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.)

85. Forget

The Tiger Inside

By Nasu Hasami

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"I just wanna keep on lovin' you."

~REO Speedwagon~

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85. Forget

Mulan is taking a moment to inhale a triple espresso when the PA system in the ED starts to play "Keep on Loving You". She's grown so immune to 80s soft rock, she doesn't even notice the music until Tasunka tugs his mask down and starts singing along.

Mulan doesn't require any biopsies or haematology consults, so she isn't sure why Tasunka is lurking in the ED at 3 AM. 'Get lost,' she tells him.

Tasunka keeps singing at her with a stupid look on his face. The stupid look stays there until Shang swings the curtain back from the patient he's been assessing. He looks between his wife and his friend, not sure what's going on.

Then he hears the music.

Something clicks in his mind, and he checks his watch. It's the seventh of August. It's their wedding anniversary.

If it weren't for the virus, he'd march over to Mulan and plant a kiss on her mouth.

But the director found out about it the last time he kissed her in the ED, and then social distancing was explained to them like they were toddlers.

'Happy anniversary,' says Shang, from the safe distance of six feet.

Mulan checks her watch. 'Yeah,' she says. But she's looking at him with bedroom eyes, and he really wants to kiss her.

'Fuck it.'

The way she melts in his arms is worth any lecture.