Listen To The Compass Of Your Heart

Chapter 7

After an hour, everyone was ready. "Okay deputies, our mission is to safeguard our medical team's safety at all possible causes. So let's head now." Ordered Aiden

They headed to the nearest village and Jake with his colleagues were dumbfounded upon seeing the situation in the village. Although they expected it already since the war between the government and terrorists just ceased not long ago.

War traces are still evident on every concrete embankment, bullet holes, traces of an explosion, and some burned dwellings. Rusty metals and debris from explosives are everywhere. It's very, very harmful and may cause many diseases, infections, and tetanus.

The villagers seem cautious and others instantly avoided them. Closing their doors, hiding from strangers. Their actions were understandable after suffering a war crisis. Jake saw a boy that seems like 8 or 10 years old crouching at the corner of the house. His right leg is swelling and its color is a bit odd. Jake attempted to get to the boy but Aiden stopped him.

"Hey, that's dangerous!" Aiden holds him on the forearms.

"He's just a kid, and his condition seems not good, alright? I just want to check on him."

"But what if it's infectious?" Genuine worried evident in Aiden's complexion.

"Captain, I'm the Doctor here, remember? Our mission is to cure diseases, it's either infectious or not, I'll be the one to judge. Please, let go of my arm." Explained Jake glancing at Aiden's hand which holding onto him. Aiden seems to be out of words every time Jake opens his mouth.

"J-Just be cautious, alright?" Aiden let go of his hand. "I will, thank you, captain." Jake then walked to the boy.

"Slau, chto-ni?" Jake spoke in Kurdistan means, “Hello, how are you?” The boy didn't respond and just stared at him with confusion and vigilance written all over his wary face. Jake smiled to assure the boy that he didn't mean any harm. Jake continues speaking in the Kurdish dialect. He thought it would be better if he and his patient could communicate with each other using the patient's comfortable dialect.

Aiden and the rest were astonished, none of them expected Jake could understand and speak Kurdish even Nigel, his closest friend.

"I mean no harm, I am a Doctor, nao-um Jake, (my name is Jake) may I see your leg?" Jake spoke in Kurdish. The boy seems not afraid anymore seeing Jake smiling at him. The boy nodded permitting Jake to check on his leg. Jake was more horrified seeing the boy's situation. The boy has a big wound on his foot and tetanus already spread through his leg. The wound has a foul odor, its flesh around is beginning to rot and it needed to be treated immediately. The boy also seems to have a fever.

Jake looked at Aiden, “Carry him, to a clean place." Jake ordered and Aiden was dumbfounded once again.

"M-Me?" Aiden pointed at himself and look around just to see his subordinates gaping at him. Ashlan was smirking teasing Aiden which earns a death glare from the captain.

"Why? You can't carry a kid?" Jake teased him even more.

"What?! Me! Can't carry a kid? With these muscles?" Aiden showed off his bulging biceps proving he's a strong man. His subordinates purse their lips trying so hard not to laugh at their captain. This was the first time the great captain Aiden Khan was provoked by just simple teases.

"Then make use of them," Jake smirked at him. Aiden ordered his men to find a safe and clean place to settle. They found an open hut and there was a table with chairs in it. Seems like a gathering place for the villagers. Aiden placed the boy on the chair.

"Please ask the residents for some clean water and find this boy's parents or guardians," Jake spoke, and Aiden ordered his men to obey his order.

"What is your name?" Jake spoke to the boy again in Kurdish.

"Adnan," replied the boy.

"Okay, Adnan, you know what the Doctors do, right?" Adnan nodded. "I need to clean your wounds and remove the rotten flesh around. So you would feel better again and you will be able to walk again, will you allow me?" The boy nodded again in agreement.

"Good boy," Jake ruffles Adnan's hair.

Jake and his men came back with a bucket of clean water and the mother of the boy. Jake spoke to Adnan's mother and explained what he was going to do. Adnan's father was at work and Jake find out that Adnan was pierced by explosive metal debris whilst he was playing with other children a week ago.

The deputies, nurse Nigel, Shena, and Grayson prepare the place and ready the surgical tools.

"I need an assistant, Doc. Ava, please." Jake in his usual professional Doctor manner.

"Yes, Doc." Replied Doctor Ava, and give Adnan an anesthetic. Jake continued his job, oblivion to the villagers starting to swarm watching him while performing surgery. The wall is made of a transparent plastic tent so people outside could see everything inside.

"Done!" Jake removes his gloves and disinfects his hands before ruffling Adnan's hair. "Good boy," he said and give Adnan two small packs of gummy bears Doctor Megan gave him before they left the post. Doctor Megan is a pediatrician so she knows too well how to deal with kids. Jake was surprised when he lifted his head. The villagers applaud him.

Aiden smiled, "This man is so precious!" Aiden thought.

Jake talk to the villager in Kurdish and explained their purpose. It's a good thing that he prepares himself after his application was approved. He studied the Kurdistan language online, installed apps, and even brought a dictionary. In just three weeks he manages to speak Kurdish. Although not so fluent, it's so fulfilling to communicate directly to the patients without a language barrier.

"Ugh!" Jake stretches his limbs. Hey did five minor surgery including Adnan. Some cases are common fever, colds, and flu. There were also serious diseases like infectious hepatitis, malaria, and amebiasis which are expected due to poor hygiene and toxins from the surroundings.

"Good job everyone." Jake praises his team.

"That's why I love you, Doctor Jake Baily Ellis," Doctor Ava gave Jake a tight hug.

"Eiww!" Jake feigned disgust. Ava is Jake's anesthesiologist whenever he has surgery, it's either minor or major surgery it is. Ava has a crush on him before finding out they were on the same boat. They both like men. So Ava just contented being with Jake at all times and even supported his relationship with Brent. They were friends since college and studied at the same university.

"I love you, Doctor Jake!" Nigel, Shena, and Grayson said in unison and then join the hugging session. They were professionals during work and best buddies off the clock. They all share the same passion- medicine.

Aiden and his subordinates watch them from outside the transparent tent. Ashlan nudged Aiden.

"Who wants a hugging session?" Ashlan opened his arms wide, motioning to their subordinates for a group hug. Aiden gave him a headlock instead which earned laughter from the squads.