Help me, won`t you?

Chapter 3: An Unexpected Invitation

He has been in my department for several days now. I find myself watching him constantly—sometimes during my official rounds in his room, and sometimes from a distance, hidden by the busy hospital corridors. There is something profoundly magnetic about him. Beyond being my patient, he is a man I desperately want to know better. This weekend, I’m on duty, and a small part of me hopes that I’ll get a chance to talk to Igor not as a doctor to a patient, but as two ordinary people.

The shrill ring of my mobile phone snapped me out of my reverie. As usual, a quiet evening was too much to ask for.

"What happened now, Lera?" I sighed into the receiver.

"And hello to you too, Lena. Nothing 'happened.' I just wanted to ask what your plans are for tomorrow? We’re shipping the kids off to their grandparents in the morning and throwing a little party. I want you there. There will be a couple of single guys I think you absolutely must meet."

Here we go again. I took a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds to steady my nerves. I didn't want this conversation to devolve into another argument.

"Are you at it again? Lera, seriously, how many times do we have to do this? I’ve told you—stay out of my personal life, and especially out of my bed. I’m on duty tomorrow. For once, I’m actually lucky to be working so I don't have to witness your matchmaking attempts. Please, stop it. It never works anyway."

"I'm sorry, I just worry about you," Lera’s voice softened. "You’re always alone, and I can't even imagine how hard that is..."

At this rate, her "help" is going to drive me straight into a convent. "Thanks, Lera. I know you mean well, and I love you too. But I need to sleep. I have a long shift tomorrow."

I set the phone aside and headed for the shower. A heavy sadness lingered in my chest. I briefly considered getting a pet, but what kind? Animals need time and attention just as much as people do, and time is the one thing I don't have.

As the warm streams of water washed over me, my mind finally began to quiet down. I stood there for twenty minutes, letting the heat loosen the tension in my muscles. This was my sanctuary, the only place where I could stop being "Doctor Elena" and just be me. Yet, I couldn't lie to myself. Something was missing. I missed having someone close—someone to simply wrap their arms around me and tell me that everything was going to be okay.

Wrapped in a plush towel, I went back to my room, pulled on some shorts and a tank top, and crawled into bed. Sleep remained elusive. My thoughts kept circling back to Igor. What would happen if I broke the rules? What if we continued to see each other after his treatment? He is a strong, brave man—exactly the kind of person anyone would want by their side. Why was he alone? Was it truly just because of his injury? I fell asleep before I could find the answer.

Morning started with the usual routine: shower, makeup, and coffee. But today, I couldn't even swallow a bite of breakfast. I was nervous. I had worked countless double shifts before, yet today I felt like a schoolgirl on her first day.

When I arrived at the hospital, the nurses immediately swamped me with paperwork and questions. I spent the first half of the day buried in charts and reports. By lunchtime, I hadn't even stood up from my desk. A soft knock at the door interrupted my work.

"Come in," I called out.

The door opened, and Igor rolled into the room. A smile tugged at my lips; he was exactly who I had been hoping to see. "Good afternoon, Igor. Is everything okay?"

"Hello, Elena. I wanted to ask... would you do me the honor of joining me for a meal?" He asked with a shy hesitation that made him seem more like a teenager than a thirty-eight-year-old veteran.

"That’s a wonderful idea, thank you," I replied, feeling a flush of excitement. "I haven't eaten a thing today. I completely forgot about lunch. There’s a decent cafe on the first floor; let’s go there. How are you feeling today? Any pain?"

I walked over to him, reaching for the handles of his wheelchair. "Do you mind if I help you?"

"It’s a bit embarrassing," he admitted, his usual confidence wavering. "But if you want to, then let’s go."

It was painful to see a man who was once so powerful lose his sense of certainty. In the cafe, we grabbed our food and found a quiet table by the window. Talking to him was effortless. At times, I forgot he was my patient. I was genuinely fascinated by his life, his history, and the way he spoke.

"Tell me," I said, perhaps a bit too impulsively, "why is it only your brother by your side? Doesn't a guy like you have a girlfriend?"

His expression darkened instantly. I immediately regretted the question. "I'm sorry, Igor. If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to."

"No, it's okay. It’s just... as you’ve probably noticed, not many people want a guy in a wheelchair. To most, it’s just a burden, a waste of time and money. Before the accident, there were always women around. But they weren't interested in a family. My career was a problem for them, and then, after the blast, everyone disappeared. My parents died before the accident. If they were here, they wouldn't have let me give up. Now, I only have my brother. He won't stop until I’m back on my feet."

"I'm glad you have him," I said softly, trying to encourage him. "We’re going to work on your treatment, we’ll do our best to get you walking again, and then you'll find someone worthy of being your wife."

"And why don't you have a husband?" he countered, his eyes searching mine. "You’re beautiful, you’re a brilliant doctor... it’s strange to see you alone."

Was he actually flirting with me? Or was I just imagining things again?

"Not everyone likes my job," I admitted honestly. "A lot of men think a woman’s place is in the kitchen or the bedroom. They want someone to stay home and raise kids. But I can't give this up. I’ve dreamed of this since I was a child. So, for now, I’m in 'proud solitude.' I’ve even thought about getting a cat just so there's a male waiting for me at home."

"You know," Igor said, looking down at his tea and then stealing a glance back at me, "I’d want a wife just like you. Tell me... if we had met under different circumstances, if I wasn't in this chair... would you have gone on a date with me?"

The question caught me off guard. He was serious. He was looking at me not as his doctor, but as a woman.

"I would go on a date with you right now, even like this," I answered truthfully. "It doesn't scare me, Igor. You’re a remarkable man, and those who walked away from you are the ones who lost out. Real men are hard to find these days."

A look of pure tenderness filled his eyes. "Then... will you go on a date with me tonight?"

"Igor, I’d love to, but I’m working, and you’re a patient here."

"We don't have to leave the hospital to have a beautiful evening," he whispered. "Come to my room after your final rounds tonight. Leave the rest to me."

"Alright," I smiled, my heart racing. "I’ll go on a date with you. I hope there isn't a strict dress code?"

"No, casual attire is fine for tonight. I’ll be waiting for you."

I returned to my office, but my hands were shaking. I couldn't focus on anything. I was terrified and thrilled all at once. If anyone found out, there would be trouble. I knew I’d eventually have to speak with the Chief of Staff, but for now, all I could think about was the evening ahead.