Living Lifelessly

Chapter 5

Arthur

"One more please,"

I yell at the bartender after finishing my fifth shot of tequila.

My throat is burning but this feeling is strong enough to make my problems vanish from my mind.

I have a high alcohol tolerance so I am not really worried about landing home safely.

"Here,"

The guy slides another glass and without thinking, I gulp the liquid in one go.

I groan as I can feel the burning liquid flowing down to my stomach.

I turn my attention to the dance floor where everyone seems so lost in the moment.

But then, I turn around when I sense someone standing behind me.

He is a tall, muscular guy, with long black hair. He is wearing a black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, showing his tattooed arms. He is giving me a whole gangster vibes but I must admit, he's good looking.

"Arthur Hart?"

He questions, pulling me out of my thoughts. I clear my throat as I realise I have been staring at him like an idiot.

"Yes, do I know you?

I hope I didn't sound rude, I am just a little surprised that he knows my name.

"Not yet,"

He chuckles and sits on the stool next to mine.

I raise my eyebrows, not getting what he's trying to say.

"Don't worry dude, let's have fun," he winks and shifts to the bartender. "One martini please."

I shift in my seat, feeling a little uncomfortable with this weird guy, who is sitting right next to me.

"Relax please, I am not going to eat you man." I guess he sensed my discomfort.

"Carter," he offers a handshake. After contemplating for a minute, I finally bring my hand up to his.

"So, how do you know me?"

"Uh, we've actually met before," he says, making me even more confused now.

"I don't remember seeing you before."

I am sure if I had met this guy before I would've recognised him.

"Well, my friend was admitted at the Lenox hospital a few days back. We met there, you were the doctor who treated him."

I still can't believe it. I am pretty sure I have never seen this tattooed man before.

He orders for another shot after drinking the first one.

"Can we be friends?"

He drinks the liquid before posing this question infront of me.

"No, we can't be friends," I shake my head and look away.

"Why not? Just because I look like a damn playboy with all these tattoos, long hair, piercings while you are not only a highly qualified doctor but also a decent looking husband material kind of thing."

As soon as he closes his mouth, I start laughing.

"You're not actually as dumb as you look like," I still can't stop laughing.

"But lemme tell you one thing, I might be anything but husband material."

He chuckles at his stupid statement. I think the alcohol has started to affect me now.

I look at my phone and it's already midnight.

"I should go now," I get up from my stool.

"Here," Carter hands me a paper. "It's my phone number."

I take the note from his hand but not with the attention of saving it or something. Then an idea popped up in my mind when I saw a half naked girl, staring at me from the other corner of the bar.

I start walking towards her and with each step her smile got bigger.

I hand her the paper and she bites her lip seductively.

"Here's my number, call me maybe."

I smirk as I turn my face to watch Carter, who literally has his jaw dropped on the floor right now.
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I wake up the next day with a mild headache. The after effect of drinking alcohol!

I take a painkiller before getting ready for work.

"Hey man," Justin pats my shoulder from behind. "You okay?"

"Yeah," I turn around to face him. "Just a little sad, actually mom and dad have planned a family dinner this weekend but you know my schedule I can't-"

"Oh come on, it's not a big deal." He places the files, he's holding, on the table. "I'll cover up for you, don't worry. Just go home."

"Are you serious?"

I try to find any hint of joke on his face but there's no sign of it.

"Ofcourse dude, we're not only colleagues, we are also friends," he smiles and brings his hand up for a high five which I instantly return.

"I seriously owe you a big one buddy."

"And I won't forget it," he laughs playfully.

I gather my stuff and leave for my duty.

I go straight to my patient's room where I find Tim, sleeping on his bed. I see his mom sitting next to him.

"How's he doing nurse," I ask, as I take a quick review on his reports.

"No betterment doctor, his surgery is due tomorrow."

I just feel so attached to this little boy. Although, I know this emotional attachment between a doctor and his patient isn't something we have been taught.

"Hello doctor,"

His mother approaches me. I look at her and my heart breaks at her condition right now. Her face is so pale and there are huge dark circles under her eyes. It seems as if she has not slept in two days.

"Are you okay Mrs. Christopher? You look so tired."

I couldn't help but ask.

"I am fine, it's just I can't sleep. Tim's condition hasn't got any better. I am just so worried doctor," she is on the verge of crying. I wish I could do something for her but I am helpless.

"Please Mrs. Christopher, you have to take care of yourself, for your son. How can you take care of him when you yourself are not well,"

I try to comfort her but it doesn't seem to help her as tears glisten in her eyes.

"His surgery is scheduled tomorrow. I am sorry but I won't be there at that time but I assure you that our hospital has one of the best team of surgeons. So, hopefully everything will be okay."

She nods and I look at her son, who is peacefully sleeping.

I do feel kind of sad for not being with him at the time of surgery but on the other hand I know he'll be in much better hands and that's keeping me in peace.

Just in the moment my phone vibrates in my pocket.

I take it out to see a message from an unknown number.

Start counting backwards surgeon. Your time has started.
                           "5"