RESUMING WORK is nice.

Getting your name cleared, is better.

Being assigned for surgery on your first day back, isn't so bad.

However, getting paired up for that surgery with someone you certainly did not want to face any time soon is bad. No, it's horrible.

Aisha didn't know whether to scream in frustration or sulk. What she did know however is that there's no backing off. And, Aslam is yet again a superior of hers at work whom she will be seeing for Allah knows how long. She isn't sure of what will happen, but she certainly knows it'll be awkward considering the history they have and, she still is upset.

It's not like her anger will just dissipate because Taslim cleared up the marriage issue. That issue aside, what about him having no contact with her for two years? What if she had moved on? What if she had met someone, fallen in love, and gotten married?

What if she has someone else in her mind? What then?

What could possibly be the reason he chose to not contact her and then return, acting as if he wasn't gone for more than 730 days. A lot has happened in two years and she has certainly changed too. She's sure he has to in a way.

There's no way there can ever be something between Aslam and her. That she's sure of.

Not to mention, she's upset by how he agreed to have her as his assistant. Actually, no. He didn't call her an assistant. Partner. That's what he addressed her as-like he used to before.

The audacity!

She blew out a breath of frustration as she closed her locker with a slight bang. Resisting the urge to run in the other direction, changing out of her scrubs and heading home, she wore her big girl pants on and walked out of the locker room now adorned in her scrubs. Running isn't an option-it has never been.

She just has to face Aslam like the confident woman she is.

With that thought in mind, she strolled over to the OR-hoping to clear her mind of all anger and frustration. She would have to keep her emotions in check, because there is no way there will operate on someone with her in that state. Not when she feels like strangling Aslam Muhammad Abd Al-Rasheed. Not to mention, she has heard of what happened to Jannah.

She wasn't a fan of the girl marrying Sadiq's father but for his mother to show up and create such a scene is simply uncalled for! Aisha wished she arrived there on time, she certainly would've given the woman a piece of her mind not caring she's old enough to be her mother.

Why would she do something like that? She gets she's in pain but is that really justification enough for her to treat someone's daughter like that? Is that reason enough for her to be so insensitive and disgrace the girl in front of so many people?

By the time Aisha arrived at the scene, the girl is already gone and so was the woman. The only consolation she had was when she heard Jannah left with Abdallah who luckily was there to help her. At least, she knew the girl is in good hands as long as it's Abdallah. He would be there for her no questions asked and with no judgement.

And besides, Aisha had a surgery she needed to prepare for so she couldn't stay there with rage coursing through her veins. That to say doesn't mean she has completely gotten over it.

Heck no!

She is still furious. But, she is trying to reign it in.

Hopefully, Aslam wouldn't do anything to infuriate her more. That's something she is hoping for with every bit of strength in her.

She arrived at the OR before he did. She made her way further into the room after scrubbing up, taking the time to discuss with the few others in the room as they waited for him. She took that as her chance to try and get the fury out of her but it wasn't working one bit. She still feels like cursing someone's child out.

How could she not? Everything that has happened so far is getting to her-especially what happened to her best friend and the fact that she has to face Aslam. Why now? Why her?

The doors slid open, and speaking of the devil, he decided to show up then. Almost immediately, the others exchanged pleasantries with him while Aisha looked away. She was hoping to get over her emotions but it wasn't working. Flickering her eyes close, she took in a deep breath and then exhaled, counting to tell in her head.

One. Take in a deep breath Aisha.

Two. Inhale.

Three. Exhale.

Four. Think happy thoughts.

Five. No, don't think about Jannah.

Six. And definitely don't think about-

"Aisha?"

Her counting was cut short; by someone she knows pretty well. Opening her eyes, she turned around and met his gaze. "Yes?" What could he want to say now?

"Step out for a while"

She frowned, a crease forming in between her brows. "Huh?" What? Why would she step out? What is Aslam playing at? Is this a joke or something? Or is she trying to talk to her? Is this really the time? No. It's certainly is not and for him to even try and use this chance to do that--

His words yet again were stern, "Step out for five minutes, and then come back" But his facial expression, it wasn't that of the Aslam she knows who claims to be interested in her. He wasn't smiling, nor was his facial expression in a way that shows he is trying to crack a joke or something. Frankly speaking, he didn't look like the Aslam he knows. He looks more like a Doctor. Those serious ones that acre about their jobs more than anything.

He was in full surgeon mode, and by the looks of it, wasn't trying to play around.

But what did she do?

Blinking, she looked around the room to see the others staring at the exchange quietly. Her frown deepened as her eyes met his again. Swallowing thickly, she blew out a small breath. "The surgery is starting soon. Why should I leave?" Perhaps, if it was any other superior, she would've done as said immediately. But this time around, she's taking her chances since it was Aslam.

Since when was he ever a superior to her? A literal one?

Aslam looked up, his gaze falling on the timer which read the time being 10:52am. He then looked back at her, his expression blank. "It starts by 11 so we have time" She couldn't argue with that. "Now step out for five minutes, and return only then" His tone left no room for arguments.

She knew at the moment it didn't matter what personal history they have. Especially in a place like Nigeria where doctors take hierarchy seriously, if he, as the main surgeon and a superior asks her to do something then she has to do so no questions asked. It also doesn't matter if he doesn't think in such way. She still has to abide by what he says. So, with a frustrated sigh, she let her arms drop by her side and stroll out quietly without sparing him another glance.

Once outside, only God saved him in her mind because she had said some pretty colorful things about him in her mind. She found herself pacing in the small corridor between the main OR and the door leading to it, where the patient relative sit and await the result of surgery.

She tried to sit on the bench situated there, but she found herself tapping her foot on the floor repeatedly. It made her restless. So, she found herself up on her feet again as she glanced at the clock there.

Three minutes.

She still had to wait for two more minutes.

What the point of this to begin with? She wondered. Is he trying to show me that I'm below him or something?

The thought had her hissing slightly as she paced over to the door leading to the exit because for that moment, she thought of simply walking away. Since he is the main surgeon, he can have someone fill her in her place when she's gone. After all, he was the one who asks her to step out.

There will be consequences, but she would rather face them than face the man called Aslam Muhammad.

Her mind was set on leaving, for she didn't want to be there with him when he treats her in such way. However, as she held the handle and was about to push the door open, she found herself halting her movements. Her eyes fell on the woman sitting on the waiting there, bouncing her foot just as Aisha had been doing a minute ago. She had her lower lip in between her teeth, tears cascading down her face.

Aisha could roughly estimate the woman to be in her early twenties or late teens. She couldn't tell precisely but that is surely her guess. And at the same time, seeing the girl there, she knew she has to be their current patient's relative.

She's someone waiting for the doctors, waiting for them to try and save the patient who must be important to her.

Aisha didn't know how it happened, but the unreasonable anger in her went down a notch as she saw the girl sob quietly. She swallowed thickly, her shoulders slumping as her features softened.

How could she walk past the woman, after deciding to not partake in a surgery she is supposed to take part in? With which face would she walk past the woman, as she decided to not at least try and save someone? How could she call herself a doctor? Did she forget the oath she took? Would she play with someone's life over petty feelings?

Aisha swallowed thickly, her hand dropping by her side as she took a step back. Turning around, she took a look at the clock again, which shows that it has already been five minutes. She didn't even realize it.

Throwing another look at the girl outside, she turned around and headed back to the OR with shoulders slumped. Her mood is dampened now, because she felt ashamed of herself. And she's sure it showed on her facial expression.

The doors slid open, as she stepped in with chin dipping to the chest to see the others already preparing for the surgery that will start in a few minutes. Her eyes fell on Aslam who was the speaking to one of the doctors. After he was done, which only took a few seconds, he looked up to see her back. "Help me scrub in" He said, walking around the place to meet her.

This time around, with no negative thoughts directed towards him or arguments, she quietly nodded and did just that. He had to wash his hands again since it's been a few minutes since he did that before. Contact time varies, but he feels better washing it again because you never know. After drying his hands, she helped him with the sterile gown all the while, refusing to meet his gaze.

"Do you now get what's at stake?" He asked, his voice low so only she could hear him.

Aisha looked up, her eyes meeting his as she helped him dragged the gown past his hands. Her lips were curled downwards into a frown, her shoulders slumped. Her brows were drawn in. She didn't get what he's implying.

Aslam threw a glance at the entrance, before meeting her eyes again. "Aisha we're dealing with someone's life here. Someone who has people depending on him, who has someone waiting for him. Would you really allow your personal feelings to cloud your judgment as a doctor? Hmm?" Yet again, his voice was low. He didn't want people to hear the conversation because this is between them. He saw how upset she was earlier, and he needed her to understand what's at stake before she allows her feelings to result her making a mistake she'll regret for a long time. "Would you allow your feelings to stop you from doing your job as a doctor?"

Aisha blinked, her heart heavy with guilt. She did realize what's at stake when she saw the patient's relative, and she realized how irrational she was being. There was no point denying that. So, she nodded before looking down. She wasn't angry at him anymore-at least, not at the moment. She simply feels ashamed to even look at him. What kind of impression did she leave on him as an individual and as a doctor?

Helping him put on the sterile surgical gloves, she couldn't help but wonder if she's even fit to assist the surgery. Not after what she almost did. "I'm sorry" She said lowly, she was still unable to meet his eyes. "I understand if you don't want me to assist you anymore" She wouldn't blame him for it honestly. She wasn't thinking straight, and there's no way she can handle someone's life in that situation.

"I never said that" He said, making her look up. "I only said what you need to hear. That aside, I know you're a good doctor. Why do you think I want you to be my partner?"

She shrugged, not knowing what to say.

His lips slanted upwards into a small smile. "I know you're one of the best, and I want to be selfish to want you with me" He stated, like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

Aisha couldn't help the small smile that took over her features. Leave it to Aslam to uplift her mood.

"No but seriously, I know you're a good doctor and you know that too deep down. You just need to open up your heart and accept it-well technically, we're opening someone's heart but whatever" Considering they are performing an open heart surgery, he added a small joke, hoping it would make her feel better. It is a lame joke in a way, but if it means he would get to make her feel better, then he would crack a thousand lame ones more.

And it seems to have worked, because she looked down for a brief moment, trying to hide the smile on her face. How she went from wanting to murder him to being grateful to have him there surprised her.

Aslam found his smile widening, "Now how about you chin up and we get this over and done with, huh? It'll be six long hours, but we can do it just like before. Right, partner?"

She knew he's right. She's a good doctor. She knows that too and she just has to accept that she won't be the best out there all the time. She would make mistakes and the wrong decisions just like she did earlier. But, as long as she learns in time and is willing to fix it, then that's okay.

After all, she's human and she's learning from her mistake.

She can do this. No, they can do this. Together-as the team they once were and still will be in shaa Allah.

She looked up, her eyes meeting his with newfound determination as she offered him a small grin. Nodding, she spoke. "Let's get down to business, partner"

~*~

Watch out people, your favorite pair of surgeons are back in business!

Oshey it's a surgeon something. Namu dai ido tunda this language of theirs is different.

Toh, anoza update? Am I not your favorite author at the moment? I know I am. Because who else is spoiling you with updates like this?

No but we're actually close to our wedding like that. Might drop another update tomorrow or is it later if Allah wills. I'm not promising anything though.

See you lokacin da Allah yayi.

Love, Jannah.