It was a busy day at the hospital. I had so many files to attend to. And a few emergencies to deal with.
I exhaled, completely exhausted and wanting a refill of my coffee.
"Doctor,"
I held back a groan and turned to the nurse who called out to me.
"There's a patient in room 305, bone dislocation." She read out.
"I'll be there soon." I said, forcing a smile.
After yet another exhale and not wanting to be caught in the hallway and dragged to yet another patient by their panicking relatives who would mistake me for a GP, I walked to room 305.
There, I saw that the patient had dislocated his arm in what seemed to be a bike accident.
Thankfully there was no head injury, just bruising and of course the dislocated arm. It was nothing too serious. Nothing the nurses couldn't handle.
I got a close look at the patient and figured he was most likely someone of Italian descent. Reading his name on the file confirmed it.
"Luciano yes?"
"Yes doc," he answered with a lazy smile.
"You'll be-"
The door burst open just then, cutting me short.
A drop dead gorgeous man stormed in with a deathly glare that made me shift uncomfortably
"Stupido testardo, non ascolti mai." He said rapidly through gritted teeth. (You stubborn fool, you never listen.)
My patient shifted as if to dodge an incoming punch.
"Hey, hey!" I stepped in just then between my squirming patient and this fuming stranger.
Who the hell was he anyway? I wondered.
"It was an accident!" Luciano exclaimed.
"Of course it was. Haven't I told you to stop riding that fucking motorbike?!"
"You shouldn't be yelling in here sir." I spoke up again.
He looked at me and for a moment, I wanted to melt into the ground as his grey eyes swiftly scanned my features with a softness that was the opposite of the angry glare he directed at my patient whose relationship with him I was yet to understand.
He sighed. "I apologize, doctor. My brother here just gets on my nerves sometimes."
Brother...
That explained it.
It was very obvious who was older.
"It's okay. Your brother is going to be fine. He sustained minor injuries and with proper care, his bone would be back in place and he'll heal just fine."
"Thank you doc." He said.
I nodded, turning to leave.
"I'm Alessandro. Alessandro Ricci."
I took his outstretched palm and fought back the jolt of electricity I felt the moment our palms touched.
Coincidentally, our eyes met and I wondered if he felt it too.
I withdrew my hand quickly.
"I should go check on my other patients." I said, clearing my throat.
"I didn't get your name."
"I'm Ada. Doctor Ada Wigwe."
"Beautiful name." He remarked, staring straight into my eyes.
"Thank you." I said and quietly slipped away as he turned to face his brother again.
"Whoo, that was weird." I muttered to myself after a short whistle.
The rest of my shift passed by uneventfully. And at the end of the work day, I slipped into my Lexus RX and began my thirty minute drive to my condo.
I couldn't wait to soak myself in a bath and sleep off all the day's exhaustion.
~
I had successfully gotten a relaxing soak in the bathtub. But just when I was about to get some much needed sleep, the shrill sound of my phone filled the room.
"I should have put you on DND." I murmured, glaring at the device placed on my bedside table.
I reached for it and stared at the caller ID.
Of course.
"Hi mom."
"Doctor, doctor!" She hailed as she typically did ever since I first gained admission into the university to study medicine.
I was used to her greeting me this way but it made me smile regardless
"How are you mommy?"
"I'm alright my darling. How are you? I take it you're done with work for today?"
"I'm good. Just tired. And yes, I got home about an hour ago." I said, looking at the time. It was a little past 8pm.
"How's dad?" I asked.
"He's doing well. He's asleep."
That was when I remembered the time difference. It was about three in the morning back in Lagos.
"Why are you awake?"
"Hmmm," she let out a long sigh.
I held back a sigh of my own. I already knew where this was going.
"I've been thinking, Ada."
"About?"
"When are you finally going to bring someone home?"
"Mommy, not now please." I shut my eyes and groaned.
"Young lady, you're giving me sleepless nights. Every one of my friends, their children are getting married. When will it be my turn?"
"When I find someone mother!"
"All you do is work, work, work!"
"Did you and daddy spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on my education for me to abandon it? I thought I was making you proud."
"Yes, I am so proud of you. Very proud..."
"But..." I said for her because I knew it was coming.
"My joy would be complete once I see you settle down with a good man."
"Mom-"
"Just try. For me. Go out more often. Take leave and travel. Do something please." She was practically pleading.
I knew this would go on forever if I didn't say something to appease her and I needed to sleep.
"I'll bring someone home soon mommy."
"You promise?"
"Yes. As a matter of fact, I'm even talking to someone really great. I'll let you meet him if it works out." I lied.
I immediately regretted doing that.
I winced as she squealed.
"I can come to America as soon as possible to meet him oh."
I shook my head quickly like she could see me as I chuckled nervously.
"There'll be time for that. Relax mom."
"You're sure?" She sounded skeptical.
"Yes I am. Can I go to bed now?"
"Yes yes. Good night my darling. I love you."
"I love you too mommy. Good night."
I ended the call, heaving a sigh of relief.
I had no prospects. My love life was basically nonexistent. I just hoped I could find someone real soon so I could at least catch a break.
For now, all I wanted to do was sleep.
And that, I did.