“I’m here to get your blood sample, are you ready?” I asked the patient on room 213. He just looked at me and didnt’ say a word. For the past year that I’ve been doing this job, I’ve learned that silence definitely means yes.
I wiped the area with an alchol swab and secretly looked across the room. There sat a girl, probably my age. She was absolutely, amazingly pretty. She looked like she just stepped out of a magazine. I think she’s six feet something, judging from the long legs. It’s a good thing she wasn’t looking at me. She would have thought I was a lesbian.
I figured she’s got every visitor’s fear: medical technicians. Blood sucking, stool sampling medtechs.
I was almost done taking his blood sample when the goddess, I mean, girl.. girl stood up, fixed her hair and walked to the side of the bed. I thought she was going to kiss the patient but all she did was get her bag from the drawer near the bed.
“I’m going”, she said. Not to me, that’s for sure. I felt really invisible in her eyes.
The patient didn’t look at her though. It looks to me they’re fighting or something. I mean, you know.
I heard the door closed behind her. I shrugged, “Wow, that’s fast.” I said under my breath.
“What did you say?” He asked. For a moment there, I thought he was talking to somebody else. But I was the only person in the room so I figured it was for me.
“Nothing, I said nothing.” I stuttered. I felt my cheeks blush. “Okay, I’m done with the samples, thanks for the cooperation. I’ll be back later with the results.” I said while I was preparing my things.
“Fine.” He said, still looking far from me.
It was a bit disrespectful to me, but I’ve had my fair share of patients like him. After all, to them, I was just after their blood. It kind of felt monstrous, but in a very very funny way.
The next day, he was alone. No model this time. His room was silent and even with the TV on, I could see that he’s not really watching. The volume was so low even if you stick your ear near the speaker, you would have a hard time hearing it.
I was preparing my things when suddenly, he spoke. I almost jumped in shock. I tried to control my laughter as he spoke.
“If I’m going to die tomorrow, can you please advise me at least six hours before I die?” he said.
This time, he was looking at me in a way that made me want to run for the door.
“Why six hours? Don’t you want me to tell you at least ten hours before you… you know, die?” I joked.
“Six hours, so I can have an hour to tell my parents that I love them, 1 hour to tell my friends about how I appreciate their being there for me, 1 hour to tell my exgirlfriend I’m sorry for putting her in a very difficult situation, 1 hour to prepare my last will, 1 hour to talk with a lawyer, and 1 hour to contemplate before I die.”
“Oh, it looks to me you’ve already planned your death, why so sure? I mean, you’re not even dying. I hate to spoil the fun but Sir, you are even healthier than I am.” I said – suddenly surprised by how I wasn’t able to control my words. He looked surprised. Did I just speak 50 words a second?
“Ouch, that hurts miss.” he smiled, “By the way, I’m Carl.” He said, almost extending his hands but his dextrose didn’t allow him to. I laughed at the effort. Poor guy.
“Ruby,” I said, as I inserted the needle on his vein. He cringed a little.
“Is that how you introduce yourself to a patient? Say your name and then pinch them with that tiny weapon you’re carrying?” He joked, and smiled – the sweetest smile I’ve ever seen in my entire life. And then I saw him – right there – his deep brown eyes which matched the color of his hair, his dimples, the way it boasts itself whenever he smiles. He looked like an angel. No wonder he’s got a supermodel for a guardian. I wonder who he really is.
I almost forgot what I was doing and it took me a second to snap back to reality.
“Are you going to take all of my blood out Ruby?” He asked.
“No, I took just fairly enough for the… uh.. many… you know, tests….” I stuttered – yet again, in front of this Greek God. I placed his blood sample in the container and got my pen from my pocket so I can write his name on it.
“Carl… right?” I asked, and then looked at my chart once more to confirm,
“Carl Vincent Montenegro.” He added.
“Got it,” I said as I carefully wrote down his name in the label. The name sounded so familiar to me, I wondered if he was an actor or model or someone of that sort. His name sounds as if I’ve known him from before.
I shrugged the thoughts off and for the last time, I sneaked another looked at his awesomely perfect face then headed out for the door.
I closed the door behind me and stayed there for a while. I needed some air. Inhale… Exhale… Wow. That was just embarassing. I can’t believe I almost drooled at him.
“Hey Ruby, got your eyes on Carl Montenegro huh?” Kat said. I didn’t notice her “popped” up beside me. It made me even more embarassed.
“Huh? I was just taking his samples.” I said in defense. Kat looked at me really strangely and whispered, “I know you bitch, you’ve been my bestfriend for six years. You can’t fool me.” Then smiled as she walked down the hallway to her patient’s room.
I was left there, mouth literally open as I composed myself to finally bring his samples to the laboratory. I can’t believe I just did that, and most of all, I can’t believe my bestfriend actually saw me like that. I wanted to stick the needles in my own veins and suck the blood out of me.
