"Coffee with no sugar, please," Katriel said to the cafeteria waiter.
Then with a teasing smile, she added in a playful tone, "Make it two, for two beautiful ladies."
Gracious laughed and together they carried their cups to a corner table. As they sipped their coffee, they overheard two coworkers at the next table whispering about the son of a famous billionaire who had recently joined their hospital after completing his studies abroad.
Katriel and Gracious exchanged curious glances, eager to hear more. But before they could catch the rest of the story, the shrill sound of their code alarms cut through the air, there was an emergency in the ER.
"I told you, medical emergencies are always more important than heartbreak," Katriel said with a quick grin as she pushed back her chair.
Moments later, they reached the Emergency Unit. The senior coordinator's voice carried across the room: "We'll have one senior and one junior doctor assigned to every case."
Then, turning toward Katriel, the coordinator added, "You'll assist Dr. Abby — you're already familiar with the equipment in this unit."
Abby bowed slightly, a polite smile on his face as his eyes met Katriel's.
The piercing alarm echoed through the Emergency Unit as nurses rushed past with the crash cart. The smell of antiseptic filled the air. Katriel slipped on her gloves, her heart pounding in sync with the chaos around her.
"Patient -male, 46 years old. Collapsed during the accident. No pulse, no respiration. CPR started en route," a paramedic reported quickly as they wheeled the stretcher in.
Dr. Abby stepped forward with calm authority. "Continue compressions. Katriel, check the monitor and confirm rhythm."
Katriel nodded, her voice steady despite the rush of adrenaline. "Flatline. No electrical activity."
"Okay, we're in asystole," Abby said. "Let's start a full code. One milligram epinephrine IV, now."
The nurse handed the syringe and Katriel administered it swiftly, her gloved fingers steady. Abby took over compressions, his movements precise and rhythmic. The monitor beeped steadily with each push ( a harsh reminder of the fragile line between life and death.)
After two rounds of CPR, the tension thickened. Gracious entered with the defibrillator ready.
"Charging to 200," she called out.
Katriel wiped sweat from her brow beneath the mask. "Rhythm check!"
The monitor flickered - a faint, erratic line appeared.
"V-fib!" Abby said sharply. "Clear!"
The team stepped back. The shock snapped through the room and the patient's body jerked.
"Resume compressions," Abby ordered. Katriel's arms burned with effort but she didn't stop. Her mind was focused ,every heartbeat of her own driving her determination.
After another minute, the monitor gave a sudden, precious sound( beep… beep… beep.)
"Sinus rhythm!" Katriel exclaimed, relief flooding her voice.
A collective breath swept through the team. Abby looked at her, a faint smile behind his mask. "Good work, Katriel. You didn't flinch once."
She smiled back, catching her breath. "Team effort, Doctor."
The patient was stabilized and prepared for transfer to the ICU. As the chaos settled, Katriel glanced at Abby again. Something unspoken passed between them, the quiet connection forged only in the crucible of saving a life.