Eternally Yours

13. What to do

"Nurse Shizumi!"

The sharp bark of Nurse Crystral's voice made Hana jump. She whipped around to see the stern head nurse glaring at her disapprovingly from the nurses' station.

The steady beeping cut through the air. With a jolt, Hana realized she'd been lost in a daydream, the nurse's cart before her half-filled, her gloved fingers hovering over a stray bandage.

"Don't you hear that alarm? What are you doing just standing there daydreaming?" Crystal jabbed an accusatory finger at the monitoring screen, where a patient's room number flashed in urgent crimson.

"I...I'm so sorry!" Hana stammered, cheeks flushing hot with embarrassment. She hastily abandoned the cart and its clatter of scattered supplies.

Mortification flooded her cheeks as she scrambled for the nearest monitor. A glance confirmed it was Room 402, a post-surgical patient needing immediate attention.

"Took you long enough," the Head Nurse muttered, her voice laced with disappointment.

As she hurried toward the code room, she couldn't help but notice Dr. Ren and Dr. Rowan witnessed the scolding scene from down the hallway corridor. She met his eyes for a fleeting moment before dropping her gaze. Hana, suddenly self-conscious under their scrutiny, ducked her head and hurried past, a mumbled "Excuse me" barely audible.

Rowan leaned over to murmur in Ren's ear as Nurse Shizumi rushed by with flushed cheeks.

"Ooh, did you see that brief eye contact just now? Our little Nurse Shizumi must be feeling extra embarrassed that we witnessed her getting chewed out like that." He elbowed Ren conspiratorially. "Especially in front of you, Mr. Hotshot Chief."

Ren remained silent. This wasn't unusual for him, but Rowan couldn't help but sense something different in his gaze as it followed Hana's retreating figure. He arched an eyebrow at his old friend.

He studied Ren's face, searching for any telltale sign. "You know," Rowan continued, his voice laced with a teasing lilt, "it wouldn't be the weirdest thing in the world. Maybe Shizumi's got you smitten."

Ren didn't reply, his jaw clenching slightly. This was Rowan's usual tactic, prodding and poking until a reaction was elicited. But this time, the playful banter felt strangely unwelcome.

"Come on, Ren," Rowan persisted, his voice dropping a notch lower. "Don't tell me you haven't noticed her. Pretty eyes, kind smile... She seems like your type."

A flicker of something crossed Ren's features, a fleeting emotion Rowan couldn't quite decipher. Before Rowan could press further, however, Ren spoke, his voice clipped and curt.

"I don't have a type and there's nothing to notice," he said, already turning away.

"Wait a minute...is there something more going on there that I should know about?"

Ren's jaw clenched slightly, and a flicker of irritation crossed his features. "Nothing," he said curtly, the word leaving no room for argument.

Rowan's grin widened wickedly. "Or is our esteemed Dr. Jenkins harboring a secret crush on--"

Whatever teasing remark he was about to make was abruptly cut off as Ren's hand clamped firmly over Rowan's mouth, as a cluster of giggling nurses passed by.

Rowan, muffled but not defeated, struggled against Ren's grip. A muffled, "Come on, man! You can't tell me..." escaped his lips before Ren finally released him.

Ren swiftly dropped his hand once they had cleared the hallway, shooting a withering look at Rowan, his voice low and dangerous. "Not a word, Rowan."

"Don't be ridiculous," he said crisply, somehow managing to smoothly realign the disheveled lapels of his pristine lab coat.