Chapter 5

Tasha saw the hospital main entrance gate from afar, and thunder rattled in her heart. She closed her eyes as her heart pounded at its highest rate.

The cab arrived at the hospital, and she got down.

‘Calm down, Tasha. It’s fine. You are going inside to meet the same Talon you have always known.’

She placed her hand on her chest and breathed deeply. She closed her eyes, opened it, and walked into the hospital.

Immediately she entered the hospital, Talon’s car caught her attention and her heart rambled in another version of fear.

"I did nothing wrong. If anyone should panic, it should be him."

She walked into the hospital and stumbled onto Jalyn at the entrance.

"Good morning." She greeted Jalyn.

Jalyn clapped her hands, snickering, "you always avoid me. Why are you talking to me first today?"

Tasha didn’t want to argue. She sighed and walked past her, but Jalyn drew her back with her hair.

Jalyn scanned her from head to toe, toe to head, and walked round her. She got to her front and smiled. "You look different today, who dress for you?"

She touched Tasha’s hair like it was a piece of irritating trash and cracked up. "You even comb and pack your hair very well,"

"I guess you don’t focus on Talon alone. You want to seduce all the doctors today." She made a jest of her.

"Jalyn, let me go. Please." She pleaded in a low voice.

"I guess you are tired of my troubles, right?" Jalyn raised her eyebrows. She shook her head and declared. "But it will continue as long as you are in this hospital." 

"You will find peace only if you resign or leave this hospital. Talon is supposed to be mine and I will make him mine at all costs."

Tasha breathed out her frustration and announced. "Talon is already yours because we are no longer friends."

Jalyn scoffed and voiced out. "Do I look like a fool to accept what you say? Hun?" 

"Just leave this hospital and everything will be fine. It’s as simple as that."

Tasha nodded and said in a low voice. "Yes, it’s simple for you to say, but the hardest thing for me to do," 

"I am sorry, Jalyn. I am not ready to leave this hospital. I can’t leave this hospital." Tasha declared.

She took a step forward to walk away, and Jalyn held her back to her front. 

"Are you walking out of me again? You have even got some nerve to look back at me." 

Jalyn clapped her hand and slapped her. 

The slapped directed Tasha’s gaze to the left, and she looked down for seconds, holding her cheek. She rubbed it and bite her lower lip. 

She lifted her head up, looking at Jalyn with her eyes red.

"Yes, I slapped you. What the hell can you do?" Jalyn raised her eyebrow at her, challenging.

"Watch out!" 

As Tasha raised her hand to slap Jalyn, Talon’s voice came from behind. "What’s going on there?"

She turned back, and ran to him, calling, "Talon."

He pushed her back before she could touch her, and looked at Jalyn, asking, "what happened?"

Jalyn was surprised to see Talon push Tasha. She wasn't sure if she was to be happy or pity her.

She quickly bowed her head a little and explained. "Sir, she made a mistake, and I am trying to correct her, but she picked up a fight with me."

He turned to Tasha and gave her a deadly look.

"Talon, believe me. She is lying. She is…" Tasha tried to defend herself, but Talon didn't give her a chance.

"From now on, use sir for me…" he declared and Tasha and Jalyn looked up at him.

Tasha looked at him with pains for seconds, and she densely bowed her head. "Okay, sir."

"Tasha, why are you not perfect at anything?" He began his hurtful words.

"You are so dull, and she is trying to correct you, but you picked a fight with her,"

"Look at this place very well. Does it looks hooligan's hideout?" 

"Does she look like a customer that refuse to pay for your service that you are fighting her?" He disgraced her.

"This isn't your first time, so be careful. This is the last yellow card. Next time is a red card." He warned. 

Tears clouded in Tasha’s eyes and they struggled to come out but acted strong, and she caged them.

"I am sorry, sir." She apologised.

He looked at Jalyn and gave an order. "Jalyn, you are a better person than her. Next time she makes a mistake, report her to me directly, so I will take care of her before she terminate the hospital image."

"Okay, sir." Jalyn bowed to his command.

He turned to leave, but he turned back and announced. "From now on, Jalyn is my right-hand nurse. It’s no longer you, Tasha."

Jalyn smiled within her mind and curtsy. "Okay, sir."

"Tasha, from this moment onward, there is a limit to how you can enter my office," he ordered.

"Also, you are not allowed to attend to any patient without Jalyn’s consent. You are now her junior nurse, understand?"

"Yes." Tasha answered, bowing her head.

"If you don’t accept all I just said, you can resign or sue me to court, broadcast me in every way you can. Or the worst you can do," be permitted.

He pointed his finger right at her face and smiled wickedly. "Before you act stupid, remember you don't have qualification to present."

"Okay, sir." Tasha bowed her head.

"Thank you for the promotion, sir." Jalyn showed gratitude.

"See me in my office, Jalyn." He ordered. He had a second glance at Tasha and walked away.

After he left, Jalyn crossed her hands on her chest, and took her steps closer to Tasha, and scoffed. 

"Something terrible must have happened. I have interest."

Jalyn mocked Tasha to her satisfaction and walked away. 

Tasha freed the tears, and they rolled out uncontrollably. She wiped them and walked into the elevator.

"Everything will be fine, Tasha."

{SECOND FLOOR}

Before Tasha got to the second floor, Jalyn has spread new of what happened, and other nurses around her as she came in.

"Look at her!" some said with a mocking laughter that made loud noises in her head.

"Who knows if she will resign soon?" They whispered in a loud voice so she could hear.

"Stop mocking her, remember she is our friend. You guys shouldn't be mocking her," Jalyn interfered in a mocking manner.

"We should console her and beg the director on her behalf. If the director refused to listen to our pleas, we will fight him."

"Tasha is out people, she might hurt herself if the mocking continues." 

"Yes, you are right." 

Some nurses shook their head in support, and they burst to a mocking laughter.

Juliana came out of the elevator and gave everyone their parcel of deadly look.

"All of you are siding with Jalyn, right?"

"No, ma." Nurses, except Jalyn, shook their head and hand in negativity.

"Don’t worry, one more mistake and you guys will be gone." Juliana threatened.

"We are sorry, ma." They apologized.

"Vanish!" Juliana yelled, and they all ran out of her sight, shivering.

Juliana put her hands in her lab cloth pocket and turned to Jalyn. She looked at her silently for minutes.

"You should stop all these petty acts, Jalyn. It won't lead you to a promise destination. You will just continue hurting yourself." 

"She had a misunderstanding with Talon, but it doesn’t mean it’s the end for her," she declared.

"They have been together for years that you don't know. Do you think they can’t reconcile again?" 

"You will be disgraced to your bone if they do. They are friends and you can’t get between them." 

Juliana walked closer to Tasha and wrapped her hands around her neck.

"I am less busy. Let me escort you to the dressing room."

"But babe, you look extra ordinary beautiful." She adored her with a smile.

"Thank you." Tasha smiled insincerely.

"Today isn’t a bad day for you, as they thought. Something great must have happened, right?"

Tasha remembered Malachi, and she forgot the pain she had just passed through in the past minutes.

She wore a smile and answered. "Yes, you are right."

"Juliana…" she called.

"What?" Juliana asked.

"The guy I called you to come and picked, how is his? Is he okay?" She stated her worry.

Juliana looked around to see if no one was coming, and there was no one.

"We gave him proper immediate care. But on Friday, Talon ordered we should suspend his treatment,"

"Have you performed an X-ray before he stopped you?" Tasha asked.

Juliana nodded in negativity. "No. He didn’t perform it and he didn't allow any doctor to perform it,"

"Why did he do that? Talon is generous." Tasha was surprised.

"Yes, but I think it's because we told him you are the one that called the hospital."

"He said the hospital isn’t a charity home where anyone can just bring anybody without paying," he relayed his message.

"Also, we can’t do anything if anyone can’t sign his legal guardians document."

"I will sign the document!" Tasha yelled. She walked faster and entered the elevator before Juliana.

"Tasha!" Juliana ran after her but she couldn't reach her.

Juliana stood in front of the elevator and breathed. "Just be careful Tasha, so you won't land yourself in another problem."

{THIRD FLOOR}

She walked to talon’s office with her footsteps screaming anger, and she opened the door abstruptly.

Jalyn and Talon were having discussion, and her manner of entering scare them a little. 

Jalyn stood up to her and challenged her. "What are you doing?"

Tasha caged her waist in her hands and released a low, devilish snicker. 

"It's not even an hour since you become his right-hand nurse. When did you become his loyal dog? Are you that cheap?" She threw a question.

"Hun?!" Jalyn made a surprise tone. She didn't expect Tasha to get back at her like that.

"Jalyn, I adored you until these past minutes that you are ready to go far for a guy that doesn’t have a place for you in his heart," Tasha said. 

"I am sorry to say this, but you need to know earlier, before it is too late. You are becoming a disgrace to womanhood."

"How dare you!" Jalyn took steps closer to Tasha, but Tasha didn’t move an inch.

"Hey!" Talon cautioned Jalyn, and she moved back a little.

Talon stood up and walked closer to them authoritatively. He stood beside Jalyn, facing Tasha. 

He looked straight into her eyes and snickered, asking, "Are you jealous?"

Tasha shook her head in negativity, and indirectly embarrassed him. "No, I am not jealous. Why will I be jealous of something I never wish to have?"

"Tasha!" He shouted her name in anger.

"Please don't go far. I am just wondering why you are doing all this. It's so unlike you,"

"Anyway, I am here to ask you a question." She announced.

He chuckled with a part of his mouth and wore a wicked smile with the left of his mouth. He drew Jalyn closer and wrapped his hands around her waist.

"You said I don’t have a space for her in my heart, but it is not too late to create one, right?" He said.

"It's not too late, but I won't consider it love if others see it as one. To me, it's lust mix with infatuation." Tasha spoke her mind with confidence. 

Tasha knew she would face the consequences, so she didn't want to regret caging those words in her stomach before he would penalize her.

Talon scoffed and turned Jalyn face to his face. He stared at her for minutes and kissed her.

Jalyn opened her eyes in shock, and her heart pounded so fast. It was her dream to kiss him, but she didn't expect it soon and it scared her a little. 

He released her cheek body and turned to Tasha with a smile. 

"What’s your question, Tasha?" He asked.

She pointed to Jalyn with her head and inquired. "Can’t she excuse us?"

"Yes, she can’t…" he answered. He wrapped Jalyn’s neck in his arm. "Because she is mine."

"Talon, did you change because of what happened or you are always like this?" Tasha raised a question.

Talon smiled and answered in a questioning manner. "Are you that dump, Tasha? You should answer yourself,"

"How can I change overnight?"

"Isn't it obvious I am always like this, but I am pretending because I wanted you?"

"And since I can’t have you, the best is not to lose from both sides. I can’t lose you and still don’t do what I enjoy doing." He declared.

"What do you enjoy doing?" She was confused.

"You are dump, can't you see already? I am cold-hearted in nature." He clarified.

She shook her head in acceptance. "Yes. I am so dump for not knowing your true color till now,"

"But Talon, don’t you enjoy being a good person? Can’t you just continue to pretend?" She said her wishes in a questioning manner.

"I wish I can continue but I can't help it. I can’t continue because it won’t give a positive result since I can’t have you." He clarified.

"But this isn’t good." She said in a low voice.

"Who are you to tell me what I am doing isn't good? Hun?!" He asked in a cold tone.

"Your thoughts or how you feel don’t matter to me anymore. I will live my life and I won’t blend into your low style again."

"Are you sure you want to be like this?" she questioned.

"I am not sure if I want to be like this, but this is how I need to be for now. So, I will be like this for the time being." He uttered.

"This is not good." She said.

"If you really care about me, you won’t hurt my feelings for you. You won’t reject me when you know how sad I will be." He poured out.

"I didn’t hurt you, and I reject you because I care about you. It’s not good if I deceive you for a longer time." She pointed out.

"You are wrong. You should have deceived me. You will later love me." He yelled at her.

"But it will hurt you than this." She said.

He released Jalyn and sighed. "Close that chapter and let pretend this conversation and everything that happened in here never happened."

"Why are you here?" He queried.

"It’s about the guy that I called the hospital to come and rescue…" she said and paused.

He looked up at her face. "What’s with him?"

"Why did you stop his treatment?" She asked.

He smiled. "So, you are not here because you are worried about me. You come to me because of a stranger?"

"It’s not like that, Tal, sir…" she said.

"Whatever way it is, I don't care," he said.

"I ordered the nurse to stop because no one shows up for him and we can't continue to treat him for free," he stated.

"He needs a surgery and there is no one to sign the documents. So, what do you want me to do?"

"But Talon, this isn't the first time you treat people for free." She said 

"Don't you still understand?! I do that because of you and I am already tired of faking attitudes!" He yelled at her.

"Okay. I will sign the guardian's documents." She offered.

He cracked up in pains and pointed out. "You are not only the fool here, I am dumber than you," 

"You are ready to risk your life for someone you barely know and you hurt me you have known for years," he stated. 

He looked around, wondering. "Why didn't I know this sooner?"

"It's not like that, Talon." he said, and he looked at her with outrage.

"Next time you call me Talon, anything can happen." He threatened.

"I am sorry, sir." She pleaded.

"If you sign the legal guardian documents, how about the payment?" He asked. "Is this a charity home?"

"How much is the bill?" She asked.

His answer was simple. "It’s not much, but it costs a lot more than I sent to you last time,"

"But if you pay just the amount I sent, I will overlook the rest and give him proper treatment." He said.

"Why are you doing this?" She asked.

"Because it's the best." He briefed his answer.

"I will pay with my salary till it is complete." She said.

"Fine. But we won't treat him till the money is complete." He declared.

"Hun?!" she let out, confused.

"Yes," he nodded, looking straight into her eyes. 

"Have I told you that your salary has reduced?" He asked.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"We will pay you half of what you are receiving before." He announced.

"Why?!" she queried. 

"You shouldn't know that it's because of your low qualifications. You are even lucky to be working here. You don't deserve it." He belittled her.

She was shocked, and sad, but she didn't let it reflect. She blew air with her mouth turned outside.

"I can treat him for free on a condition." He said.

She turned back and asked. "What is your condition?"

"If you should resign, I promise you I will give him proper treatment for free," he stated his condition.

"Is that all?" She raised her eyebrows her eyebrows without thinking twice.

"Yes," he nodded. "But I am sure you won't accept the offer because you don't have other means to chatter for your mum, and sisters,"

"And be careful about your illegal jobs because my eyes are on you and you don't have anyone to save you anymore," he smiled devilishly.

"Will you choose a stranger over them?" He asked in a mocking manner.

She embarked on a silent for seconds and closed her eyes. She opened them and spoke out. "You aren't the one to decide for me." 

"If you fold your mat and refuse to let me use it, I believe someone will offer a rug or even tile the whole floor,"

"So, I resigned." She announced.

Talon and Jalyn opened their eyes in shock, and shock made Jalyn interfered.

"Are you sure about this your decision?" Jalyn asked.

Since Tasha wouldn't be walking in the hospital anymore, she saw no reason to take it easy with Jalyn.

"I am not talking to you, loyal dog. This conversation is between me and your boss; you are not eligible to intervene." She shunned her.

The words pained Jalyn, but no words came to her mind to defend herself, and she looked down.

Talon nodded and sighed. "Fine," 

"Jalyn." He called.

"Sir." Jalyn answered.

He looked at Jalyn and ordered. "Prepare a resignation letter and let her sign it."

"Okay, sir." Jalyn curtsy her head and turned to leave.

"Once she sign the paper, moved the guy to the surgery theatre with immediate effect." He ordered.

"Okay, sir." Jalyn bowed her head and walked out with her eyes fixed on Tasha.

Jalyn got out of the office and jumped up in excitement. 

"Yes! It has finally happened!" She screamed and quickly covered her mouth. She looked around and walked to the elevator.

"You can go." Talon permitted Tasha.

"Can’t you let me wait till after the surgery?" She requested.

"You can stay because you are his legal guardian. But after the surgery, you won't be able to step a foot into this hospital after that." He said.

"Okay, nothing will be better than that. Staying here will be painful, won't it?" She said.

She smiled as if nothing happened, but deep down, she didn't want to say that. She cared about him and didn't have the confidence to hurt him more.

"You can leave my office." He said.

She smiled and bowed her head before she walked out.

She closed the door and looked back. "Talon, I wish you will stop before it's too late…"

She wiped the tears before they came out and walked away.

------------------

"I know it. I know you guy will soon reconcile. Now, Jalyn and other will be disgraced for hurting you." 

Juliana came from her behind with a smile and wrapped her hands around her neck.

Tasha wore an insincere smile. "He accepted to treat him on the condition that I will resign."

"What?" Juliana raised her voice. She quickly look around and covered her mouth.

"What does Talon think he is doing?" She asked in a low voice.

"Why did he change so quickly? I have never seen him do something like this since when we have been together in the college. What did you think can happen to him?" Juliana asked.

"He asked me out and I reject him." She answered in a low, guilty voice.

Juliana frowned her face at her. "It must pain him so much."

"Yes, I hurt him. I made him change." She felt guilty.

"Don't be sad Tasha, you did nothing wrong," Juliana consoled. "

"You help him by not lying to him. He is just too dumb to understand. Besides, you didn't change him, you make him show his true color."

She hugged Tasha. "Don't worry, you will find a better place. You have a good heart and good things will always happen to you."

"Thank you." She appreciated her.

"Are you leaving already?" Juliana asked.

"No, he gives me a chance to stay till after the surgery." She answered.

"Okay, it means we will talk later. We have to move the guy." Juliana freed her body.

She shook her head. "Okay."

She walked outside, and Juliana walked to the dressing room.

___________

Tasha signed her resignation letter and submitted it. She signed the legal document, and they moved the guy to the surgery theatre.

Juliana wanted to enter the surgery theatre but Jalyn closed the door and they began the surgery thirty minutes later.

<<ONE HOUR LATER>>

Talon and Jalyn came out of the surgery room, and Tasha ran to them.

"How is the surgery?" She asked.

Talon ignored her and walked away.

"It’s fine. You have just three minutes to leave the hospital premises." Jalyn declared.

Tasha wanted to go into the room, but Jalyn stood in her way and blocked her.

"One minute gone, and you don't have access to check him, you only requested to wait till the surgery is done. Now, leave."

"Don't you think you will regret this?" Tasha asked.

"I am not sure, but if I will regret it, it won't be soon." 

"I will allow you to go inside if you can go on your knees and begged me." Said Jalyn.

Tasha shook her head and hissed. "Never. But this won't last forever."

She scanned Jalyn up and down and advised her. "Change or…"

She didn't complete her statement, and she walked out of the hospital.

"This isn't the end, is it?"

****************

Tasha didn't feel fine, but she tried not to be sad. 

The car pack and as she got down, Juliana's call came into her phone.

"Hello, Tasha. Where are you?" Juliana asked.

"I have gone home. I am in my street already." She gave a reply.

"Ah? Why did you leave without informing me? I told you to wait for me!" Juliana hit her leg on the floor in disappointment.

"I am sorry, but I thought it is better to disappear quietly. If I stay longer, Jalyn might cause a scene." She stayed for her reason.

Juliana shook her head, comprehending. "You are right. That lady is an asshole."

"Tasha, please don't be sad. Believe me, everything will be fine. Don't think about it too much. Just breathe, eat, and sleep till another better opportunity come." Juliana motivated.

"Okay."

"I will stop by at your place one of these days." Juliana promised.

"Okay. Thank you."

They ended the call, and Tasha returned the phone to her bag.

She got to the restaurant and wanted to stop by to get something to eat, but she remembered she was out of cash and she stepped back.

She was walking with lots of thought in her head, and she stumbled onto an old woman. The basket in the woman's hand fell and the stuffs in it scattered on the floor.

"I am sorry, ma…"

She quickly bent down and packed everything. She put them in the basket and she gave it to the woman, bowing her head in curtsy.

"I am sorry, ma."

"It’s fine."

The woman smiled at her and collected the basket happily.

"Thank you." She bowed her head again and walked past the woman.

"Young lady." The woman called.

Tasha looked back and placed her hand on her chest, asking, "me?"

"Yes." The woman confirmed and Tasha walked back to her.

"I am a fortuneteller. Will you like to know what your future will look like?" The woman offered.

She quickly wore a smile and confessed. "I don't have money on me."

"It’s fine. It's free." The woman walked closer to her.

"Okay, ma." She accepted.

The woman took a stone out of the basket and placed it on Tasha's forehead. The stone blinked blue, and suddenly changed to red, and the woman opened her eyes and mouth in shock. "What?!"

The woman moved back a little and centered her eyes into her eyes.

"What happened, ma?" She asked because the woman was behaving strange and it scared her.

The woman smiled. She moved closer to her and patted her shoulder. "It's nothing. Everything is fine, but you need to be very careful."

"I should be careful?!" Tasha was confused.

"Yes. You have a bright future, but it is dark at some point. Your life revolves around three men and all of them love you," the woman interpreted.

"One will be your husband while one is just a soulmate and you will be the one to decide the third guy's place,"

"A time will come when you will regret knowing the three of them and the step you take that time will determine everything," the woman foretold.

"When the burden come, only the one that loves you will stay,"

"Either of the three can also become your husband, so you should just be careful and not make the wrong choice you might regret,"

"Sorry for the painful love life ahead of you."

The woman had a second look at her. She shook her head and walked away without saying more words.

"Ma…" 

Tasha called the woman, but she didn't answer her.

Her entire body froze for a moment, and she couldn't open her mouth to say a word because she was in fear coupled with shock.

‘What’s going on?’ She thought in her mind.

She suddenly felt dizzy, and her leg was unfrozen. She saw things in double fold, and she closed her eyes, placing her hands on her forehead.

She forced herself and took a step and as she wanted to take the second one; she fell on the floor, and fainted.