Searching

Chapter 2

Searching
Katibah Elle
Chapter 2

Tahseen awoke early, her restless night causing her to leave the rumpled bed and tangled sheets.
She stretched her arms over her head and yawned.

Looking at the time on her bedside clock, she realized she just missed her Fajr morning prayers.
With a tiny guilty shrug, she made her way to her balcony window, drawing open the curtains.

She sat down on the white chaise lounge chair, drawing her legs up to her chest, as she watched the sun begin to rise over the trees.
The serenity of such a lovely picture, allowed Tahseen to smile for just a few moments.
She tilted her head over her arms and her long hair brushed right pass her knees.

Tahseen watched the pretty hues of white, pink, orange, yellow and even just a hint of pale blue enhance the mornings experience.
If only the sky could remain as untouched as it seems now, winsome in its colours.
A day with the beautiful morning sky. No rain, no thunder, the sun wouldn’t reach in zenith, the air would remain cool and crisp.
Except that’s not how the world works, and Tahseen knew by the time she stepped out of the house to go to work, the sun will be roasting on her.

The small smile on Tahseen’s face vanished, her lips turning down ever so slightly, without her having any clue as to why she suddenly felt this uneasy emotion snake it’s way up her throat, almost clawing.

She turned away from the breath-taking view. With the formation of faint lines of worry around her mouth, she went about her morning routine.

Dressed and ready for work, Tahseen went down for breakfast.
Fahmida was already dishing out instructions to all the workers, for what needed to be done for the day.
Once the staff scurried away, Tahseen spied her father standing by the kitchen counter with a silly smile on his face.

As Fahmida rushed towards the stove, Ebrahim gently grabbed her arm pulling her in for a hug.
When she looked up at him, he tucked a small daisy in the side of her plait.
Tahseen’s eyes softened, watching the embrace between her parents.
She found it sweet, that no matter how erratically neurotic her mother seemed, her father truly loved her for all that she was.
Crazy or not, Ebrahim adored his wife.

Tahseen closed her eyes making a small prayer that something as pure as this will await her in the future.
Not wanting to disturb the tender moment between her parents, she left for work.

Sister Linda sat at the front desk, typing away furiously at the computer.

“Morning, Linds.” greeted Tahseen.

“Hi Dr. Hassim, Today is going to be a long day. Dr Miller isn’t available. He was needed for an emergency and has an important meeting later. He will not be in at all today.He asked me to send you all the files of his patients, requesting you see to them today.”

Linda replied breathlessly, not looking up from the computer screen.

Tahseen gathered the files from the desk and paused.
She worked here as an intern before, literally the week before, and knew exactly how Dr. Miller system worked, but she was still nervous.
This will be the first time as a qualified doctor, where Tahseen will consult with patients, without the assistance of Dr. Miller.

Linda paused, noticing that Tahseen has not yet moved with the files.

“Dr. Hassim will you be OK?” she asked politely.

“Yes, definitely. I am just.. Well you know, it seems like I have a lot more to be responsible for now.” Tahseen replied.

Linda nodded and turned back to the screen.

“Listen, you got this. Besides you have no time to second guess yourself. Your first patient is waiting for you, in room fifty six . You should probably get going .” Linda reminded her.

Tahseen thanked the ever so straight forward ward receptionist, and scurried away to room fifty six .

She read the patients file on the way.
A Mr. Adam with a dislocated shoulder, an inflammatory infection and a high fever.

Upon reaching the room, Tahseen tapped twice before entering.
She walked in and with a brief glance at the patient, greeted him with a cheerful yet professional voice, “Morning Mr. Adam. I am Dr. Hassim, standing in for Dr. Miller today. I see you have a dislocated shoulder. Please take off your shirt so I may asses you, and tell me, exactly how did this happen?”

The man got up indignantly, grabbing his suit jacket and pulling it on.
He paused with obvious pain as he moved his right arm, and Tahseen rushed over to stop him from injuring himself more.

She held his hand still with one hand, while she tried to pull off the jacket with the other.

Annoyed at his recklessness she reprimand him, “ Now, Mr. Adam. Please sit down. I will call a nurse to undress you, so we can take a look at that shoulder.”

The man expertly flicked his wrist so that it was him holding her hand still.

In a gruff voice, he growled at her, “ No, thank you. I am leaving. I expected Dr. Miller to at least send in someone with more experience, not the likes of a young intern. This is ridiculous!”

Tahseen’s cheeks flushed with anger. How extremely rude!

She opened her mouth to tell him not to be such an ignorant, presumptuous fool.
When she looked up to do just that, her breath faulted.

Tahseen felt her heart begin to race, noticing now, how close together they were standing. She took in his physical appearance and for the first time, felt like she was knocked over by what she saw.

The man in front of her was tall and well built. He possessed such sharp distinct features, he looked like a Renaissance painting that came to life.
His thick eyebrows knitted together in irritation, crinkling his wide, moss green eyes at the corners of his face.
A lock of brown hair fell over one eye, giving him the perfect edge to such a chiseled face.
His sharp cheeks were pink and heated, most probably due to his high fever.
Tahseen saw his bottom lip quiver, and she knew then, that no matter how enraged and perhaps intrigued she was at the moment, this man needed medical attention right away.

“Mr. Adam, Unfortunately at the moment I am the only doctor available. Dr. Miller has given over all his patients to me for today. Once I have assessed you, and perhaps given you something for the pain and fever, I will gladly show you my certification. For now, please do not fuss. You are in pain and I can feel your fever spiking. I need you to lay down immediately.”

Mr. Adam grunted, but did not refuse. He pursed his lips tighter, his agony evident.

Tahseen did not wait for a single second and gently pulled off his jacket. She carefully unbuttoned his shirt and slowly pulled it away.
Upon seeing the swollen shoulder, Tahseen called for some nurses to help her get Mr. Adam ready.
He did not need to be operated on, but she needed his fever to come down before she sedated him for the relocation of the shoulder.

After ensuring that all was well with Mr. Adam and all necessary medication was given, Tahseen rushed to her next patient.
She already spent too much time in room fifty six
For some reason she wanted to be around when Mr. Adam opened his eyes, just to know he was OK.

She could not get the picture of his chest out of her mind.
It was so firm and sturdy.
Briefly, she wondered if he worked out, his physique was incredible.

Realizing the way her thoughts took such a wayward turn, Tahseen slapped her hot cheeks.
First day on the job and she was being completely unprofessional.

With an embarrassed sigh, she hurried away.