LADY RUSSAMEE

A YEAR LATER

The orientation for the newly hired nurses was scheduled for nine in the morning.

That was the first order of the day even though I've been at the hospital since seven.

I liked reading all the mails and getting them out of the way before I handle the high-level matters.

Sometimes the small things take up more space and fester.

The insidious nature bothered me especially when it piles up and overrun the more important stuff.

Fifteen minutes before the orientation, I went to the bathroom to freshen up.

I wore a fitted peach colored dress, high heels and the gold necklace with the anchor pendant.

It was a gift from my father when I graduated from college.

Everytime I felt overwhelmed, the necklace was a reminder that I was anchored somewhere – my family.

It calmed me down and gave me a newfound sense of direction.

I checked my face in the mirror and noticed the fine lines that were starting to show in my forehead.

I had this bad habit of frowning when in deep thought.

The line between my eyebrows was getting more pronounced.
It bothered me.

This matter was always brought to my attention by my mother.

She was always into appearances and touted the importance of skin care and prioritizing what people see first – my face.

But habits were hard to break.

I should book an appointment with the head of the dermatology department.

I made a mental note to do that when I return from orientation.

***

I walked the long distance from the bathroom to the small auditorium.

The HR manager told me I didn't need to attend in person but this was how my parents did it when they started the company so I followed their example.

Besides, it would be good to meet the new employees face-to-face.

Our pictures in a Powerpoint presentation wouldn't suffice.

***

I pushed the big double door to the auditorium and went in.

There was excited chatter from the attendees as they conferred with each other.

They paused when they saw me walked by, their glances and soft whispers denoted curiosity.

The HR manager, an average height man with clean cut hair and thick glasses turned around to acknowledge my presence.

He ushered me to the front.

I sat beside one of the HR consultants who fidgeted at being in such close proximity with me.

Most of them were intimidated by my presence not only because I am the daughter of the owners but also because I expected nothing less but their best effort.

Five minutes before the event, the host went up the stage to announce the start of the orientation.

Her announcement was interrupted with a commotion from the back.

I turned around and saw a girl bent down picking up her stuff on the floor.

I couldn't see her face so I brought my attention back to the stage.

***

When the orientation began, the new nurses were in rapt attention listening to the host talked about the humble beginnings of St. King's.

My parents were unsmiling in the photographs.

I should ask HR to update that slide to soften their appearance and make them more pleasant.

The host mentioned the steady rise of the hospital then eventually the various awards and recognitions and how in the present time, our facility was regarded as one of the best in the country.

That made me very proud.

I knew the efforts and the challenges my parents hurdled to get to this point.

Despite the odds, they pushed on to achieve their vision which was to provide unparalleled medical care.

Their mission and vision inspired me to come up with technology and innovations to make St. King's come out ahead of the other hospitals.

After discussing the expectations to the new employees, the host turned to me.

I knew I had to make a short speech but I don't usually prepare anything.

I didn't want it to sound rehearsed and stunted.

When she called me up the stage, I scanned the room.

My eyes settled on the person who was seated alone at the back row.

For a quick second, our eyes met.

The words I formed in my head, the things I wanted to say to the expectant faces in front of me, dissolved in my tongue and melted like ice cream in the scorching heat.

I quickly looked away to regain my composure.

***

Being quick on my feet was one of the things I liked about myself.

After that brief moment of my brain short circuiting, I welcomed the new nurses with the promise that their stay here would be worth their while and their careers.

I tried not to look at the back row but I could see the girl staring at me with amusement and a small smile on her lips.

There was something about that smile that unnerved me.

Not in a bad way but in a way that makes my heart flutter.

It felt strange.

***

I was on my way back to the office when I heard someone running behind me.

The footfalls were light and quick but I didn't miss it.

When I turned around, the girl was only a few feet away from me.

The ebullient energy flowed from her presence.

"Do you still remember me?" She smiled as soon as she was in front of me.

I did.

Our first encounter was unforgettable.

It had been a year since it happened but everytime I opened the drawer and see the silver box with the coins I took as payment, I couldn't help but smile.

She bloomed during the year I haven't seen her.

Alice was also taller the last time I saw her.

Perhaps it was the way she stood straighter without the weight of her problems.

"You're a nurse now, Alice?"

"Yes."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."
"You're working here now too?"

"Yes. Starting tomorrow," There was pride in her eyes.

"How's your mother?"

"She's better now. Thanks to you."
"What did I do?"

"You took my money and changed my life."
"Did I?" I was intrigued.

"Yes. You made me believe in people. Your kindness gave me the encouragement to persevere. I never forget what you did."

"I'm happy to hear that."

"But you held something important from me."
"Did I?"
"Yes. You never told me that you owned this hospital."

"I don't own this hospital. My parents do."

"But still. You told me your name but omitted the title."
"Is that important?"

"They gave you titles for a reason. That means it's important."

"If you say so."

"But when I think about it, I'm glad you didn't tell me."
"Why?"

"Because during that time, when I was at the lowest point in my life, I would probably feel lesser than I already did at that moment if I knew you were Lady Russamee."

"Do you still feel less important?"

"Some days. We're still not rich but my mother is healthy and happy."
"What about you? Are you healthy and happy?"

"I don't know. I've been killing myself, not with a letter opener, but from trying to finish school and working nights to support my studies," She chuckled.

It was funny how she could laugh at what she did before.

Back then, I was afraid she was going to harm herself.

"Now you can breathe a little. You chose the right place to work for."
"Do you think so?"
"I know so."

A big smile framed the beautiful face that had bloomed since the last time I saw her.

Now that she was no longer distraught and afraid, I saw the youthful glow in Alice's face.

I was right about the smile.

It made her face brighter.

The people who were in the same space especially the staff gave us questioning looks.

They must be wondering why Alice, who was casually dressed in a simple black slacks, a floral top and flat shoes was talking to me.

She noticed the looks and the radiance in her smile vanished and was replaced with discomfort.

"I've taken too much of your time, lady Russamee. I'm sorry."
The laughter that came out of my chest was instantaneous.

A doctor who passed by turned his head to look at me.

"Did I say something funny?"

"First of all, call me Russamee. Secondly, you're still saying sorry."

"Old habit. Hard to break," The smile was back on her face.

"There's nothing to be sorry for. I like talking to you."

"You do?"
"Yes."

"Good. I'm glad you don't think I'm a nuisance."

"Alice, you don't think too highly of yourself don't you?"

She shook her head.

"Why is that?"

Alice shrugged.

I didn't pushed.

"I'd better let you go."

"You should go too. See you tomorrow?"

"Maybe."

"Which ward are you assigned?"

"Pediatrics."

I frowned.

"Did you choose to work there?"
"No. But they're understaffed so they chose me."

How come I didn't know they were understaffed?

There was no mention of this the last time we had a meeting.

I made another mental note to give the head of pediatrics a call to confirm this.

"Okay. Good luck. Have fun."
"You too."
"I never have fun."
"Maybe it's time you did," Alice smiled again and the soft flutter was back in my chest.

"That will be the day."

She frowned at my response.

"What's your favorite food?"

"Huh?" The whiplash from the sudden change in conversation surprised me.

"Do you like anything in particular?"

"Porridge."

"Porridge? Like the porridge?"

"Yes. That porridge," I laughed.
"Why do you ask?"

"Nothing. I'd better go. I have some forms I need to submit to HR. See you around I guess."

"Yes. See you."

I turned to go and heard the retreating footsteps.

When I look back to check on Alice, she was gone.