One Night

Prologue

"Kailangan niyo pong bumalik saakin after one week para po matanggal na natin yung mga stitches ng sugat niyo. Wag po muna kayo masyadong mag gagalaw para hindi po bumuka ang tahi niyo, okay po?" I explained to my patient na madidischarge today. May laceration kasi siya sa forehead niya na kailangan tahiin.

I gave her some prescriptions na kailangan niyang bilhin in case sumakit yung ulo niya and some ointments na kailangan niyang i rub sa tahi niya para hindi mag iwan ng peklat.

After ng ilang paalala, I cleared her so she can be discharged in a few. I decided to have my rounds first before going back to my clinic. When I entered my clinic kaagad akong umupo sa swivel chair ko at pumikit. Buti nalang at hindi masyadong nakakapagod ang shift ko ngayong araw. Walang masyadong pasyente.

I decided to open the paper bag na pinadala saakin galing sa bahay. There's a note attached to the paper bag.

'Don't starve yourself, mommy! Ahma help me made this.
- Axel <3'

I smiled upon reading the note from my baby boy, well actually sulat yun ni mommy. Hindi pa naman marunong magsulat ang anak ko dahil magttwo years old pa siya ngayong September.

Ferdinand Axeleighvo, the love of my life. My joy. My masterpiece. Isang tama sa lahat ng mga mali na nagawa ko.

I open the tub and I saw my favorite food. Carbonara and cordon bleu. Yummy. I was about to eat when someone knock on my door. I yelled 'come in' to whoever that person is and when the door opened I saw my assistant.

"Doc, may new patient po need po ng urgent assistance." Claire, my assistant said. Wala bang ibang doctor na pwedeng tumingin?

"Wala bang ibang available na doctor?" I asked her. Nagugutom na ako. Doctors need to rest din naman. Baka kami naman yung sunod na maging patient niyan.

"Wala po doc eh. Si Dra. Santillan po may scheduled na surgery sila ni Dr. Miranda ngayon. Yung iba naman po on call ngayon. So basically ikaw lang po avail ngayon." She explained. I heaved a sigh, bago tinakpan ulit ang tub na nagcocontain ng mga pagkain ko. Sinundan ko na ang assistant ko sa paglalakad.

Himala ata na walang available na ibang doctor kundi ako lang? Kailangan ko ng kausapin ulit si daddy para naman makapaghire na ulit siya ng mga doctors at nurses. Madami pa namang health workers na napipilitan mangibang bayan dahil walang maganda opportunity para makapagtrabaho sila.

Habang naglalakad ako biglang tumunog yung cellphone ko so kinuha ko from the pocket of my coat. Nagtext pala si mommy.

'Did you enjoy the food me and Axel prepared for you?' 

'Haven't eaten yet. I have to a patient to attend to sa ER.'

'Okay, eat as soon as you find time to eat ha? Wag kang magpapagutom. Nagffeed ka pa kay Axel.'

'Yes, mom. I gotta go. Kiss Axel for me and tell him mommy will be home before his bedtime. Love you both!'

After sending that message to mom I immediately put my phone back inside my pocket, since sakto naman na nasa ER na kami.

"Asaan yung patient?" I asked Claire. Tinuro niya yung last curtain sa right side. I went straight there as soon as Claire handed me the chart.

"You're so arte! Galos lang yan pupunta punta ka pa dito! Landi mo din ano?"

I heard someone said behind the curtain. Familiar yung boses pero sinet-aside ko lang baka dala lang ng gutom. Nung hinawi ko yung kurtina nagulat ako kasi nakita ko si Kuya Matthew. My eyes widened.