Emergency Romance – ER 1

It was a cold and wet February night. People were bustling through the streets, either pulling up their jacket collars or zipping up their windbreakers, trying to stay warm and dry. Of course there were couples sharing umbrella, clinging as closely to each other as they could.

Dr Susie Wu was standing at her window, watching the people moving like little dots. Looking at them, she began to wonder. Why didn't they go home? Did they plan to wander in the rain till dawn?

"It's almost time to go home! My boyfriend must be going crazy." One of the nurses heaved a sigh of relief. "Still need to work overtime on Valentine's Day. It's so unfair!"

"You are fortunate." Another nurse says. "Some people don't even have anyone waiting for them."

"You mean Dr Wu?"

Like Sherlock Holmes, Susie's ears perked up when she heard her name.

"Do you remember how she lost control on this day last year?"

"Of course I do." A nurse shuddered. "I've never seen Dr Wu reacting like that, crying and yelling, like she was crazy."

"You can't blame Dr Wu. If it had happened to me, I would have gone crazy as well."

"Keep it down. She hasn't left work yet. She might hear you."

The two nurses were too late. Susie had heard the entire conversation through the canvas wall.

"Dr Wu, what are you doing standing here?"

Just as Susie was deciding whether or not to reveal herself, another nurse exposed her. She awkwardly stepped out. The two nurses who were gossiping about her started to blush. Their faces became redder than the bow on the Valentine's Day chocolate gift pack.

"I'm waiting to go home," said Susie, pretending that she didn't hear anything.

"Dr Wu, you must have gotten too involved in your work. It's already past going home time. See you tomorrow. Happy Valentine's Day!" She waved goodbye.

"Happy Valentine's Day." Susie waved back and watched the two nurses hurry away.

Anyway, she was ready to go home. Even though no lover was waiting for her, at least there was a lazy cat waiting to be fed.

"Better drink all the milk or I'll skin you." she threatened the cat. It meowed once to let Susie know it heard her but its eyes were complaining about her severity. Its eyes reminded her of someone she used to know.

Susie was a doctor working in the A & E Department of a hospital. Though working there could be quite hectic and stressful, Susie derived great satisfaction in bringing dying patients back from their verge of death. In fact, she was so good at saving lives that she had been earmarked to take over the department.

Keith was a paramedic who was a regular at the A & E Department. He was almost always the first one at scene of accidents. Being a responsible medic, he would attend to the victims until they arrived at the A & E Department. He too had saved countless lives and was a highly commended medical worker.

Somehow, in the course of their work both Susie and Keith never cross each other path until …………..............................