Chapter 1- an everyday life.
"Are you always going to wear that same shirt?" Elanor eyes her best friend questionably.
The sun warms the living room in the early hours of the morning, a landscape of fog rising from its sleep in the view ahead.
"I am Aariya, I'm a superstitious person- this is my lucky shirt." She says with a hint of pride, what is there to be proud of? Elanor thinks before stifling a smile.
"Okay but you're missing the point." Elanor continues when Aariya chooses to ignore her initial question, "That shirt has way passed its expiry date," she points to the rim of said shirt, "There is literally a blood stain."
Aariya finishes gathering her silky Smokey hair into a ponytail and looks at the blood stain, she pauses.
"Okay but I think it gives character."
"What character does that give? Other than " Oh hi, I'm going to diagnose you as mad and then cut you open." "
Elanor gathers her stuff in the process, she does her best not to laugh at the horrified expression her best friend now holds.
"Alright first of all, you have made out that I'm, -we're-, doing some shady shit at work. Secondly, this isn't American Horror Story! We don't cut people open for the sake of it." By now Aaryia is fully composed and ready to head out, Elanor giggles at her best friends' logic.
Elanor has been friends with Aariya since 1st day in med school, "Do you understand anything that's going on?" Elanor remembers this new face asking her.
"No. I defiantly don't understand why one's bowel might rupture randomly. Something I hope I don't have to see nor experience." Elanor whispered.
New face girl giggled at her reply, "I'm Aariya Holmes, hi." She stuck out her hand, her slender long fingers looked elegant, young. "Oh, formalities? Elanor Hernandez. Hi to you too."
"If you girls don't want to be here, I'm sure the others do, so you either concentrate or get out my lecture." The old bearded man bellowed from the front of the hall, all eyes turned to them and they both squirmed.
"I should puncture his bowel and see how he likes it." Aariya mumbled, and once more, Elanor found herself laughing while digging her chin into her scarf.
The ride to work was a peaceful one, like every morning: Stop by Starbucks and order two iced caramels lattes, tune into Capital FM and drive calmly to work before another 12-hour shift of madness.
Elanor drives the black Volkswagen Golf and hums in tune to the music, (Ah, Shawn Mendes) Aariya scrolls through her phone whilst doing the same. As Elanor drives, she analyses the area, Spring is around the corner- the buttons on the cherry blossom trees are starting to bloom, transforming London streets to a pastel-like filter.
Now driving into the borough of South Kensington, the peacefulness of the drive, has quickly disappeared like her now ending patience.
"Fucking hell, I don't think I'll ever get used to this madness." Aariya says mid scroll.
London during off peak times is mental, but during morning rush hour, there is no way to maintain sane. People walk in opposite directions towards buses and trains stations, pushing and shoving past each other. School kids walk in groups and stop to text on their phones, making you halt your pace.
You also adapt to the "rules", the London Civilian Etiquette, Chief Willow calls it. According to him, its rules you follow without you realising that you're following. On the escalator going into the underground tube, you walk on the left and stand on the right. If you're caught doing the opposite, you instantly get shouted at, "Move asshole!".
When Elanor asked him, who came up with such theory, one morning whilst we were scrubbing, his reply was "Heck do I know! Guy must of had enough getting rushed down the escalator! You can make a theory out of anything these days, so smart thinking."
Turns out that that man's theory was correct.
As they manage to just about pass a green light, Aariya speaks into the silence, "Ah look at those two, I need me that, I do."
Elanor quickly turns her head to see what she is talking about. A couple stand outside the most prestigious department store, Harrods; the guy kisses her on the cheek and hands her his credit card.
"He does look about 60. He even looks rich. Can you look like a social class? Because I'm sure I scream broke." Elanor comments back, shifting her attention back onto the road.
"Whatever, broke, 6 or 60, imagine having that much money to just pass your card to a female who is clearly going to rinse you dry in Harrods." Aariya shakes her head in disappointment, as she seems to be thinking of her tragic financial situation, she continues then, "I put money in my savings, just to take it out again the day after pay day! What's the point in a savings account if it doesn't save my money?!"
Elanor chuckles, "That's not how a savings account works!" She continues whilst indicating left, "I think I'm going to go into Harrods later though."
"What? What can you possibly afford in there? Other than air." Aariya gathers her bag from her feet as the hospital appears in view.
Elanor laughs to herself and smirks, "Nothing, but I'll use the loo and steal the toilet paper. I'm sure it's worth more than what I have in my account."
Willow hospital. The tall glass building creeps slowly into the blue sky, overpowering the very small buildings in its radius. Passed down in generations from the Willow family, the hospital has been one where royalty and wealthy people come to get treated. The private hospital sits in the heart of London, its beauty is one to mistake for a monument.
The difference between public and private hospitals is comparative. As Elanor and Aariya stroll through the automatic glass doors, the air has a perfumed scent, the seats in lilac are neatly spaced in the waiting area, look plush and untouched. There wasn't a speck of dust in sight, cleaners constantly patting down the walls and surfaces. Expensive framed pieces of art on the walls give colour, Sir Nathaniel Willow's painting hangs proudly above the rounded reception.
"Good morning Elizabeth," Elanor smiles to the receptionist who waves her over.
"Dr. Hernandez, good morning, and to you Dr. Holmes." Aariya nods back at her, " Dr. Hernandez, patient from room 20B has been discharged this morning, she left you some flowers in your office."
Elanor and Aariya make their way to their wards. Aariya is a Senior psychiatrist on the 2nd floor, working with patients who are mentally sick and need her help. Elanor has been promoted to the 5th floor with Dr. Sam Willow in the cardio wing, as she recently became the youngest senior cardiovascular surgeon in the hospital.
"Has he messaged you today?" Aariya asks Elanor as they stand outside the locker room.
"He did last night."
"When are you two going to make it official? Oh, and you know, public?" Aariya rolls her brown eyes so far back that Elanor wonders if she feels a headache coming.
"Well-"
"Dr. Hernandez," Dr. Xavi Perez, the chief of trauma calls out behind them, his golden tan skin contrasts perfectly against the white crisp lab coat, the appropriate amount of hair wax is applied to his black hair, darker than the night skies, "I have some documents I need you to sign."
Elanor waves a nervous goodbye at her friend and follows him. She watched his rippled muscles tease through the clothing upon his torso, he made her nervous every time, "Is it possible for someone's presence alone make me want to pee my pants?" Elanor thought as Dr. Perez closed the door to his office.
When they were alone, he grabbed her close, kissing her hungrily on the lips, "Xavi," Elanor squirms against his lips.
"We can't keep hiding like this." She adds.
His honey coloured eyes look down at her as he holds Elanor between his chest and the door, "You know I want to tell people but it's too soon."
Too soon? Is he having a laugh? "We've been together for 8 months now and you haven't even told your parents."
Xavi sighs and steps back, "Have you told yours?"
"Well no, but you know I don't speak to my mum, so why would I? Beyond the point, I don't want to keep hiding."
He resumes his previous position and kisses her neck, "I know mi amor," The familiar purr of my mother tongue rolls off his lips, "But soon. Right now, I just want to eat you up!"
Elanor briefly forgets their discussion and makes a mental note to bring it up again soon. A knock on the door tears them apart once more, Elanor looks at Xavi as if to say, "Want to continue hiding?"
Xavi opens his door, " What?!" He growls at nurse Jackie, "S-sorry, Dr. Hernandez, we need you downstairs."
Elanor grabs her stethoscope and lab coat, "Why?"
Nurse Jackie shifts nervously on her feet, "We have a patient admitted in with a ruptured bowel."
