An Atom Of Life

Don't Get Attached

“You look okay, and Dr. Lively is discharging you.” – I said as she woke up in the morning

She just smiled and nodded. What happened to the girl last night? She was now just quiet.

Dr. Lively entered the room and gave Joey the discharge papers to sign. She signed them.

“You are free to go now, Joey. A nurse will take you on a wheelchair to the taxi. And Dr. Kent, your shift has also ended so you should go take some rest.” – Dr. Lively said

I went to the interns lounge and changed into my casual clothes and then went outside. I spotted the nurse holding the wheelchair on which Joey was sitting. I don’t know at that time what happened to me I just walked towards the nurse and said,

“Nurse, I have got it. You should go inside.”

The nurse nodded and left. I took the wheelchair and started waiting for the taxi.

“So doc. You finally got tangled in the charm of Joey. Huh?” – She said

“I am just trying to help.” – I said

She smiled, just then I spotted a taxi and gave the signal for it to stop. The taxi stopped and I helped her get into the taxi.

“Please come with me, someone needs to help me get up the stairs.” – She said

I looked at her pleading eyes and I had nothing else to do but give up. I got into the taxi with her. She told the driver her address and the taxi sped towards her home. It was not far away.

We reached her home, and I helped her get out of the taxi. She paid the fare and then she looked at her building. It had five floors.

“I live on the fifth floor. And the elevator’s broken.” – She said

“WHAT?” – I replied, how would she be able to climb five floors? Guess she was telling the truth about stairs.

“Mmhmm.” – She said

“Okay then, let’s go.” – I said as I helped her climb the stairs

We reached the first floor in ten minutes, I looked at her and she was really in pain. At that time I had no choice and I did what I had to.

I carried her in my arms.

“Hey what are you doing doc.?” – She was startled by this sudden behavior

“We won’t be able to climb all the stairs with your leg like this; we can reach faster to the fifth floor by this. So just trust me, I will not let you fall.” – I said

She smiled and then said,

“I trust you.”

I instinctively smiled as I heard her answer, how easy it was for her to trust someone she just met so easily. Guess she didn’t know what betrayal was.

We reached the fifth floor and she opened the door, I took her in and helped her lie down on the couch.

She just lied there, gazing. I took a step back and asked her if she needed anything. She just smiled and then nodded in denial.

“Guess, I should leave then.” – I said

I turned and was about to open the door when I heard her say,

“Please stay!”

I turned around and looked at her; she was again staring at me with those pleading eyes. Why was I not able to deny her anything when she was looking at me like that? Everything I had promised to myself was starting to crumble but still I was there, looking at her pleading eyes.

“Why?” – I finally asked

She looked at me for some time and then answered,

“Because I won’t be able to walk because of my leg and I live alone.”

“Is that the only reason?” – I asked and she nodded

“You are willing to risk spending time alone with a male stranger at your house?” – I asked confused

“Well, that depends on you. Do you have any bad intentions?” – She said

"Well.. no, but does anyone tell their bad intentions?" - I replied

"I think I will bet on that. You don't seem like it." - She said and I remained quiet, looking at her with curious eyes as to what she was saying. How can she trust me when doesn't even know me?

“So, you will stay then?” – She asked, I was brought back to reality by her sudden question.

I approached her and said,

“Okay, but you need to eat and so do I. Do you have anything to eat?”

She smiled and I felt something in my heart but I ignored it, and she said,

“I don’t think so, just look inside the fridge. But I doubt it will have anything.”

I looked inside the fridge and she was right, it was empty.

“It’s empty.” – I said

“So what do we do now?” – She asked

“We could order pizza.” – I suggested

“Yeah. We should.” – She replied in approval

I ordered pizza, and they said that they will deliver it in 30 minutes.

“Can you answer my question doc.?” – She said

“My name is Aaron.” – I said

“And of course you can.” – I added, I was getting more and more comfortable with her the more time I spent with her

“Why are you helping me, Aaron? Is there a code for helping the patients outside the hospital too? Am I just a charity case to you?” – She asked

I was surprised by these questions. I took a breath and replied,

“No, you are not a charity case. And yes there is code for helping patients everywhere but I am not helping you because of it. Seriously I don’t know why I am doing it. Your eyes kind of remind me of someone and I couldn’t say no to that person either.”

“So you feel nothing for me?” – She asked

“I am choosing not to answer that question, but I am gonna warn you Joey. Don’t get attached too much that it is hard to walk away.” – I replied

“Attached, Huh? I think I understand what you mean.” – She said

Just then the doorbell rang.