In the Crevices of Memory

Chapter 9

Here was that word again. The one said with a shrug, always this shrug.

Sara was tired of that word. Of those who would so easily allow this single word to rock their worlds, their lives. Wouldn't complain. Didn't people like Dr. Irfan ever felt the need to have any say on their lives? Did they never felt like they had starting to hate their fate? Wouldn't having a belief on some entity just make it easier to put the blame on someone, maybe hate that someone?

Dr. Irfan chuckled and continued walking. "Come on kid, you are not here for small talks." He was already on the bed of a patient, making Sara read his file and doing a verbal diagnosis. While Sara worked, she realized she had discovered something else about Dr. Irfan, he hated silence.

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One of the best feeling in Haider's life was finding the coast clear when about to depart from Islamabad to the Skardu's airport. One never knew, when the Himalayas would get angry and refuse the planes a ride. The mountains were already too high to fly over. And this was the only route where Haider was willing to pay the overpriced window seats. Sky high mountains greeted the passenger all the way to the destination. This was without any doubt Haider's favorite route and he would never get tired of it.

Right now, this wasn't the only reason he was feeling the fatigue of past month dissipating, the other reason was the passengers at the two seats beside him.

Dr.Samir and his wife, Dr.Tania, who were introduced to Haider by this new acquaintance of his, Raees. Raees had told them about Haider and they had contacted him last evening. The trio met last night, and suddenly they had agreed to come with him today.

Dr.Tania was finally a real lady-doctor, unlike the student Dr.Irfan had found.

This feeling was making him happier then necessary. He would not let Dr.Irfan hear the end of it. That was quite an accomplished trip, he thought, nestling in the seat.

Add on top of that a flight without any turbulence, and we had a very peachy feeling Haider.

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Sara looked at her reflection on the glass door, then took a deep breath. Wearing a brown shirtdress and black pants, with her white coat, she looked and meant business. Her hairs were combed properly, tied in a half-knot. She was as crisp and ready as one can be.

After feeling satisfied with her look, she walked towards the entryway of the hospital, where Dr. Irfan had summoned her with the message that Dr. Haider (his precise words must be 'their mutual boss') had came back and would meet her.

She found Dr. Irfan standing behind the reception counter. Talking with someone on the same side, who looked like a compounder or something. Dr. Irfan and his habit of attending every co-workers needs. The guy was chatting incessantly while looking over some files. Wearing a khaki pant and faded purple shirt. At least at this moment Dr. Irfan's focus should had been on Sara's alone, and her first meeting with the boss. She grunted, walked forward.

Running an eye on the man, she tossed a small command, "bring us three cups of coffee please." And turned quickly to Dr. Irfan. Who now stood straighter. "Sir, you called me regarding the meeting. When will the doctor arrive, sir?" her voice were now smoother and her eyes glinted with the unabated passion. She needed this job and she would show it in the every opportunity she got.

What Dr. Irfan said in reply made her heart stop. "Dr. Sara, this is Dr. Haider," he was pointing at the guy she just commanded to bring her coffee? Gosh, how could she get so careless. Dr. Irfan's voice still echoed, "Dr. Haider, this is Dr. Sara, our new recruit."

"Miss. Sara. She still haven't completely became a Doctor yet." The guy whom she had thought were their compounder replied curtly. His voice was soft and buttery, a kind of sound that made you want to listen to his laughter. She turned towards him, he was still scrutinizing her under a glare.

"I am sorry, I hadn't realized that you were the boss." She mumbled. Her heart thudding.

"And aside from me, you deem everyone else responsible to be commanded around at your will? Miss Sara. Just because our staff is trained just as much in their good hospitality as in medicine, doesn't imply that they are everyone's servant." he raised one of his brow and shook his head. "Anyways, I have important tasks to complete. Lucky for you, Dr. Irfan was already briefing me on your progress report and I had agreed to keep you here, all because of him. Keep this attitude on, and I might change my mind." He grunted and turned, asking Dr. Irfan something relating to some equipments he had ordered. Dr. Irfan had to rush behind, looking at Sara apologetically.

The two of them left, and she got left behind. Standing with her mind still reeling.

Well, that a was heck of first impression. She squirmed inwardly.