The Tiger Inside

by Nasu Hasami

Orthopaedic surgeon Mulan Hua is dedicated to her career and determined to rise above the statistics of her profession. But that shouldn't mean she has to compromise on the things she wants. Surely, in the 21st Century, a girl can have everything. (Flash fiction series. Companion story to The Nightingale's Song.)

17. Rapport

The Tiger Inside

By Nasu Hasami

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"I'll sail the world to find you."

~Bruno Mars~

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17. Rapport

With the anniversary and everything else, it's been a rough few weeks. Mulan struggles through on adrenalin and false happiness, but it all comes to a head with the first operation in a series for a paediatric rib cartilage restoration. The patient's parents are anxious, and that anxiety transfers to Mulan because she's just so tired. When she finally gets out of surgery, there's a sandwich, a salad, and a coffee sitting on her desk. The coffee's still hot, so Mulan knows she only missed her guardian angel by a minute or two.

The pork belly banh mi is the first real meal she's had in two days. She demolishes it and the salad in record time.

The cinnamon dolce latte has extra whip and Mulan's a little bit in love with it.

She crashes on her couch when she's finished eating. She sleeps solidly until her alarm screeches to life seven hours later.

'That's an interesting song choice,' says Shang Li.

He's standing in her consultation room doorway holding two coffees. One looks like a cinnamon dolce latte with extra whip and it almost makes Mulan cry.