My Sweet Escape

Dark Chocolate

Candy’s POV

It all happened so fast. I can’t really remember well because my mind seemed empty, my body is tired from lack of sleep and for running, my heart is heavy and is likely to break anytime. My eyes are blurred with tears.

“Code blue, code blue” The sound kept repeating in my mind. Bugging me. Tormenting me.

I was sitting on the hospital floor. Exhausted. Frustrated. Fearful. Guilty. I don’t know what to do. I need to face the family. I need to tell them what happened, what went wrong. Was I wrong? What have I done? If I only came earlier…

I felt a slight tap on my shoulder. It was Ryan. My duty partner. He brought me a bottle of water. He knows what I need. At that point I could not stop myself from leaning on his shoulder as I cried my heart out. If only my mom was here. She would definitely know how to make me feel better.

“Sweet, I will be with you when you talk to the family.” Ryan is fond of calling me “Sweet” because I always like sweets.  He stood up and extended his hand to support me. I took it and held it tight. Took a deep breath and stood up. We walked together towards the conference room. The hospital director is there with the patient’s husband. Even with the door shut, I can hear the loud, angry voice of the man. He was shouting in pain. I stopped. I could not face him. Ryan held my hand, nodded as if signaling his assurance that the hospital is behind me.

We opened the door and then I saw the man’s blood-shot eyes. He looked devastated upon losing his wife and child today. I came late because of the heavy traffic jam. I could have performed an emergency CS if I only came earlier. But I was too late, she already had an eclampsia. We tried to save the baby but he already loss so much oxygen and did not survive, too.

At that instance, I barely understood the man’s painful words, I just felt his pain. I can’t even talk to defend myself because of pity towards him. He was crying in agony. If I were in his shoes, I would have felt the same. I was brought back to the time when my mom passed away. The pain was excruciating and no amount of tears could comfort me because no one can replace the person that I loss. It is the same with this man.

After standing in front of him and hearing his words, he did not feel contented. I just felt a powerful hand that suddenly attached me as he slapped me several times. Ryan came to my rescue. He hugged me tight and brought me out of the room. I can still hear the man’s words.

“Die! Die! You should have died and not my wife. Damn you! Go to hell! I will give all that I have just for you to suffer.” The man shouted hatefully.

I really don’t know what’s going on around me. I didn’t realize that I was already the topic of gossips in the hospital. People were taking videos of me as the man angrily follow me. The guards are restraining him. As I look up, I see judgmental eyes looking at me. I just want to die at that moment.

Ryan brought me to the garden outside the hospital. Away from all the chaos.

“Don’t worry. This will pass. Once the investigation begins, your name will be cleared.” He said positively.

“I shouldn’t have gone home last night. If I only stayed overnight then this would have not happened.” I said in between sobs.

Ryan hugged me tight. It is just now that I get to realize how a good and reliable buddy he is. I looked at his eyes and saw his sincerity. He is one of the coolest doctor in the hospital. Many girls are interested in him because he is not just good looking but he is a very kind and good doctor. Even patients line up whenever he is on duty. But I just see him as my buddy. I never felt any spark in his touch or from the way he looks at me. I slowly pulled away from his hug and wiped my tears. I took a deep breath a drunk the water he gave me. He held my hand again.

“Hey, are you okay?” I will take you home. You don’t look well. He said in a concerned voice.

Just when I was about to say no, I heard Sarah’s voice.

“Candy! Why aren’t you picking up? I brought your car to the parking lot and here is your key.” She said. Then I hugged her in an instant. I couldn’t speak and tell her what’s wrong. I was just so tired.

“Can you take me home?” I told her helplessly.