That Spring When Hydrangeas Bloom

11

Warning: Mature content ahead

"You don't seem to be good at your job. Can we get another NS resident?"

I ignored the insulting cries of the doctor beside me and proceeded on to take the patient's GCS. By the looks of it, he seemed to be a resident just like me although I wasn't so sure what year he was in. Because I was still new, at the bottom of the food chain to say the least, I apologized.

"Yah!" The conscious patient looked shocked as much as I was with the sudden uproar I received. I didn't know what he was so mad about but I was pretty sure what I was doing was right.

I was called in to check on a 72-year old TA patient who came in with a piece of wooden block penetrating on her forehead. She was conscious upon presentation but she had a brief episode of unconsciousness and questionable convulsion activity, warranting for a neurologic attention.

"I don't care what your name is. I want another NS resident to check on my patient. Didn't you hear me earlier?" he said.

I paused my examination and I caught the old lady's gaze that looked too concerned for my well-being because I was getting screamed at for no apparent reason but I just smiled at her, assuring her that it was fine.

I faced the raging doctor, calming myself and taking in every patience I had in order not to anger him even more. "I'm sorry, doctor. There are no available NS doctors so Professor Kwon had to scrub me out of the OR to examine the patient."

The look on his face after I gave my answer didn't sit well with me as he seemed to be even more infuriated. "Is that my problem?"

All along I just wanted to finish my job so I can immediately leave but he was making it hard for me to do so. It wasn't the first time I got screamed at while on duty, but it sure was my first as a resident. I knew I had to get used to this, but it was so hard to convince myself that it was fine. I was getting embarrassed for doing my job right in the ER, with other medical workers and patients as witnesses. I wanted to leave, but I can't.

"Don't you think you're acting so high and mighty for a junior resident?"

The raging doctor looked shocked, scrambling to form words of excuse to Professor Lee's remarks at his verbal violence against me. I still recognized him because I saw him with Seonho last time; he was the new Surgery Professor that everyone seemed to love because of his refreshing aura.

"I–I'm sorry, Professor. I was just–" I cannot even begin to paint the look on his face as he struggled so tremendously to justify himself in front of Professor Lee.

"Bad attitudes don't have justifications." He folded his arms against his chest and sternly looked at the resident. "I'll take this patient."

The resident moved out of the way to let Professor Lee in beside the patient's bed but before he could leave, Professor raised his left hand midair and said, "Ah, I forgot."

"Yes, Professor?" the resident nervously asked.

"From now on, you're banned from my OR. You may leave."

"But Prof–" He tried to counter-argue but he was cut off.

"Is that my problem?" Professor Lee mimicked the way he said it to me earlier and I can't help but release a silent smirk of victory because justice prevailed today.

I actually didn't understand why some had this superiority complex that they felt the need to shame others whose ranks were lower than theirs just to feel good about themselves; just to let others know they had power over them; or just to validate their stupid personality traits. Were manners that expensive for some people not to afford it?