Loving her wasn't part of the plan

Gabriela, slowly opened her eyes to the rays of the morning sun disturbing her sleep through her porous window blinds. She eased herself up from the bed and checked her time from the little clock on her nightstand and discovering her shift would soon begin. And as usual she was behind the time. Throwing off the duvet laying in her body, she started on her preparation for work. When she entered her room after showering, she saw Lisa spreading her clothes for the day on her bed. It wasn't a surprise to see her here, Lisa was her carer since she was little. She was only repeating the habit she started when Gabriela was a kid. Despite her protest of being a grown woman and the freedom of finally getting to choose her clothes, Lisa wasn't ready to retire from this voluntary job, Gabriela has to resign to her. Noticing Gabriela's presence behind her, she smiled slightly bowing her head in respect, "Good morning Ms. Gabriela," she greeted. "Good morning.You know I have hands, I have no problem bringing out my own clothes." No matter how hard she tries she can't help the protest, it always escapes her mouth before she knows it, she was familiar with these passive arguments between her and Lily every morning. "It was no problem, I love doing this, look at the clothes on the bed, does it suit you?" She pointed to the dark blue jumpsuit laying on the bed with a button less free-sleeved shirt, changing the conversation totally to suit her. "Just what I need for today, thank you, Lisa." Lisa bowed her head appreciating her kind words, she could sense pride there, but she would admit her choice of clothes always suit her taste. It was conservative, neat, and suit her profession. Whenever she is going for a dress she always goes for something that matches her mood, or the place. If she was at home some casual singlets and pants, or denim shorts and a huge t-shirt would be her to-go choice. But at work, she wanted something that matches her professionalism and Lisa was great at that. "I would go down now, your breakfast is ready. Your parents are waiting downstairs," With that said, she excused herself, leaving Gabriela alone. Sitting at her vanity table, she tried to focus on her curls. It bothered her, it laid loose on her back some ends tangled, running her comb through her hair she gently loosened the knots tangled and used scissors to cut the end where necessary, especially the stubborn knots. She massaged some hair products into her hair, combing it afterward. After that she gently packed and tied it into a bun. When done with all of that, she rubbed her facial moisturizer on her face and applied her favorite strawberry-flavored transparent lip gloss. Finishing with her mascara, she stood up from her vanity table and put on the clothes Lisa placed for her, dressed and ready for work. But first she has to see her parents. Gabriela stepped down the last steps and sighted her parents discussing at the dining room. Making her way to the dining table, they smiled at her, "Good morning, Dad." "Mom," she acknowledged. They responded heartily to her. After that, she drew a chair and sat down, plating her scrambled eggs, and poured herself a glass of juice. "Gabriela," she directed her head to the source of the call facing her mother, a woman with a soft smile on her face and one of the most expressive blue eyes resembling the blue sea shimmer under the simmering sun. Her face had a soft hue of blush tainted on both sides of her cheeks. On her hair, a streak of gray lay between them, which she always styled in a bob or mostly tied to a loose bun. "Yes mom." Running the napkin around her lips she asked, "When is your shift starting?" "Very soon, I need to leave before the traffic gets bad," she said a worried expression framing her face. Her dad raised his head from his paper in his hands, " Drive safely maintain the speed limit I gave." Collecting her purse and her phone, she walked to her Dad hugging him slightly. "There is no need to worry about me, promise I am always safe." Glancing at her time once more, she hurriedly pecked her mom and waved at Lisa, bidding them goodbye. Entering her car, she turned on her ignition and drove out of the yard, starting her journey to go to work. After a good thirty minutes has passed, she was sure to be late and probably be benched by her head director. She reached the hospital parking lots and drove towards the staff's parking lot. She checked her time once more, she was a bit late maybe the director would spare her this time. When she finished her internship at Chris memorial hospital and was offered to work as a doctor there. She loved the environment and the people there so she agreed to work. She recalled her first attempt to buy a house close to the hospital her parent was against the idea till she dropped it. Getting down, she locked her car properly, checking it was properly closed before trudging to the short stairs leading to the hospital entrance. On her way in she greeted some of her colleagues, exchanging pleasantries while her eyes searched for a familiar face. After that, she went to the signing area, signed and went to the reception in a bid to collect her office keys. Her office was on the second floor of the hospital, located at the obstetrics and gynecology ward where she served as the assistant of the consultant Doctor. Opening the wooden door, she made her way to her desk placing the files in her desk. It was a bit dark in her office so she walked towards the blind hanging low from the rail and gathered it upwards, shielding her eyes from the sunlight entering the office. It provided the illumination she needs. Easing herself into her seat, she opened her file checking through her patient cases and the ones handed to her by her supervisor. ** Gabriela hasn't seen a day busier than today, it was approaching noon and she hasn't sat her buttocks on a chair, her back was starting to ache. She entered the next ward and saw her best friend observing the baby in the cot. A nurse stood beside her noting down the information she gave her. Both changed into their staff uniforms, Melisa wore the hospital's simple shirt and blue trousers uniform, a stethoscope peeking from her pockets. Turning she noticed Gabriela and gasped in surprise, "What are you doing here?" She exclaimed a bit surprised to see Gabriela. "I came to check up on his mother," she gestured to the mother of the baby. "I came for the baby," Melisa said gleefully her pinky finger gently caressing the baby's cheeks. Melisa waited for Gabriela to finish with her patient, with Gabriela done they walked out the door together, "I am starving have you had your lunch?" Melisa asked as they walked down the aisle of the ward. "No, I hardly sat down ever since I passed through the entrance. Since you offered me lunch, you are paying." "It's not fair but what is lunch without you. So I will pay for your company." "I am grateful I came to work today at least I got a free lunch," Gabriela teased earning an eye roll from Melisa. Melisa was a beauty to behold, with her shoulder-length brown hair cascading down her back. She had almond-shaped eyes and a beautiful smile, she wasn't all that tall like Gabriela, she was more of an average height. She was a pediatrician, who worked on delicate complicated cases with babies and children, she was also Gabriela's friend when she started her internship at the hospital. She taught Gabriela where she lagged during her internship, in the process making a friend. "Remember, I would be early so get yourself ready before I arrive, wear something sexy to find yourself a boyfriend," Melisa said humor mixed in her tone, reminding Gabriela about her house warming party that would happen two days from now. "I am not wearing any skimpy dress, to attend your house warming party," Gabriela argued not taking the issue lightly. "Okay, wear what you want, but I am getting you a boyfriend." "I don't need a boyfriend, Melis. Too much for me, relationships are headaches." "Coming from someone who has never been in one, "Melisa pointed. "I am twenty-five and still young I need to concentrate on my career now not some relationship that would drain you emotionally." "What you need Gabriela is love, and I hope you would find one tomorrow."