Purple Romance

18 MONTHS LATER.

City B First Hospital.

''Dr. Payin, the operation room is ready'' a nurse opened the office and said to the woman who had her back turned to her. the nurse heard subtle noises like sobs and got worried, so she went further inside, ''Dr. Payin, are you alright?''

Paige turned to face the nurse with tears in her eyes and a comic book, she was laughing so hard that tears came out of her eyes.

''Ahahahaha'' Paige closed the comic book and adjusted her lenses before putting on a poised smile, ''I will be there shortly'' she said to the nurse who was a little confused.

''Yes? Then, I will leave you to it'' the nurse said and turned to leave.

Paige turned to look at herself in the mirror and smiled, ''beautiful… I am just so beautiful'' she said and stood up.

18 months, a lot had happened in the last 18 months of her life. She had graduated and went on to special in heart surgeries. Even though she was still a year left to complete, she was already a sort after medical doctor in the City.

Paige changed into her scrub and went towards the surgery room, on her way she met Carlien and Lucas coming out of Lucas' office. Lucas was now the main director in the hospital and has scouted Paige as soon as she completed.

''Paige''

''It's too blinding; I didn't see the two of you'' she said to Carlien who called her name. the latter laughed watching her go away.

''I can't believe it's already been over a year since we completed school'' Carlien and Lucas were in their doctor's coat. Everyone in the hospital knew about them. They were the power couple that a lot of people envied and also were proud of.

''Have you picked the venue for the wedding yet?'' Lucas asked Carlien as he brushed her messy hair with his hands.

''En, I will be going to check it out later with Mira and Paige. It still feels like a dream. We are getting married, Mira and Joel are also getting married. Do you think Jordan will come this time around?''

''I don't know. He has been busy with Faze Pharmaceuticals lately. They are launching a new drug that is undergoing testing and Jessi is preparing for her debut. I only know Jessi will be singing at our wedding but I don't know whether Jordan will be there or not. He is the best man for both Joel and I that day''

''Jordan, well he made it so the separation was worth it, but I can't help but worry about Paige. She has even overtaken me and has immersed herself into reading manga, comics and watching Korean series''

''Allow her to immerse herself into them. That is her only escape'' Lucas kissed Carlien's forehead and walked with her towards the café.

Surgery room.

''Scalpel'' Paige stretched her hand and the first year resident by her side gave it to her.

''Blade''

''Adson forceps''

Paige was focused on the surgery. Her hands were precise as she did her best to save the life that was in her hands at the moment.

Seven hours later, Paige walked out of the surgery room with the other two doctors. She met the family of the patient who were waiting patiently. She walked to them, ''the surgery was a success. Your son will be moved into the ICU for recuperation. You can go and see him after that''

''Doctor, thank you so much''

''En, have a nice day'' Paige went away to wash her hands and change out of her scrub.

She yawned as she went into her office. She saw Carlien and Mirabel inside her office. They were unpacking a lunchbox that Mirabel brought.

''You are here?'' she sat across them.

''En, I brought you ladies some food. Taste them, I want them to provide food service for the wedding'' Mirabel said.

''Hmm, smells good already'' Paige picked her chopsticks.

''Eat a lot, you must be hungry'' Carlien said as she placed a drumstick on Paige's bowl.

''Thank you, thank you'' Paige started eating heartily. ''We are going to check the venues out later, right?''

''It's already late and you must be tired. Let's do it tomorrow'' Carlien spoke.

''Right, tomorrow is my off days. That will be great'' Paige agreed. ''So, you two are already getting married? Way to go. I'm happy for you two''

''Paige…''

Paige looked at Mirabel, ''if you are not going to give Joel to me then don't talk about another person''

''Joel is mine'' Mirabel frowned.

''I was joking. Joel is all yours and you are my sister in law now''

They kept chatting as they ate the food. Afterwards, Carlien and Mirabel left.

Paige stood up from her desk and looked around the office. She smiled and removed her coat. She hanged it away and picked her small bag and left the office.

Her office was in the last seventh floor, so she had to take the elevator. She went inside the elevator and saw a man inside. She didn't pay much attention to him and pressed the last floor number before stepping back.

Soon, she reached the ground floor and walked out of the elevator and the man followed her as she walked towards the OPD.

Paige looked at the giant TV in the OPD and stopped in her strides. Jordan was on TV and was been interviewed. Paige went closer to the TV and watched the interview while the man also watched her from a distance with a smile on his face.

''Mr. Attoh, you joined hands with Denarius Pharmaceuticals and opened a branch of your own in just 18 months. What was your greatest motivation?'' The interviewer asked.

''My greatest motivation was all because of her''

''Her? Who is this mystery woman?''

''I wanted to become someone she could be proud of. A person she could rely on and a person she felt the safest with, but I doubt if she still has me in her heart. But, if she is watching, I want her to know that there was never a moment I haven't thought about her. the way she smiles, the way she speaks. Everything about her is engraved in me''

''What is her name?''

''She knows herself. I don't need to mention her name. I doubt if she would even see this interview? She hated watching TV the most''

''That's a little sad. But, I hope that you will be able to meet with her soon''

Paige bit her lips and shook her head. she walked out of the hospital.

''How could you not even inform me that you were coming?'' a voice spoke behind the man and he turned. Lucas walked to Jordan and saw Paige leaving the hospital.

''How have you been?'' Jordan removed his shades and smiled at his friend.

''I missed you'' Lucas hugged him and he frowned.

''Since when did you turn gay? Does Carly know you have feelings for me?''

''Tsk, in your dreams. When did you arrive?''

''Just now. I was with Paige in the elevator but she didn't see me? She treated me as air''

''Paige hardly looks at people in the face anymore. Let's go''

''No, I will meet you later. I am going to see Paige off'' Jordan said and ran out to catch up with Paige.

Lucas chuckled happily, ''finally Jordan. Finally, you came back''

….

Paige kept her gaze on the comic book as she walked the sidewalk towards her apartment. A lot had happened in the last 18 months. Her father had gone back to her mother's hometown and she was now alone. She had also moved out of their apartment to rent a place that was closer to the hospital. It saved her money.

On the right side across the street, Jordan took unhurried steps as he walked the same pace with Paige, watching her as she read. She looked happy and was laughing.

Paige arrived at her studio and closed the book. She took out her keys and opened the door and went inside.

Jordan smiled when he saw her figure behind the curtains when she turned on the lights. He waited until the light was turned off before he turned and walked away.

Paige sat on her bed in the dark and started crying, ''I miss him so much. Damn him, he just had to say those words on TV and make me see it''

Paige laid on the bed and took out her old phone from the drawer. She unlocked it and started looking at the pictures of herself and Jordan. The video recordings they took together. she pulled out a necklace from her neck and looked at it. this was the last gift that Jordan gave to her on the night they made love.

Looking at the necklace, a tear fell from her face as she bit her lips. She sighed and threw the phone away, ''Jordan, I'm giving you one last chance. If you don't come for the wedding, I am going to really forget of you''