Romance in Shambles

CHAPTER ONE

Chapter One

Busy feet. Machines beeping. Medicine scent filling the area, well the usual setup inside a huge white colored facility. A place which serves as hope for those fighting with death. Or dealing with it the wrong way. I guess.

I removed the surgical mask I was wearing as I got out of the room I've just occupied two hours ago. I wrinkled my nose as the hospital's usual air surfaced on my nostrils.

"Doc! Kumusta po ang anak ko?" Her voice was trembling as she looked at me and with no contentment, she gripped my exhausted arms firmly.

"The patient's now stable-" I had to hault from speaking when she threw herself to me and imprisoned me with a tight embrace. And as the understanding side of me butt in, I waited for minutes for her to finally let loose. "Good thing nadala nyo sya agad dito. A minute or two of being late, only God knows what." I said finishing the sentence I was about to directly spit earlier if only she wasn't that clingy.

"Salamat Doc! Salamat talaga, hulog ka ng langit." Her eyes were still clouded with tears, and I wasn't able to stop the pain piercing my chest with that look.

For the first time since earlier, I managed to give her a smile. The sincerest I have.

"No need to thank me that much, I just did what has to be done." Again, a smile crept on my lips. "You should thank Him, hindi nya hinayaang mawala sa inyo ng maaga ang anak mo."

With teary eyes, she nodded continuously along with her multiple sniffles.

"He's transferred to a room already, so you can now visit him." I lifted my right hand and lightly patted her shoulder. "Keep an eye on your son this time. Consider the precautions before taking a wheel, and most of all the drunk driving... A big no to that." I saw her nodded at me and murmured her thank you again. "I'll get going now."

"Salamat po ulit Doc." And with a single nod, I turned my back at her and went to my office.

--

"You must be really tired my dear." I rolled my eyes when that exaggerated voice reined my hearing.

With weary eyes, I slumped my body on the swivel chair and blowed out a really deep breath. Dalawang oras ako sa loob ng operating room and my body felt numb when the operation ended. Good thing, it was a successful one.

I was enjoying my own comfort when I felt a pair of fingers gently pressed on my temple. And my breathing became comfortably even when it started moving its own way which then became a good massage.

"There you go," the owner of the hands massaging me spoke. "You're stressing yourself too much lately, what's wrong?"

Kahit nasa likod ko sya at hindi ko nakikita ang mukha nya, I could feel how his face etches worry. And his question also made me ask myself, Am I too hard on myself lately? I don't remember any specific time. I'm just doing the usual routine of mine. Do my rounds, entertain consultations, conduct surgical operations---when there's any, eat my meal, clean myself and rest---when given a chance.

"I don't think so," Finally, after a minute of battling with my self-questioning, I was able to blurt out a couple of words. "I'm just doing the routine."

Then I heard him sigh. Later on, he was already in front of me, darting me an unusual stare. My forehead creased but I didn't get the chance to fire a word or two as my question for him. He was quick with words.

"Exactly! Those routines that made you really drained." He was swaying his hands in front of my face while talking which I immediately shoved away. Baka tamaan nya pa ang mukha ko.