ACCEPTANCE (A Nigerian Love story)

23. KNIGHT IN SHINING LABCOAT

Chapter 23: Knight In Shining Labcoat.

HAFSAT POV 

I over slept so I ran late to the hospital. People were giving me weird stares as I entered our department, I ignored them and greeted them with a smile. 

The stares and side talks got a bit uncomfortable for me so I quickly robbed my face with my hand and checked it on my phone camera but nothing was wrong with it. I thought I looked weird but I didn't. So I concluded that there were looking at me because I was late. 

My duty was at the outpatient clinic for two hours then monitoring some inpatients till 2pm. 

After seating for two agonizing hours listening to the mothers of sick. ..or not so sick kids exaggerate how sick their child is, I decided to go and see my friend Fatima in the obstetrics and gyneocology department. (Remember Dr. Fatima my friend....she attended my wedding too.)

I had a little chat with her. I set to leave when she said something that caught my attention. 

"The married doctor that's flirting with doctor Ammar"

I was taken aback by her statement. I gave her a questioning look. 

"That's the rumour that's going round about you. It has even reached us in this department" she explained to me what was happening. 

Apparently some crazy girl started a rumour about me and Ammar. She said I am always following men around. That my marriage is unstable and my husband's family hate me but I've bewitched him even though he sometimes threaten to divorce me. 

I knew without an ounch of doubt that Anisa started the rumour but I doubt she said all that. Rumour is what it is, it changes as it spreads. 

"Oh. So that's why I was receiving weird glares today." I laughed. 

Honestly it was funny. People can be so ridiculous. Some people just live for lies and rumours. They never want peace. They always want something to gossip about. 

"They said you totally seduced Dr. Ammar even though he was rejecting you. My colleagues here don't know you but they started making a big deal out of it. I had to tell them you are his wife and they were damn shocked." Fatima chuckled. 

"Who do you think started this rumour" she asked

"Oh...I know exactly who." I growled. 

"You do? Who? " 

"An Ammar Obsessed maniac" I said through gritted teeth. 

"She's obsessed with Dr. Ammar? I thought girls were only crushing not obsessing over him" Fatima stood up from her seat.

"Then let just hope its a crush that will disappear soon and never ever return or else...." I didn't finish my sentence because I really didn't know what to say. 

"Oooh... possessive Hafsa is damn scary " she teased. 

I ignored her and said bye before leaving. 

I wasn't angry because Anisa has a crush on Ammar, I mean people have crushes everywhere but please not on MY husband. I don't blame them, I would have crushed on him too. Gosh why is he so charming. Anisa is just too extra.

Okay maybe I am angry and jealous. I mean she ogles over my husband everyday like a dog. How can I be cool with that? 

And to add injury to my wound she started a disgusting rumour. 

When I returned to our ward, it was already time to check on the patients I was assigned to. Anisa was out of sight so I did my work in peace. 

Ammar's POV 

I hardly slept last night at the hospital. There was a patient that needed close monitoring, there were enough house-officers and nurses on duty to do that but his condition was very critical I had to stay up all night resuscitation him. 

In the morning we attended a presentation by one of the house officers, he did very well.

It got me thinking how well Hafsat would do on the stage. I can't wait for her to start her shift in surgery. 

We had late morning rounds with the surgery house officers then I attended to emergency patients with Naseer. He too had a night call last night but unlike me he looks refreshed. 

It was almost 2pm and there were no more patient to see, at least not for me. I watched the clock tick as I patiently waited for 2 O'clock so that I can run home. 

I would probably get off work same time as Hafsat. We can even go home together. 

Okay.. what is wrong with me? 

I'm just too tired to drive so it would be nice if I just sat and rest in the car as she drives and talk endlessly. 

Yes. That's it. I'm just too tired to drive.

"Ammar, have you heard the rumours?" I didn't know when Naseer came and sat beside me. 

I opened my eyes and looked at him. 

"What rumours? I'm not interested " I simply said and closed my eyes. 

"No.... You would be interested in this one. It has to do with you and someone you know very well" he emphasized the 'very well'. 

"What is it?" 

Naseer told me a very crazy story about a married doctor in the paediatric department who follows men and was also found 'seducing' me. And some many things I don't even want to hear. It was ridiculous, really. 

Apparently one of her colleague in the paediatric department started the rumour but no one really knows who. 

It wasn't funny. It was annoying and stupid. They are trying to hurt an innocent person and ruin her image. 

Normally, when rumours like this spread, even if it about me, I simply ignore it and it will die down on its own but I couldn't do the same to this particular rumour. 

I simply won't just sit and watch people spoil my wife's name.

Hafsat's POV

Just when I was about done with my work, Anisa and her friend walked into the SCBU (Special care Baby Unit) I was working. 

Every doctor that was working in the same ward had already left while the nurses were outside on the corridors working. So I was alone. 

"I can't believe a married woman would try to seduce another man and a married one for that matter." I heard her say to her friend as they sat on the table. 

"Its a good thing he was modest enough to reject her." Her friend said. I was trying hard to concentrate on the injection I was administrating to a 2 weeks old boy with sepsis. 

'Calm down Hafsa. Keep your calm' I told myself. 

Think about the patient only. 

"And she acts all high and mighty" her friend added. 

Excuse me! When did I ever act all high and mighty?

Those idiots were really getting on my nerves. 

"Wait till her husband finds out. That would be the end of her." Anisa said and laughed evilly.

I was now trying to take blood sample from the baby's tiny hand. It is the most annoying thing in paediatrics and I definitely can't have anything else annoy me at the moment.

I didn't want to loss my cool as I work. I dont even want the babies to hear a single noise not to talk of the nurses or the mother's in the feeding room. It would be embarrassing honestly. I know we would fight if I ever respond to her either verbally or physically. 

I pressed on the baby's hand to get more blood out. I couldn't wait to leave them. That was the first time she attacked me indirectly if it happens again I might not be able to control myself. 

"Salamu Alaikum Doctors." an all so familiar voice said just when I was done with my last patient. 

I turned as Anisa and her friend quickly stood up from the table and answered to his salam. 

"Dr. Ammar!?" They exclaimed.

"Why did you just act like you were committing a crime. Or did I startle you....? Were you talking about me?" He looked them in the eyes and smirked. 

I did an evil laugh in my head and walked toward them. 

"N..o ....No no we we....were not" they stammered. 

"Oooookkayy?" He answered unsure. 

"I was just here to -" 

"Dr. Ammar! Long time no see." He was interrupted by the very nice matron Umma.

"Ah matron, how are you? " 

They exchanged pleasantries before she inquired why he was in the ward.

"Matron, you've met my wife right? " he asked as he gestured for me to come closer. 

I didn't move immediately because I was shocked. Never in a million years did I think he would casually introduce me in the hospital like that. 

I took my time to move as I was anticipating Anisa's reaction. She looked confused at first. I moved closer and he held my hand. Anisa and her friend's faces dropped.  

Muwahahwaha.. you should really see them. Their eyes popped out of their sockets and they just stared in disbelieve. 

"Yes. Ofcourse I went to your wedding remember. Hafsat though didn't recognise me and I thought you two wanted to keep your relationship hidden so I didn't say anything." 

The middle aged woman smiled at me and I looked down shyly. 

I stole a glance at our audience and saw them still looking like they had graves' disease with their eyes bulging out. Anisa almost swallowed a mosquito with her mouth that was open wide in shock but quickly closed it. Their reaction is priceless. I wish I could capture this moment on my camera. 

Ha.. now who's laughing? 

I was grinning from ear to ear. Ammar smiled down at me. I was really glad he showed up just in time.

He's my knight in shining labcoat. 

But I was too consumed in my evil victory to actually take a moment and think of him. 

"I heard a rumour today about both of you and I just laughed it off" Matron Umma said with a chuckle.

"I wonder who that jobless person is" Ammar chuckled. 

Oh I know who. 

I eyed Anisa. And she looked down embarrassed. 

Still holding my hand, he turned his head to face me. 

"Are you done for today?" My hero asked and I nodded. 

God! He is just so wonderful. 

"Alright. Matron we would be leaving" he announced. 

Just then some other doctors came into the ward and looked at us questionably. 

I tried to go and get my bag but Ammar held me back. I told him I had to get my bag so he walked with me to the table I kept it. 

Matron Umma wished us a safe journey home and we left still holding hands and not giving all the other doctors any explanation as they stared at us waiting for answers. 

The moment we were out of their sight I removed my hand from his grip. He stopped and look at me. 

"Hospital rules" I mentioned. 

He stared at me for 3 seconds.....yes I counted, then held my hand again.

"Rules are made to be broken." He said coolly like a high school kid but looked soo................. hot?

What am I thinking? 

"I told you, I have fear of losing people." He intertwined our fingers as we walked to the parking lot. 

I smiled at myself.

He's so charming I have to admit, I think I'm falling for him.

I didn't realize I was still staring at him and smiling like an i***t when we reached the car. 

"Doctor, please unlock the car door already." He spoke breaking the spell he had on me. I face Palmed myself for being an i***t. 

He leaned in on the seat while I drove us home. The car was so silent it felt awkward. As I brainstormed of what to discuss with him, his phone rang. I subconsciously turned my head to his phone and saw it was an unsaved number that was calling him. 

He unplugged it from the charger and answered the call. 

"Salamu alaikum." 

I noticed how his face hardened as he listened to the person on the other end of the line. 

"Yes. I know. How are you Iman?.......

How's uni? Yes yes.... thank you. Uhmmm I am sorry I'm a bit busy right now. Lets talk another time? .

Yes. Thanks alot." 

He ended the call with a sigh and leaned back on his seat.

I didn't say anything and I definitely didn't want to assume anything but something pressed hard on my chest through out the drive since he said the name 'Iman'. That name made me unwell.