by Nana Prah
“Thanks.”
“Have a good night.”
“You, too.”
Neither of them moved, but then Ora remembered she had patients to attend to. So instead of slamming herself into his arms as if they’d all of a sudden become magnets, she rotated and walked away. At the hospital doors, she glanced over her shoulder. He stood in the same spot. Warmth radiated from her heart outward. She waved. He waved back and she went inside the building.
***
Instead of heading to the consulting room the next morning, Jason strode post haste to the Emergency Department to see Ora. They’d talked for two hours last night. The conversation had been cut short when she had to deal with an accident patient.
His willpower had been tested when he stopped himself from getting into his car to go see her in the hospital. What made her so special that he always wanted to be near her? When they weren’t together, he thought about her, and when they were together, he had this insane need to touch her, be closer to her.
He’d never dated someone who captivated him and left him with a burning desire to be with her on more than just a physical level. The thought of her made his heart race. You’re a goner, buddy. Don’t fight it; enjoy the ride.
An eerie quiet filled the ED. He spotted her with the other staff at the nurses’ station.
“Good morning, ladies.”
“Good morning.”
The chorus of female voices met his ears, but he’d become attuned to one and when their gazes met, his heart kicked.
“How are you?” He stated his question to the group, but intended it for Ora. He forced himself to look at the nurses standing before him.
“We are fine,” they singsong-ed in unison.
“That’s good.”
“Are you here for ward rounds?” one of them asked.
“Not this morning.”
He thought her heard her say, “Damn.”
“I came to see Ora.”
All eyes shifted to her.
“We just finished handing over and I’m ready to head home. The night had been long and exhausting.”
Her beauty and freshness after working two shifts amazed him. An image of her lying in his bed after making love all night snuck into his mind, but he squelched it. “Can I walk you out?”
“Sure. I’ll get my things.”
Hypnotized by the gentle sway of her hips, he observed her until she turned into the nurses’ room. He chatted with her co-workers while he waited.
“I’m ready to go. Have a great day, everyone,” Ora said.
“You, too, Ora. Sleep for me,” Clara said.
She laughed. “I will.”
They walked out together.
“How’d the night go?”
“It got a little busy at about two in the morning, but then settled down again at five. How about you? Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, thank you. I hoped you’d call back.”
Ora winced when the bright sunshine hit them as they stepped outside. “I feel like a vampire. I didn’t want to disturb your sleep. No use in both of us being up all night.”
“I wouldn’t have minded.”
“Oh.”
He pushed a stray strand of her straight, silky hair back behind her ear and held himself back from cupping her face in his hands and kissing her. Instead, he continued walking until they’d crossed the street. “Do you know how to drive?”
“Yes. I got my license about five years ago.”
“Would you like to take my car home?”
Her head jerked back in surprise. He’d shocked both of them with the offer. He didn’t love his Passat, but he’d never been reckless about who he loaned it out to, either. He needed her to be comfortable.
“If exhaustion hadn’t claimed me, I’d take you up on that offer, but as it stands, I think I might fall asleep sitting in traffic and then your beautiful car would be ruined.”
“I don’t think that’s the way it would go, but better safe than sorry. I’ll send you home in a taxi then instead of a trotro, since I missed out on giving you a ride home last night.”
“Thanks. I’d like that.”
He stopped a taxi, negotiated the price, and gave her the money to pay when she’d been seated in the vehicle. “I’ll stop over this evening after work?”
She yawned. “Okay.”
“I’ll see you later, then. Sleep well.”
“Oh, I will. See you tonight.”
He watched the taxi take off and smiled in anticipation of being with her again.
***
Ora woke up from her daytime sleep feeling groggy and disoriented. She loved her job, but didn’t miss working the night shift. She preferred to sleep during the night hours.
She forced her eyes open, blinked at the glare of the sun streaming through her window, and reached toward the nightstand for her phone. No missed calls, but the time read two p.m. The shift had been busy and talking to Jason for most of the time had ensured she didn’t get any sleep while on duty.
A smile sprung to her lips. He’d offered her his car. She rolled onto her back and kicked her feet into the air. He’d been protective of his vehicle when they’d been in Cape Town.
“What does it mean?” she asked out loud and then chastised herself. A friend offered another friend their car. He might not be as attached to his car as he used to be. Perhaps he’d grown up a little and learned that possessions can be replaced. She snorted. He wanted to get on her good side. She sludged through the apartment for the rest of the day, watching television and eating. He called at around six.
“Let me guess. You’ve been called to do an emergency surgery and won’t be able to make it,” she said.
He chuckled. “Bite your tongue, lady. Don’t wish that on me. I’m calling to see if you wanted me to bring any food.”
“That would be great. What kind of food?”
“It’s a surprise. And before you tell me you hate surprises, I promise it’ll be a great one.”
“The last time you pulled such a stunt, your unannounced presence in the ED almost sent me sprawling on the floor.”
“I promise this time there will be no shock involved. But it won’t be as good of a surprise as that one.”
“You’re a little cocky, aren’t you?”
“It’s a course they teach us in medical school.”
“I never heard of Cockiness 101, but I did hear of Doctor Arrogance 224.”
“I passed both with an A.”
Ora chuckled.
“I’ll be over in about an hour. Should I bring food for Esi, too?”
Ora’s breath caught in her throat. The man amazed her; he didn’t just think about her, but her cousin, too. How sweet. “That would be great. Neither of us cooked today. Laziness is a horrible disease. We were going to keep it light with bread and Milo. But what you’re offering sounds better, whatever it is.”
“I’m sure you’ll be pleased. It’s much better than having a hot chocolate drink for dinner. I’ll be there soon.”
“Okay.”
“Bye.”
Ora couldn’t make herself hang up the phone. She wanted to continue talking to him, but he had to go so he could find his way to her house. She should stop being such a love-struck female and hang up. “See you soon.”
“Okay.” But he didn’t hang up.
Ora took the bull by horns and pressed the end button. She left the phone on her bed so she wouldn’t call him back and went out into the hall to inform Esi he’d be coming over to feed them.
“You know how much I love Milo and bread as a meal, but substantial food sounds great.”
“He’ll be here in about an hour.”
Esi’s gaze travelled the length of her. “Is that what you’re wearing?”
She held up her arms and glanced down at her jeans and t-shirt. Her clothes were fine, but her cousin liked to dress to impress. “I’m sorry. Let me go change into the dress we wore as bridesmaids in Donna’s wedding last ye
ar. Would that be better?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not changing. We’re just hanging out.”
Esi persisted. “How about a little makeup, then?”
“You are too much. I’ll put on some lipstick. Would that make you happy?”
“A little, but I’d prefer if you put on eye makeup, mascara, and foundation, too. You might look a little dowdy next to me and the next thing we know, Jason is my man and not yours.”
Ora laughed. “If you want him, please have him. He’s not my man.” The offer proved useless, though. The two of them had opposite tastes in men and had never once in their lives fallen for the same guy. Although they both liked their men handsome and intelligent, that’s where the similarities ended. Esi liked them on the bad side with an edge of darkness, while Ora preferred the wholesome type.
“Not your man, my foot. You’ve been in love with him for the past three years.”
Ora got up from the couch to get her favourite wine-coloured lipstick from her room. “That doesn’t mean he’s my man. We’re just friends.”
A rude snort came from Esi’s nose, but Ora ignored it. All of a sudden, apprehension filled her about seeing Jason. She didn’t know what he wanted from her. Were they friends or on their way to more? The kisses they shared, screamed out they were more than friends.
Live for the moment and stop worrying about every detail. Everything will work out as it should. Let your insecurities die with the day.
The image of his pained expression three years earlier flashed before her eyes.
From this moment forward, she’d take huge, sidewalk-eating strides toward her future instead of lamenting over her past.
Chapter Seven
Jason held his arms out wide. “I had no idea what you two liked so I bought a little bit of everything.”
Ora jumped to relieve him of some of his load. “Looks like you bought the place out. That’s a lot of food.”
His heart rate elevated when he saw her smile. He’d missed her throughout the day. Not a single hour had gone by without her flashing into his mind.
Not sure where he stood with her, he erred on the side of conservative when it came to affection. If they’d been a couple, he’d drop the bags of food, haul her into his arms, and kiss her soft, alluring mouth until they became one. But since he didn’t know if she’d return his embrace or smack him, he opted to give her a platonic peck on the cheek and follow her to the dining room.
She tilted her head after putting the food on the table. “How did you know we even liked Chinese food?”
Jason laid his hand over his heart and stumbled backward. “You shock me. Who doesn’t like it? The menu is expansive so there’s something for everyone.”
“Yes, oh wise one.”
“Where’s Esi?”
She rolled her eyes skyward. “She’s getting ready.”
“Is she going out?”
“No. One thing you have to understand about her is that she’s fashion sensitive.”
“Fashion sensitive?”
Ora nodded as she opened the cartons of food. “She likes to be dressed to impress when she’s around people.”
“She knows I came here to see you, right?”
She paused in opening a carton of shrimp lo mein. The onslaught of her gaze made his stomach take a dive. They gravitated around the table toward each other. His hand froze in midair toward her cheek when Esi sashayed in from one of the side rooms.
“Good evening,” Esi said.
Jason rubbed his eyes before responding. “Good evening.” The woman was stunning, if not a little over-dressed in a dark brown satin outfit. Something that could be found at a wedding. Ora’s shoulders shook from her contained laughter, but she couldn’t hide the mirth from her eyes.
The physical differences between the two were stark. Although both women were beautiful, Esi’s petite frame and curves were the opposite of Ora’s tall and just curvy enough in all the right places body. Where Esi’s face had been made up, from what he could tell, Ora’s skin glowed with no cosmetics except for a dash of lipstick. Ora’s grace and beauty kept drawing his attention.
“I take it you’ve met Jason before, since you gave him directions to our house.” Ora’s voice sounded accusatory. “He brought Chinese food as his surprise.”
“I haven’t had Chinese in a long time. That’s a lot food.” Esi walked over the table and took a deep breath with her eyes closed. “It smells delicious. Let’s eat.”
They served themselves.
“One thing I like about Chinese food is all the vegetables,” Ora said as she poked a fork into a spear of broccoli.
Esi nodded. “I like the whole sweet and sour concept they have going on. The dichotomy of life.”
Jason’s eyebrows shot up. He’d never expected such a comment from her and hadn’t been quick enough in hiding his reaction.
Esi laughed. “Don’t look so surprised, Lartey. Bet you didn’t think such a gorgeous woman as myself had a philosophical thought in her head, huh?”
“Sorry, but that side of you caught me unaware.”
Esi pointed her fork at him. “Let that be the first and last. Ora and I are philosophers of life and scientists at heart. We just happen to be beautiful, too.”
He put his hands up in the air with the palms facing out. “You won’t get an argument from me.” He winked at Ora. She smiled, but looked at her plate. Her shy behaviour was out of character and he didn’t like it.
“How did your day go, ladies?”
The conversation throughout dinner moved from topic to topic. Esi did most of the talking. Although he enjoyed the event, he kept wishing he and Ora were alone.
Esi sat back and sighed after taking her last bite of food. “I’m stuffed. Thanks, Lartey. Any time you want to surprise Ora with food, make sure I’m around to reap the benefits.”
Jason and Ora laughed. “You can call me Jason, and you’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m stuffed, too.”
“Add me to the list,” Ora said.
Ora tried to send him into the living room to relax, but he wouldn’t hear of it and helped the ladies clear the table.
With everything put away, he pointed toward the door. “Would you like to go for a walk, Ora?”
She glanced from the door and back to him but said nothing. Esi piped in. “I had a workout this morning so I’m good to go. Ora, head out with Lartey, um, Jason.” She pushed Ora toward the door and he smiled, knowing he had an ally in Esi.
The brilliant midnight blue sky sparkled with millions of stars. “God is wonderful to create beautiful things such as the stars,” she said with awe.
“Amen to that,” he replied, but her skin tingled with the awareness of him staring at her while he spoke. They walked down the road lost in their own thoughts for a short while.
“You were quiet at dinner.” His soft voice befitted the warm night air.
“I’m always a bit reserved when I’m with Esi and it’s more than just the two of us.”
“Why?”
“My cousin is a bit of a drama queen. She likes attention. I love her so I let her get as much as she needs.”
“It doesn’t bother you to be in the background like that?”
“Not at all, because it makes her happy. Don’t get me wrong. When we were younger, it drove me crazy, but I’ve learned to accommodate her. She makes it up to me in other ways.”
“How?”
She turned and pointed an index finger. “You see, Doctor, that’s cousin-to-cousin confidentiality. If I told you, I’d have to maim you.”
He laughed. “Sounds painful.”
“It would be.”
“Okay, then by all means maintain your confidentiality.”
“I would never break it.”
When they turned the corner, he took her hand. She hesitated for just a second before clasping his warm, large palm in return. The tingles of his initial contact decreased until the strength of his hand remained.<
br />
“How’s everything with the cholera patients?” she asked to get her mind off of how much she enjoyed being with him.
“It’s unfortunate two of the patients died, but the rest are on the mend.”
“That’s too bad. Have they been able to determine where the source of the bacteria came from?”
“Ironically, from the satchet water seller in front of the hospital.”
She removed her hand from his and placed both over her mouth to cover her gasp. “No. That’s horrible.”
“We were all surprised. I’m sure a heavy health education campaign will soon be forthcoming.”
“There’s no doubt about it.”
She frowned when he didn’t take her hand again as they walked. She hoped he didn’t think she removed it on purpose.
They reached an area of the street where there were no houses or street lamps. She stopped walking and tilted her head up to the sky. “With no lights, the sky is so much darker and the stars brighter. Do you know any of the constellations?”
She jumped when he slid his arms around her waist, but then she leaned her head back against his shoulder. Her eyes closed for a moment as she enjoyed his embrace.
Her heart tightened when he spoke into her ear.
“I know a few of them, but I can’t always see them.” He pointed to the sky toward the right. “That’s the big dipper. Do you see it?”
“I know that one.”
He moved his finger a little to the left. “That’s the little dipper.”
Ora smiled. “I know that one, too.”
He placed his arm back around her waist as he perused the sky. He turned her toward the left and pointed. “Ah, that’s Orion’s belt.”
Ora squinted in the direction of his finger but couldn’t see it. “Where?”
He bent his knees so they were at the same eye level and put his face closer to hers so they were cheek to cheek. She straightened her now jelly-like legs so they wouldn’t buckle.