THE ASHES OF LOVE

4. A STRANGE RELATIONSHIP

"Ughh, I'm so tired," Naura muttered to herself as she continued to massage her aching right shoulder. She stood along the hospital corridor, trying to relieve the tension in her shoulder joints by gently massaging and rotating them. Her hands stretched her shoulder blades, and she swung her arms, hoping the cramp would subside. But her efforts seemed futile. For over 8 hours, she had been running from one room to another in the emergency department, performing surgeries non-stop.

This morning, the results of the biopsy for Mrs. Dwi had arrived, confirming her suspicions. The laboratory examination showed that Mrs. Dwi was indeed HIV-positive at stage IV with a suspicious Kaposi's sarcoma, indicated by the low level of T-helper lymphocytes. Other possible diagnoses included pseudo-Kaposi's sarcoma, bacillary angiomatosis, and angiosarcoma. Not only was her skin covered in severe lesions, but her internal organs such as the stomach, liver, and kidneys were also starting to be affected. Delaying further action meant a high risk of complications and worsening infections. Despite the risks involved, Naura had made a firm decision to proceed with a series of lengthy medical procedures with the assistance of four specialist doctors, including Dr. Dita (HIV specialist), Dr. Dimas (virology specialist), Dr. Jessie (dermatology specialist), and Dr. Risa (internal medicine and pulmonary specialist).

Fortunately, all of Naura's exhaustive thinking and efforts, along with the expertise of the four doctors, paid off when the organs infected by Kaposi's sarcoma were successfully removed. Although the patient's condition was gradually improving compared to the previous day, Naura couldn't breathe a sigh of relief just yet. In the post-operative world of patients with HIV suffering from Kaposi's sarcoma, the threat of new Kaposi's sarcoma lesions forming on the surgical wound was very real. Therefore, Naura requested one of her medical interns to closely monitor the patient's progress and provide therapies like Interferon Alfa-2a and Liposomal Anthracycline injections every night. In addition, Naura had scheduled the patient for Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART).

After enduring a long surgery and various medical procedures, Naura had planned to take a short break in the library while enjoying a cup of hot coffee. However, as often happened, life had other plans. Just as she was about to step into the library, her phone rang, notifying her of a severely injured female patient in need of emergency assistance. Naura was initially irritated because such tasks were typically handled by general surgeons. However, upon hearing that the general surgeon was running a high fever and there were no other replacements available, she knew she had to step in. Making a mistake in surgery could be fatal.

Suddenly, a voice called her name from behind, "Naura..."

Naura stopped and turned around. "Ah, are you done?" she asked, realizing that the call was coming from Ashi.

Ashi nodded, slipping her hand into the pocket of her white coat and walking alongside Naura. "Today has been really hectic. So many accident victims," she said, taking a brief breath before continuing, "I even wondered if it was a big accident day or something."

Naura furrowed her brow. "Are you serious? Is there such a thing?"

Ashi shrugged. "Who knows? But when I was in the ER, it felt like all my breath had stopped. I was confused about what to do, considering the number of accident victims coming in. Maybe seven? Or ten? I even got scolded by Professor Adit for being too slow like a turtle." Ashi pursed her lips, trying to recall what she had just experienced. "Damn, if he really thinks I'm slow, all the patients he's handling will die tonight."

Naura laughed. "You really understand our professor's character. So, why are you complaining now?"

"I'm not complaining, I'm just frustrated," she retorted. Her eyes stared at Naura intently. "Naura, how do you manage to stay strong facing such a ruthless professor? He's known for his sharp words."

"I don't know. I'm curious myself," Naura replied.

Ashi shook her head and hunched her shoulders. "I can't even remember the last time he praised my work. All I hear are criticisms and his wicked glances. I swear, if it weren't for the research and training he offered, I would stay as far away from him as possible."

Naura narrowed her eyes. "Don't overreact like that. If Professor Adit hears this, you might lose your job."

"Oh my, are you on his side now?" Ashi asked with a grumble.

Naura shook her head. "I just feel sorry for you. That's all."

Ashi suddenly hugged Naura. "You're too kind, Naura. I'm lucky to have a friend like you."

Naura returned Ashi's hug. "I'm also lucky to have a friend like you, Ashi."

As they stood in the bustling hospital corridor, with Naura's still sore shoulder and Ashi's heavy sighs, they knew that their friendship was one of the things that gave them strength to persevere in this challenging medical world. Despite the fatigue and mistakes they faced, their love for medicine and their commitment to helping patients never wavered. In the quiet darkness of the hospital, they continued to move forward together, ready to face whatever came their way, because they were unsung heroes behind the white screen.

"By the way, have you met Nico?"

"Nico?" Naura repeated, looking puzzled. She tried to remember if something had slipped her mind. Strangely, her mind felt blank. Naura shook her head. "No. Why?"

Ashi furrowed her brow deeply. "I met him in the lobby. Since you were in surgery, he was waiting for you. I thought you two had already met."

Naura shook her head again. "I didn't see anyone when I came out of the operating room."

"Maybe he's gone already?" Ashi asked, feeling even more puzzled.

"We don't need to worry too much," Naura said, realizing that they were now in front of her office. Naura turned the doorknob and invited Ashi inside with her. "Besides, why would he come here to see me? If there's something he wants to discuss, he could just call me or wait for me at home."

"It should be like that. But they say once you're at home, you'll spend the whole day in your room and only come out for meals," Ashi said, choosing to sit on the sofa near the large glass window in the corner of the room. "Clearly, this makes your brother, who currently needs someone to confide in, feel lonely and choose to come here."

"Hey, he's not a kid anymore," Naura replied, taking off her white coat and hanging it on the stand hanger near her bookshelf. "It's no longer the time for him to do things like that. As an adult, he should be able to solve his own problems."

"But as a sister, you should also support him," Ashi retorted. "Even though I'm not his sister, I think—I can understand him. He clearly refuses the arranged marriage, but your father keeps pushing him. His inner turmoil must be unbearable. Aren't you sympathetic?"

"No."

Ashi stared at Naura in disbelief. "Oh my, are you really Nico's sister or not? How can you act so indifferent to—ah, look at that expression on your face," Ashi caught Naura's icy-cold demeanor. "You could kill someone just by looking at your face. Did you also learn that from Professor Adit? Well, it seems like you've learned a lot."

Naura only responded with a faint smile on her face and let Ashi ramble on with her increasingly nonsensical words. She could have engaged with every word that came out of Ashi's red lips. But because today Naura felt extremely tired, and her body felt shattered, she decided to take a moment to rest in her beloved comfy chair and ignored Ashi.

Naura had just closed her eyes when her pupils caught sight of a cup of drink on her work desk. Not only that, but there were also several photos of herself in the emergency room.

Naura straightened up and reached for the cup of the drink. It was still warm in her hand. That meant someone had just entered her room and placed the drink on her desk. Her eyes glanced towards Ashi. While she looked, Ashi returned her gaze with a puzzled expression.

"What's going on?" Ashi asked. "If there's something you want to ask, just say it."

"Did you buy this drink for me?" Naura raised her cup high and showed it to Ashi.

Ashi shook her head.

"Then who put it here?" Naura was puzzled, especially with the photos of herself. Was there some crazy psycho stalking her?

"Hey, hey..." Ashi noticed the worry on Naura's face, which didn't need to be exaggerated. "Don't think too much. Even if it's someone crazy, they wouldn't dare to mess with you. You know very well what you're capable of."

Naura scoffed. But what Ashi said was true. With her somewhat temperamental and sarcastic nature, no one dared to mess with her. So who could it be?

"Maybe it's from Nico," Ashi suggested casually, further confusing Naura. "Because he said he was going to wait for you here."

Naura's gaze, which had been on Ashi, shifted to the drink in her hand. Her slender left fingers pulled out a photo—lined up with her drink—and scrutinized it closely. "Judging from the photos, maybe it really is him?"

"Photos?" Ashi caught something strange. She suddenly stood up from her seat and rushed over to Naura. Her black eyes widened as she found a stack of Naura's photos. "Hey, is this really from Nico?" Ashi examined each photo of Naura carefully. "How did he—"

Naura shrugged nonchalantly. As she twirled her cup, she commented, "He's just peculiar. I might know him better than Vanessa and others, but I still can't understand him. It's annoying."

"Wow, I didn't realize sibling relationships could be this complicated," Ashi commented in return. Naura just smiled and took a sip of the drink Nico had provided. Ah, he really knew Naura's favorite drink, coffee with whipped cream, lots of sugar, and hazelnut. "Hey, look, Nico wrote something on the back of your photo."

"Hmm?" Naura put down her drink and grabbed the photo that Ashi was holding. There was writing on it, and Naura recognized Nico's handwriting.

Oh my, look at your face. Have you washed it? Remember, even though you're a doctor, you should take care of your appearance. Ouch, you look really messy.

Naura snorted in annoyance. Messy, he said?

"Hey, why do you look so irritated?" Ashi asked, shifting her gaze from Nico's writing to Naura's face. "His words might be a bit annoying, but he cares a lot about you. Look at this." Ashi showed Naura more of Nico's writings on her photos. "There's still a message for you."

Naura reluctantly read them. Each photo had different messages. For example, on the photo of Naura performing CPR with a serious expression, Nico had written,

"I never knew you had such an expression. All I knew was the Naura who could raise both eyebrows, widen her eyes, and speak harshly to others. Or squint her eyes as if she's about to devour someone. Hmm... I'm curious, how many expressions do you really have?"

A small chuckle escaped Ashi's mouth. With her hands crossed in front of her chest, Ashi looked at Naura suspiciously. "Tell me, what exactly are you two?"

"What do you mean?" Naura didn't understand, continuing to look at Nico's strange writings on her photos.

"Are you really just siblings?" Ashi continued her question, met by a slight nod from Naura. "But why do I see you two acting like a couple?"

Naura's eyes automatically widened at Ashi's words. "What are you talking about? Like a couple? Don't be ridiculous." It was strange that Ashi suddenly had such thoughts. She and Nico were siblings. How could a blood relationship turn into a romantic one? Was Ashi going crazy, or maybe she was drunk?

"I just find it strange," Ashi tried to explain. "Nico seems so attentive to you. He often comes here, brings you food and drinks, and even takes pictures of you and writes messages... It's like a scene from a Korean drama where a guy confesses to his girl through writings. Auhh..."

Naura playfully slapped Ashi's cheek and teased, "Don't exaggerate." She walked slowly into the bathroom and continued with a slightly raised voice, "He's my brother, and I'm his sister. We have a blood relationship. It's natural for Nico to be very caring about me."

"But what about Vanessa?" Ashi asked.

Naura, while washing her face, shrugged unconsciously. "That's not my concern. Everyone has someone they care about the most. Like your relationship with your brother, Benny. That's how it is with Nico and me."

"That's because my brother is only eight years old," Ashi tried to correct herself. "My brother was like that when I was young, but he became annoying as I grew up. You know what I mean, right? People change as they grow, including their feelings. But it seems that doesn't apply to your brother. If Vanessa knows that Nico cares more about you, wouldn't she be jealous?"

Naura stopped wiping her face. Her hands held the sides of the sink as she stared into her own messy reflection in the mirror. Ashi's last words had some impact on her. Vanessa, her sister with whom she always argued. Maybe that's why Vanessa hated her.

"...Maybe Nico is just nice to me," Naura said. Ashi rubbed her body with a shiver when she heard that. "But he should be fair to Vanessa. I feel sorry for her. Why does Nico only focus on you, while Vanessa is also his sister? I can't understand your brother. And all these messages... No sibling in the world would do something this ridiculous. Is he like a preschooler?"

Naura didn't respond further. She was also puzzled by Nico's behavior, which was different from others. That's why, until now, Naura still couldn't understand him. With various questions now filling her mind, Naura could only remain silent while continuing to look at Nico's writings for her.

Naura, stay strong!

***