Chapter 13: Chapter 13

The white ceiling welcomed me the moment I opened my eyes. I can also smell the chemicals that surround the room. I am in the hospital, I'm sure of that.

I slowly looked around. No one was here, only me. I frowned when I noticed the serum injected into my pulse.

Is it necessary?

I just sighed and stared at the ceiling again. This is normal to me; to have an attack every time I see blood. It all started when I had a miscarriage. Even my monthly visit I can't last long. There are cases where it's not attacking, that is when my mind is clouded by something else.

Yes, it fvcking traumatized me.

My attention was focused on the door when it opened. Gradually, Zachary's bulk appeared. His face was serious while looking at me. The band aid stuck to his lower cheek caught attention. He was wearing a white coat while a stethoscope was hanging around his neck. He also has a paper in his hand. Another doctor entered after him.

Zachary approached me first. He looked all over me before refocusing his attention on my face, my eyes specifically.

"Do you feel okay? You don't experience breathing difficulties?" he asked.

I shook my head slowly in an awkward manner. I averted my eyes. I simply caught my breath when he grabbed my arm.

"Are your senses coming back now?" he questioned once more. "Is there anything that hurts about you?" Your chest?  Your stomach?  Body pain?"

I didn't answer and just stared at him. Yes, I am definitely aware that he's a doctor. It's just strange to see him work. Besides that, I didn't expect him to examine me himself. He's a cardiologist for Pete's sake! I mean, it can be related somehow, but he knew for sure that it wasn't him that I needed.

A cough caught the attention of both of us. The doctor who was with Zachary approached him and patted him on the shoulder, indicating that he was going to take care of me. Only then was I able to focus my eyes on him. He's Thelmo, Zachary's closest friend.

Zachary's jaw tightened for a moment before returning his gaze to me. I avoided and slightly moved my arm away from his grip. A sigh from him was the next thing I heard before he slowly walked away, giving distance to the doctor who was with him.

"Good evening, Ms. Rodriguez. I am Doctor Verdox, a psychiatrist. Can I ask you some questions?" he formally asked me.

I am still speechless because of my hesitation. It's not that I don't trust him; I just don't like the fact that Zachary was with us. In addition, he's his friend.

Thelmo seemed to notice my hesitation, so he looked at Zachary and motioned for him to get out.

"What? No, I'll fvcking stay here. I need to know her situation," he uttered.

Thelmo massaged his temples. Later, he voluntarily pulled Zachary by his lab coat and dragged him outside. I could still hear their weak arguments in the doorway.

"Fvcking stop, dude. This case is private; you know that. Just stay there and wait for me to finish examining her," said Thelmo, who then closed the door completely.

He walked back to me. He let out a sigh before we formalized. He checked the chart he was holding for a moment and then looked at me.

"Sorry about that. So, Ms. Rodriguez. Let's go back to what we were talking about. Can I ask you some questions regarding your condition?"

I know him for being a manwhore, which is why his being in his lab coat was strange for me. I just nodded in agreement. He wasted no time and repeated what Zachary had asked me earlier. One by one until it's all done.

"Are you aware of what happened to you?" he asked carefully.

I only answered him with a modest nod. He was silent for a moment and continued writing on the chart he was holding. Seriously.

"May I know when you started experiencing this?" Still, there was caution in his question.

I didn't answer right away and just looked away, thinking whether to answer or not.

"It's okay if you don't feel comfortable answering," he said, putting down the chart he was holding.

"Two years ago," I said softly.

"Are you still taking any medicine now for your panic attacks?"

"Yes," I said curtly, and I mentioned the SSRI I was taking.

He nodded his head. "I won't prescribe you any more medicine, but I will still make you a prescription so that if you run out, you can use it."

"Thanks," I said sincerely.

He smiled at me. "You can be discharged if you have no other problems."

I just smiled back and then nodded. "Thank you again," I said.

"You don't have to worry about our conversation. If you don't trust me because I'm his friend, trust me as a doctor."

He said goodbye to me before leaving the room. He also left a calling card in case I wanted to make an appointment at his clinic. Even though I didn't detail everything, I knew that my attack was enough for him to know that he is the kind of doctor I need to approach.

I just shrugged it all off. I'm not afraid that Zachary will find out about what we talked about because he didn't ask anything too sensitive. I answered his question almost exclusively about my physical condition. On the other hand, I was somehow assured that if I had a checkup with him, it wouldn't just come out to his friend.

Less than five minutes after Thelmo left the room, Zachary came back to me again. He has some tools that I think will be used to remove the serum that is attached to me. I just frowned and watched him.

I expected a nurse to do that to me, not him. Anyway, instead of talking, I just let him do what he wanted to do. I felt like a piece of broken glass with the intensity of his care while removing the serum that had pierced me. I want to make fun of his showmanship.

What?  Is he so desperate to clear his name that he seems to have grown wings now?

"Stay here. I'll just fix your release. I'll drive you home," he said after fixing the things he brought.

"I can do it. You don't have to worry; I can do it myself," I coldly said, then stood up, preparing to leave.

Before I could even take a step, he quickly blocked my path. We both looked at each other. No one loses.

"I'll drive you to your home," he said.

I couldn't stop scoffing. "Do you even know where my home is, Zachary?" I laughed sarcastically. "Maybe in end of it, you'll take me home to hell instead."

"Then tell me where—"

"And why would I, Zachary?" I interrupted whatever he was going to say while raising one eyebrow. "Are you a taxi driver?"

He didn't answer; his jaw just tensed.

I let out another laugh, then crossed the small distance between us. "You know, if I were you..." I hung up and bowed slightly. I artfully ran my finger over his white coat. "I'm going to make the most of what you're wearing because anytime—" I looked up again and looked him directly in the eyes. "You'll never wear that again."

A smirk curled into my lips when I saw him getting angry again.

Done with your show now, Zachary?

"Don't worry, Zachary. I have a consolation gift for you." I patted him lightly on the shoulder before finally passing him.

Another karma.