LOVE HEALS

The alarm crackled more than it rang, an old, cranky box she had bought at the dollar store two weeks earlier, at the same time, at 5.20 am. The birds continued to sing the morning songs to bring in the new day. Lisa blinked at the cold light that filtered around a broken slat in the blinds. Above her was a cracked ceiling like weary glass, water-frosted at the edges from leaks that no one ever took the trouble to fix. She pulled back the frayed, weary blanket and struggled to wake her weary body from sleep. The floor was cold as stone when her bare feet touched it. She hissed softly and stood in her entire home, a third storage room, a third bedroom, a third kitchenette, packed with stacks of secondhand books, some plants fighting hard on the sill of the window, and an old kettle which whistled like a train if it functioned. She filled it with the water she had left in the jug. From the corridor, the neighbour's baby was already crying. On the other side, someone was coughing. Heavy, booming, smoker's cough. This building vibrated with pain. She cleaned her face in the kitchen sink, careful not to get water on her only clean top for her first job at the café. Later, she would work at the residential home as a social worker. She wanted to help less fortunate people like her. Maybe she'd eat between them, or, if only luck, water would do. The mirror on the fridge door, an improvised piece of shattered glass with silver tape along the edges, reflected worn-out eyes, a face too young to look so tired. She pulled her hair up using the same black band she used each day that week. No time for dreaming. There is no room for weakness. She had bills taped to the wall like threats, and every red ink underlined a deadline. Stepping out into the cold morning, shutting the door behind her, Lisa looked up at the sky. A new day, a new chance. Something new might happen today. She didn't think so. But she had to. She trusted in her hard work to change this life, which fate had prescribed. The pain seemed hard to bear, but this was a place of security and freedom for her. The morning rush was merciless. Lisa went about it like muscle memory, stretched her fatigued body, her hands flying faster than her mind could keep up. Her feet ached from sitting down for too long for her online classes. The café smelled of burnt coffee and sugar. The air hung thick with heat, noise, and caffeine. The newbie at the counter, a boy barely out of school, turned around too fast, his elbow sending a pot of scalding coffee flying through the air. The glass shattered on the tile floor with a loud c***k. Brown liquid shot out in all directions. Lisa turned just as the scalding coffee spilled down her left arm. It was as though time had stopped at that very second. Lisa closed her eyes and waited for the worst nightmare to happen. Then, she felt strong arms encircle her back. Opening her eyes, a strong, chiselled figure stood before her. "Easy. I've got you," he spoke in a soft voice. She blinked, feeling guilty and embarrassed. "You're burned," he said, focused. "It's not deep, but you need cold water on it. Where's your sink?" he inquired. “ I’m fine,” she said automatically, voice shaking. "You’re not," he said gently but firmly. "Let me help you." Behind them, the café had fallen into shocked silence. Then whispers. Then the awkward movement. Lisa stared at the stranger. No one ever helped like this. Not in this part of the city. Not for someone like her. He helped her up, taking her to the back room. His hand was firm and respectful. "What's your name?" she asked, still numb. He paused. Then he smiled weakly. "Kai. And you?" "Lisa." They regarded each other. Something was different. But Lisa and Kai knew these feelings couldn't grow into something, but they were wrong. This time, fate had other plans. As Lisa was wiping her hands and face, her heart was pounding inside her chest so intensely that she could hardly breathe. Kai stood beside her anxiously, not moving until after ensuring she was okay. However, their life experience and history do not enable the feeling to start or develop. Lisa was taken by Kai to where he had already taken a seat. "Do you work here or come for a coffee like me ?" Kai asked. "I. I work here," Lisa mumbled." "Let me get back to work before I miss the time. Thank you so much for the help earlier. " Lisa said as she excused herself. "You're welcome. Be careful next time," Kai said, concerned. Lisa's scream had reminded Kai of his longest-standing trauma. Kai was born in a small village and nurtured by both parents. Life was not so good, but with it filled with smiles and love from his parents, he was content. He was among the top students in class, scored good grades, and was very disciplined. In a traditional sense, becoming a medical doctor was the dream. He enrolled in one of the top schools in his city. Fresh book smell filled the air as Kai entered his dream medical school grounds. His fingers trembled slightly, not out of fear, but out of respect for what a moment this was. He had worked for years: late nights spent under fluorescent light, Saturday afternoons spent on practice exams, and summers following doctors while his friends sunbathed at the beach. But today, it was all worth it. He was here at last. Orientation buzzed with nervousness, shining white coats, brand-new stethoscopes still packaged in plastic, and eager eyes. Kai sat amidst budding surgeons, paediatricians, neurologists, and one day, someone would address him as Doctor Kai A professor emerged from the podium and smiled. "You are no longer witnesses to science. Today, you are its participants." His chest filled with pride. The road ahead would be tough, with long nights without sleep, challenging patients, and self-doubt. But as he held onto his shiny new anatomy textbook, Kai muttered to himself, "I was made for this." Outside, the sun rose a little brighter, too. Already in a snap, his fear of it was erased now, only medicine and hopes for a brighter tomorrow filled his thoughts. He was already in his last year in school before he could face a world where cadavers were not used. The day the class had finally gathered one last time. Not to take a quiz, but to celebrate. Caps and gowns, speeches, laughter, tears. While standing alongside his classmates, now friends, now colleagues, Kai looked up at the sky and allowed the moment to absorb. The way would continue tomorrow; residency, true responsibility, and life would be in his hands. Today, however, just today, he stood at the brink of an end, and the start of something greater.