— What is it again, Ivanova?! — came the displeased voice of the head nurse, Liliya Sergeyevna.
Nastya sighed. She knew that as a newcomer, she would get all the unpleasant tasks. But she hadn’t expected it to be this much.
—I did everything honestly! — she complained, looking at her colleague hopefully.
—I can see how honestly you do everything, — snorted Liliya, folding her arms across her chest. — Now you deal with it… well, you know.
She gestured with her eyes toward the farthest room, where judging by the smell and noise, the usual hospital bustle was already underway.
Nastya nodded and headed there. She had dreamed of becoming a nurse since childhood. Her mother always discouraged her:
— You’re too kind for this job. You should be sitting at a desk, reading books, not sticking needles into anyone.
But Nastya was stubborn. She wanted to help people, to see them get better thanks to her efforts. However, reality was tougher than her schoolday notions.
The emergency department was full of the usual chaos: drunken patients, hysterical relatives, shouting, moaning. Somewhere in a corner, a man raged without documents or understanding of where he was. Someone cried, someone sang songs, someone just lay there wrapped in a blanket, shutting out the world.
— Well, newbie? — one of the experienced nurses approached her. — Ready for your first real challenge?
Nastya nodded, though she felt a little tense inside. She wasn’t afraid of blood or pain, but sometimes human weakness scared her.
They sent her to a patient with a deep head wound. He was semi-conscious but felt pain. Nastya carefully treated the injury, applied a bandage, and soothed the man. She worked quickly but gently. The patient even nodded gratefully when it was over.
— You have a light touch, — the head nurse remarked. — Maybe you really will be a proper nurse.
Nastya smiled. It was the first day she felt part of something bigger. Not just an intern, not just an extra person, but a real participant in the process.
Later, when the flow of patients slowed, Nastya overheard Liliya Sergeyevna whispering with someone in the corridor. When she saw Nastya approaching, the women fell silent. The air was tense.
— Did you want to say something to me? — Nastya asked directly.
Liliya Sergeyevna chuckled:
— Consider yourself lucky. Sometimes newbies only observe for a whole month and don’t work at all.
Nastya said nothing. She had long realized that Liliya belonged to those who love power and know how to use it. She was also known for her jealousy — everyone knew she had long dreamed of marrying Ivan Konstantinovich, the chief doctor. But he, as if on purpose, paid her no attention.
When Ivan Konstantinovich entered the room, everyone straightened involuntarily. He was an authority. Not tall, not strict, but every look of his said: «I’m the one who decides here.»
— Hello, newbie, — he addressed Nastya with a slight smile. — How do you like our world?
— Harder than I thought, — she admitted honestly. — But also more interesting.
— Good answer, — he nodded. — Welcome to medicine. Now you’re one of us.
For some reason, those words meant a lot. Nastya felt she truly became part of the team.
A couple of days later, Liliya Sergeyevna approached her again.
— You know Ivan Konstantinovich? — she asked with an obvious hint of distrust.
— Only professionally, — Nastya replied.
— Uh-huh… — the head nurse drawled, staring her down. — Just know, girl, he has other plans. And you’d better stay away.
Nastya wanted to argue but changed her mind. Why explain to someone who had already decided everything beforehand?
Work went on. At night, as usual, new cases came in: injuries, alcohol, fights, domestic incidents. Every new patient was like a small test of endurance and compassion.
Ivan Konstantinovich came to Nastya from time to time, giving advice, sometimes just checking how she was managing. Sometimes moments slipped by when she caught his gaze. But nothing more. No hints, no words, no gestures. Just professionalism.
One evening, when the shift was almost over, Liliya Sergeyevna approached Nastya closely.
— Listen, you’re a smart girl, — she began with a sticky tone. — You understand Ivan Konstantinovich has preferences. He likes women… older, experienced ones. You’re far from that. So don’t dream, dear. You’re not his match.
Nastya looked at her and for the first time felt an inner wall awaken. Not anger, not offense, but a defense that said: «I won’t let you break me.»
— I’m not claiming anything, — she answered calmly. — I’m here to work. If you have complaints, speak to the point. If not, don’t waste my time.
Liliya stepped back. Not immediately, but she did. And Nastya understood: she was getting stronger. Not because she wanted conflict, but because she knew why she was here. And no one, not even someone like Liliya Sergeyevna, would take that goal away from her.
Since then, work became a bit easier. Of course, Liliya Sergeyevna remained herself, but Nastya learned to pass by without getting involved in the games. Ivan Konstantinovich stayed friendly and fair as before. And most importantly — every day she felt she was moving forward.
And even though she was still just an intern, and even though she was hurt by others’ looks and words. One day she would become a doctor. And then she would decide for herself who to be: a cold careerist or someone who heals not only the body but also the soul.
She laughed loudly — piercingly, bitterly, as if winning a small victory. Then she turned and left, leaving Nastya alone.
Without hesitation, Nastya headed to the indicated ward. In the far corner, there really was a man lying there. Dirty, ragged, covered with bruises and abrasions. Judging by his appearance, he looked like a homeless person who had it rough. He was quietly moaning in pain. It seemed like he had been thrown off a roof.
Nastya quickly examined the man. She had the impression he had fallen from a cliff. She started working: treated the wounds, checked the pulse, prepared antiseptic. At that moment, Ivan Konstantinovich approached.
— How is the patient? — he asked, holding the medical chart.
Nastya nodded, continuing her work. The doctor bent down, listened to breathing, checked pupil reactions. Behind him, Liliya Sergeyevna appeared. Her look was full of barely hidden triumph.
— Why hasn’t he been bandaged yet? Why hasn’t treatment started? — she sharply demanded, addressing Nastya.
—I just received him, — Ivan Konstantinovich answered calmly. — And he arrived last night. So the question is for you, Liliya Sergeyevna.
The head nurse flushed but said nothing. Turning around, she left, leaving only tension in the air.
Nastya, together with a nurse assistant, carefully removed the man’s torn clothes. She expected to see an emaciated, thin body, but instead before her was strong, muscular, clearly trained. Only his face was swollen, and it was almost impossible to guess his age.
All day she bandaged his wounds, gave injections as prescribed by the doctor, applied ointment to bruises. She treated him like any other patient — carefully, gently, with compassion. Near evening, Liliya Sergeyevna appeared again.
— You’re wasting your time, — she hissed. — He won’t remember you anyway.
— I don’t need him to remember me, — Nastya replied surprised.
— Everyone does, — the head nurse added mysteriously and left, casting one last poisonous look.
Nastya only smiled to herself. Marriage was not in her plans. She had completely different goals.
Close to midnight, the man suddenly groaned. His eyes fluttered, he tried to sit up. Nastya immediately ran over, gently supported his head, brought water, helped him take a few sips. Then laid him back down.
— Where am I? — he croaked.
— In the hospital. Don’t worry, you’re being helped.
— Why is it so quiet?
— Late. Everyone is asleep. You’re safe, — she answered softly. — The doctor is nearby, and I’m on duty tonight.
— Miss… help me… What’s your name?
— Nastya.
— Nastya… Listen to me, please… Don’t tell anyone, okay?
She nodded and leaned closer to hear every word. The man spoke with pauses, struggling to breathe. Nastya listened attentively, not interrupting once.
When he finished, the girl gently touched his hand:
— I understand everything. Don’t worry, I’ll do everything needed. The main thing is to rest. I promise, it will get better.
As soon as she laid the patient down and went to the nurses’ station, Ivan Konstantinovich approached.
— You did well, — he said, noticing her fatigue. — Now I’ll take over. You can rest a bit.
Nastya gratefully nodded, but as soon as he disappeared behind the door, she grabbed the phone receiver — she had to urgently report important information to someone. About ten minutes later, unfamiliar people appeared in the corridor. Soon after, Liliya Sergeyevna, just off her shift, showed up.
— Still fussing over that tramp? — she snorted. — Maybe you should start working with normal patients?
— Everyone here needs help, — Nastya calmly replied, rising from her crouch. — I give it to everyone. Without exception.
— You’re such a saint, — the nurse smirked. — Only don’t expect thanks from such as that.
Nastya didn’t argue. She just looked at her and fell silent. At that moment, Liliya Sergeyevna suddenly froze — stern men in white coats entered the ward. Behind them was a tall, confident man whose posture and gaze spoke for themselves: this was no ordinary visitor.
Approaching the bed, the man suddenly embraced the patient lying there:
— Son! Is that you… Forgive me, son! I didn’t believe you back then when you told me… But now I see — you were telling the truth…
While the patient was being prepared for transport, the man — the father — approached Nastya. His voice trembled, but there was gratitude in his eyes.
— Thank you… If not for you, we would never have met. We will definitely see each other again, — he firmly shook her hand and disappeared with his son.
Liliya Sergeyevna, who had been watching all this, couldn’t resist:
— Don’t even dream. In five minutes, he’ll forget you even exist.
A month passed. During that time, Nastya often thought about transferring to another department. Liliya Sergeyevna never let her be. At every opportunity, especially in front of other staff, she mocked her:
— Has your millionaire rewarded you yet? Or married someone else?
At first, Nastya tried to explain that the man was just a patient. Then she realized it was useless. Since then, the head nurse started calling her «the oligarch’s fiancée,» even when asking to bring medicine or change an IV.
And then, one ordinary day, Nastya stepped into the corridor for tea. But she didn’t take two steps before she heard a familiar voice:
— Nastya! Is that you?
She turned sharply. There stood the same young man for whom she had spent so much time at the bedside. Now he was in an expensive suit, well-groomed, holding a bouquet. Behind him stood two bodyguards.
—I just returned from Germany, was treated there, — he said smiling. — The first thing I did was come here. I wanted to see you. To say thank you. You didn’t just save my life… You turned out to be the kindest person I have ever met.
Nastya was slightly embarrassed. The whole staff’s curiosity was palpable. Even Liliya Sergeyevna came out of the break room, mouth agape.
— You… look completely different, — Nastya said.
— You are the different one, — he replied softly. — You turned out to be not what you seemed. You’re incredibly beautiful inside and out. May I invite you somewhere? To a restaurant, or just a walk in the city?
He looked at her with hope, as if he had waited an eternity for this moment.
Nastya looked into his eyes. In them, she saw not just gratitude — she saw a person who sincerely valued human kindness.
— Okay, — she finally said. — Tomorrow. After lunch.
