YOU BELONG TO ME

CHAPTER SIXTY ONE : ANNOYING FLIRT.

Kawthar Shehu Toro walked out of the hospital, her bloody scrubs still stained from the chaotic procedure. Her mini hijab, neatly in place, covered her hair completely, but its fabric now felt slightly askew from the pressure of the long shift. She adjusted it with a quick, practiced tug, frustration clouding her usually composed demeanor.

The day had started with so much promise. Assigned to the cardiology ward for the week, she was excited about the new challenges and opportunities. But that excitement turned to frustration when a patient's vein had ruptured during the procedure, an unexpected complication that quickly spiraled out of control. Despite her best efforts, the damage had been done, and the patient's condition deteriorated in the blink of an eye.

Kawthar exhaled sharply as she stepped outside, the cool night air offering little comfort against the storm raging inside her. She leaned against the hospital wall for a moment, eyes closed as she tried to clear her mind. The sound of distant voices and the hum of traffic felt muffled, as if she was in a world of her own.

What went wrong? Was it the technique? The equipment? The questions were relentless in her mind. She had given everything she had, but it wasn't enough.

Her mini hijab fluttered slightly in the breeze, and she reached up instinctively to adjust it, pulling it taut again to ensure her hair was completely covered. It was a small act of control in the midst of everything that had gone wrong.

Kawthar took a deep breath, trying to find some peace in the chaos. Tomorrow, I'll review everything with the team, she thought. We'll find the cause and fix it. But tonight, I need this moment.

As the night sky stretched above her, she allowed herself a brief respite from the frustration and disappointment, knowing she would face it all again tomorrow with renewed focus.

Kawthar slid into her car, the weight of the day still pressing down on her. She started the engine with a soft hum, the sound of the car’s purring motor offering a brief sense of normalcy. She needed to get home, to unwind, to escape the hospital’s chaos, even if only for a few hours.

But just as she was picking up speed on the empty road, the engine sputtered, then died.

What the… Kawthar muttered under her breath, her hands instinctively gripping the steering wheel tighter as she tried to restart the car. Nothing. The dashboard blinked out, and the engine remained silent.

She pressed the gas pedal again, just in case it was a fluke, but the car stayed still, refusing to budge.

Panic slowly began to set in, her tired mind trying to rationalize the situation. The road was deserted, the streetlights casting long shadows across the asphalt, and the only sound was the soft rustling of wind against the car.

What the hell is going on? Kawthar thought, glancing around. Her heart was starting to race, the lingering frustration from the hospital mixing with a growing sense of unease. She grabbed her phone to check for any signs of life around her, but there was no signal.

"Great," she muttered sarcastically, frustration building. She tried the engine again, then slammed her hands on the wheel in frustration when it refused to cooperate.

Her mind raced through possible solutions—check the gas, call for help, but nothing felt right. Her eyes scanned the dark road ahead, but all she could see was the stretch of asphalt disappearing into the distance.

Get a grip, Kawthar. She took a deep breath, willing herself to stay calm. But nothing about the situation felt calm, and with no one in sight to help, it seemed like the universe had thrown yet another obstacle her way.

Kawthar's frustration reached its peak, and for a moment, she felt like the tears she'd been holding back all evening were going to break free. Her hands tightened on the steering wheel, her chest rising and falling with deep, shaky breaths. This had to be the worst day ever. The chaotic surgery, the vein rupture, the failure-it all came crashing down on her in that moment, and the car's refusal to start only seemed to amplify everything.