PAGES OF MY LIFE

Part 9

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the island as I made my way down to the beach. The waves lapped gently at the shore, and the scent of salt and seaweed filled the air. After the emotional conversation with Lai, the fresh air felt like a much-needed balm. Lai and I had parted ways for the evening, and I found myself walking alone, soaking in the serene beauty of the island.

"I never knew how beautiful this place is," I murmured to myself, gazing out at the horizon. "It's like something out of a dream."

As I strolled along the sand, the sound of laughter caught my attention. A small group of people had gathered near a bonfire further down the beach. They were clearly having a good time, talking animatedly and roasting marshmallows over the flames.

"Looks like a party," I thought, smiling to myself.

As I looked at them more closely, someone waved in my direction. To my surprise, it was Professor April, and beside her was Dr. Fred, one of the doctors from the hospital where I studied.

"Thandar! Come join us!" Professor April called out, waving me over.

I hesitated for a moment but decided to join the group. It was rare to see my professors outside of a classroom or hospital setting, and I was curious to see them in a more relaxed environment.

"What are you doing here, Professor? I thought you were at the hospital," I asked as I approached.

Professor April smiled, the firelight dancing in her eyes. "Fred and I decided to take a little break and join some of the locals on the island. And guess what? We ran into some familiar faces—people you should get to know as well."

Dr. Fred nodded in agreement. "It's good to step away from the wards every now and then, recharge in a place like this."

They led me over to the group, where I was introduced to a few new faces. There was Oliver, the tall, sandy-haired guy I'd met earlier that day, and Aaron, who had been working on the public health initiative. They greeted me warmly, making me feel instantly welcome.

"And this is Lucas," Professor April continued, gesturing to another guy with a serious expression who softened when he smiled. "He's a nursing student who's been doing incredible work here."

"Nice to meet you," Lucas said, offering a handshake. "We've heard a lot about you, Thandar. Professor April's been singing your praises."

I blushed slightly, not used to being the center of attention like this. "I'm just trying to do my best," I replied modestly.

The conversation flowed easily as we all sat around the bonfire. Professor April and Dr. Fred shared stories from their early days in medicine, while the rest of us listened, captivated by their experiences.

"Medicine is a lifelong journey," Dr. Fred said thoughtfully. "It's not just about learning in the classroom or the hospital—it's about understanding people, their stories, and how we can help them in ways that go beyond the textbook."

As the night went on, the group dynamic became more relaxed. Aaron and Ollie started teasing each other about who had the worst study habits, while Lucas chimed in with his own stories of late-night cramming sessions. Even Professor April joined in, recounting tales of her own student days.

I found myself laughing more than I had in a long time, the stress of the past few weeks slowly melting away. It felt good to be part of this group, to be surrounded by people who understood the challenges and rewards of the path we were all on.

Eventually, the conversation turned to lighter topics—favorite music, movies, and even a heated debate about the best beach in the world. The camaraderie was infectious, and I felt a sense of belonging that I hadn't realized I'd been missing.