Suddenly, the door opens. Helene enters the room. "Elina, there you are," she sounds less than pleased.
Did I do something wrong? "Hey, what's up?" I try to sound as casual as possible and smile at her.
My boss approaches the desk without taking a seat. "We need to talk."
So my earlier question is answered. I definitely did something wrong. I nod cautiously.
"As doctors, we have obligations," she begins, then turns away and slowly walks toward the window. "The patients come first. Always."
"Of course," I confirm although I feel like she doesn't really expect a reaction from me.
Thoughtfully, Helene gazes out at the light gray clouds that cover the sky today. "We can only treat them well if we are unbiased."
Suddenly, I can't find a comfortable sitting position anymore, and I start fidgeting in my chair.
Taking a deep breath with her back turned to me, she continues, "Even though we are in the countryside, the same rules apply as in the city." A hunch creeps upin me. She knows it. She, like the rest of the village, heard that Noah and I kissed as if we never wanted to let go of each other.
"A doctor should never get involved with a patient," she continues in a firm voice. "I never thought I would have to explain that to you. Since you started here, you have been an exemplary student. The best trainee I've ever had."
Normally, this compliment would mean everything to me. But the fact that Helene is using the past tense doesn't bode well. "My work is still the same. I can separate things," I counter because that is the truth. I would never forget what it means to be a doctor just because I am with Noah. "You must have treated family members too," I say. She must have, as this practice is the only one around for miles.
Suddenly, she whirls around. "Do yourself a favor and stay away from him." Her voice carries a coldness that now fills the entire room.
What does she mean? Will she fire me if I continue to be with him? I dare not ask her about it.
"But—"
She raises her hand, silencing me immediately. "I like you, Elina. Very much."
If that's true, then why doesn't she want me to be happy with Noah? I look at her with doubt.
"Believe me, I don't mean any harm to you. On the contrary, I'm trying to save you from making a big mistake," she says, nervously fiddling with her earrings.
Why would Noah be a mistake?
Wait a minute. This isn't about me being the doctor and Noah being the patient. This is solely about Noahbeing Noah. "Why do you think he will hurt me?" I ask cautiously.
For a moment, she stares at me. "Stay away from him. He's dangerous," she says with tension, and then rushes toward the door so quickly that I don't have a chance to say anything in response.
The door slams shut with a loud noise. I watch in astonishment as the nature pictures on the wall next to it tremble. My mind is spinning.
What the hell just happened? And how does she come up with the idea that Noah is dangerous? It must be a misjudgment. Because if he were, I would have noticed.
Regretfully, I turn back to the results of the sleep study. "What nonsense," I mutter, shaking my head. At the same time, I'm annoyed that I didn't have the courage to stand up to her directly just now. Even if it meant risking my standing in her eyes, I should have stood up for myself and my feelings. Shouldn't I have?
