The next day, Megyn went straight to Room 28. She needed to clear things up with Dr. Evans. She wasn't about to sit back and allow her life to be threatened. Why was he threatening me? The question lingered heavily in her mind.
She found Dr. Evans already seated at his desk.
"Come in, Megyn," the doctor said with a grin. "Please, have a seat."
"Thanks, Doctor," Megyn replied, taking a seat. "I've come to talk, especially about yesterday." She paused, then continued, "I feel like you threatened me, and I don't know why."
"Hold it there," Dr. Evans interrupted, raising his right hand to dismiss her accusation. Wearing his signature smile, he said, "Where I come from, we start with greetings in the morning." He extended his hand toward her.
Megyn, sitting stiffly, reluctantly shook his hand and muttered, "Good morning."
"Good morning, Megyn," he replied warmly. "Now, tell me why you think I threatened you."
"You threatened to make my logbook disappear," Megyn said firmly.
"I only wanted to get your attention—and that was the quickest way to do it," he explained, raising his eyebrows to prompt her to continue.
"And the second thing—you warned me to be careful. What did you mean by that?" she asked.
"It meant exactly that—you should be careful," he said seriously. "Men often seek strong-willed, principled women like you... to destroy them." He smiled gently. "You are one of those women, and I am advising you to be cautious."
Megyn was momentarily stunned by his words. "I don't understand," she said quietly. "All those girls... what do you do with them? Do you charm them only to destroy their lives?"
"No. On the contrary, I try to help them," Dr. Evans replied.
Megyn was surprised. "That's interesting," she said thoughtfully. "Was there someone in your life who was destroyed by a man?"
"You'll only know if you give me a chance to talk," he said. "I'm actually very harmless."
"Terry Mumbi—why did she come to your office yesterday?" Megyn pressed.
Dr. Evans was silent for a moment, then answered, "I knew Terry from our college days. She came to see me for personal reasons." He made no mention of Benjamin.
Megyn felt relieved. Dr. Evans' warning wasn't about Benjamin after all.
"Doctor, thanks for clarifying. I must say you really did leave me feeling threatened yesterday."
"Actually," Dr. Evans chuckled, "you are the one who always threatens me for no reason, Megyn." He added warmly, "Can we call a truce from now on?"
"Yes, why not?" Megyn agreed.
They shook hands, sealing their peace.
As Megyn left the office to start her day, Dr. Evans resumed finalizing his reports. His flight was scheduled to leave at eleven. He believed Megyn was still pure, untouched. Every time he saw her, his heart went out to her. How innocent! He knew there were bets placed on girls like Megyn—to impregnate and abort. He had once participated in that cruelty, and seen lives destroyed.
Megyn, meanwhile, was lighthearted as she walked through the hospital corridors, at one point even humming. She spotted Dr. Evans with his briefcase, leaving. He flashed her his signature smile and raised two fingers in a peace sign. We are peaceful now, she thought.
At lunchtime, Megyn and Cindy met at the cafeteria. Both were eating French fries and salad, drenched in tomato sauce—the classic student lunch.
"Dr. Evans has gone back to the city," Megyn informed Cindy.
"It's high time," Cindy retorted.
"I don't think he's a bad man," Megyn said thoughtfully. "He tries to help girls, though his methods are... strange."
Cindy raised her eyebrows in disbelief. "Megyn Maringo! What has gotten into you?"
Megyn washed down her food with a sip of soda, then looked at Cindy. "I went to him for clarification—to ask whether he was warning or threatening me."
That caught Cindy's attention. She paused mid-bite.
"And...?" she prompted eagerly.
"He says he tries to help the girls who come to him."
"That's interesting," Cindy said, shaking her head in amazement.
"That was my reaction too," Megyn admitted. She laughed, raising two fingers in a peace sign. "We called a truce."
"So it wasn't a warning about Benjamin?" Cindy asked.
"No. One thing that reassured me was that he didn't even mention Benjamin. He has no idea Benjamin likes me."
"That's good to know," Cindy said, visibly relieved and excited for her friend.
As they continued eating, both received a pleasant surprise: their mobile money accounts were credited with a bonus from the hospital. A sweet addition to their happiness.
That evening, while reading a medical journal in her room, Megyn received a call from Benjamin. She picked up immediately.
"Hey, Benjamin," she greeted warmly.
"Hey, Gazelle," he said affectionately.
At the sound of his voice, Megyn closed her eyes briefly, savoring the moment.
"How have you been?" she asked, thinking of the doubts she'd harbored about him, the misplaced feelings of betrayal without even seeking the truth.
"I feel guilty," she murmured, half to herself.
"Why are you guilty, Gazelle?" Benjamin asked gently.
"Something Dr. Evans said got into my heart. It made me realize that I don't know you well... and I was filled with doubts about us," Megyn confessed.
"Then..." Benjamin urged her to continue.
"I knocked on his office door and asked him why he was warning me."
"Mm," Benjamin prompted.
"He gave me some explanations that sounded far-fetched, but oddly enough... I believed him."
"Oh, you believed him?"
"Just enough to want to understand why he attracts all these girls," Megyn explained.
"Megyn," Benjamin said, "Evans is my friend, but I've never really understood what happens when he's around women—especially students."
"I don't think it's just students. It could be any single lady," Megyn added thoughtfully.
"I'm getting jealous now," Benjamin teased.
"Why?" she asked, laughing.
"Because of Evans. He's the one who messed up my high school girlfriend and I was afraid he would do the same to you," Benjamin confessed.
"I'm so sorry about that," Megyn said sincerely. "But don't worry—he won't mess with me. I'll wait for you. Remember, you trusted me with your heart? I won't break it."
"...And I'll never break yours," Benjamin promised.
Later that evening, while taking a shower, Megyn found herself thinking deeply about Benjamin. Why does he still call Evans his friend if Evans once broke his heart with his girlfriend?
Maybe Dr. Evans had changed. Maybe he deserves a second chance.
She wished Benjamin was there...