Creatures of the Heart

The Skin Specialist

"Why do I deserve this award?" a bespectacled woman spoke into the microphone thrust at her by an over-eager television reporter, "I save people's lives."

"But you do plastic surgery. How does altering someone's appearance cosmetically save lives?" The reporter smiled smugly.

The woman pressed her lips into a thin line as she fixed her eyes on the reporter.

"My work is not merely cosmetic plastic surgery. If you had done your homework, you'd know that I choose my patients based on very specific criteria. All of them have experienced some form of abuse which led to disfigurement. I helped them take their first step towards a new life by transforming their appearance. I don't perform surgeries to add more cleavage to a woman's breasts just to impress her rich boyfriend." Her vision rested on the reporter's well-endowed chest. The reporter's smile faded.

The scene froze on the screen and the stage spotlights came alive. A large lacquered platform rolled forward carrying on it a 2+1-seater leather couch and a round coffee table between them. An attractive woman with auburn hair styled into a sleek shin sat on the single seat. Her immaculately pressed suit with sparkly sequins matched her pearl white toothy smile. The audience applauded right on cue as a masculine voice boomed, "Welcome to Tara Talks and your host Tara Ma."

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen." Tara beamed as the applause subsided. "I am honoured to have on my show today a doctor who has made countless headlines with her humanitarian work across Asia. She pioneered the programme to treat sick children in disease infected areas across the country after the severe drought in 2028. She was also involved in many support groups for cleaning up the polluted water sources outside the city. Just last week, she became the first Malaysian woman to win the prestigious Nobel Prize in the field of Medicine. Please put your hands together for Doctor Latifa Yahya!"

Thunderous applause ushered the bespectacled woman from the televised interview on stage. Dressed in a loose-fitting plain blue baju kurung, she nodded at the audience before sitting on the two-seater.

"Congratulations on your award, doctor," Tara said. Doctor Latifa muttered a 'thank you'. The talk show host continued, "Thank you so much for coming on my show. By the way, I did my homework, Doctor Latifa. So, please be nice to me."

Laughter erupted from the audience, Doctor Latifa joined in. After the light note, Tara got down to business. "Before this award, you have received much recognition as one of the world's best skin reconstruction scientist. Your invention, a cutting-edge synthetic skin formula, has been lauded as the first step towards creating synthetic body parts and internal organs in future. With an invention of such significance, you could be making billions by offering this solution to rich clients around the world who want to look younger or change their appearance, but you chose to work with victims of rape and abuse instead, for free! Why is that?"

"It all started after the 2026 Riot or better known as UBAH - United Ban Against Hydro-Act. I'm sure many of us here still remember that incident." Doctor Latifa said.

A quiet solemnity swept across the audience.

The doctor added, "UBAH has gone down in the Malaysian history as the most violent riot ever. It crippled the police force and the city plunged into lawlessness. My parents were killed during the riot."

Tara watched the doctor as if willing her to cry. Tears always drove up the show's ratings.

Doctor Latifa took a deep breath, her brown eyes hinted a tinge of sadness. Tara grabbed her hand and nodded. Another cue lighted up on the digital screen behind the cameras for the audience to clap as a sign of encouragement.