Only You

six

The next morning, I woke up and got ready for work as usual. Today I felt like dressing up a little bit. I wore a long flowy rose gold skirt with a loose white blouse tucked in it.

I paired it with a champagne hijab. I applied light foundation and powder, peachy blush, highlight, and light pink lipstick.

I put on my beige flats and headed out the door.

Arriving at the hospital, I went into my office and ate my breakfast while getting ready for my rounds.

I walked into each one of my patient's rooms one by one. I discharged 4 of them and treated the ones that were going through long term hospitalization.

Today I was in charge of checking up a newborn baby name Delila, but since she was so young I couldn't do anything to stop her discomfort. I hated seeing her cry, but I had to check her up and vaccinate her.

I finished up, and I had one patient left that I kind of dreaded going to. I hoped Dr. Khan wasn't there and was at work instead- but he was her only apparent guardian so he could be.

I knocked on the door and went inside, saying good afternoon to make my presence known.

I decided to just keep my eyes on Haniah. I looked at her, and she looked 100 times better than when she came in last night. She stared back at me, her legs kicking the bedsheet. I smiled sweetly at her.

The nurse had checked her vitals - which were now all normal. Her activity was back which meant she was now hydrated and energized. I finally looked up, and much to my dismay it wasn't her grandma or aunt- it was him.

"She's back to regular, she should eat light foods that digest quickly- like bananas, avocados, and apples. She can drink milk, but there should be a greater time in between like 2 hours. I've prescribed her Tamiflu, so in 3 days she should be back to her normal diet." I notified him.

"Alright." He replied.

I handed him the prescription and left the room instantly.

My heart was unknowingly beating very fast. I was disappointed to get such little reaction from him, and also disappointed that he didn't talk to me about anything.

Even though there shouldn't be a reason for disappointment.

I got to the reception to hand in some papers when I saw Zahra standing there writing something, leaning against the long desk- as always.

"Zahra!" I called out, as I handed in the papers.

"Huda!" she smiled.

"I really need to talk to you," I said.

"Me too!"

"Do you have time?" I asked.

"Yes, let me just sign this and turn it in." She said to me and turned back

"Let's go to my office." She said and walked with me.

We went upstairs and started walking towards the cabin.

"Good afternoon, Dr. Khan." I heard her say, and I immediately looked up to see him walking opposite of us- now dressed in his dress shirt, tie and lab coat.

"Hello, Zahra." He replied.

A random and unknown throb hit me in my chest when I heard his gentle reply to her.

Didn't I also greet him earlier?

Was it me that wasn't worth replying for him?

I didn't greet him, and instead just nodded my head once at him to not be rude.

We went into her office, and Zahra took a seat and I gathered my thoughts taking a seat in front of her.

"Okay so you start," she said excitedly.

"It's about Dr. Khan," I spoke.

"Really I had to talk to you about the same thing!"

"You both seemed oddly familiar with each other out there. What was that?" I asked

"Oh so, Dr. Khan and I were in the same surgery yesterday. I was his lead surgeon, and I got a little nervous. So when I was washing my hands, I was lost in thought and probably looked intimidated. So when Dr. Khan walked in to wash his hands, he talked to me."

"What'd he say," I asked curiously.

"He said, Don't be worried I'll lead you on without making you frightened."

"I'm guessing he knew, that our old lead was a nightmare to his lead during surgeries." She added.

"But, he was so kind and gentle to the staff inside. And he's really skilled. He's a great guy honestly." She continued.

"That's nice to hear," I replied nonchalantly.

"What's wrong Huda?" she asked.

I told Zahra everything that had happened from the rooftop, to the ER, to his daughter, to returning his coat, and our meaningless interaction of this morning.

"But, I don't know why I feel disappointed, I shouldn't care if he doesn't reply to me, or if he doesn't want to talk to me, or-"

"Huda, do you think he's attractive?" She asked.

"Well, I guess... he has a very nice sense of style, and his stubble is charming, and he's tall, and-" I blabbered being lost in my own thoughts until I heard Zahra squeal.

"You like him! you definitely like him, Huda!"

"What! no, I met him two days ago." I said.

"SO?, I didn't say you're in love. I'm just saying someone might have a crush." she smiled cheekily.

"Did you feel jealous when he talked to me?" she asked.

"I don't know, I felt like a 'thump' in my chest though."

"Yup, seems like a total crush to me."

"Oh," I said furrowing my brows.

We talked for a while and then before I knew it the day was over.

I went home and had lunch with my parents. Even though I was engaging in multiple conversations I never got my mind off of my new 'crush'.

After showering and changing, I went to go pray.

Relaxed, I made some dua regarding just everything that had been going on.

I let my heart out speaking to my God of everything that had happened- my patients, the rooftop incident, him, Zahra's words to me, and my parents who were looking for my potential husband.

I prayed that I'd get married to a religious, kind-hearted, generous person. I always got nervous when my parents mentioned a possible man for me. I want the other half of my deen to be the other half of me as well. Someone who understood and cherished me.

I finished my dua and sat down to read the Quran. I tried my best to finish it at least every month, but my schedule and procrastination always slowed me down.

I finished one juz and left downstairs to spend some time with my mom.

The rest of the day passed by, like every other. But, obliviously I fell asleep thinking of the same person yet again.