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.I know it sounds odd but I almost resent being associated with a nation and people I have so little in common with.Many think that it is my heritage but really, I am British.My parents always lived a very westernised and modern life under the Shah, which was why they left when it became clear the government was going to change.The images you see of Iran on TV these days have nothing to do with the place my family left behind.”“I see.Well, I wish I knew more about Iran.I work as an air stewardess but we don’t fly there, so I have never been.”“It seems to be an interesting profession.I had a colleague once who left to become a flight attendant.Her training as paramedic helped her a lot in the interview, she said.You probably know a fair bit about medical situations, too?”Hanna shrugged uncomfortably and was saved by a waiter who took their drinks order.“You don’t drink?” Hanna asked Karim, who had ordered a bottle of still water.“Is that for religious reasons?”“No, that is for professional reasons.If there is an emergency at work I could volunteer to help.”“Why don’t you tell me more about your family?” Hanna asked.“Okay, well, my mother is one of the loveliest people you will ever meet,” Karim claimed.“She had a stroke three years ago but she is still the most patient and kind person imaginable.She has only physically recovered a little, and still struggles with it.Our family life revolves pretty much around her care now.She is doing well, all things considered, and never complains.”“I am sorry to hear that.How badly affected is she, if I may ask? Can she speak and walk?”“Her speech came back almost immediately.Fortunately she never developed real problems with that, which is very lucky because my mother likes to talk a lot.If there is such a thing as divine intervention then the gods had mercy on her and left her the thing most precious to her heart.”“I had no idea that it was possible to have a stroke that does not affect your speech,” Hanna said surprised.“Can she walk on her own?”“Not yet.But we are working on it,” Karim said.“She gets the best care we can get.She even had the best paramedic,” he said with a wink.“Why, did you find her? That must have been awful.”“I was on duty and my team was called out for it.”“They did not substitute you?” Her heart went out to him for having gone through such an ordeal.“I didn’t tell them.It should have been my responsibility to remove myself from the team, but as a health care professional I have learned to detach myself from emotional involvement, and just deal with the situation.”“That is a very confident statement.”“I guess it is.I am sorry.I think we people from the medical profession can be a little arrogant and overly confident; the infamous God complex.I assure you I only have a mild version of it,” Karim said.“I work with pilots.Many of them have a very similar mind set.I became immune to it years ago, or I would have left the job by now,” Hanna said with a dismissive hand gesture.“I must say I would have thought you’d be scared that your emotions might cause you to make a mistake while helping your mother that night.”“Not at the time.I did not think twice about it.Helping people and helping them quickly is drilled into us so much, it has become second nature.You must know about that yourself.”“Of course,” Hanna said, closing her menu abruptly.“Well, I am ready to order when you are.I’m starving.”Karim called the waiter over who took their order and then led them to a more secluded dining area.The lighting was darker and there were separate booths, giving the setting a very intimate feeling.“This is very cosy,” Karim observed.“Yes, I don’t remember it ever being like this,” Hanna replied.“When I last came here with my family they took us to a larger room with big tables and bright lights.Maybe this section of the restaurant is new.”“So, have you ever been in an emergency?” Karim asked
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