Chapter Four: Before We Knew Names

5th December 2023

It was still the early days of our posting, and I was moving from one patient to another, learning what I could. One afternoon, I happened to be in the same unit where he was again—Benj.

But fate, it seems, wasn’t done yet.

As I moved to another section, I saw him again—working quietly, drawing blood from a patient. Something inside me pulled me back. I walked toward him, this time with a little more courage.

Lara:

> “Can I try withdrawing the blood?”

He looked at me—curious, calm, surprised even.

Benj:

> “Sure. If you want to, go ahead.”

I took the syringe, hands slightly trembling, heart racing. I tried to act confident, but in my nervousness, I moved too quickly.

Benj: (softly but firmly)

> “Hey, slow down. Why are you rushing?”

He gently placed his hand over mine, steadying the syringe, guiding me.

And just like that—together—we did it. The needle went in smoothly, and the blood flowed.

It wasn’t just a medical moment. It was something else. Something quiet and real.

When it was done, I couldn’t stop smiling. I had just withdrawn blood for the first time—and I had learned it with his help.

Benj:

> “Good. That’s how you do it. You’ll get better each time.”

Right then, one of his fellow doctor, Dr. Olive, called him over.

Dr. Olive:

> “Benj! Come here for a moment.”

Without hesitation, he packed up his kit and left to assist him

And I just stood there for a second, still holding the vial, feeling proud—warm. I had done something new today. Something small, but it mattered. I felt it.

Later that day, I couldn’t stop talking about it to my new friends.

> “That doctor helped me learn how to draw blood today,” I told them, my eyes lighting up. “I don’t even know his name… but I learned something because of him. I really did.”

They laughed, smiled, listened.

And inside my heart, I kept replaying the moment—his steady hand, his calm voice, the way he didn’t hesitate to help a stranger.

We still didn’t know each other’s names. But something had already begun.

✨️STEPPING INTO HER OWN

The next morning, Lara was once again assigned to the same unit—where Benj was also posted. But neither of them was paying much attention to the other.

Benj was focused, as always—moving from patient to patient, completing his tasks with silent precision. He barely looked at anyone unless it was necessary. There was nothing flirtatious or distracted about him. His world revolved around responsibilities, rounds, and results.

To him, Lara was just another nursing student—present, learning, doing her part. Nothing more.

And to Lara, though that quiet thought about him still lived in a small corner of her mind, it wasn’t her focus. Not anymore. Her world had shifted too. She was learning fast—moving with confidence, asking questions, staying alert.

That day, she worked alongside her fellow students and stayed near one of the busy junior doctors who was managing a heavy patient load. The doctor noticed her attentiveness and eagerness.

Doctor:

> “You—can you check this patient’s vitals?”

Lara nodded and stepped forward without hesitation. She took the patient’s pulse, measured the blood pressure, noted the temperature and respiratory rate—working quietly but with care. She handed the chart back.

The doctor gave a short nod.

Doctor:

> “You did that well. You know how to handle vitals properly. Good. I can assign you more tasks now.”

That small moment made her feel empowered. It wasn’t praise she needed—but trust. And that trust motivated her more than anything.

Throughout the day, she assisted with medication preparation, practiced reading reports, and learned hands-on skills from different doctors and staff. Everyone was busy, but she stood out—not by speaking loud, but by being present, willing, and capable.

Even though she occasionally caught glimpses of Benj working—serious, absorbed, unaffected—she didn’t expect anything from him. He was simply part of the environment now. She didn’t chase his attention. Instead, she chased growth. Experience. Confidence.

And by the end of the day, she had gathered all three.

Later, chatting with a few newly made friends, she shared her joy.

> “I learned so much today. Even the doctor let me handle things alone.”

She didn’t mention Benj. Not this time.

Because this day wasn’t about him.

This day was about her becoming herself.

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