I started searching place to hide; as I was playing hide and seek with my cousin.We were on a holiday on our far away farm house, and it belonged to my uncle. As, my other cousins were coming late from work and I had time to spare, I decided to hangout with my younger cousins. I was excited to see them after all, we all were meeting after a year and that too, for a week. I saw a small backyard , it was dark and small, nobody could dare to come near, I thought as I went near to it. It was dark, I struggled to enter inside the small backyard as it was very small. I sat there waiting for my cousins to find me.

Suddenly, I hear a slight moment around me.My body heat started rising. “ is it a ghost ?” I said it in a thin air. As the silence was getting louder… I hear my name in a faint voice.

“ Jennifer “

It was pitch dark there, I shoved it off thinking it’s on of my cousin trying to fool me.

“Jennifer”

As, I heard the voice second time, it wasnot like any of my cousin and it was a voice of old man, very scary. I have heard that voice before.

“Jennifer, it wasn’t your fault.”

I couldn’t move, a cold shiver passed down my spinal cord. It was cold evening but I was sweating.

“Doctor Jennifer “

My eyes went wide.It’s true, I was a doctor but I am no longer a doctor.I resigned.This morning too,I received a mail from the hospital to join them back. I have been getting that mail every Friday. And, today was Friday too. I vividly remember the reason why I left the job was because of the incident on Friday too.

“ I am sorry “

All I could uttter was that. It was my fault.

“ Jennifer, it was not your fault. You did what you can as a doctor. Remember you are a human too.”

“ But..”

I was cut off in middle.

“ I know you are wondering why I am here , and why you can’t see me but I promise you,I mean no harm to you and I want you to go back to your passion, why are you running away ?”

“ Running away ?”

I couldn’t comprehend it. I couldn’t save you that day.

He was my patient. He was my favorite patient. It was wrong to bond with a patient but I bonded with him.I remainded me of our grandfather. He was caring toward me too and he never trusted anyone beside me. I never cared for my patient like that before. It was the surgery day, Friday. I usually took off on Friday but I was working on Friday because it was his surgery day. He was heart patient and ..

“ Jennifer “

I couldn’t form a word

“ Jennifer , talk to me “

“Yes, I am sorry, I should have been there in Operating Room with you “

And, I wanted to be his surgeon too but management got to know about our bonding and prohibited me from the room. During the surgery, I heard there were complications and I rushed to the room where he was operating.I did what I can, I should have tried better.

It pained me that someone I trusted and respected left me in front of my hand holding scapel.

“Jennifer , go back, they need you”

“ I can’t face anyone.”

“ Are you giving up because of me ?”

“No, I felt myself not being capable enough to save someone”

“It’s your dream and passion, don’t run away”

“ hmmm”

“ Don’t run away, face it and face it”

I couldn’t utter a word.

“ Never run away kiddo, you are just 24 years old and there is quite handsome doctor waiting for you as well.”

“ what -“

“ Don’t overthink, lingering in past won’t help it, don’t ever give up on yourself and your passion.”

I just nod.

Suddenly, I hear a slight move of branches.

“ I have to go now but I hope you got this.”

“I will go back.”

“ because of handsome doctor waiting?”

“ No- I want to be back for myself, I won’t run away.I will face it.”

“ I am just kidding, take care.”

“ Thank you “

That’s all I could say .

“ and I am sorry “

“ I forgive you and take care, and you are welcome ,as well.”

His voice is getting fainter and fainter.

“ Your cousins are waiting.”

Suddenly, I snapped back to reality, it’s more than half an hour I am hiding here and nobody came to look after me. I dusted off myself and came off that small backyard. And, I saw why they were not searching for me. My older cousins were already there and they started hanging out without me and I joined them.

“ I thought you were dead” The oldest cousin said.

“Shut up”

And I continued “ Anyway, guys I am going back to work from next week.”

They all smiled at me, and all our younger cousins went inside the farm house.

“ it’s getting late, we should go inside I think.” I said.

As we all went inside , and one last time, I look behind the door and said “ Thank you” and closed the door.