“And you’ve got this,” Vanessa says. “I know we all have our own story about why we wanted to go to med school and how it’s our calling and blah blah blah. But you actually live it. You do so much for your patients; you work harder than anyone and make psychiatry your life.”

Suhani shrugs. “You give me way too much credit.”

She always knew she wanted to be a psychiatrist. Not just because of Dad, but also because of things she learned from Mom: the fulfillment of learning someone’s story, building long-term relationships, and being the person to be counted on. She even loves the parts that are supposed to be stressful, like calming down an agitated patient or mediating heated family arguments. And more than anything, psychiatry gives her the chance to make sure she can be there for people who hit rock bottom the way she once did.

“Well, I know I have to try,” Suhani says. “Chief will be my first real chance to make a change in our system. Make sure residents feel supported, that we can get more female leaders in the field and, hopefully, see if there’s a way to bring more attention to women’s mental healthcare.”

“You will,” Vanessa says. Her equal parts tough and tender disposition always fill Suhani with confidence, with a steadfast faith that she really can do anything she puts her mind to. She starts mentally drafting her list of reasons for Dr. Wilson. Hardworking, cares for resident well-being, wants to make a big impact for people who really need mental healthcare. Check, check, check.

Their conversation jumps from topic to topic. After Vanessa shows Suhani the profile of her latest Bumble date, a Turkish plastic surgeon, she leans back in the chair. “How’s Zack?”

“Fine.” Suhani shrugs. “He brought up the idea of having kids.”

“Wow, really?” Vanessa asks. “What did you say?”

“I didn’t know what to say! I don’t even know how I feel about them. No, wait, I do know the thought of having them anytime soon scares me. I mean, we’ve talked about how if we ever had them, we’d want them to know both of our cultures, and Zack’s always said he would do everything possible to make sure my career isn’t derailed. But it just totally threw me off guard when he brought it up.”

She waits for Vanessa to nod in agreement or say something that confirms how Suhani feels is valid.

But Vanessa frowns and scrunches her lip, the same focused look she gets when they’re having class discussions about complicated patients. “Um, Suhani, I understand what you mean about being scared of having kids. But do you think you’re also really scared of having a marriage like your parents’?”

Suhani’s breath catches in her throat. “Where did that come from?”