Love and Stethoscope

Chapter One

After her nocturnal shift at the neighborhood clinic, Amina wiped her eyes and gathered her belongings. Even though it had been a difficult night, she was satisfied to see her patients improve and feel better. She was the sole doctor at the clinic and was available to treat anybody in their little, rural seaside town who needed medical attention, no matter how minor.

Everything was glowing a gentle orange as the sun started to rise outside the windows. Eager to come home and take a hot bath before getting some rest, Amina put on her well-worn leather jacket. In the silence of the empty waiting area, the emergency phone's loud ringing sound suddenly broke. She let out a sigh, realizing that someone really needed her assistance, wherever that call was coming from.

Reaching for the phone, all thoughts of relaxation disappeared when dispatch transmitted the news of an accident that had occurred in the forest outside the town. It appears that a man fell from a tree during early logging operations, cutting himself many times and needing emergency medical assistance. Amina instantly went into doctor mode and hurried to grab her medical bag and supplies before running outside to her old van.

A feeling of nervous concentration descended upon her as she raced down the twisting roads through the verdant woodland terrain. Someone needed her expertise to treat their wounds and relieve their agony. Despite the difficulties and long hours of her solitary practice, Amina's motivation for her job came from her desire to support others in their hour of need. She had no idea that this emergency call would bring her face-to-face with an unexpected person and reawaken emotions that had lain dormant inside her closed heart.

With her tyres kicking up fallen leaves that had gathered on the sidewalk overnight, Amina sped down the deserted rural roads. Despite the rising sun, the thick forests surrounding her still had shadows remaining beneath their canopy. Amina found herself worrying about the injury report as she was driving. Which kind of trauma has the man experienced? What was the extent of the bleeding, and were there any indications that an infection was beginning?

Her vehicle rounded a corner a bit too rapidly, skidding a little on the damp leaves before levelling out. Inhaling deeply, Amina tried to calm herself. If she had her own mishap, nobody would gain. With trepidation, she drummed her fingers on the driving wheel, willing herself to speed up while still giving herself enough time to make the turn safely.

At last, she saw emergency lights throbbing and flashing through the forests ahead. Amina gave it her all, slewing into the little shoulder and locking the car into park. She didn't even bother to switch off the engine as she ran towards the scene, throwing off her medical bag. Two paramedics were supporting a guy who was lying on a stretcher with blood-stained bandages covering his arms. Her pulse pounded in her throat, knowing she was this stranger's only hope. Amina overcame her worries, persevered with her determination, and accepted her destiny as a crisis healer.

When Amina passed the last stand of trees, her heart dropped. One of the two paramedics working on a man's severe injuries to his left arm was writhing in evident anguish. The tools lying around suggest that he was working at a height when the accident occurred.

Amina sprung to attention and shouted to take the lead.

"You two stabilize him for transport; I'll handle wound care." She knelt at the man's side, crunching against the agony and carefully brushing back his matted hair to reveal his face. His face was covered in filth, and his shaggy blonde beard was visible, yet his eyes were friendly.

She put her hand to their eyes, and they opened, tired, and she smiled a little, reassuring grin.

It's alright, Dr. Amina is here. Could I please have your name?" His response was a painful puff of air. "Ryanne.."