Somebody, call me a Doctor!!

ii. Nice to Meet You Again

"Do you still like braised pork with egg?" Beam asked as he set down the food tray in front of Forth.

Forth drooled at the look of the roast pork leg swimming on a delicious smelling stew, "Man, it's been ages since I last ate Khao Kha Moo."

Beam took Forth at the hospital's cafeteria on the second floor, chatting along the way there. They settled on Beam ordering the food for the both of them since the doctor is more familiar of the cafeteria's menu. Forth is just happy that he could meet an old friend after years of not seeing them, it's nice knowing that they are doing well.

"So you still don't eat the yolk on your fried egg?" Forth asked when he noticed Beam pushing the yolk on the far side of his plate.

Beam looked at him sheepishly, "You knew about that?"

"Back then it was cute but now, seeing a 35 year-old grown man being a picky eater is just sad." Forth grinned.

"I'm your friend but as your doctor, that's just plain rude." Beam deadpanned.

"I can take it if you don't want it." 

"You can take it if you want it." Beam retorted, emphasizing the word 'you'.

Forth just laughed at that while taking the yolk off of Beam's plate. It was also nice knowing that not everything has changed. There are still quirks that you can't just get rid of as you age.

"Hi, Dr. Baramee." The doctors, interns, and nurses alike all greet Beam when they pass besides their table, Beam would also return their greeting.

"Who's your friend, Doc?" an older nurse asked as she notice Beam's companion.

"Back in the dating game again?"

Beam choked and Forth just laughed heartily at that question.

"Oh gosh! Slow down, Beam. I don't want to call the doctors back in the ER up here." Forth teased as he hand Beam a tissue.

Beam accepted the tissue and wiped his mouth while glaring at Forth. The gesture never went unnoticed by the nurse, it wasn't everyday that they could see the doctor's feather being ruffled. Years of working with the doctor, it was the first time seeing him in a playful banter besides his patients. Although polite and friendly, the doctor always maintain a professional relationship with all the hospital employees.

"No, Phi. He's an old friend. An annoying friend who doesn't show his gratitude to the doctor who made sure he doesn't have any internal injuries." Beam answered, still scowling at Forth.

"I paid several bucks for your medical expertise, I think we're even." Forth joked, "Hi, ma'am. I'm Forth. Beam's date."

"No, he's just joking Phi." Beam rolled his eyes at that.

"Well, I'll better be going now. I don't want to interrupt your date, Dr. Beam." The nurse playfully said.

"Phiiiii!!" Beam whined at the retreating nurse.

He turned his attention back to Forth who is still laughing, "I don't remember you being this insufferable?"

"You don't date?" Forth asked as he pick his food again.

"I'm too busy for that now." Beam replied.

"Wow! To think you have the most number of girls back in college."

"That's why I keep dating back then. I guess the novelty of dating wore off after graduating. How about you, Mr. Engineer?"

"Every now and then I see someone, but not seriously. Work keeps me occupied."