Emergency Romance – ER 6

It had been another busy day for Susie. As she dragged herself out of the hospital, something caught her eyes. A guy was pacing to and fro along the pavement on the opposite side of the road. It was Keith and as soon as he spotted Susie, he stopped at his path. He wanted to cross over but somehow he hesitated. It seemed that he wasn't sure what he wanted to do. Looking at him, Susie couldn't help but shoot her head and walked over to him. Hanging his head low, Keith apologised for his indecisiveness and for the 'unromantic' dinner the night before. Then he went on to invite her for another dinner. Keith said all that intermittently while Susie listened patiently to him without any interruption. Once he was done, Keith looked sheepishly at Susie, wondering how she would respond. Susie smiled at him and nodded her head. Keith was so elated that he almost couldn’t contain himself.

That evening, they had a really good time together as a couple and that also marked the beginning of many more dinner dates. Gradually the informal relationship grew into one of intimacy. Since those around them knew of the circumstance that brought them together, Keith and Susie were quite open about their being together. Soon, they became such an item at the hospital that they were the envy of many.

As the relationship progressed, Susie discovered that Keith was a really thrifty gentleman. However, he was not only thrifty with his expenses; he was also thrifty with his words. While Susie was glad that he wasn't a big spender, she would prefer that he be more generous with his words and sweet-talk her occasionally. But then, as her best friend reasoned, if he were an expert on such things then it would make him a flirt. Thus, Susie was prepared to accept Keith as he was rather than to try to change him.

It was Valentine's Day again and Susie had arranged to have lunch with Keith since she was on the night shift. She decided to take the opportunity to complain to Keith when he turned up empty-handed again.

"Today is Valentine's Day. Why didn't you bring me any flowers?"

Keith raised his eyebrow in astonishment. "But I thought you say you don't want me to ………"

"Yah, I did tell you not to waste money on that but ……… Anyway, you should at least give me a card!" Susie pouted her lips.

"Okay, okay. After lunch, I'll send you an e-card."

E-card. That sounded so impersonal but that was the way he was – thrifty as usual; Valentine's card usually didn't come cheap while it was free to send an e-card.

"I can't understand you women. Why do you make such a big fuss out of Valentine's Day?" Keith grumbled as he ate his food. His comment induced Susie to fight with him again.

"You are not romantic at all!! Don't you watch any Korean drama?"

"Korean drama? Nay, I only watch Discovery Channel."

"Your life is so boring." Susie made a face at him. "One recent drama was really good. You should have watched it."

"What's that drama called?" He didn't believe in the love portrayed in TV and movies. He always thought they were lies.

"It's called 'Stairway to Heaven'."

"What kind of trashy plot did it have?"

"What do you mean trash? Show some respect, okay!" Susie was getting pissed off. "That drama was very touching and so tear-jerking that I was tearing profusely while watching it."

Susie then went on to narrate the story, hoping to change his perception with the wonderful plot.

"What's so touching about it?"

"Don't you think that that was a moving story of everlasting love? If I have such great screen writing ability, I wouldn't be a doctor anymore. I would become a screenwriter."

"If you become a screenwriter, I bet no one would watch the show. The TV station will go out of business." Keith interjected.

"I'm going back. Hurry and send me the card!" Susie was so mad that she left without finishing her dessert.