Indisputably Yours

46.

Sienna

After a whirlwind morning of getting introduced to the facility, meeting what felt like half the hospital staff, reviewing endless policies, and completing what had to be a mountain of mind-numbing paperwork, the clock finally ticked over to lunchtime.

Tray in hand, I weaved through the chaotic café, scanning for a spot to sit. The place was packed and noisy, and everyone looked just as drained as I felt. As I wound my way through the chaos, I spotted Ayesha sitting at a small table in the far corner with a girl whose pale porcelain skin contrasted sharply with her dark hair. They seemed to be deep in conversation. Relieved, I made my way over. "Hey, is it alright if I join you?"

Ayesha looked up, and a bright smile broke through her otherwise exhausted face. "Sienna! Of course, please sit." She said, tapping the empty space beside her.

I slid into the seat, grateful to take a load off my feet. "Finally, some food," I groaned, setting my tray down.

Ayesha grinned, gesturing to the girl sitting across from her. "Sienna, this is Mei. She works in hematology. Mei, this is Sienna—the new nurse I was telling you about."

Mei flashed me a warm smile, her monolid eyes sparking. "Nice to meet you, Sienna."

I smiled. "Likewise."

"So how does it feel to be back in the field?"

"It feels... Overwhelming." I said with a sigh, already unwrapping my sandwich. "But so far, so good."

Mei snickered. "You've already met the devil, Odette, so you've survived the worst. If you can handle her, you'll be just fine."

I chuckled. "You're right about that."

We made small talk for a few minutes, the noise of the cafeteria buzzing around us. I felt myself relaxing, the tension from the morning slowly easing off my shoulders. It was nice to feel like I was starting to find my footing, even in this chaotic new environment.

As we ate, the café doors swung open with a flourish, and in strolled a group of surgeons whose white coats seemed to billow behind them as they sauntered in, talking loudly and laughing like they didn't have a care in the world. Typical.

Ayesha immediately rolled her eyes, her expression turning sour. "Surgeons," she snorted into her drink, shaking her head. "I can't stand them. Their egos are through the roof, acting like they're gods just because they hold a scalpel."

Mei snickered, pushing a lock of her shining hair behind her ear. "They're all the same everywhere, so full of themselves."

Ayesha nodded, rolling her eyes again. "Exactly."

"Speaking of egos," Mei leaned in between us. "Have you guys heard about the new assistant head of neurology? Apparently, he's covered in tattoos and is, like, super talented."

Ayesha's eyes widened. "No way! I heard about him. Everyone's been talking about his ink and how ridiculously hot he is!"

I chuckled, biting into my apple. Workplace crushes and gossip weren't really my thing, but it was fun to listen to them gush.

Ayesha sighed dramatically. "It's like the universe decided to give us a soap opera doctor, in real life. Do you think he'll like me? My baba always wanted me to bring home a brain doctor."

"Save it, he's probably already got his pick of all the hot nurses," Mei quipped. "Bet he doesn't even need to try."

Ayesha sighed again, leaning into me. "I'm sure he doesn't. Those eyes? Forget about it."