Chapter - 21 - Family

Dr.G understood Alice was embarrassed to speak up so she gestured to others to continue to read the file. Gianna knew Alice needed time and would talk once she felt better. Alice saw how others were considerate for her and again started sobbing. Gianna and others didn't know what was going on with Alice, for her to be so emotional. Dr.G moved her rolling chair towards and placed her arm on Alice's shoulder. "What happened Alice? Did I say something to hurt you?" Alice shook her head still sobbing. "Then what is the matter? Did these guys bully you? Do you want me to beat them up?" The three men were stunned hearing Dr.G's question and glanced at each other.

"N..No..Th..they didn't do...anything, Dr.G." she replied wiping her tears. "We will go outside, so you can share what's going on with Dr.G in private. Okay?" said Victor as he felt that Alice was disturbed about something. Alice looked at Victor and said, "No. I am crying because I am so happy." Her tears started to rush out once again and others couldn't help but started to laugh hearing what she said.

Alice also started to laugh slowly as she saw the guys laughing looking at her. Dr.G thought looking at them, 'My team is really weird. Did they team me up with these psychos to punish me? One is crying, others are laughing and now everyone is laughing. Are they shooting any medical drama here?'

As time passed, Alice and others returned to normal only to realize Dr.G was glaring daggers at them. They immediately sat straight and gave a weak smile. "I am sorry Dr.G. I was so happy that you gave me an opportunity to be a part of this project even though I don't deserve it so I couldn't control my emotions." said Alice quickly in a steady voice so that Dr.G won't reprimand others.

"Who told you that you don't deserve this opportunity?" asked Dr.G looking at Alice with a serious look. Alice looked at her with confusion. "Do you think I lack judgement? Do you think I am so stupid to ruin my own project choosing someone randomly?" Gianna never thought that Alice had self doubt in her own ability. Alice smiled as she heard Dr.G's questions and drank a few sips of water from the glass.

"Thank you Dr.G. THANK YOU SO MUCH. From the age I could understand things, everyone compared me with my elder siblings. They constantly put me under pressure and never recognized me for who I am. I grew up hearing 'You are not a fit for this family' 'You are a disgrace for our family' 'Look how outstanding your elder siblings are' 'You can never succeed in your life'. But I never gave up and kept on trying to prove to my family that I am also capable." She looked at them and was happy that they all were really listening to her unlike other friends in the past.

"I ended up in hospital many times during my college days due to lack of sleep and proper nutrition. What hurt me the most, was that not even once, my family came to see me in the hospital when I was admitted. My dad's assistant and my house maid came to look after me but that didn't stop me and I kept on working hard. I successfully graduated but you know what my parents told? They asked me, "What is the use of graduating if you are not the topper?" I thought they would at least appreciate me for my hard work but didn't even get a congratulations from them." Alice smirked at the thought of her family.

"My family was against me joining the neurosurgery department but I didn't yield to their decision. I am really happy that I made a good decision choosing this department and having Dr.G as my mentor. I was initially afraid that you all won't accept me but the love and care you all showered me for the past three months is worth my life time. I will never leave the hospital because there is no one like you four, out there to care for me. I was all alone for all these years and you all were the first ones who made me realize that one doesn't need to be blood connected to be a family. Now, I have a strong elder sister and three caring brothers. I don't wish for anything more." Tears rolled down Alice's face as she talked to them. She wiped her tears and smiled at them like an innocent child.

Gianna never thought Alice had to face through so much to be here. She felt happy that Alice finally found a family and she was one of them. Family was always one's weakness just like how it is for Dr.G. Victor couldn't believe that Alice had to go through a lot to reach here and made a decision to protect and guide her from now on as her elder brother. Ralph never knew all this time Alice hid her struggles with her innocent smile and promised himself that he would shower her with love as an elder brother.

As they were all in their thoughts they heard a soft sniffling sound and turned to look at Alice thinking she started crying again but she was smiling looking somewhere else. They all turned to the direction she was looking at and found Stanley sniffling back his tears. Ralph hugged Stanley and said, "Hey, big brother, you shouldn't cry in front of your baby sister." Stanley shrugged Ralph off and said, "Who said I am crying? It's just that my nose is blocked due to the air conditioner." He sniffled again a few more times and everyone started laughing at Stanley's action. Alice slowly passed on the tissue box to Stanley, smiling at him and felt grateful to have these people around her.