Only You

Chapter 21

IXORA P.O.V

7 months into africa

"Izzie the editor himself is here from New York times for your interview." my assistant told me.

I was currently in a local tribe group in a secluded area of Africa. Each month we shift onto different tribes to help the local doctors as much as we can. Show them new techniques which are easier and before leaving we supply them with medicine.

An older looking man stepped into my make shift office in the "hospital" of the tribe. It wasn't really a hospital but a long house that was sectioned. There were no fancy medical equipment no fancy computers. Just old school. 

"Dr.Ixora, it is and honor to meet you, and interview you." he held out his hand and I shook it firmly.

"No problem. I'm just surprised why anyone would come out this far just to meet a doctor like me." I said.

I was confused as to why people were interested in what I was doing. Then I got my answer "You have selflessly helped people my dear. You're in our list of doctors that are changing the world single handedly. Instead of working in a rivate hospital and rolling in money, here you are." he said gently.

Well, when he put it that way, I was pretty flattered "Thank you for putting it that way. I guess I never looked at it in such a manner. I'm just doing what I can to help." I shrugged.

"Not many people would give up luxury and comfort to do what you're doing. Shall we start with the interview?" he asked taking out his recorder, a pen and a pad of paper.

"Sure. Ask away." I smiled.

He started off with the usual how, why and what drove me to choose this pathway. 

"Well, I was tired of the same atmosphere, you know? Not that I didn't want to help the people in the city. One day, I was thinking extensively about certain things. Thinking about how I've helped people that have so much but most of them take things for granted. I mean I'm sure as we speak, some house in the US has a pipe open, wasting water. Over here, I've had to carry buckets of water for about 2 miles, just to have a decent clean shower. I'm pretty sure some AC unit is on right now and no one is in the room. Here, we have nothing. My point is, I just realised there are people who really need my help. The city has plenty of qualified doctors. Whereas here, they have doctors, don't get me wrong. But there are so few of them here." I explained.

Hee shook his head "Now, what have you done here for fun? What happened to the other surgeon who followed you?" I knew there would be a section about this.

"Well, for fun, I teach the children English. I teach them how to read, and also we go picking berries.  Well, that relationship didn't last long. Like you said, not many people are willing to give up certain things and come out, way out of their comfort zones to do this. I'll say this once. The man I will marry in the future has to understand how paasionate I am about this. About helping people. He has to help me help myself you know?" Alex had literally run out of Africa after a month. He whined and complained and begged me to follow him back. But I ended it and said he could fuck off. No need for whimps as a boy friend right?

Praying that he wouldn't ask anything about Mark, I held my breath for what he had to say next. I'd be lying if I said I didn't think of him. He was all I thought about. But what he said about my mother, it was way out of line. Obviously I asked my mother and she went ballistic that I could even suggest that. So I let it be.

"Dear, you deserve only the best. Trust me, you are not the usual girl. The last part of the interview is where I tell you that we're giving you an honorary award with 2 other doctors. All of you have so much passion and courage." those words stunned me.