Love Redux: Fated to the Handsome Doctor

Lara never imagined that Seno-her supposedly changed husband-was playing with fire behind her back. She remained in the hospital as Seno bid farewell to return to work.

Watching Seno leave, Lara smiled, reminiscing about the hot afternoon they had spent together.

She patiently awaited the day she could return home, pending the final observation from the doctor.

***

“Good morning, Ma’am. How are you feeling?” Dr. Miriam asked during the morning check-up. Accompanied by an assistant and two nurses, they entered Lara’s room promptly at 9 a. m.

Lara smiled brightly. She felt multiple times better than before-no pain, overall, she felt healthy.

“I’m feeling fine, Doctor,” Lara replied quickly.

The morning sun streamed in, casting a warm glow through the window beside her. Lara squinted momentarily before a nurse intervened, drawing the curtains to restore comfort with the air conditioner.

“I’m glad to hear that. Let’s check your condition once again before you’re allowed to go home,” Dr. Miriam began examining Lara’s vital signs with the help of her assistant.

Lara allowed Dr. Miriam to examine her. A nurse appeared to record the results of the examination-pulse rate, blood pressure, and so on. After the examination was completed, Dr. Miriam nodded satisfactorily.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“You’re in good condition now, Ma’am. Your body has recovered well. But I’d like to give you some advice to ensure your recovery goes smoothly.”

“Okay, Doctor,” Lara listened attentively as Dr. Miriam provided guidance on a healthy diet, light exercise, and other recovery routines.

However, Lara also noticed that Dr. Miriam seemed different. There was a strange feeling that swept over her-she was sensitive to such nuances.

“Thank you, Doctor. I’ll follow all your advice carefully,” Lara said sincerely. “Um, doctor, are you okay?” she asked later. Dr. Miriam, who usually seemed friendly, now smiled stiffly at her. Lara wondered what was wrong with the doctor’s demeanor.

“Uh, no. I’m fine. Is there anything you’re worried about?”

“Oh, no. Doctor, you seem a little tense. Alright then,” Lara smiled while looking into the doctor’s eyes, which seemed to turn away.

There was a hint of anxiety visible between her gaze. However, Lara decided to stop asking because Dr. Miriam didn’t seem to want to discuss it with her.

“Alright, then see you again. You can go home this evening,” said the doctor, who then quickened her pace, as if she wanted to leave Lara’s room immediately.

Why was that? Lara didn’t understand.

***

Later that afternoon, Lara was getting ready to go home. She felt relieved and grateful to be able to return to her own home.

She called Seno to pick her up and prepare for her return this afternoon. There were some administrative matters to take care of and payments to be made.

However, no matter how many times she called her husband, Seno’s phone seemed to have a poor connection. The phone just kept ringing. Was Seno really that busy?

“What’s going on?”

Lara was confused. She couldn’t reach her husband. An unreasonable worry emerged. She had to find out the reason behind this unsettling feeling.

“Huh…”

She decided to go for a walk. Thankfully, this time, she was no longer tangled up in cables or IV tubes hanging. Her condition had fully recovered; she just wanted to walk around for a bit to relieve fatigue.

The hospital corridor looked deserted. In the late afternoon like this, there should have been many people passing by.

The hospital felt empty and quiet, very different from the noise and bustle of activities in the morning and afternoon.

At this moment, she could only hear the sound of light footsteps and whispers from the nurses on duty. Some rooms appeared empty without occupants, and there were only a few families sitting in the waiting room with tired and worried faces.

She continued to walk slowly through each corridor connecting the buildings of the hospital complex. She felt empty because no one accompanied her. Her only attendant, wherever she was, Lara would find out her whereabouts after returning home from the hospital.

Although Seno had said that the attendant was just resting, Lara felt something was amiss in Seno’s words. She would find out the truth when she was at home. Whether Seno’s words were true or he was just evading. She wouldn’t forgive him if Seno indeed fired the attendant.

“Ah, what’s this?”

She sighed softly as she passed by the empty operating room. She couldn’t imagine how many medical procedures had been performed there, maybe even small surgeries ensuring someone’s recovery.

For a moment, she could still feel the pain in her body after undergoing the surgical procedure. It sent shivers down her spine. She was actually afraid of needles and anything related to medical equipment, but as a mother, she was willing to undergo various medical procedures for her safety and that of the fetus.

In every corner of the room complex, she could see treatment rooms that had spent various stories and family happiness that had passed.

She continued walking to the hospital courtyard surrounded by several beautiful small gardens. She could begin to smell the scent of flowers and feel the refreshing evening air soothing her soul.

There were several benches against the wall and climbing plants adorning the fence. She sat on one of the benches and felt a sense of relief and tranquility that she had never felt before.

While enjoying the beauty of the sunset and the hustle and bustle in the distance, she promised herself that she would take care of herself and not let anyone take away her peace, whoever they were.

But before she could make up her mind, she heard a very familiar voice.

“Lara…,” the Man called out.

She turned, her jaw instantly tensing as she saw Andre trying to approach her, fully dressed as a doctor on duty.

“What else, Doctor? Do you have any business with me?” she snapped. She didn’t like Andre’s presence. She couldn’t deny that she had sought protection from Andre when Seno wanted to be violent with her earlier, but it was truly unintentional.

She couldn’t recall any fond memories, except for the painful memories of losing her mother.

“Lara, I just want to know how you’re doing. How are you feeling?” Andre, who was now standing in front of her, asked.

The scent of musk began to waft in the air, mixing with the natural aroma of the flowers. The warm glow of the sunset, emitting a beautiful silhouette along with the handsome figure in front of her.

She admitted Andre was handsome.

If only there were no cruel fate entangling the two of them, perhaps, Andre and she could have been happily together and become a perfectly matched couple.

Ah, what was she saying?

One thing was for sure, she would never approach Andre, even if she became a widow. Andre, that man, was very dangerous.

“I’m packing my things. I’m going home today,” she replied.

She intentionally didn’t answer Andre’s earlier question and only informed him of her departure.

Andre sighed deeply. His eyes emitted an indescribable sadness.

Finally, Andre decided to leave her because that’s what she really wanted.

Andre knew that no matter how long, he would never be forgiven.

She stared at Andre’s retreating back. She felt satisfied to have successfully driven Andre away after several failures. Lara wondered what was on Andre’s mind, why he always wanted to approach her. Lara was truly disgusted! Unbeknownst to her, in that awkward parting moment, there were a pair of eyes staring intently in their direction.

Lara could suddenly feel her hair standing on end.

“Ah, what’s going on here?”

***

In front of her, two figures she knew very well were having a meeting or a farewell? Who knows.

Miriam. The beautiful doctor looked like she was wringing the edge of her coat with an incredibly deep sadness.

Miriam could feel how desperate Andre was in reaching for that forbidden love.

Why hadn’t he let go of Lara’s position for her? Even though that woman was already married.

Lara. That woman. How could she become the only woman who was always in Andre’s heart? Even his entire family knew it.

“Andre… what’s missing from me?” Miriam murmured painfully. Tears immediately wet her fair face. Miriam cried silently, amidst the beauty of the sunset stretched out right in front of her.

Miriam’s question was, of course, a question left hanging without an answer.

Who could answer it?