doctor's duty

Summer was in full swing. The sun was shining its light on the area, warming every surface. Because of this, it was difficult to stay outdoors for long periods of time. Armin couldn't even imagine that Warsaw would be so hot compared to Britain. But this pressure exerted by nature still didn't encourage one to stride up the steps, towards the vast transparent doors. His eyes ran along the hull, or rather the small part of it that yielded to Arlert's gaze. And he also read the inscription, coarsely placed between the first and first floor. ""Yeager Hospital for Clinical Research and Care."" Gregory Yeager was a skilful physician who opened his clinic in Germany and afterwards in Poland. At first his institutions were based only on virology, but with the arrival of funding and investment, the hospital began to explore other medical fields and even opened an inpatient department in each of the clinics. The man's name has already become a household name among many doctors and medical university students. To get into this institution is a real success. Only the best doctors worked here, finding a cure for a variety of ailments and studying new pathologies. High salaries, unrealistic prospects for development. It's hard to imagine how much employees from Yeager hospitals are in demand. And now Armin was standing in front of one of them. On his shoulder was a bag containing the most necessary things for the interview. ""So many years of medical school... my fellow students would have given anything to be here..."" *** Armin was the most diligent student in his department. He seemed to see nothing but his studies in front of him. There were no absences, if only for illness, sessions were handed in all at once and without delay, unlike many of his fellow students. And because of this, teachers liked to take him to various conferences and extracurricular activities. And he got additional preferences for it. But one day he received an extremely... difficult proposal. The teacher asked Armin to stay after the class to talk. She was teaching Epidemiology. "Ahem... Armin... " she addressed him rather affectionately, as she loved the student. “Our university was invited to the... London Medical Summit.” Arlert's eyes were already rounded. He had anticipated the woman's possible proposal, but he didn't think the university was so hopeful about it. “A paper on a current virology topic... and... our university wants you to go.” Shocker. It was one of the largest medical conferences in the country. “I... I don't understand why it was our university that was called... and why you want to send me specifically! “ without indignation, the future scientist asked fearfully. “You see, for the last years.... our educational institution has become many times better in terms of indicators, the local authorities have paid attention to us. That's why they invited us. And you are our best pupil, and only on you we can entrust such a thing …” “What, there's no one better than me?! “No.” “No. Totally. “ “I don't think I can do it.” “Armin, you're in your fifth year of school with no debt and the highest scholarship. We literally have nothing to hold you to," she sat down next to you at the desk. This summit is very important for our university. It could be a good springboard to additional funding. I will fully control your result. And in return for a good defence, I'll talk to some professors, and you'll get automatic credit for industrial practice. How's that?” The offer was quite tempting. Of course, if Armin refused, it would be easier for him, at least morally, but this kind of work could really go in the portfolio, and the guy became more in demand. And he'd already had some practice at the hospital. “Okay...I'll...take it.” And then comes day X. Armin is brought to the conference. He listens to the other speakers talking about their research. And it's finally his turn. He manages to fit his talk into thirty minutes, and at the end of it, everyone applauds. And during this process, the speaker had more than one wave of goosebumps. That awe-inspiring feeling...pride mixed with joy. His legs shook with relief, and Arlert returned to his seat. The end of the event. Some of the doctors and scientists leave, and some begin to get acquainted and discuss their work. The lecturer was already waiting outside, so Armin decided to leave the event without contacting anyone outside. It wasn't like anyone was interested in him anyway. Only a couple of people expressed praise for the doctor's work and oratory skills. But fate clearly had other plans. Already walking down the special path to the door, he was caught out by a strange man. “Wait," he said calmly, and put his hand on his shoulder, so that Arlert would definitely stop. “H... hello.” “What can I say, I am very pleased with your report. So much so that I would like to work with you in the future.” “"Oh, here's an opportunity. Wasn't it all for nothing?"” “Depending on what you propose. What's your name? “ “My name is Eren. Eren Yeager.” Armin was at a loss for words, and for a while he tried to spit the mush out of his mouth to continue the conversation. “Y...Yeager? -W... Wait, you…” “Grisha's son," Eren replied with a slight smile. Armin had heard of him... Many times less than his father, but still. “God... ah... - Armin swallowed nervously and crumpled the edges of his jacket, which was too small in the shoulders.” What can I do for you? “I'm currently deputy head of a hospital in Poland. I liked your report very much. You seem to me to be a promising young man…”Arlert wasn't here. He was all about Eren. His eyes glowed with happiness as he looked at his interlocutor. “..We're always on the lookout for new talent. So...would love to see you at the internship.” Still couldn't believe that all those words were dedicated to him. Shaking his head, the future doctor looked back up, making sure Yeager was telling him. “But...it's just a report...I didn't do anything wrong.” “You wrote it yourself, didn't you?” “Yes.” “t's very good. And it's one topic you've prepared. It's hard to imagine if you were forced to work with your profile. I'd like to see you in the virology unit!” “Mr Yeager... I am very... honoured... by your invitation.” Armin had never been so worried, even when he told the report. His body threw a slight shiver and sweat. Perhaps he shouldn't show his excitement, so as not to spoil his first impression. “Are you in your final year now? Yes”. “Yes.” “I, -the doctor took his phone out of his pocket, “I'll send a formal invitation for an interview. Come back in the summer. You just have to log in to our website. It'll come to your personal account. “Y...yes, now! “Armin almost exclaimed in surprise and, trying to get the phone in a hurry, dropped it from his hand. “ Shit…” That one, thank God, was still alive. After exchanging contacts and registering on the Yeager Hospital website, he could see in his profile an invitation. “Waiting for you! “ said the man enthusiastically and extended his hand. Armin shook it, feeling the doctor's surprisingly soft skin. Yeager gave him one last smile and left the event, leaving Armin alone with his shock. “It all went away... so quickly and abruptly..." thought the student, rubbing his palm, still feeling that touch. Yeager gave him one last smile and removed himself from the event, leaving Armin alone with his shock. "It all went away... so quickly and abruptly..." thought the student, rubbing his palm, still feeling that touch. *** Time flew by so fast. And now he's here. He can proudly... call himself a doctor and a researcher. Especially when he's been invited to work at Yeager Hospital! He took in more air and climbed the stairs and entered the room. The vast hallway welcomed him into the coolness of the air conditioners. Visitors sat on stylish curved benches. Right against the wall stood a long reception desk with many employees, who were already being pestered by a line of people. Only on the sides, almost at the very end of the long room, were corridors leading further into the interior of the hospital. The fluorescent lights on the low ceilings were not working. The light from the transparent doors was enough for now. Armin joined the queue and waited patiently for it to reach him. It didn't take long. “Hello, I have an interview... where do I go?” “Your name?” “Arlert.” The girl stroked her manicured fingers a couple of times masterfully on the keys without even looking at them. When she saw the person who really existed, she continued the conversation. “Yes, go down the left hallway to the end. There will be a sign on the door that says "supervisor". Wait near it, you will be called.” “Thank you!” said the graduate. Now he was fully in the doctors' territory. The lights were still off, and the corridor was semi-dark. There were many doors on each side, and only at the very end was a window. And the corridor itself was empty. It was even easier that way. There were no extra eyes glaring at the newcomer. The steps became faster and more confident. “"Get yourself together! You're already at the interview. Turn off your emotions and show your focus."”: muttered the doctor, running his eyes around the offices, exploring them and looking for the right sign. The office was right by the window. Also near it were chairs with a reclining seat. Carefully lowering it, Arlert sat down quietly on the leather contraption... and waited. The sun was beating down on his back, making it sweat, so he didn't sit for long. Armin leaned against the wall that the door adjoined and was now in the shade. And the wall, to his delight, was just as cool. And after a time, a man showed himself. Blond hair and beard. Round, small glasses and tall. A head taller than Armin. The man reflexively jumped up and lifted his face so that his gaze was eye-to-eye. “Are you Armin Arlert?” The man looked rather stern and apathetic. The tension rose quite a bit. “"Okay, he's a doctor. Probably getting tired. Don't judge a book by its cover, it should go well!"” “Right!” “Come on in.” The director looked painfully familiar. He'd definitely heard more about him than Eren. The office had a large window. Light streamed in through the vertical blinds. The air conditioning kept it cool. So much so that Armin got goosebumps. In the very center stood a white table, obviously expensive and custom-made. It curved slightly backward at the end, and at the front, every ten centimeters, there were gaps inward. The man crouched behind it and pulled the inside toward him, creating additional space. Armin sat down comfortably across from him, folding his hands on top of each other. But before he sat down, he held out his portfolio, neatly folded in a yellow folder. “First of all” the man began, pulling out Arlert's merits, who had collected every single detail, for all the years of study, not only at the university, but also at school. “Who referred you for an interview?” “Eren Yeager.” Zeke sighed languidly, but went on with the interview. Armin, of course, noticed this tone, but decided not to be interested in such an ambiguous reaction. “Okay. My name is Zeke. Zeke Yeager.” A new round of emotion blossomed, and Amrin's seriousness faded for a moment. “So...you are the eldest son!?” “Yes. And yet, I ask you not to dwell on my identity and to continue the interview in the same tone," Yeager Sr. emphasized, finally lifting his gaze from Armin's credentials and looking at their owner. “Yes! Of course... “these remarks brought him back to reality, and the candidate once again assumed a serious look. “So... Armin Arlert... graduated from Birmingham Medical University. And with such a distinction…” “Yes. And often participated in themed Olympiads and scientific conferences.” There were dozens of papers about it. Zeke was lost in them. Among them were quite a few prestigious commendations and awards. “You're here for virology, right?” “Yeah.” “I would like to point out that our hospital specializes not only in scientific observations, but also in providing medical care to people. So I'm going to ask you questions on this profile too. In the first couple of days, you'll definitely have to help the hospital staff, and after that, you'll be indirectly involved.” “Yeah, I'm listening.” “What do you find difficult about being a nurse, a nurse practitioner? Yes.” “... is that over time, you have to... deal with the regular losses you'll see and become calloused. But despite everything, you have to try to remain as human and empathic with the patient.” “"An unconventional response."” Zeke was clearly interested and leaned back in his chair, continuing to ask questions about working with people.