It's Sunday and I'm supposed to be getting ready for church since I agreed to go with Tomi but for some reason I'm pacing the floor, dressed in only my PJ'S and sweating even though the weather is chilly.
I glance at the clock for the umpteenth time in the thirty minutes I've been walking restlessly round the large sitting room.

It reads 7:49. I mostly rely on clocks and my phone or laptop to know the time because I'm just not in the habit of wearing watches. I feel it's quite unnecessary since I have a hand set I carry basically every where except the bathroom of course.
I hear the clock tick and it helps pull my attention back to why I'm up at 7:49 on a Sunday morning.

I hysterically run my hand through my tousled hair and pace harder before I flop dejectedly on the loveseat.
I just had the worst nightmare before waking up which is strange because I've been having a lot less of those recently.

Unfortunately, I didn't have any anxiety pills left because I had totally forgotten about them such that when they finished I didn't get a refill.
I had to improvise though so I made my way quickly downstairs to the gym and did a little work out to try and ease off. By the time I was through, I was dehydrated so I got to the kitchen and poured myself a large glass of cool water.
As a doctor myself, I know that exercise and water are both good ways to reduce anxiety and so that's what I did.
I was just about to go back upstairs and probably work on my laptop since I wasn't feeling sleepy anymore when I checked the time on my phone and it said 7:02am. What got my attention though was the fact that it was Sunday.
It all came rushing back to me.
So for the next thirty minutes thereabout, I was pacing the floor wondering what to do and now my face is buried in my palms.

"Oh I can't go to church - not now after so many years and definitely not after a nightmare and panic attack." I groan.

"Oh what'll I tell Tomi, she'll be so disappointed." I wail and stay like that for about five minutes before deciding to just call Tomi and tell her anyway.
I pick up my phone and call her.

"Hey T." I breathe heavily.

"Hey, are you ready yet? You want me to come pick you up?" She asks excitedly and I feel really bad for calling to burst her bubble.

"Yeah, about that...." I pause for a second and go on, "... I don't think I can make it."

"Why?" The dejected tone in her voice hits me hard.

"I'm not really feeling up to it. I just had a horrible nightmare and recovered from a panic attack which I haven't had in a few weeks. I don't know, I don't think I'm good shape enough to come. Please don't be mad, I think I still need some time." I reel out, trying not to let my emotions get in the way.

"It's okay. I totally understand. Take care though." I think my ears just deceived me because Tomi just brushed it off like nothing happened.

Well, I shouldn't be too surprised, she is my best friend anyway and I smile softly.

"Thank you."

"No problem, take care of yourself." She chirps before hanging up.

I smile and stuff the phone into the pocket of my PJ'S and climb up the stairs, the sleepiness beginning to slowly take the mastery.

                          ※※

"Thank you Veronica. You can just leave them there." I motion to the results of the lab test I had earlier ordered for and I check the time on my phone.

"It's really late. I need to go." I say as I pull off my lab coat and hang it beside the others.

"Okay, I'll lock up. Should I round up or wait until you'll be available tomorrow."

"Yeah round up, we don't have time for waiting. The surgery is due tomorrow and I may be too busy before then to attend to it. If you have anything you need to ask me, you can video call. I'm leaving for the hospital directly, so I'll still be with my laptop and journals." I reel out as quickly as I can in order to get away from her fast.

Since the board meeting that went wrong, Veronica and I haven't been much on speaking terms. Whenever we have work together, we would hardly make any eye contact and if ever we speak to each other, it's because we have to.

You see, I consider Veronica as my most trusted physical assistant.
We understand each other so much that if ever anyone wants to see me and I'm not available, I immediately refer them to Veronica knowing she'll do it exactly like I would.

Seeing things go this way between us have gotten me really sad but my pride and anger won't let me even make any move towards reconciliation.

"No problem, I'll see to that."

"Alright good night."

"Wait Maya." I freeze in my tracks without turning around.

What does she want?

I hear the clink of her heels on the marble floor as she approaches me from behind.
A warm hand clasps my shoulder and I turn slightly to look her in the eye.

"What is it?" I say stiffly as I search her eyes.
They are ocean blue, just like Clave's.
For a moment, my mind drifts back to him.

The last time we talked was yesterday.
Fortunately, his call came in when I was all but stuffing my face with Max's thoughtful gift of chocolates (which means I was in an extremely good mood).
He was asking me how I liked the flowers.
I had to tell him flat out that I was disappointed he'd send me roses of all flowers because he and Tomi back then in high school knew more than anything that I hated them.
He then tendered the most sorry excuse for an apology I had ever heard.
As if that wasn't enough, he asked me out on yet another date.
What's with the endless dates? The last time I remember, we're not a couple and even if we're talking about besties, it should be Tomi and I not just me right?

Let's just say I turned down the request the best way I could.

I snap out of my thoughts and return my attention to Veronica.
"Here...", she hands me a bouquet of flowers and an extra large card attached to the wrapper.

"For your mom. I pray she wakes up soon."
I break eye contact with her as she hands me the flowers.

"Thanks." I give her the slightest smile I can muster before resuming my leave.
I expect her to call me back to say something more but she doesn't and I just exit the lab.

.......

I can see the light emmiting from the broad signage reading, "Danny Bruce's hospital" at the top of the hospital as I slow down to get checked by the security guard.
Once he recognizes my face, he lets me in, not before giving me the gate pass.

I push open the door to mom's ward and drop my bags on the side table. I pull out my phone and check my messages while setting up my laptop to continue working.

After a while, only the beeping from the oximeter and the clicking sound from my laptop each time I punch a key is heard in the room.

Then, it seems like there is this faint scraping sound coming from behind me.

I still and wait but don't hear it again so I just shrug my shoulders and resume my work.

Maybe they're birds. After all, the window's just behind me and it can't be coming from someone. Apart from you, mom is the only other person here and she's unconscious.

Then I hear it again.

I almost ignore it but there is this nagging feeling at the back of my head making me curious and not totally agreeing to the sound being from birds.

I stop typing and strain my ear to hear it clearly this time.

There it goes again…and it seems to be coming more specifically from the bed.
I turn slowly towards the bed and my eyes widen in shock as tears slowly rush to my eyes.

For goodness knows how long, I just sit there, mouth agape not knowing what to do.

Mom is slowly blinking her eyes and her pale fingers are clutching the bed frame like it's the dearest thing in the world. Her finger nails scraping the wood was the strange noise.

Finally I scream, calling the attention of the nurses. In a jiffy they're all scrambling into the room, the doctor pushing his way foward.
Once he reaches the bed, his excited eyes meet mine in a split second before they return to examining mom.

I slept at home that night because after regaining her consciousness, the doctor said she needed space and I couldn't be found sleeping in the waiting room so I had no choice.
I was so excited when I got home that I called Tomi immediately.
She was screaming so much I thought my eardrums would burst if I wasn't careful.

"Tomi!!" I screeched once our lines connected.

"Why are you trying to make me deaf at 1:00 am in the morning?" I could hear the drowsiness in her voice as she gave out a yawn. Obviously, my call had woken her up. I couldn't wait to tell her.

"Yeah so what is it?" She dragged on.

"Mom woke up." I bit my lip hard to hold in my excitement.

"What?" I almost dropped my phone as my hand flew to my ear.

"Ow! Tomi, now you're trying to make me deaf?"

"Did you just say your mom is awake?"
I rolled my eyes as I pretended not to notice she had just ignored my question.

"Yes! I'm just coming from the hospital right now." I chuckled while jumping on my sofa which I was previously sitting on.

"Hold on babe, I'm coming right over." I stopped jumping.

"No, no, the doctor said no one should be around her for now. She needs her space. Visiting can start late afternoon tomorrow."

"Alright, but can I come with Max, mom and dad and Sam?"

Sam is Tomi's younger brother who is currently the C.E.O of an upcoming microfinance bank. He always had a thing for banks.
When we were much younger, he was super mischievous and always had an endless row of dirty tricks up his sleeve.
I was always at the receiving end of them though but each time I threatened to tell Tomi, he'd bribe me with chocolates and of course you know I always took the bribes.

"Yes of course you can."

"God did it didn't he?" Her voice had lowered to a mere whisper.
My mind drifted back to yesterday when we prayed for mom and I couldn't help but feel the tiniest bit convinced that he heard our prayer.

"You could say that." I smiled against the receiver.

"He always shows up you know." I knew a sermon was coming up and I wasn't ready for it.

"You need to sleep." I stopped her before she went on.

"Yeah, I guess so." I could sense a hint of disappointment in her voice but it was quickly covered up before I could fully register it. "Okay bye. I love you."

"I love you too." With that, she hung up and I was left still standing on my sofa, fully dressed in my work attire.
I checked the time, it was 1:45 am. I needed as much sleep as I could get because of Sophie's operation due in a few hours.
I set my alarm for 7:30am and flopped on the sofa, drifting off to sleep easier than I ever had in years.

  ••••

I pull on my gloves and exit the washroom to meet up with the others.
Veronica and Derek, along with the others who are to assist me in the theater are already assembled, fully clad in their coats and surgeons' masks.

"Okay guys, today as you all know, we will be carrying out the operation on Sophie Blake's heart. We will be in the theater for between three to six hours, but we should be done in four. I'm not making any promises. I wish us the best of luck."

With that, Sophie is wheeled in and we begin the operation.
I notice I'm unusually calm and accurate as my hands fly back and forth Sophie's chest. It's like I'm not in control of my hands.
It feels as if someone else is using my hands for the operation instead of me and in no time, we're done.

I check the stopwatch and the surgery has only taken two and a little above half hours.

I'm walking down the cramped hallway to my office, after meeting with Mr and Mrs. Blake to tell them the good news when Veronica dashes in front of me.

"Hold on there Maya." I jump at her sudden appearance and suddenly scowl when I see it's her.

"What is it?"

"We need to talk." Looking around to make sure nobody notices her strange behavior, she grabs my hand and leads the way to her office.

Once we we're inside, she shuts the door and turns to face me, her arms crossed over her chest.

"What happened in the theater?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't give me that. You know no one concludes an open heart surgery in less than three hours." She spits and realization hits me.

"Oh that." I hold my waist with one hand and massage my temple in frustration with the other.

"I don't know." I sigh. That seems to put her off.

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"I don't know okay? It was like I wasn't even in control of my own hands!" I snap and flop on the chair behind me.

"How is that even possible?"

"Like I said, I don't know. It just happened." I throw my hands up and let them fall back down on my lap.

"Things like that don't just happen Maya." She insists.

"Well this one did. Now if you'll please excuse me, I have somewhere to be." I stand up and made for the door before she blocks me and I roll my eyes, knowing what is coming next.

"I don't have time for this Veronica." I glare at her.

"It's been a week." She cocks her eyebrow at me.

"So? It doesn't change anything. The hospital is still going to be sold and I am still not in support of it one bit!" I retort fully understanding what she's driving at.

"I know but it's coming between us and it shouldn't be." I step back and meet her eyes.
They hold a longing and I can tell it was for the once cordial friendship we shared.

Something I miss too.

I press my eyelids shut and take a deep breath considering what I'm just about to let fly away with the wind, never to come back again.
Then I open my eyes again, the look on her face still the same and guilt washes over me.

"Yeah, maybe you're right." I smile sadly. "The fact that we might not see this matter in the same light doesn't mean it should change our friendship."

When I look back up at her, there's a wry smile on her face and I can't help smiling back before striding over to give her a hug.

Guys I'm so sorry for the super late update. There were some delays and I'm really sorry, I'll try not to let it happen again.
I hope you like it though. Don't forget to tell me what you think in the comment section, vote and share.

I love you guys, bye.

Chinwe_epistle ❤