce replied faintly. Someone came in through the other door, she can recognize the perfume, that's her best friend , Vivian.

" Do you know the doctor you are assigned to today?" Nurse Vivian looked at her closely while holding unto a file on her chest.

" Who could that be?"

"Doctor Smith!!!" Ash and Vivian chorused together

" Holy shit!!!" Joyce shouted. Today is really not a good day.

" But you know that peahen is already with him in the name of covering up for you, we know what she wants" Ash replied shrugging shoulder

"You mean Liz?"

"Yeah" Vivian replied " yo girl, see you later, I gotta go" she hugged Joyce and left.

" I need to go too" Joyce announced, readjusting her breast watch.

***

" I don't know what might has happened but you know nurses like her. They study abroad and come here doing things at their will, it's like her though" Lisa shrugged as she sat down.

" I'm going to a party later this weekend" Smith announced, trying to write an invincible word with pen in his hand.

"And?" Lisa asked eagerly greaning.

" I need a partner actually, you wanna tag along?" Smith saw the excitement in her face and quickly added " nothing attached"

"For now"

" I repeat, nothing atta...." He couldn't complete his statement when the door got opened .Who is this one?

" I'm sorry , doctor Smith. I don't know what happened, I just slept out of time" Joyce said shakily , trying to close the door and at the same making eye contact.

Lisa scoffed "and you couldn't knock?". She stood up, walking to her side , whispering to her ears " and didn't I deserve a thank you"

Joyce looked back at her with alot of disgust and irritation, she really wish she can hit her right now. But she remained silence looking at Smith squarely like a way of begging him to save her from doing what she might regret.

Smith was just stunned and confused with the atmosphere here. He definitely knows Joyce is not one of his fans, definitely that can't be the reason for this intense hatred in his office. Lisa as the predator and Joyce as the prey. He saw Joyce's face and knew she needed help.

" It's all right, I already did the ward round" he finally spoke , taking his eyes away from the long eye contact with Joyce's.

"Really?" Lisa asked in disbelief " you should have gave her a handful like you do to other not it's alright"

" I said what I said" Smith replied.

"Thanks alot, let me get the other files ready for the afternoon ward round" Joyce replied smiling. She was about to open the door before Lisa swiftly held the door knob.

" No way, you're going out before me" Lisa said triumphantly. " Smith"

Smith looked up.

" We meet weekend night, right" Lisa asked looking at Joyce as a way of saying I won

He nodded.

She walked through the door but not only after a smirk at Joyce.

Right that moment, Smith already regretted his decision of taking her along.

Joyce left the office .

*******

Things can't continue this way, I can't keep on feeling down and making terrible mistakes especially affecting my career. I need to see a doctor. All these thoughts were going through Joyce's mind to the extent that she was oblivion about Vivian around her.

Vivian tapped her on the shoulder while she jerked back to life.

" Oh my God, I'm so sorry" Joyce said holding Vivian's hand as support from the sudden jerk. " When have you been standing here?"

"Couple of minutes ago"

" I'm sorry"

" What you're thinking of so bad?" Vivian sat down beside her "and don't tell me, it about that peahen"

Joyce laughed faintly. "I wonder when you guys will stop calling her that"

" I think it's high time, you let everyone know she's your step sister"

Joyce Shaked her in opposition." No no no, I'm not bringing my family's drama to my work. You know I got my job here by myself while she got it through recommendation from my dad, I will be the one to be affected"

" No one likes her even still" Vivian shrugged.

"Maybe"

"So what's up?"

" Nothing much. Just wanted to see a doctor"

" Why?" Vivian asked with a caring expression.

" Just having this feeling of something wrong with me"

" Just because you came late for work today?"

" Part of it"

Vivian moved closer, holding her hand " it doesn't worth it baby girl."

"Hmm"

"Leave life YOLO" Vivian untangled their hand, stood up took out a pen and writing on the plain sheet Infront of them " YOLO life means You Only Live Once" . She dropped the pen " enough of all these check up drama"

Joyce kept quiet looking at her best friend closely. Vivian had this social life but not the academic aspect. She's really beautiful one might say. Joyce wondered and yet grateful how Vivian still continue to stick close to her after the ugly incident with Vivian's fiancee. That was really an horrible moment for them because since then Vivian never had a stable one.

Vivian tapped her on her forehead . " You've knocked off again?"

Joyce adjusted her sitting posture . " Nah, just admiring my best friend, you know"

Vivian beaming with smile, open her arms to invite her for a hug." Come here baby"

They hugged each other closely.

" Damn girl, I love this perfume, I'm gonna steal it" Joyce said jokingly

" It's all yours baby" Vivian replied jokingly mimicking the male actor in their favorite Tv series.

They both laughed.

Smith really miss home. He can feel it. But his parents frustrating him about getting married is what really pushed him back away for a while but he knows he can't escape it. He increased the volume of his favorite track. He loved this line alot. '' I can never loose what your thoughts''. He hate to be a loser alot. Instead he is ready to give it what it takes to win.

He parked the car and perform his daily car check in before shutting the door.

" We're here already" he announced.

Vivian coming out of the car. " This place is beautiful" she exclaimed.

" I know right"

" Your parents place?"

Silence.

" But you didn't tell me, we are coming to your parents place" Vivian added feeling dejected.

"Now you know" he shrugged

Lisa checked her dressing through the car mirror looking unsatisfied." I would have dressed better"

" Yo, what's up man"

Smith knows that voice really well, his brother, Phil. He looked back as they had their usual boys handshake like then in high school. Phil is actually more reason, he ain't getting married. He remembered how happy Phil was on his wedding in his suit unknown to them that the marriage will only last for three years. He got another woman again, same thing. Marriage nowadays especially in Los Angeles is just for the business of it. And him Smith, ain't ready for all that.

"And this is?" Phil asked referring to Lisa

"Lisa" Lisa quickly cut in . She was afraid how Smith is gonna introduce her.

" His girl or what?" Phil asked again with a curiosity.

Smith knew this is when he comes in if he doesn't want Lisa to say something he is gonna regret " Can you just let us breathe?, We just got here, man"

"Aight aight, I get" Phil replied, backing off. " Let's do this" he replied smiling, ushering them to the main house.

Looking at his mum smiling and his heart beat rising. He knew he really missed home. He ran up to her and hugged her tightly. " I miss you mum"

Mrs Julius looked at him , trying to save herself from his embrace " well you don't" replied disagreeing. " Because if you did, you will...." She couldn't complete her statement when she noticed Lisa. She left him and walk up to her.

Smith knew he is fucked up already if Lisa get to do the introduction. He ran to them.

" Mum, let me introduce you to...."

His mum interrupted him. " Let me do the talking here"

" Good evening Mrs Julius" Lisa greeted smilling

" Evening beautiful, you're his girl?" Mrs Julius asked back teasingly.

Lisa knew this is her chance to make a statement, atleast if she get his mother's approval, she get him too and finally shut everyone up in the hospital, a good come back against Joyce. She nodded her head in affirmation.

Oh God! . Smith couldn't believe his eyes. What the hell is Lisa playing at? . Whose girl?. Definitely not him. He is not gonna settle down with a slut in high school. He left them angrily .

" Hey brother" Phil walked up to him. " Not really the family dinner you're expecting right?"

" Like bro!, What the hell was that?"

Phil opened the wine bottle, poured a little inside the glass cups , gave one to Smith while he held on to one." Why did you bring her in the first place, is she not acting what you want her to?"

Smith sipped a little. " That's not the script"

" I'm a detective you know, I saw it in her eyes, the hunger, passion, sexual tension for you" Phil stopped to see if he was following. " Don't tell me you didn't noticed"

Smith grunted. " That's not the script"

" So what's the script then?"

Smith stood up at the arrival of his dad. " Good evening dad"

Mr Julius moved closer to them. " Tell me the script then or are you too young to get married?"

" Dad, I'm just twenty six!"

" That's not too small to build a home!"

Phil took the wine and set to leave. "I think I'm going to leave you two to it"

Mr Julius pointed back at him. " Hey you, come back here". He watched Phil taking a step back.

" Aren't you suppose to talk sense to him huh?"

Phil shrugged his shoulder. " It's his business, I don't know"

" Exactly! My business" Smith replied back in affirmation holding his hand to his chest .

" Well I'm telling you , before this year ends, you're gotta get a wife to this house or.."

" Or what dad?" Smith cut in.

"I and your mum will decide to disown you." Mr Smith revealed." You two can't be irresponsible and having our name, we need grand children, we are not getting younger anymore" he left.

Smith fell down into the sofa near him, staring at his brother like telling him it was his fault.

"And don't look at me that way" Phil said , pointing at him.

" If you actually married right, I won't have to bear all these".

Phil shrugged his shoulder. "The women left , I didn't chase them". He replied nonchalantly. " We're on a mission to get a wife then" . He moved closer to him. "why not marry the girl you brought home?" He said teasingly.

Smith threw one of the pillow on the sofa at him as they continue the battle with the pillow, laughing really hard at each other.

*************

Joyce couldn't believe her ears after the result she heard from the doctor. Narcotics? In her system? how? where?. She is not this party person for her to even think of being drugged. She was so perplexed. Due to her disbelief, the doctor had to re-do the test thrice before you believed the laboratory results. Her dad mustn't hear about this. She has been making him proud all these years and this is not the time to bring out any drama considering the fact that she just came home to settle down of recent.

She sat down on her bed. Or could this be her step mum and sister devise to clear her off of getting the property?. Why will they possibly do that?. What for?. She is not even interested in these gaining wealth of a thing for someone to had done this to her. Oh God! She checked the time, almost evening.

She took her journal and started writing out ideas of how possibly she got hard drugs in her system. Probably if this person has been drugging me with narcotic, definitely he want me to run mad.

"How about I actually run this mad and get to know the culprit?". She asked herself facing the mirror and this idea struck to her to be the best decision. "Yes! I will act mad for a while and then definitely, the culprit will show up, I'm sure of that" she concluded.

The door opened. " And who is running mad?"

She looked back. " Dad, how many times will I tell you to knock?"

Mr Will moved closer to her as he patted on her on her head. " You're still my little girl, you know that"

How about I start acting it right now? The faster the better. Especially Infront of people close to me so as to look real . She thought. She moved to the flower vase on the shelf and threw it on the floor. There were splashes of glasses on the phone. I'm sorry, dad , she cried inside her.

Mr Will was shocked. He stood up immediately. " What is wrong with you?" He shouted.

Joyce moved to the mirror, started punching it with her fist, lot of bruises on her hand and she didn't care. It's all for the best . She said to herself again.

"Oh my goodness, I need to call 911" Mr Will picked his phone, dialed the number.

"Please, my daughter is acting irrational and muttering some words, I think she has ran mad or something, I need help"

"On it sir, stay calm and stay with her, we have to track your address and get to you in a jiffy" the other end on the call.

" Please do" Mr will replied almost to tears.

Joyce continud to destroy everything in her room and saying irrational things. She is a psychiatric nurse after all, she knows her patients well. She saw the fear and care on her father's face. How she wish he was always around to actually show her that care she needed from her step mum and step sister. She is not going back on this mission.

Some minutes later, they heard the ambulance siren. The rescue team made their way inside, she pretended to struggle with them while they were carrying her to the car, looked at the house again, atleast she is ready to face her fears. She watched as her dad kept sobbing with no one to comfort him, felt sorry for him.

The car zoomed off.

***********

"Well I don't know what has been happening in my absence and I need answers" Mr Will shouted back at his wife while taking a step back from her.

" But you couldn't be putting the blame on me and my daughter for what happened to her" Mrs Will replied

" Oh really?," Mr Will moved to the dinning table, " aren't you living together? Or the two kids aren't they under your watch?".

Mrs Will moved towards him. " And I only watch what want to be watched".

Silence.

The door opened . Lisa came in surprise to see Mr Will inside.

"Hey dad" she wanted to hug him but got stopped.

"I'm not in the mood for that" Mr will removed her hand from his neck.

Mrs Will couldn't hold back her anger. "So you're gonna be giving us cold treatment because of your wayward daughter that ran mad?".

Mr Will stood up. " Oh really, who is the wayward huh?" . He pointed at the wall clock " look at the goddamn time, past midnight and your daughter is just coming back home?". He took a breath. " Has Joyce ever done that?"

" Atleast, Lisa is not the one who ran mad" Mrs Will shrugged back .

Lisa felt like a fool in the whole drama. She took a glass of water left on the dining table." Wait, what the fuck is going on?"

" Hey, watch your language, young lady". These are manners your mum should have taught you" Mr Will shouted angrily and stormed out.

Mrs Will moved closer to Lisa, held her down. " Don't mind him, honey bee. He is just passing aggression".

" But, who is mad?".

Mrs Will laughed. "Who else will?, His over righteous daughter".

They both laughed.

" Our plan is really working well. She now have a defect and you got to grab your chance to prove worthy" Mrs Will said whispering to her while playing with her hair.

"I understand ma'am" Lisa replied back making a salute.

They bursted out into laughter again.