Kano State, Nigeria.
2012.

Taking his time, Shaddad removed his gym outfit -black tank top and basketball short- before walking into his beautiful royal shower room to get another bath. He took one before he went down to the gym which was in the other wing from his wing because didn't bother asking for one in his wing. He doesn't see the use of having two gyms around one house even if it's a palace and very gigantic.

He took a long needed bathe before stepping out of his shower and straight to his walk in closet with water dripping down with each step, the maid will have it clean in no time. His dark grey towel is wrapped around his waist as he drew the door to his walk in closet open.

Deciding to go with casual today since it's Sunday, he removed a white button up shirt from it's hanger and black slacks to add up and dress shoes. Wearing on just that, he added a black tie not even turning to look at his suits, he removed a black waistcoat before leaving the walk in closet. That is his own view for casual wears which is nothing short of professional business man's dressing.

The room is now clean, the maid did her job, no sign of water. He wriggled a silver Rolex around his wrist, took the files he'll need in the hospital and left the room. He didn't bother going to the the main dining room for breakfast because they don't have breakfast all together during weekdays but dinner. Breakfast together is usually for weekends but he still doesn't like eating breakfast.

"Bring my breakfast here." He ordered his maids and sat down in his dining room where everything is shining with gold around the furniture.

"Right away, Your Highness." They bowed before scurrying away from there and he knew they'll be back in less than two minutes so he scrolled through his emails.

Part time, he check his father's farm business and then most of his time, he'll spends it in their hospital. The hospital he's working at is his father's and he's the Chief of Staffs there and also half the owner since he's the next King in the state.

He has to check someone from the paediatric section right before he step into his own Ward, because his side is clear today which is very rare. There are always patients waiting for him even though he has more colleagues from that field, he's the perfect one, not only because he owns the hospital or because he's the Chief and knows how to do his job best.

He finished his breakfast and left the house without anyone knowing. His stepmother will ask him to stop and give her a lift while his brothers will annoy the hell out of him before leaving so to avoid that, he needs to avoid the whole wing where they will be.

He hates noise and doesn't talk much. He hardly says much and never smile, no, not even frown. He's always calm even when he's mad you'll know because of how the rage will roll off of him in waves. His brothers are always afraid of that calmness because they said, a storm is coming.

Rolling his 2011 Ford Fussion, Shaddad already started seeing people's eyes on him before he even stepped out. He's used to that look, not only because there are three escorts car behind him all the time, no, because of him and his car. It is the latest car at the moment and that is why he likes using the back entrance.

He's not with escorts today since he asked them to stay back and he doesn't need them. He only take them when he's going to somewhere public or another state and sometimes when his father constrains him but manage to keep his profile low, well, as low as he can.

"Welcome, Your Highness." A security man greeted by the glass door near the entrance.

As usual, Shaddad only nodded his head and kept on walking inside. That is how much he hate noise and hates speaking and as soon as his present was known, everyone kept quite, even children stopped crying at the sight of him. Where did his calm charisma came from, he never knew.

Maybe he should've specialized himself in the paediatric field because he has his way with children all the time which his stepmother found ridiculous for someone who hates talking and likes yelling. Women, young and old all swoon while men try to get their wives' attention away from the intruder. That's just another repeat of everyday.

"Good morning, Sir! Your attention is needed in the Paediatric Ward." His nurse, Nawar caught up with him immediately after sighting him as if he didn't see that in his email. She's obsessed with him and never forgets to show the other nurses how close they are when they are anything apart from professional.

He nodded his head again and continue to walk to the Paediatric Ward where he knew his stepmother is already waiting for him since she's the Wardhead there. She's always around patients and it looks like for the first time, they are short of patients and everyone will rest. The hospital looks less busy today and that surprised him. The nurses are all resting and the doctors probably hanging in their offices.

"Shaddad, quickly check the girl." His step mother ordered with a pleading eyes even though the patient doesn't look like she's in pain.

"Yes, mom." He replied and that was his second sentence today, nothing new.

He did some scannings and x-ray for the girl before coming back to the mother to explain things for her. His stepmother is sitting together with the woman, probably trying to calm her nerves while Nawar kept following him like a tail. His mother smile when he came back with more confidence than moment ago and she knew that this problem is not there anymore.

"Your daughter has an abnormal opening between the left and right atria. The condition is called arterial septum defect." His stepmother explained to the woman, holding the papers Shaddad handed her just now as he stood beside the patient to check how she's doing.

"It is a congenial heart defect that enables blood flow between the left and right atria. It is separated by a septum called interaxial septum, and if the septum is defective, the oxygen rich blood can flow directly from the left side of the heart causing good blood to mix with oxygen poor blood. This leads to lower than normal oxygen levels. As oxygen supply, is vital to the brain and other organs and tissues. Surgical closure of the ASD is recommended.

"A catheter is used to close the ASD. The device would stay and the catheter would be removed and within six months, her tissue would grow over the device and Intimah would be perfectly healthy again." Shaddad explained whilst smiling at the girl whose name he found is Intimah. She's so cheerful and that makes him question how the hell did she get that problem.

"When will the surgery take place then?" The woman asked, hopefully looking from his stepmother to him and to starstruck Nawar who kept looking at Shaddad since this is the first time she's seeing his smile.

She was assigned to him since eleven months ago and she's never seen him frown talk less of smile. His face is always neutral and calm which makes her want to be in that position Intimah is in right now. She'd kill to be Intimah at the moment. Or maybe because she's never escorted him to paediatric ward that's why she's never seen his smile. The smile is only to goad them to think that life is very easy if rules are followed both the religious and nonreligious.

She thought the kids are annoying and dirty but damn is she wrong. The place is very neat and smells delicious with baby's smell. Now that she found this out, there is no way she will not keep coming with him to the children's ward to see his smile everyday. Maybe she should even add his work for him, for the paediatric field.

Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being laid for the child's future. Let's be wise builders and role models. Because Children are our future. Life is about people connecting with people, and making a positive difference. Take care of yourself, and those you love, today, and everyday!

"Anytime you're ready. Even now, I can do it for her." He smiled down at Intimah who kept beaming with each smile and swooning. She's just eleven but she is swooning at a guy.

"Please, let's do this now. I'll just give her father a call and we'll see from there." She stood up with her phone clutched in her hands before walking out of the room.

"Arrange for her surgery." He dismissed a still Nawar from behind him and wait for her to leave before talking to his stepmother who looks quite disturbed.

"What is it?" That was his curt question to his stepmom but she knew he cared and even knew when she's disturbed so she adjusted herself and stood up, asking him to follow her to her office.

"My daughter is coming back to me." She heaved a sigh, sitting down on the couch.

"You should be happy about it?" He made it sound like a question because he sure is confused. She hasn't been with her daughter for so many years and she's finally coming back to her but she's sad again, what on earth?

"You don't understand. I finally got in touch with her father and he said he's dying so she needs to come back to me. I don't know what people there fed her and I'm afraid she'll hate me." She complained again.

Shaddad wouldn't know what to do if she decides to become emotional right now. Him talking is different because he can't be a comforting bag to anyone. It's been long since he last talked to his stepmother like this, not only her, even his father and other brothers. They understand him and give him his space.

"We just have to wait and see right?" He hesitantly said, adjusting himself on the chair. It's so not him to talk in whole sentence if it's not work related and now that he's done it after a long time, he can't help but feel somehow.

"I guess so. I just wish they pay heed to the warnings sent to them and not feed her lies." She sighed and stood up. Rounding her table, she walked out of the office with him behind her and they straight went to the operation room where everything is set for the operation.

The operation room is not the normal one you would see in Nigeria. No item of them is from Nigeria and the machines they have around is nothing short of quality. They only order their machines from either India, Singapore, Thailand or Costa Rica because they always have the best things if it is regarding hospital and health. One thing everyone like about the hospital is that, everyone gets operated even before paying and then they'll wait for you to pay before discharging you which is okay for everyone.

"Mom, if you won't be able to stand, you can sit back there and instruct them." He benignly advised, seeing that she's stressed and looks tired.

All the nurses and doctors took their stance around the theater room and stay behind him as he started to work. No one gets in between Shaddad and his patients. The other nurses started to give him the instruments if he throws the question.

"Allis clamp?" He gave his gloved hands to the nurse standing beside him

"Obstetrical forceps?" That kept going on around the room.

He loves his job and likes saving people more than anything on earth and he can't begin to think of what will happen after he takes over the throne. He will most likely spend most of his days in the throne room waiting to give advice's and sign papers then continue to hear as people praise him which is all lie.

He finished the operation in no time and ask the nurses to change her room and let her sleep. He got dressed and went back to his office to check whether their is another surgery or someone he should check but found none so he brought out his laptop and bring back his business mode. He himself wonder how he could do so many things at the same time without forgetting a curette in any patients stomach.

"Why don't you rest even for a day?" His brother's voice interrupted him, he almost groaned in annoyance.

Instead of answering, he only nodded his head to annoy him so that could leave him alone and he did.

*****
Yoyoyoyo!
I'm here with Shaddad's part!!! Who's excited and who likes it? Tell me you're already liking our future king because I already marry him in my head, Back off🌚 Do vote, comment, tag and share.

RQ; Have you ever sat down and try to think what if your whole life is just a dream, what would you do? I'll erase all the negative things and people from the dream😹 You?

Aishatu.©