Chapter 23: LOVE COMPETITION

"Good Afternoon, Doctor ! You're urgently needed in the intensive care unit of the hospital to check on excessive bleeding in your patient. It is an emergency," Hazel hurriedly but calmly informed Dmitri on call. "How long will you take to reach ?" She asked.
"I'm in the Director's room for a meeting, Doctor. I should be there in another 10 minutes," Dmitri responded and quickly rushed out of the room while the Director opened the door for him to take flight.
Dmitri nodded his thanks and raced down the hall.
"What is the matter, Doctor ?" Dmitri asked while quickly scanning the reports thrusted in his hand by a nurse.
"Your patient, Mrs. Laura Emerson who underwent abdominal hysterectomy, started bleeding excessively within an hour after the surgery," Hazel reported .
"I can see the surgery went well from the reports. I need her platelet count report," Dmitri said as he shuffled through the papers.
"Her platelet count was 53 × 109/L, and the preoperative platelet count that wasn't evaluated was 86 × 109/L," Hazel quickly informed.
"Then I suspect it to be a case of May-Hegglin Syndrome from the evaluation of these reports," the genius doc diagnosed on the spot before he gave the staff around him clear-cut instructions.
"On it, Doctor !" The staff chorused before rushing out.
"We need to talk to someone from the family as we require information on the patient's family medical history," Dmitri told Hazel.
"Dmitri, in the meantime, do you think we should run some more tests ?" Hazel asked.
"I think we should wait before the patient undergoes further testing as recognition of the familial history and the peripheral blood smear will eliminate the need for further laboratory testing or a bone marrow examination," Dmitri replied and Hazel nodded in agreement.
Soon enough, two men approached them with hurried steps. Father-son from what Hazel could tell.
"Doctors !" Mr. Emerson curtly greeted as he shook hands with the both of them and his younger and more handsome version followed suit.
"Good Afternoon, gentlemen ! We needed some information about your wife, Mr. Emerson. That is why we called you here," Dmitri professionally informed.
"I see, Doctor. I will try my best," Mr. Emerson replied.
We wanted to know if you know of someone in Mrs. Emerson's family, suffering from Thrombocytopenia as she's profusely bleeding," Dr Dmitri inquired.
"What is Thrombocytopenia, Doctor ?" Leonardo Emerson, the patient's son, asked inquisitively.
"It is a condition in which the blood platelet count is low. Platelets help in blood clotting and stop bleeding by clumping and forming plugs in blood vessel injuries," Dmitri explained.
"Laura's brother had a low platelet count years prior, diagnosed as "immune thrombocytopenic" and treated by splenectomy is all that I remember," Melvin Emerson, the business tycoon of the Emerson Group disclosed while recollecting the facts.
"Mrs. Emerson's peripheral smear showed large platelets and Döhle bodies within many of the polymorphonuclear leukocytes. We believe, or rather diagnosed that she has May-Hegglin anomaly," Dmitri reported his findings.
"Doctor, how did my mom acquire this disease ?" Leonardo Emerson asked.
"May-Hegglin Anomaly is a genetic disorder that occurs when only a single copy of an abnormal gene is inherited from either parent," Dmitri explained.
"My son, Leonardo is healthy and doesn't have any symptoms or incident for this disorder. Do you think that there is a risk of still passing the thrombocytopenia to our next generations ? Melvin Emerson questioned with concern.
"Yes, Mr. Emerson. It is a very rare disease but the risk and possibility of passing it down to the next generation still remains," Dmitri did not mince with his words.
"Hope you'll be able to control the bleeding in my mom's case. I hope it is nothing serious ?" asked a frightened Leonardo.
"Mr. Emerson, please calm down. Some people with this disorder may have no symptoms while others may have various bleeding abnormalities. In mild cases, treatment for May-Hegglin Anomaly isn't even necessary," Dmitri pacified to make Leonardo feel better and less alarmed.
"What happened to my mom then ?" the dutiful son questioned.
"Clinically, thrombocytopenia in May-Hegglin doesn't often cause bleeding except with surgery or trauma as in Mrs Emerson's case," Dr Dmitri informed.
"What is the way forward, Doctor ?" Leonardo asked.
"In more severe cases, like in Mrs Emerson's, we'll go with transfusion of blood platelets and we'll prolong her stay in the hospital a little longer. With necessary precautions in the future, everything will be under control," Dmitri assured before the Emersons signed all the necessary papers while Dmitri did not waste time and went ahead with Mrs. Emerson"s transfusion.
* * * * *
"Rachel ! Audrey ! What are you doing here ?" Leo squeezed his girl in a tight embrace and waved at Audrey in the hospital, outside his mother"s room.
"Hi Leo ! Just came to know about your mom from Rachel. So we thought of visiting her after our classes in the evening," Audrey replied.
"Thanks for coming. That was really thoughtful of you," Leo replied, his face showing all signs of worry and stress. "I never thought that I'll be introducing you to my parents in the hospital, Rachel," a disheartened Leo said.
"It's fine, Leo ! I just hope your mom gets well soon," Rachel replied.
"I hope so too, fingers crossed," Leo made the sign. "Though the doctors here are quite competent and were able to diagnose my mom's underlying blood disorder in quite a short amount of time," he added.
"Audrey"s boyfriend works here and he might be able to help if needed. By the way, what is the name of the doctor under whom your mom is getting her treatment done ?" Rachel asked.
"Oh well ! A very young, empathetic and knowledgeable surgeon operated upon my mom. His name is Dr. Dmitri," Leo informed.
"Ahh ! He's the one," Audrey said, her voice bursting with pride on hearing the praise of her beloved.
On seeing Dmitri coming out of the reception area, she strode straight towards him and surprised him with a hug.
"Dmitri !"
"My love ?!" Dmitri guessed before he turned around. "Audrey !!" He exclaimed and Audrey gave a squeal of joy. "What are you doing here, darling ?" He asked.
"Meet my friend, my bestie and my soul sister, Rachel. And this is her boyfriend, Leo," Audrey introduced everyone.
"Mr. Emerson and I met yesterday," Dmitri nodded his head and Leo returned it with his own. "As for the lovely lady, Ms. Rachel, I've heard so much about you from Audrey that it seems I already know you," Dmitri said, making the girls giggle.
"Same here, Doctor ! Before her confession to you about her feelings, Audrey confided everything in me, so I've heard volumes about you," said Rachel jokingly.
Dmitri blushed and tried to steer the conversation away from him.
"Evening visiting hours are about to get over, so you all can take turns and meet Mrs. Emerson," Dmitri declared. "She's much better and is talking already, rapidly if I may add," he good-naturedly added.
"Yup, that is my hale and hearty mom, Doctor," Leo chuckled. "I will go and meet her now. My Dad and our family friend's daughter, Valerie must be with her. We'll go now and meet them," he added as they all moved towards the patient's room.
"Sure, go ahead. I will just finish a few minor tasks and come back to check on the patient. If you will excuse me now," Dmitri excused himself and joined Hazel to look into another patient"s vitals.
The girls tagged along with Leo and he led them to his mother"s room.
"Mom, Dad, look who has come to meet you. This is my friend Rachel, whom I told you about and this is Audrey, Rachel's friend," Leo gestured towards the newcomers while making the introductions.
"Good Evening Mrs. and Mr. Emerson ! Hope you're doing well !" Rachel politely greeted them while handing over a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
"Hope you get well soon, Mrs. Emerson !" Audrey chimed in too.
"It's nice meeting you both !" Mrs. and Mr. Emerson greeted back.
"Leo, why don"t you come with me to the pharmacy while the ladies chat," Mr. Melvin Emerson said as he got up from his wife's side.
"Yes Dad," Leo agreed before turning towards his lady love. "I'll be just back, Rachel. You can introduce yourself with Valerie till then. She's my childhood friend," he added with a smile before walking out of the room after his Dad.
"So what are you doing these days, Rachel ?" Mrs. Laura Emerson inquired.
"Rachel, is our university valedictorian and preparing for scholarship exams for higher studies," Audrey proudly replied in her suddenly shy friend's stead.
Before Audrey could narrate Rachel's complete biodata and achievements which she knew by heart, a nurse walked into the room and informed, "Dr. Dmitri is asking for a.... " The Nurse consulted her diary before she looked up and continued, "Ms. Audrey Blaydes in his office."
"That would be me," Audrey replied and took her leave from Mrs. Emerson to meet Dmitri. "I'll be right back," she said and exited out of the door.
After Audrey left after the nurse, Leo's childhood friend took over the conversation.
"Women who know what they want are the most attractive. Nothing turns a rich man on like a strong woman who is successful in her career or business," said a snarky Valerie while placing the bouquet of flowers in the vase.
"I am sorry but I am not sure if I got you, Valerie," Rachel replied, mildly shocked at the sudden rude behavior from the other woman.
"What she means is that high class girls, who go out for glory piques, interest rich men the most. They are constantly searching for those who they can find equal or superior in intelligence or talent," said Mrs. Emerson tauntingly. It was insane how much vitriol these women were spewing in Leo"s absence.
"So where did you meet Leo ? I guess you're not working part time in his company if you are still studying," Valerie asked out of curiosity.
"We met at a charity event where the Emerson group was one of the sponsors and I was volunteering with my friend Audrey," Rachel replied
"Oh well ! Rich men love to network while supporting a cause, so it's always better to visit such events to meet an eligible rich heir. Isn"t it, Rachel ?" Valerie slyly maligned Rachel"s image in front of Laura Emerson.
"Even in our times, quite a number of my female friends have been able to marry rich men. As a result, their socioeconomic status took a big leap up," Laura concurred.
"Mrs. Emerson, I'm more focused on my studies and working hard on building my career as of now," Rachel retorted.
"Of course ! You can get rich by working hard and investing wisely for a long time. Or you can get rich instantly by finding a wealthy spouse," Mrs. Emerson remarked.
"Seriously, why bother trying to slave away for decades to become a millionaire when you can just become one by marrying one ?" Valerie added sarcastically.
"For your kind information, it was Leo who proposed to me for friendship. Our mutual admiration grew over time and we fell in love. My love for him has nothing to do with money," Rachel informed, her displeasure evident in her tone.
"That is what you would say," Mrs. Emerson snapped. "Why would I believe you ?"
"For me money isn't everything. According to me, one tautology about money is that money can not be the basis of a relationship nor can it sustain one. I would never let something so fickle come in the way of love," Rachel replied strongly, although she was crumbling and breaking from the inside. She willed herself that she would not cry and defend her stance like a true lady.
However, unlike Rachel, Laura Emerson could not keep her temper in check.
"These are all clichéd arguments of girls belonging to lower financial strata. Tomorrow if Leo is deprived of his riches, then you'll move to find another rich man," Laura angrily tried to expose Rachel.
"Don"t worry, Mrs Emerson ! Riches or no riches, I'll never ever leave Leo unless he cheats on me," Rachel asserted as Valerie and Laura gave each other a look of triumph, as if they had got an important clue they were waiting for.
"Millions of couples are perfectly happy without being wealthy. Life with someone you care about is infinitely better than coming home to an empty bed full of riches," Rachel sternly put across her point as she gathered her purse and stood up to leave the evil women to their bidding.
She could feel her eyes starting to get watery and a heavy downpour seemed inevitable. However, she held back her tears as she didn't wish to give her snobby companions the satisfaction that they managed to break her spirit.
No one was allowed to disturb her peace of mind. No one means no one ! Absolutely no one, especially, someone like Valerie, who didn't hold even a token of respect or dignity in her conduct.
However, she did stop at the doorway and added coldly over her shoulder, "I'll never let anyone destroy something precious that Leo and I have, nor shall I let anyone subtly damage or endanger our bond with their sick mentality, questioning my love and my virtues," Rachel admonished.
"Hey love, are you going already ? Why don't you- .... Leo was cut mid sentence when Rachel hurriedly brushed past him and ran down the stairs, one hand repeatedly running across her tearing up eyes and the other stabilizing her over the railing somehow.
Not even sparing a glance back at her chasing boyfriend, Rachel hailed an idling taxi at the entrance and sped off to the comfort of her college dorm where she broke down on the couch and cried to her heart's content.
"We have all had toxic people dust us with their poison. Sometimes it"s more like a drenching," Audrey cooed, while consoling a hysterically sobbing Rachel as she had followed her from hospital.
"Mrs Emerson and Valerie used toxic words with a non-toxic tone. Fancy sugaring their bitter words. Their tone might be innocent enough but the message conveyed so much more," sobbed Rachel.
"They will judge you and take a swipe at your self-esteem, buddy, suggesting that you're less because you're not their equal financially but you need to learn to believe in yourself and in your love," Audrey counseled.