Chapter 21

LEIGH-ARI “Dr. Montreal, there has been a change in the plans pertaining to the workshop!” My HOD informed me as soon as I stepped into his office. Right after I settled in my seat in my office, I was summoned to his office where he didn’t waste time but spill the news.

“Okay?”

“You are the only one in our department who will be going. Dr. Elijah isn’t coming with you anymore.” He informed fixing his glasses on the ridge on his nose.

“Oh? Where do we leave again?” I didn’t know how to feel about the change, 1 “Its tomorrow!”

“Oh my god. It totally slipped my mind!” I called out slamming my palm on my forehead. Lately, I have been highly destructed by my neighbor dearest that I didn’t even realize that the workshop was in a few hours. And to add the cherry on top, the workshop was actually outside the country and we needed to fly there.

“I understand Dr. Montreal and my apologies for not informing you beforehand. But it was the last-minute decision and was done…” The sudden beeping of my pager interrupted us and I put up a finger up as a gesture for Dr. Erick to let me pick it;

“Yes?”

“ER! Incoming patient; a 28-year-old lady, 37 weeks pregnant. Got into a car accident has fractured bones. Internal bleeding due to a rapture artery. She is having a premature delivery! The head is already crowing! STAT!” The paramedic barked into the pager switching on my doctor mode in an instant “On it!” I glanced at Dr. Erick who nodded once and then I was out the door. I arrived out of the ER and was clothed quickly in the appropriate gown ready to save lives.

“This is bad!” I called out studying the fractured arm of the patient, which was already supported and cradled on her front. Her lower bottom was red with blood and I knew that I had to save the baby before working on her. At least they had sedated her but that was dangerous to the baby!

“Prepare for coffin birth!” I barked orders and my subordinates obeyed. The room was bustling as we got to work and after what felt like forever, the baby was delivered safely and placed in the incubator. Then we busied ourselves by sewing the mother close and closed up the arteries.

By the time I stepped out of the ER, the relatives of the patient rushed to me and nearly knocked me over:

“Doctor, how is my wife? And my baby? Oh my God, I didn’t believe this would happen. We were driving in our lane and then suddenly this truck came out of nowhere and crushed on her side of the car. The baby…”

“I am so sorry to hear that. But you are blessed; your wife and baby are fine. She had some internal bleeding which we managed to control in time and the baby was delivered safely. Although it was the premature delivery, your little ray of sunshine fought to meet his daddy. They both made it!” I informed patting his shoulder, with a big smile plastered on my face.

“Oh, God!” The man dropped to his knees and some group of people behind him broke into happy sobs.

There was nothing in this world that was fulfilling than moments like this one. That miraculous time when the doctor informed the relatives that not only did he succeed, but the life was saved; heck! That was every doctor’s trophy.

“Thank you so much, Doctor. Thank you so much. I will never forget what you did for me and my family and I will forever be indebted to you!” The big guy was clutching my legs really tight; I squatted in front of him and patted him.

“Hearing the sound of your wife’s heartbeat and your baby’s breath is the only reward I could ever wish for. But if you insist on paying me, you can do it by taking a very good care of them when they leave this place. Then your debt will be fully settled!”

“We are sorry to inform you that you just missed your flight ma’am!”

“What?” My voice rose causing people to glare at me. This wasn’t happening! Yesterday after the emergency surgery, I had to go to yet another one which took full 9 hours in cardiology. I had arrived home a little after midnight and I was literally worn out. I just plopped on my couch and was out in a second. And then I woke up late, packed things in haste only to miss the flight?

“When did it take off?” I asked with a much-lowered voice!

“17 minutes ago ma’am!” Great! Just great! And now I was going to miss the workshop. And to make matters a little more intense than they already were, I was the only one from my department who was selected to attend, since my companion was told to stay behind.

“Ah fuck!” I cursed and looked down at my sorry luggage back and nearly laughed when I remember how stuffed and messy it was in there.

“Is there any flight where I can squeeze myself at? If that’s even possible. I need to get to this workshop and I really can’t miss it. Its work okay? And… Oh my goodness!” I kept quiet after my blabbering and concentrated on calming myself down.

“Let’s see if we can come up with something. If you please, take a seat in the lounge and we will call once we have something!” The kind lady said with a smile and I smiled back, then hauled my trolley bag behind me and walked into the airport lounge.

I slouched myself on the comfortable lush velvet leather seats and watched as people milled outside. I don’t know what happened, all I know is one minute I was gazing out the big glass watching the travelers, and the next I was shaken awake by the lady I had been talking to a few minutes back.

“Oh shiiii…” I cursed as I got up and wiped the drool that escaped my mouth! That’s not embarrassing! At all!

“I am so sorry Miss to wake you up, but I came to tell you that we found you a plane to Istanbul which takes off in an hour.” She informed with a gentle smile. And here I was busy trying to fix up my messed up self and hurriedly brushed my hair with my fingers.

“Really? That’s so nice of you. Thank you so much!”

“One more thing, you will be flying first-class since there’s only one empty seat in there.”

“You are kidding.” There was no way i had just hit the jackpot!

“I wish I was! But I trust it’ll be a good thing! Seeing as how wom out you are right now!” She nodded towards me, “Am I really that bad?” I asked with a wide grin. I appreciated people with an insane sense of humor because they spoke my language.

“You can really use some good sleep. Rough night I guess?”

“Oh, you have no idea. I am a surgeon, spent 9 hours in the operating room and woke up late. That’s why I missed my flight.” I intoned looking at myself in my small makeup mirror that was in my handbag.

“Oh my! I am so sorry. But you must be good at your thing. And good luck with the workshop!” her words made me pause a bit, “And how do you know I am going to the workshop?” I asked with a very serious stare.

“You mentioned it when you were trying to check in that time.”

“Ahhhh! Right!”

“Okay! You must go and check-in! And have the best flight!” She wished politely making me smile genuinely.

“Thank you. And thank you so much for the favor.” We bid each other farewell and I took my luggage and went to check-in.

All along my mind was filled with what I was to find in First Class Cabin! To tell the truth, the idea of it alone made me want to strip everything down and dance naked. I so couldn’t wait to see what was in there!