Chapter - 20 - Fulfilled the promise

Next morning, the team assembled in the department room half an hour before the informed time. "Last night was the longest night of my life! I wanted to sleep well but the good news and the coffee news kept my subconscious mind awake for the whole night." Ralph said in a tired voice. Stanley looked at him with a smile and said, "For the first time in many months, I slept straight for seven whole hours but in the morning I felt like I didn't sleep a wink last night."

Alice tiredly laid her head on the table while listening to them speak. "I was tossing and turning the whole night. I just wanted the sun to rise as soon as possible." Victor entered the room and heard their conversation. He chuckled lightly and placed the coffee cups in front of them. "Come on guys!! Cheer up with this coffee and get ready to hear what Dr.G has to say. Whatever good news she is bringing, I am sure it will help our future." said Victor while drinking his coffee.

The clock struck eight and the department room's door swung open. Dr.G with a cheerful smile on her face walked briskly towards the group just like an angel bringing God's blessings. They all admired the way she carried herself and couldn't stop staring at Dr.G's perfect smiling face. Victor handed over a cup of coffee to Dr.G and she thanked before taking the coffee cup from him.

Gianna placed a few files on the table and noticed their tired faces. "Good morning. Did you all sleep well?" They shook their heads in response. "It looks like curiosity, didn't let you sleep peacefully." Gianna smiled and sat on the chair. She took a few sips of coffee before announcing the good news. "So are you all ready to hear the good news?" asked Gianna as she passed on the files to each of them. "Don't open the file now. You can open it after you listen to what I have to say. Got it?" The group's dull mind immediately lit and was bright. They were eager to hear what the good news was about now more than ever.

"Alice might not know but I am sure others are aware about the project which I was working on for two years." They bobbed their heads because they know how much effort Dr.G put into bringing up the experiment procedure for the project. "Well I presented the project for approval about five months ago to the higher officials."

"Why didn't you tell us Dr.G? Five months ago and you are telling us now?" Ralph was disappointed that she didn't tell them about it sooner. Gianna shook her head and asked, "Can you wait till you hear everything that I have to say?" Ralph gestured as locking his mouth with a key and throwing the key away.

"Good. So as I said, I gave it five months ago and yesterday I heard from Dr.Henry that the project has been -" Victor cut her off and exclaimed in a loud voice, "IT GOT APPROVED?!!! Really Dr.G??" Stanley and Ralph gasped at the news and started high fiving each other. Gianna was irritated by how Victor cut her off and banged the table with the file. The room instantly grew silent and Victor knew he had screwed up. "Sorry, Dr.G. I was really excited."

Gianna couldn't get angry because she knew how excited they would be. "I know you are all excited but at least let me complete my sentence!" Gianna sighed and continued, "The project has been approved. WAIT!! I still have to finish my sentence." She gestured to Stanley and Ralph whose hands were in the mid air to high five each other. "Also, they are providing funds for the whole project. Now you can celebrate."

The three sprung from their seats and started shouting with joy. They congratulated Dr.G and went back to their small celebration. Alice was happy knowing that the project proposed by Dr.G received both approval and funds but she still didn't know what the project was about and was sure she wouldn't be a part of it. They ended their victory celebration with a group hug and returned to their seats after a few moments with a huge smile on their faces.

Gianna looked at their happy faces and said, "Now you can open the file and read the details in it. I am asked to form a team for this project so I want all four of you to be mentally ready to balance the hospital duty and the project which will be starting soon. Do you understand?" Alice couldn't believe what she heard and looked at Dr.G with confusion.

Victor, Ralph and Stanley knew they would be a part of the project as Dr.G had promised them before. They knew very well that Dr.G would never break her promise and here she is fulfilling the promise she made one year before. Dr.G is always the best.

"Dr.G?" Gianna heard a soft quavering voice calling her name. She looked in the voice's direction and saw Alice's eyes welling up with tears. Gianna was confused and thought, 'Did I say anything that would make her cry? I don't think so. But why is she on the brink of crying?' Her thoughts vanished as soon as she felt someone hugging her tightly. She looked at the side and found Alice hugging and crying loudly. The others were shocked by Alice's action but waited patiently for her to stop crying to ask her the reason.

Gianna didn't know why Alice was crying so couldn't console her. Instead she allowed her to continue crying while patting her back to calm her down. After a few moments, Alice freed herself from Dr.G and wiped her tears with the tissue which was passed by Stanley. Ralph gave her a glass of water to drink. She sat on her chair slowly and drank the water from the glass sip by sip. Alice was embarrassed by her sudden breakdown and couldn't look at their faces as they witnessed her crying like a spoiled child.