mistake

     "Sorry ".

     "Excuse me".

     "Coming through ", I greeted as I tried to navigate through the sidewalk while bumping into some people who had decided to act as a catalyst to my problem.

     Zooming through the sidewalk like sonic dash on a race clutching my coffee in hand , I cursed whoever invented heels, and whomever classified it as a work attire should be whopped.

I mean don't get me wrong these 4 inch pumps look nice but they practically spell disaster when you are late for work and can't find a taxi. 

A loud groan escapes my lips  as my left foot dips to a rather big crack on the sidewalk making my balance falter and a good amount of coffee to decorate  my  blouse as if the universe thought its caramel color needed more hue.I knew wearing this top was a bad idea but it looked too good with the creme coloured pants to resist. Looking at the now stained top and back to the now half cup of coffee,  I will myself to keep walking at least to catch a bus to work then maybe just maybe the  top would dry before I reach the hospital , then I can play it off as a new fashion style.

   Taking two sips I dump the coffee on a nearby  trashcan and  continue my race  having half a mind to pull those death traps off my feet and just walk to work barefoot. 

Reaching the bus stop I thank the heavens  that the bus is still there. Hopping in I pay in cash and sit at the front row.

    A few minutes later the bus pulled up to my stop and I alighted. Somehow during the ride the stain had miraculously spread to the top of my pants "oh joy" , this might be the last day I wear colorful clothes,

'Now I have to walk around in wet  stained clothes reeking of coffee all day'  because I forgot my scrubs , glancing at my wristwatch I note the time 8:45 am.

  All that rush and I still made it 15 mins late I release  a deep breath and got ready for the scolding to come.

Just as I push the entrance doors to Grace Medicals where I work as a 2nd year resident , taking a few steps forward , I figured that I haven't been spotted yet , which means no one knows am late.

I thank God for small mercies,  just as I finished the little victory dance I was

"So nice of you to join us today Ashira , I was just about to go to the police and file a missing person report " dr.Hudson a balding man in his late forties taunted.  Did I mention he's overly  sarcastic and unnecessarily mean.

" well dr. Hudson am really sorry am late but I was walking my goldfish this morning and I guess time kinda ran out on me ".

   Fixing me with his signature menacing gaze " I think you had way too much fun with that pet of yours cause it looks like it popped all over you" he asks taking a jab at my appearance.  I look down at my clothes as if noticing the wet stain for the first time.

   "Well dr. Hudson  dory can be a very rough play mate when she wants to". I smiled innocently.  He looked at me as if I told him I knew his moustache is fake.

  " you never cease  to suprise me Ashira,  and let me tell you that's not a compliment"

  "That's what  you think  sir"

   Walking away from me to the corridor that led to the pedratic  department he shakes his head probably wondering  how someone with my IQ made it through medical school.

Navigating my way through the hospital,  I spot my teammates huddled in a corner whispering something amongst themselves

     Sneaking up behind  them I greet

    "Hey guyss"

   Vanessa turns first her blonde hair wiping around almost hitting me  in the eye

"Hey ash"  . Anastasia rolls her eyes as a sign of greeting which I completely ignore .

While Eric wears a cheesy smile on his face his glasses hanging on his nose.

     Series of hellos and hi echo into my ear followed by raised eyebrows probably because of my appearance,

"Coffee " I supply  to the inquisitive stares

"How did you get coffee on you Ash" vanessa  speaks up first

" well I was running and tripped then this happened " I gestured to the coffee stain on my shirt

"Only you would trip and spill coffee on yourself,  at least it matches your eyes". Eric teases .

" keep that up and I won't be responsible for what my leg does " I reply

" she means kick your goods" Anastasia explains while patting his head like a puppy

" I know that "  Eric fumes , hitting her hands away from his head. Those two bicker a lot but I know there's something going on.

" so . what  were you guys whispering about" I inquire

" oh it's about our team, apparently we are getting a new chief and I hear he's coming in today" Eric whispers the end as if it's some top military secret .

" Noooo "!! I weep dramatically" how will I bug dear dr. Hudson now"

" oh and I heard he's pretty young too" Anastasia  says

"Yeah I bet he's also happily married" ,I can feel my eyelids dropping as a yawn escapes my mouth.

"Guys I gotta go grab some coffee I really need it or am a about to shut down" I walk to the office kitchen and spot the instant coffee placed  near the electric  kettle .

  After 2 mins the water had heated up to a significant degree  turning  around  to pick a mug from the table a glass cup accidentally  shatters making a resounding bang to echo through the room , bending down to picked the pieces of glass off the floor I discreetly check  to see if anyone saw me. Only to sport a pair of hazel eyes staring back at me with an eyebrow raised at my attempt  to clean up the crime scene 'Oh chicken nuggets, a witness'.

I look back to hazel eye dude, he seems to be in his early thirties, wearing a navy blue suit that fit him snugly.

Took my time to examine the piece of art before me like when eating your favorite dessert , bit by bit to savor the taste . Am pretty sure I drooled  a little .

The amused snort that escaped his lips  thrust me back to earth.  That's when I realized that the only reason I could see his features that well was because he had moved from his initial position to stand directly in front of me

  " take a picture it will last longer " he snarks voice smooth like velvet.

" I will most definitely take you up on the offer " my mouth responded before my brain had any chance to catch up. But the shocked expression  that momentarily crossed his pretty face made the whole thing worth it.

   " well if you are done eye rapping me you can go back to picking up after yourself "

Who does this guy think he is 'you CAN go back to picking up after yourself '. He thinks he can order me around,  did I ask for permission.

The more I thought about it the more those words irked me so I did what any smart person would do , fought fire with fire.

"Excuse you , what makes you think I need your permission to clean up my crime scene. I could  do it pretty well without your bossy ass "  I sass

A smirk tugs at the corner of his lips and I think my panties just melted.  But I stood strong  the urge to give in was strong but my pride was stronger .

Leveling his gaze with mine amusement twinkling his eyes" crime scene? " lips twitching " well I guess you murdered that cup. Well thought out little girl "

Little girl ?!,is this dude serious  . Before I could explode  Eric walks towards the door calling my name

   " hey there you are Ash ,chief says we should assemble , probably  to hand over the baton"  eric says

  " yeah am coming let me pick these up I will be with you in a minute " I reply

Taking a step back to avoid crashing into mr . Narcissist over here I pick up the broken shards , turning around to dump it in the trashcan.  I pick up my mug starting where I left off but  this time the water is no more piping hot  , hastily making my coffee fully aware of Eric at the door and mr. Narcissist still behind me . Probably looking for another reason to taunt me.

After making the coffee  I side step him that should not be named and made my way to Eric almost at the door when suddenly I remembered this office kitchen was for staffs only 

" make sure no one else sees you here mister it's for only staffs and apparently you aren't one judging by the lack of name tag and the fact that i haven't seen your face here ever" I say inching my head slightly to the right to get my message across

  "Are you worried for me now little girl "he asks turning around slowly .

  " No but I wouldn't want your face smashed with a baton by security, other people should be blessed with the view I met"

  "Are you calling me handsome little one"

"Yeah don't let it get to your head " on that note I stepped outside only to be met with Eric and his questioning gaze . Ignoring him I decide to walk away but not before hearing him mutter "see you soon little girl". And I guess am not the only one who heard it as Eric's brows furrowed deeper but I ignored him as we navigated the hospital walls.