Chapter 49
I smiled when Janelle glanced at me. A slight grin formed on her lips.
She is currently admitted to the in-patient ward of the hospital. I guess she's being released today since her current IV fluid is the last one. It's my lunch break, and I have time to spare, so I wanted to visit her and bring some healthy food. Pangatlong bisita ko na ito sa kaniya ngayong linggo.
"Good morning, Ailani." Bati niya.
"Good morning. Kamusta ang pakiramdam mo?" Tanong ko at mas lumapit pa sa kaniya.
Naka-upo siya sa gilid ng hospital bed at nakamasid sa labas ng bintana. Mabuti na lamang at iyong garden ang kaharap ng kaniyang bintana at hindi iyong sa highway. Mas nakaka-relax kasi 'yon.
"Ayos lang," tumango siya. "I'm just... worried. But everything's going to be fine."
Tinitigan ko siya. Hindi ko alam ang kwento niya. Ang alam ko lang, hindi madali ang kaniyang pinagdaraanan, lalo na ngayon. I don't also want to stick my nose on her personal life and only touch the surface if possible. Sa pag-bisita ay kinakamusta ko lamang siya.
Humupa na ang ingay na dulot ng nangyari no'ng nakaraang linggo. My co-interns bombarded me with so many questions and concerns. The hospital administration advised all staff not to make a noise out of it anymore.
Kinausap rin ako ng Tito ni Malik, iyong director ng ospital. I was so nervous while having a coffee with him, but he was calm and composed then. He only commended me for what I had done and reminded me to call for help the next time.
"Magiging maayos din ang lahat. Huwag mong isipin ang ibang bagay. Alalahanin mo ang sarili mo at si baby. Iyon ang mas importante ngayon." Tipid akong ngumiti.
"Thank you. And please, thank your brother for me again."
"Sure. You'll be released today, 'di ba?" Tiningnan ko ang IV drip niya.
"Oo. Sa pinsan ko muna ako maninirahan pansamantala. Nagka-usap na rin kami ni Atty. Pantaleon tungkol dito. Pulis kasi iyong pinsan ko kaya kahit pa-paano, may proteksyon ako."
"That's good," tumango ako. "Please, take good care of yourself."
I took her number so I can keep contact with her. Hindi ko na nakita pa ang pag-alis niya dahil bumalik na rin ako sa trabaho. Ang sabi naman ni Kuya ay maganda ang takbo ng kaso kaya panatag ang loob ko.
Bumuga ako ng hangin habang hinihilot ang aking sentido. Nag-angat ako ng tingin nang maramdamang may umupo sa tabi ko. Nagulat ako nang makitang si Dr. Carballo iyon. Ngumiti siya nang magka-tinginan kami.
"Ayos ka lang?"
"Magandang gabi, Doc." Tumuwid ako ng upo. "Opo, ayos lang po."
"I hope you're not discouraged by what Dr. Valery told you."
Mabilis akong umiling at tipid na ngumiti. "Hindi naman, po. Tama naman po siya at pagkakamali ko rin naman po 'yon."
"It's also her first operation as the lead surgeon, so she must have been pressured and wanted everything to be perfect." Aniya. "I hope you understand."
"Naiintindihan ko po, Doc. Pagkukulang ko naman po 'yon."
I assisted in the OR today. I'm now rotating in the surgery department. I was tasked to do the retraction. Dr. Carballo is Dr. Valery's assistant. An attendant was there too, but he was only watching. I had a small mistake, and Dr. Valery reprimanded me and told me to do my job better. Alam kong nagalit siya kaya niya nasabi iyon.
She was right, though. My task was simple, and I couldn't even do it properly. I have no excuses, and even if I have, it's not tolerable. What if something happened with the patient just because of that tiny mistake? Would my reason be enough to justify that mistake? No. No excuses are acceptable when it comes to our work, especially when it involves the welfare of our patients.
