Chapter 9
"Luckily you're early for your shift," Nurse Farrar greeted as Nurse Dalisay joined the staff at the nurse station. "We saved you a piece of cake,""From whom?" she asked as someone gave her a plate. "Did we discharge a patient today?" she looked around the rooms trying to guess which patient was gone. Most of the time, they receive food gifts from the patient and their families whenever someone is discharged. It's their way of saying thank you for taking good care of them throughout their stay in the hospital.
"No," another replied. "We actually have new admissions."
"It's from Dr. Lim, actually," Nurse Farrar said, her eyes observing someone's back. That person was standing a few meters away from them talking to the patient's family member.
"What's the occasion?" Nurse Dalisay asked, knowing Dr. Lim's no nonsense attitude while at her workplace. "She doesn't usually treat us without any reason,"
"Ah you haven't heard about it? A friend from another ward saw a man giving her this cake," someone shared. "Maybe a patient of hers,"
"You didn't hear the rumor properly," another one said. "It wasn't a patient or a family."
"Plus she wouldn't give this to anyone,"
"Maybe she's got a new boyfriend," Nurse Dalisay hummed to herself before taking a bite on the cake. She didn't notice Nurse Farrar's warning and she almost choked when Dr. Melendez appeared to her side.
"You okay Nurse Villanueva?" he asked his tone a little too professional than usual. He was done giving instructions to his patient's family and joined the gossiping staff near him. In the middle of the consultation, his concentration was taken away when he heard Nurse Farrar's voice mentioning Dr. Lim. It took a lot of effort to control his emotions and focus on the task at hand.
"I'm okay doc," she assured him after drinking some water.
"After you're done. Could you follow up on the lab results of that patient?" he looked at the room he exited minutes ago.
"Sure doc,"
Neil seemed satisfied at that but his eyes lingered on the box of cake the staff were busy enjoying. One of the lady staff noticed and offered him a piece but he politely refused.
"I don't eat sweet stuff," he told everyone, hiding his discomfort.
Nurse Farrar raised an eyebrow at him. One look at his face and she could tell the reason for his serious expression. She bit her lip to prevent herself from smiling. She had worked long enough at St. Bonaventure to know about the gossip and stuff about her colleagues. Dr. Melendez had plenty of gossip throughout his decade-long stay here. She had a hunch on what ticked the usual charming doctor.
She doesn't know much about Dr. Lim's personal life but they are good friends enough to tease and joke around each other. She knew that her ex husband was around this hospital with a patient for a while now. Based on the stories from her colleagues, she had put the puzzle pieces together and deduced the source of that cheesecake.
Her eyes met Melendez's troubled ones and she can't help but give him a subtle smile. He realized that somebody saw behind his lie and shifted his attention elsewhere. He finished writing some notes on the patient's chart before handing it back to them.
"Send the results right away to my office," he instructed as Nurse Farrar took the chart, her eyes still with that judging look on him.
"Sure," her arms wrapping around the chart close to her chest. Neil didn't waste any second and immediately fled for his office.
This is interesting, Nurse Farrar thought.
...
Those nosy nurses should mind their own business!
Neil thought irritably as he slammed the door loudly. Thankfully it was late at night and people from neighboring offices already left for home. Nobody will see him throw a tantrum in his glass-walled office.
He sat down on his chair and buried his face in his hands. A lot of thoughts running in his head.
Why would he give her that? Neil recognized that cake the staff were feasting on. That particular brand and flavor, he used to see Audrey eat those during the early days of their residency. He knew she loves sweets but had never questioned why she stopped favoring that bakeshop after a while. He remembered being puzzled when she dragged her away from that shop during one of their dates.
It must have a lot of connection from her past.
Neil feels insecure and a little threatened. What is the meaning of that gesture? Is he trying to win her back? Are they getting close again? Despite Audrey's insistent remarks of disinterest with her old lover, you'll never know what fate has to offer to you.
They could get closer again through Larisa. She could comfort him, the voice in his head says.
He is jealous, he couldn't deny that. But he doesn't have anything but his friendship with Audrey. He couldn't be jealous. He's still cautious with rebuilding his friendship and work relationship with her.
He uncovers his face and his eyes landed on that framed dollar on his desk. He couldn't lose Audrey all over again. He needs to win her back. He has to. A life without her is something he doesn't want to imagine.
...
It took some time for Audrey to visit Larisa again. It's not that she's avoiding her and his son. She was really busy with all the meetings she had to attend. She had pestered her secretary to give her a little break just to sneak a visit to Larisa.
"Ah I thought I scared you away," she said relieved to see her.
Audrey smiled. "You didn't have to give me a peace offering Larisa. I understand your sentiments,"
"I still feel bad though," she told her. "What did my son give you?"
"Something sentimental," she confessed. "But it was nice of him to remember what I like,"
"Oh that reminds me, I hope he remembers to buy me stuff too. He hasn't responded to my messages yet."
Audrey plans to drop by the grocery store to buy some necessities after her shift. She figured she could lend a hand to the sick old lady.
"Tell me what you need and I'll buy it for you," she offered.
Larisa thought for a long time, not sure if she'd accept her help. "Aren't you busy?"
"I need to buy some stuff too. It's not a big deal,"
She looked at Audrey and finally gave her a short list to buy. As she accepted the note, the door opened revealing Kashal.
"There you are. Where have you been?" his mom asked.
"Sorry. Had to finish some last minute deadlines," he walked closer to hug his mom. Then he turned towards Audrey mumbling her name in greeting.
"I thought you'd never come tonight so I had to ask Audrey a favor," she told him of the stuff she asks to buy on her behalf.
"I could help you," Kashal turned to his ex wife without second thoughts.
"It's fine. It's just a short list..." Audrey waves the note to them before looking at the list. She smiles nervously.
"It's heavy actually," Larisa commented thinking about the fruits and juices she wrote down.
"I have my car with me. I could help carry them and I could even bring you home later," he offered.
Audrey looked at him and then at Larisa. She couldn't carry a bunch of groceries with her Ducati. The most logical choice was to accept their offer. But that would also mean spending some awkward time with her ex.
Checkmate Audrey. She quietly berated herself in her mind for offering to help Larisa. She didn't expect Kashal to show up at the same time. Unknowingly she put herself in this situation.
She thinks about Larisa and all the goodness she did for her when she was still married to the family. Then she looks at her frail condition in front of her now. Just for tonight.
Releasing a deep breath she follows Kashal to his car.
……
The whole ride was awkward and quiet. She could feel his eyes glancing to her side at times trying to think of ways to start a conversation. He would ask how her day was, and she'd respond with a short answer. The topic dies down without her actively engaging in the talk.
She tries to be okay as much as possible. It's not the right place or time to uncover those resentments she buried a long time ago. And she prefers not to think about it anymore. She's got more important matters to fix in the present.
After the grocery shopping, their route was Kashal's home to get Larisa's spare bag. And then from there, he will drive Audrey back to her home before he goes back to the hospital.
Stepping inside her former mother-in-law's house felt weird for Audrey. She remembered the few Thanksgiving holidays she spent here. It seems like a lifetime ago. Her life changed so much since then.
"Can we eat something first? I'm starving," Kashal broke the silence. He went inside the kitchen to look for something to eat. "I'll make a quick dinner," she heard him across the hall.
She didn't have any time to respond to him, besides she felt her stomach growling from hunger. It's been hours since her last meal. She figured a meal with her ex wouldn't hurt.
They sat in silence eating the meal Kashal had prepared. Audrey couldn't help but be curious. Her eyes roamed around the quiet house.
"Your sister doesn't live with your mom?"
Kashal seemed surprised by her inquiry. "Not anymore," he confirmed. He sipped on his water before continuing, "it hasn't been long though,"
"It's unfortunate that it took her getting sick just for us to live closer to each other again," he mentioned about him moving back to the city while his mother receives treatment.
"She doesn't want to be a burden though," She replied. "It adds to the stress caused by the disease."
Kashal let out a small smile. "Yeah, but she keeps on disturbing you. I'm sorry for that. You didn't have to be so nice to her," he bluntly said.
"I offered to help a patient in the hospital I work at. Don't feel burdened about it just because we had a past," she answered, her eyes staring straight at him. She thought it was the moment where they would begin to uncover the heartaches she desperately buried years ago. She braced herself for a confrontation… but it never came.
Kashal broke their eye contact and instead stood up to collect their empty plates. Wordlessly he tidied the place while Audrey went to the living room to wait. She sat on the sofa and stretched her arms and legs. It's been a long day, she just wants to drop on her bed and sleep.
When Kashal went out minutes later with the stuff his mom needs, he found Audrey fast asleep on the sofa. She looked so tired that she fell asleep leaning in an uncomfortable position. He didn't have the heart to wake her so she gently positioned her head on a pillow. Then he fetched a spare blanket to cover her from the cold air.
Audrey didn't stir so he figured he'd let her sleep. The groceries and stuff can wait for tomorrow. He turned off the lights in the room and headed to his own room upstairs. He stopped on the first step just to glance back at her sleeping figure. Many years ago he would carry her back to their bedroom and cuddle her till morning. He doesn't have the right to do that now. All he could do was stare wistfully at the person who was once a big part of his life. With a heavy heart and footsteps, he climbed up to his room to rest.
When daylight came Audrey awoke abruptly by a phone call. It was her secretary, asking her whereabouts. She had told her she'll come in early for work today to prepare for an important meeting. When she didn't show up at the time she promised, her secretary started looking for her.
Audrey told her she'll be in the hospital soon and hung up. She composed herself, a little mortified that she fell asleep at her ex family's home.
Kashal probably heard her talking to the phone as she saw him from the dining room doorway.
"Come eat breakfast, before I drive you home," he called.
She reluctantly followed but knowing she didn't have time to waste, she told him to drive her back to the hospital instead.
"I'm sorry I didn't know if it was okay to wake you last night," he apologized. "you look so tired,"
"Can't have any decent rest this week,"
"Too many patients?"
"That's paperworks for me,"
He nodded in understanding. After having a quick breakfast, Kashal drove back to the hospital. They parted ways at the lobby with Kashal going back to his mom's room while Audrey was headed to her office.
"Aud," he called after her before she stepped on the elevator. "Thanks for my mom," he simply said, relaying all the things she voluntarily does for Larisa. He offers her a small hopeful smile.
Audrey stares at him not sure how to respond. Instead, she nods and smiles at him before turning her back. When the elevator doors closed, she released a deep sigh.
Thank goodness she was alone again. Or not.
When she reached her floor, she was greeted by an attending wanting her approval for a surgery. They talked for a few moments on the hallway before the doctor hurried down to prepare.
At the same time, the elevator opens again revealing Neil. He met Audrey's eyes which smiled upon seeing him.
"Good morning Dr. Lim," he greeted, his facial expression stiff. The use of her surname gave her the impression something was wrong. He only calls her that when things are not okay. He had no problem calling her by name even after their break up when no one is around them. The hallway is currently empty so why is he being so formal?
"Good morning, Neil,"
They stood staring at each other, each wanting to say something. She reads his eyes trying to decipher what troubles him. He finally offers her a tired smile before excusing himself when one staff passes by them.
Her gaze followed his retreating back, her brows furrows in understanding.
…..
He saw the two of them.
He saw Audrey getting out of Kashal's car that morning. He was parked just a few meters away but they didn't see him behind them.
The image of them plagues Neil's mind that day. He was thinking about why they were together. Audrey was still wearing her clothes from yesterday.
He was distracted thinking about it while standing in a patient's room a while ago. He wasn't even listening to his residents explaining the treatment to their patient. It didn't help that the surgery they were about to do was a tricky one. And now as he sat down in his office trying to plan for the surgery, his head aches.
He was so lost in his thoughts when he heard a sharp knock on his door.
Claire let herself in bringing a thick file folder and two coffee in her hands.
"Dr.Reznick was called downstairs," she explained the absence of their missing teammate. "It's just the two of us with this hell of a case."
She walked closer to him and touched his arm to fully get his attention. "I brought some coffee to keep us awake," she placed the cup next to his hand.
"Because Reznick wasn't around I'll charge this to her," she teased.
Neil looked at her who sat down next to him. "Thanks," he mumbled, taking a sip from the cup. He forced his face not to form a reaction. The coffee was too sweet for his liking. It was even sweeter than Audrey's taste.
Audrey again. Everything goes back to him thinking about her. He closed his eyes briefly composing himself. He has a patient's life to save. It should be his focus at the moment. He will deal with his troubled heart later.
"I thought Reznick wants competition? She's missing an important opportunity right now to use her smarts,"
"Does that mean can I be your first assistant in this case?" Claire asked hopeful.
...
Beyond the glass wall Audrey watches the scene. She couldn't guess what they were talking about. She hoped it was about a patient but she couldn't help feeling hurt seeing them exchanging smiles.
She shouldn't be feeling these things in her position. But her relationship, or the lack of, with him makes its all uncomfortable. But she was still just a human being, able to feel emotions.
Gripping the paper bag of lunch she brought with her, she turned away.
...
Audrey thanked the board meeting had consumed the rest of her day enough for her to hide from him. She doesn't know what to tell him if ever she saw him. She couldn't let another round of argument between the two of them so she chose to stay away as she calmed her negative thoughts.
She arrived at her quiet office. The lights were off which means her secretary had left work early. Turning on the light above her desk, she approached to gather her stuff. She was eager to go home and soak herself in a warm bath to relax herself.
As she was zipping her bag, she finally noticed the foreign object carefully placed on her desk. It was a small ring box placed above a note card. She caught herself holding her breath as she slowly took the note to read it.
Happy birthday.
Her brows knitted in confusion. It's too early for a birthday gift though. The note doesn't say much about its intention other than a simple greeting but she recognized that familiar handwriting. She took the box and held on to it tightly, her heart beating wildly.