” I don’t know, It must be a mistake.” He finally blurted out.
“Chioma, please,” he continued, his voice pleading, “it’s not what you think.”
His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken truths. I felt a mix of anger, betrayal, and heartache bubbling inside me.
“Then what is it, David?” I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended. “Why is her number saved like that? What are you hiding?”
David’s eyes flickered with guilt, his jaw clenching. “I’ll explain, Chioma, I promise. Just not now. Let me drop you off, and we can talk later this evening,” he begged.
I wanted to insist on talking there and then, but we were approaching the hospital gates and I could see the ambulance parked in front of the emergency with a patient being lifted out of the ambulance on a stretcher. I was on duty at the emergency department and I knew they would soon notice my absence if They hadn’t already, so I said goodbye and rushed out of the car to get to work and change into my scrubs.
I dashed into the emergency department, my heart still heavy with the unresolved issue between David and I. However, the urgency of the situation quickly pushed my personal worries to the back of my mind as I joined my medical team.
The emergency room was a whirlwind of controlled chaos. Nurses bustled around, setting up IVs, checking monitors, and preparing the necessary equipment. The air was thick with tension as we awaited the arrival of the patient.
Just in the nick of time, I slipped into my scrubs, tying the strings tightly around my waist, trying to focus on the task at hand. The Consultant on my team, Dr. Akin, shot me a stern look as I approached. Without a word, I nodded in acknowledgment, silently promising to explain my tardiness later.
Moments later, the paramedics wheeled in the unconscious patient, his face bruised and bloodied. Dr. Akin took charge, barking orders and orchestrating the team. The atmosphere in the room grew tense as we worked swiftly and efficiently to stabilise the patient.
After a series of examinations, it was discovered that the patient had experienced some significant blood loss and also had a collapsed lung, what is medically known as pneumothorax. Pneumothorax happens when air leaks into the space between the lung and chest wall pushing the lung from the outside and causing it to collapse. The collapse can be a complete lung collapse or a collapse of only a portion of the lung. It usually affects only one lung per time.
Pneumothorax can be caused by blunt or penetrating chest injury which could happen as a result of accidents involving the chest, stab or gunshot wounds involving the chest. It can also happen as a result of certain medical procedures, or damage that happens as a result of an underlying lung disease like Asthma, tuberculosis or lung cancer. Sometimes, it may also occur for no obvious reason. People experiencing Pneumothorax may experience symptoms like sudden chest pain, fast breathing, shortness of breath or coughing. Anyone experiencing pneumothorax needs urgent medical care and should be taken to the hospital immediately for medical treatment.
The patient’s condition remained critical, and our efforts were relentless. As the night wore on, we became tired but were determined to save this patient’s life.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the patient began to stabilise. His vital signs became normal. A collective sigh of relief swept through the room, mingled with exhaustion and a sense of accomplishment.
READ ALSO : Dangerous Disguise – Episode 20
With the emergency situation under control, I stepped out of the bustling room for a moment, taking a deep breath to clear my mind. The events of the day had left me emotionally drained, and the mystery of “Ice cream and cake” on David’s phone continued to haunt me.
I had been avoiding Ugochi the whole day and it was obvious. She noticed I had been avoiding her and attempted to engage me in conversation later that day. I spotted her at the nurses station and hurriedly passed by, my eyes focused on the papers in my hands. She approached, her voice soft but filled with concern “Chioma, can we talk?”
I shook my head, my gaze refusing to meet hers. “Not now, Ugochi. I’m busy.”
I didn’t wait for her response as I retreated quickly to the safety of a busy treatment room.
It wasn’t like me to be so cold, but the turmoil within me left little room for patience or understanding. I was still battling with the thoughts haunting me about the possibility of her and David having an affair behind my back.
My thoughts kept drifting back to David and the unanswered questions between us. How could I focus on our relationship when my trust in him felt so shaken? I knew that our conversation, whenever it happened, would be difficult, but it was a conversation that needed to happen, sooner rather than later.
This episode seems shorter so, i would share Episode 22 in the Evening…
Find out what happens This evening in episode 22 #checkwithdoctoro
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