We Meet Again.
915 Words
"Here, open your mouth." I extend my arm, offering the medicine cup to little Ana. She sits on the pediatric bed with her legs crossed, but instead of taking the cup, she opens her mouth wide, waiting to be fed.
"Ahhhh!!!" she sings. I chuckle, charmed by her playfulness.
"Okay, let me help you then." I hold the cup as she swallows the anti-asthma syrup without a single complaint. When she’s finished, I beam at her. “Good job! That's our brave girl." I glance at her mother, who is petting the child’s head with a soft smile.
"It's time to rest, little munchkin," I say, helping her lie back down. “No sweets for now, okay? This will have to do as your reward." I slowly pull a beautiful pink bow from my pocket—a gift I crafted specifically to cheer her up.
Ana’s eyes spark with instant admiration. "Wow!!! A ribbon clip!" she exclaims.
"Do you like it?"
"So much, Doctor Camila! I love it! Thank you!" She throws her arms around my neck, and the gesture makes my heart flutter.
"You're welcome," I whisper, hugging her gently before shifting back into doctor mode. “Don’t play too much; you need full rest because of the severe asthma. Understand?"
"I will behave, promise."
I pat her head and turn to the nurse on duty. “Follow up on those laboratory results. Doctor Alejandro is waiting so she can start the proper treatment," I instruct, pausing at the doorway. “She suspects this might be more than just a standard asthma attack.” I hand back the medical chart and exit the pediatric cardiovascular ward.
“Hey, Camila! Someone's looking for you in the ER."
The voice catches me just as I’m about to enter the doctor's lounge. I turn to see my senior, Hilda. “There’s a guy in the ER looking for you," she says, leaning against the doorframe. "He introduced himself as your friend."
"Raphael?"
Hilda waves her hand dismissively. “I know Raphael; he’s always around waiting for you. This guy... he’s new. And I must say, he is one hell of a good-looking, hot guy.”
My heart skips a beat. A month has passed since that night in the alley and the assault at the hospital. I haven't heard a word about Lucas or the hunter.
Could it be him? I wonder. Is it Lucas? Or... is it the man who was hunting him? Did he come back for me? Despite the fear, a surge of excitement wins out. I have to know.
“I have to go, Senior! See you later!” I call out, hurrying toward the ER. As I walk, I’m frantically smoothing my hair and straightening my medical coat. I adjust my name pin, trying to walk with a grace I don't quite feel. I want to look smart and pretty for him. I catch myself and laugh—how absurd to be acting like a schoolgirl in the middle of a hospital.
“Are you okay, Doctor Fuentes?” a colleague asks, noticing me spacing out behind the ER doors.
“Oh! I’m okay! Just... something on my mind. I’m fine, thanks!” I feel the heat rise in my cheeks as the nurse opens the doors for me.
The moment I step into the waiting area, my heart stops. Standing there, wearing a gorgeous smile on his rugged face, is Lucas. I recognize him instantly. Even though our first meeting was in the dark, his features are painted perfectly in my memory.
He smiles at me from across the room. I wave shyly, my own lips stretching into a grin. But just as I start to walk toward him, the overhead speakers roar to life.
“Code Blue, Code Blue. Emergency department, prepare for a vehicle accident victim. Cardiac arrest. Paramedics en route.”
The siren alarms the entire team. I freeze. I am terrified that if I leave, he’ll disappear again, just like last time. The announcement repeats, drumming into my head until my duty outweighs my desire. I mouth a silent “Sorry” to Lucas and break into a run.
I meet the paramedics at the entrance. "Cardiac arrest," one reports.
"How long?" I ask, checking the patient's vitals as we move.
"Less than five minutes."
I immediately climb onto the stretcher, taking over CPR from the paramedic. I pour all my strength into the resuscitation as we rush into the trauma center.
An hour of high-intensity intervention passes before the patient finally stabilizes. I lean back, breathing a sigh of relief. His life is saved.
The incident makes me think of my parents. Nana always said they died in a car accident in a remote area, and that help arrived too late. It’s strange; I was ten years old, yet I have no memory of the accident itself. I only remember the love—their smiles and warm hugs.
“Camila.”
The voice startles me. I turn around, and there he is. I’d almost forgotten he was waiting.
"Lucas!" I exclaim.
"Hi there, Doctor Camila," he says, his eyes locking onto mine. "It's nice to see you again."
We both stand there, smiling, as the chaos of the ER fades into the background.
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