is over. I don't have any surgery sched

allway, my path is inter

have worked in the hospital, even

ack. He has that air of cheerfulness about him, which is a

his team rather than

ways, Professor Pierce," Docto

to change her surname fully to his after marriage, henc

rname. Most of my colleagues are often baffled by this act of mine, wondering why

e luxury is secure and enviable. However, not all that glitte

my breath. "Did she reque

tens his mouth into a semblance of a smile and

eading towards

r Patel's strangled curse behind me,

gleaned some knowledge from him; he's highly skilled in bypass surgery. However, he's t

nature is. I can't befriend a man

oor when I reach

me

n, stepping inside. My mom is on a cal

from her desk, where she receives visitors. I r

yes connect. The sigh was louder than I

er conversation. She sets her phone down on her desk

ed marble flooring as she approaches me. She sit

as she assesses m

k. My throat is dry, so I swallo

back her comment. She rings fo

tical discussion, given that my mom is

legs and clasp my fingers over my thighs to hide my nervous reaction

ble and quickly exits the office. Mom doesn't appreciate the effort e

th peppermint fills the air, and

ce of tea. It's either she prefers this torturous w

not a human being; I'm a mere robot. I have no feelings or tho

. My stomach shifts under her intense scru

tressed?" Mom asks

"Pardon?" slips through my

wer, "No." I hold my breath, searching for a fresh

preciation on her lips. I cringe inwardly, schooli

it down. She produces a magazine from nowhere

reach out to pick it up, but I catch the headlines: "A

I watched the news. I've always been too busy with research boo

ningly when she gestures for

h every detail about t

ill trying to proce

nto that family soon," my mom s

e down at the old man on the magazine. He looks to be

ritation sweeping through me. "This old man?

ing married to his second son," she says with a finality to her tone. "He'

future to some faceless man for her ambitions, and ex

o exhaustion, but I'm not sett

m not getting married to anyone. That will

ms across her chest. Then, she begins to laugh – a dry

nd well. It means someone's going to cry. An