Chapter 2

The hospital was small yet very hygienic. Ben had told me, the hospital spends more money on maintaining the hygiene than paying the staff. The hospital had this quiet atmosphere, which most other hospitals lack. I guess, fewer patients might be the reason. 

One might wonder why a Software Engineer would be interested in volunteering at the hospital. Well, this is as close as I'll get to becoming a doctor. I smiled inwardly at that thought. If not an Engineer I would have been a Doctor. I'm still happy with the profession I chose. 

"Where can I register for volunteering?", I enquired the receptionist. 

She looked at me from head to toe, assessing me on something. I looked at myself to see if there was something wrong. I was wearing a blue washed jeans and a red flannel shirt, my hair tied in a high pony. I thought I look good. But of course the opinion of this woman seemed different. 

"You're here to volunteer?", She raised her eyebrows which suggested that it was hard for her to believe. 

"Err... Yes. One of my colleagues told me about this. I thought I'll register", I shrugged.

"Wow! You're really here to volunteer, aren't you?", she questioned again.

What's so surprising about this? I was starting to get annoyed.

"Yes. Is that a problem?", I asked.

"No no.. Of course not. Its just that, not many women like you come to volunteer here", she stated.

"What do you mean by 'Women like you'? Am I not volunteer-worthy?"

"I'm sorry, that's not what I meant. Not many good-looking, young and attractive women come to volunteer here. It's mostly old, retired men or women. It's good to see someone like you here."

"Oh! I'm sorry if I was rude. I was beginning to think I wouldn't be allowed to volunteer", I smiled sheepishly. 

She let out a good-natured laugh which made me like her instantly. 

"I'm Martha by the way", she extended her right hand.

"I'm Rosie. Rosie Taylor", I shook her hand. "So, now can I know where I can register?".

She gave a form to fill, which I did. And she briefed me about what kind of work I could do. When she asked me if I had any past experience, I remembered my good old high school days where I volunteered at the hospital where my mom worked. My mom was an Oncologist before she passed away due to breast cancer. Huh! The irony! That's when I gave up my dream of becoming a Doctor. 

The timings were perfect. I could finish my work at 3. And drive to the hospital at 5 and could work till 8. I was even allowed to extend my timings, of which I was instantly happy. Its not like anyone waited for me back home, other than my BOB. My work mainly included taking care of the patients. 

At first I was in-charge of 5 patients. But as the volunteers rolled in, I was cut down to 2. 
One was a middle-aged male named Charles. Charles was an arthritis patient. 
And the other was Jason, with a broken arm. He was to be released in 2 days. 

There would be no severe patients. The patients admitted here were mainly minor cases. 

=============

Today was the day Jason would be released. I arrived at the hospital at sharp 5 o' clock. I saw Jason in the waiting room. 

"Hey! How are you feeling? I thought you had already left", I greeted him.

"I'm feeling good, thanks to you. I was discharged today afternoon, I thought I'd thank you before leaving," 

"Oh, that's not necessary. You're welcome though", I said.

"Well... Err.. would you mind getting a coffee or something? With me?", he asked hesitating. 

"Oh! I'd love to Jason, but I think I can't. I need to work. Some other time maybe?"

"Oh okay", he smiled, but I could see the disappointment in his eyes. "At least you didn't say a flat 'No'", he chirped.

I laughed and bid goodbye. 

Crisis averted. 

It's not like I don't like to date. I'm pretty sure I know how that will end. 

As soon as I reached the reception desk, I saw Martha talking animatedly on phone. She seemed worried. 

"What's wrong?", I asked as soon as she hung up. 

"One of the volunteers gave up, and there's a new patient who needs attention. He met with an accident and was admitted here last night after you left."

"Well, I can volunteer. Jason was discharged today. I only have Charles", I can't stick around with Charles all the time. So I can manage another patient and take care of them at alternate hours. 

"Oh thank god! You're a doll!", Martha exclaimed. I smiled at how motherly and warm she is. I was really glad I could do volunteer this. I was beginning to enjoy this place. As a Software Engineer, all I do the entire day is sit at my desk and Code. So this was a nice change with the routine. I actually got to involve with other people, which wasn't the case in my office. Since, all you get to meet is programming nerds. Not that I wasn't one. 

I was the Queen on Nerds! Programming was my passion. 

"The patient is resting in the The Cube", Martha said.

The Cube was the nickname given to the expensive ward in the hospital. It wasn't that expensive compared to the other high profile hospitals in the city. Since most of the patients admitted here were from middle-class with minor injuries, nobody really chose The Cube. 

"The Cube? Big Shot, eh?", I joked. Martha laughed. She knew you didn't have to be a Big Shot to choose The Cube. It really wasn't that expensive.

"I don't think so. Why don't you go and introduce yourself? I think you'll be stuck with him for at least a week"

"Okay, sure. See you later", I said and started walking towards the stairs. 

"Oh by the way...", Martha smiled wickedly. 

"What?"

"He is really very handsome but not so friendly", she mumbled like it was a conspiracy. 

I laughed and waved my hand dismissively. I never really cared about the looks. I always believed that, if you really like a person, everything about them will be attractive to you. Not friendly? This should be interesting.

And I was so very wrong...

I opened the door to The Cube and stepped in. Anticipating about my new, so-called 'very handsome but not so friendly' patient I was going to take care of for the next whole week.

"Excuse me?", I tried to peek through the newspaper he was holding right in front of his face. 

"Yes?", he grumbled putting down the newspaper.

Do you know the feeling which you have when you're hit by a freight train? 

That's how exactly I felt when I looked in the eyes of...


Oscar Jones.