The Insomniacs Are Sleeping
-a tale of heart brake-
1-
"One. Mild anemia. Could be problematic in the later years.
Two. Overwork- stress. There's a small ulcer in her stomach.
And the third.
She's an insomniac.
Once again,
Could be problematic. Nothing too serious."
"Thank you, Gina." She nods. She leaves. The clock ticks on. I couldn't help but to feel that medical urge- Is she alright? One more check-up perhaps. But no, patient's time. Patient's body.
Such a trained animal you are. So docile, doctor.
So docile.
Martha enters the office, a smile on her face per usual. "Here's your herbal tea." She eyes the patient with mild interest. "She's a cute one. What happened?" I take a deep breath.
"Mild anemia caused a collapse in her system. Overwork, stress... she runs a ranch you know." I say absentmindedly.
"The new girl? She really does all that already?" I nod. She continues. "She's cute."
"Thank you Martha." I say, taking my tea. "That's quite enough for one day." I sip.
It's bitter.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
I find myself dozing in my chair. The tea does that. I sit up, rubbing my eyes and sniffing my science coat. Probably not sterile. Not sterile indeed. I haven't left the office, how could it be anything more than-
The patient stirs.
"Uhn..." Her eyes flutter and I'm afraid she's having a nightmare. I hate when patients have nightmares. They cause stress on the brain which isn't good but waking them when they need sleep... ahh... a doctor's paradox...
"Where am I?" Her voice is light but dense at the same time. It has a fullness to it I can't quite explain and yet it's... the feeling hits me. It's like seeing a cloud when you're five and thinking, I'd like to walk on those. Of course you can't but for some reason, it seems like you can at that very moment.
"You're at the clinic. You fainted..." She's a cute one. I clear my throat, a tinge of rose on my face. I'm dating someone. Gina of course. At work we aren't more than coworkers and after work we're both tired... it's understandable that one day... one day... marraige... we shall... won't we? We've been dating for three years. Yet if you asked me the color of her eyes, I would easily say...
The color doesn't come to my mind so I turn my attention back to the patient.
The patient's eyes are chocolate. Brown doesn't do them justice. They are warm and have a crystalline quality to them, despite her fatigue. She's cute. Her hair matches her eyes only they have something like honey lying underneath. It all appears to be that rich brown color but when the sun through the window hits it why I swear it's as though the chocolate is molten...
"Fainted?" I nod. She sits up quickly. "My cow!" And of course, (as I expect) she grabs her head, falling sideways. I am there.
I catch her.
"Careful." I warn with a smile. She's light in my arms, her body warm from lying in bed. I shouldn't be thinking these things though. I have been dating. For three years. Or has it been four? One can't be too sure. Either way... I've been dating. "You should take it easy. I'll send Gina down to see to the condition of your cow and get some of your neighbors to help. You do live next to the Hank's farm, correct? They'll take care of him."
"Her."
"Pardon?"
"My cow. It's female."
"Is... is there a difference?" For some reason I'm blushing. To me that's like pointing at a flower and exclaiming it's a male. I would never know there to be any obvious difference or use of knowing the gender. But she's laughing.
"Only the girls give the milk!" Her statement makes me blush further and she's laughing again. "Sorry if I embarrassed you! It really is true though. Makes sense, right?" How can she be so vibrant after this? I find I am smiling, heartier than before. It's good to smile. Or so I've been told. "Her name's Potana."
"Potana?" Why does she know the name of a medicinal herb... and why is her cow...? But she nods, continuing.
"You see, when I first started, it was really rough. I've had slight medical problems and was afraid of collapsing as I foraged in the mines and forest for some money so I always had some potana root in my pocket. It saved me I guess. So I promised that whatever animal I get, I'd name it Potana. It suits her. She's so calm." Her eyes are so warm. How can they be this warm in the middle of winter?
"Alex." I offer.
"Sarina." She returns.
"Well Sarina, a few more days and you'll be good to go." She's blushing now. I wonder why?
Then I realize I'm still holding her from when she slipped sideways.
Now we're both blushing.