Veins of Desire

CHAPTER 4

Haliya spent her rest day — Sunday — researching who Dr. Ziro was. She tried to look for articles, magazines, and journals where he could probably appear but he found none. Even the website of the hospital did not have any information about him except his name and his title as a general surgeon. There was no picture of him.

Curious, Haliya tried flooding Ella with messages, asking if she could have a picture of Dr. Ziro if ever she had one. An hour had passed and she didn’t receive any good news except for a reply ‘Unfortunately, I don’t have any. And if I have, I will not send it to you!’. All she found out was all the things she already knew. Ziro Johnsen was the only son of Henderson Johnsen, who was the owner of Johnsen Hospital. There was no information about his mother, where he studied, when he graduated, or even details about his age. Although he was well-known as a great surgeon in the hospital, they knew nothing about him apart from that.

Haliya kept hearing unwanted rumors in the hospital the next day. It irritated her as she wanted the integrity of the hospital to remain. Sometimes, she would sit down and listen to the rumors and she would try to compare them to the ones she had heard before. Surprisingly, they all match.

At night, when most of the staff like Haliya were gone, the nurses felt anxious. Recently, they’ve been hearing disturbing noises. There were also a series of events where a patient would start complaining about a person who suddenly appeared in their room. The hospital would check the CCTV and found nothing. Later on, some of those who filed a complaint eventually died from their illnesses.

Since the atmosphere in the hospital was gradually changing and people were doubting their services, Henderson, the owner and the president of the hospital prepared a short program for everyone.

Henderson Johnsen smiled at the camera that would broadcast his message to the whole hospital. Some of the nurses and doctors arrived to watch him speak in the hall, and Haliya got a chance to personally see him. She was standing at the side with Ella, who was extremely excited. Ella knew that Dr. Ziro arrived on the last day from a medical mission and he was somewhere in the hospital. She couldn’t miss it for the world to finally see him!

Henderson stood at the small podium organized in the hall. He smiled and greeted everyone with respect. Although he was the owner of the hospital and was ninety, as they know, he was still energetic and cheerful. He had white hair and a white mustache and beard that made him look like a hermit. But it added well to his charisma and his authoritative aura.

“Good day everyone,” he spoke, making the hall as quiet as tranquil water. “As you know, the founding anniversary of Johnsen Hospital is nearing. I would just like to clarify circulating rumors that reached my office. Johnsen Hospital’s vision and mission was and still is to provide healthcare for everyone, especially people in Westcoast City. Unfortunately, mortality rates had been increasing even though our doctors were staying up late, doing their job for more than eighty hours a week. Rest assured that we are doing our best and the hospital only wishes you well.”

Henderson spoke on behalf of all the members of the hospital. He also announced the upcoming foundation anniversary of the hospital and said they would announce the programs soon. He visited some of the patients and gave them comforting words. It was past noon when he left and called for a meeting of chosen staff. Martin and Wendy were called to the meeting so Haliya had free time to roam around.

Henderson’s words seemed to suddenly uplift the mood of everyone. Those who were worried instantly felt relieved and those who were mourning their losses found comforting words.

Haliya went to see Ella. She heard that Dr. Ziro was at the hospital but she didn’t know where and when he came back. If one thing knew about it, it would be Ella.

“Then where is he?” Haliya asked Ella after she confirmed that Dr. Ziro was already in the hospital.

“He has done several operations for the past two days so he is probably resting now. He didn’t even see his father earlier,” Ella stated, feeling down as he thought that the renowned doctor would be there. Dr. Ziro was at the hospital but she still hadn't seen him.

“Why are you so curious? I am telling you right now, he’s not the type who talks with anyone. He’s so… professional. As they say.”

Keeping in mind all that had happened for the whole day, Haliya walked aimlessly to the parking lot. She was happy that people were starting to clear off the rumors, but her curiosity about Dr. Ziro heightened.

Haliya walked to the parking lot. “I really want to see him!” She mumbled in frustration, holding the steering wheel as she decided if she would leave already or wait until she would get a chance to see the famous doctor. She tapped the steering wheel with her fingers and bit her lips, thinking. “Nevermind, there’s still tomorrow,” she frustratedly sighed, about to step on the gas pedal.

Haliya’s car was parked at the farthest part of the hospital’s huge parking lot. She always used that space as no one ever really loved that part of the parking lot. Aside from the fact that it was far and it was dark in there, rumors about it as a spot where civilians come and never come back again spread. She shook her head as she remembered that one story and stepped on the gas pedal.

The sound of the old car’s machine not working together made Haliya stand from the seat. She checked if the car overheated again or if it was just one of the days when she could not understand what was happening to their beloved car.

From a distance, aside from the noise of the car, she heard a familiar voice of a woman. She tried to follow the voice and found two people together, sitting on the hood of a Ferrari car. She turned off her car and quietly went back to where she saw the two people together.

Haliya was right when she said that the woman was Ella. From the way she spoke, her long black hair, and her voluptuous figure. Haliya knew she wasn’t dreaming! Ella was making out with someone. A guy. A guy with curly hair that reached his shoulders. Too bad, Haliya couldn’t see his face clearly!

The moanings were loud as Ella seemed to really enjoy what was happening. Meanwhile, Haliya’s mouth formed an ‘o’, and thought that her friend was just having a good time, so she decided not to bother them. Quietly, she walked back to her car. She informed her mother that she would fetch her late due to work.

It was nothing new for Haliya to often see someone making out. She got used to Wendy and Martin, so things like that didn’t surprise her anymore. She just wished they had chosen a better spot aside from a parking lot.

Haliya giggled, thinking about different ways to tease Ella tomorrow. Later on, she saw the Ferrari leaving the parking lot. Feeling ecstatic, Haliya reminded Ella to ‘practice safe s*x’ through a text.