HYEORAEK

Part 47: Rescue Operation

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"You know what? I'll always wondering if we arrive here with your uncle Hugo. Maybe... just maybe he can help me to find your father as soon as possible," I softly confessed on Timo and his cerulean eyes stared at me. I'm currently sitting at the bench beside his Nursery and holding him carefully. I breathed deeply and recall what happened yesterday and what's awaits us right now.

Muntik na akong hindi pasamahin nang Heneral nang malaman niya ang naging reaksiyon ko sa dugo kahapon, ikuwinesyon pa nga nito ang pagkaligtas ko mula sa labas at ang pagiging nurse ko. Pero nagpumilit pa rin ako kasama ang pamilya at mga kasamahan ko dahil katulad nga ng sinabi niya, kakailanganin nila ang isang Nurse na katulad ko sa mangyayaring operasyon. At kahit pa unti-unti na namang bumabalik ang mga nakalimutan ko noon ay lalabanan ko pa rin ito dahil alam kong sa ikalawang pagkakataon ay makakayanan ko itong madaig at malampasan.

Because of my persistent he finally let me join the mission and that's why I'm wearing a army uniform with different kind of weapons inside of my bag and my pocket. There's also a red lign and white cross on my left signify as their paramedic on our mission. General Dela Rosa give us a minute for us to bid goodbye on our families and friends so I'm here right now talking on this toddler on my arms before I leave.

"Misis!" Nilingon ko si Ali na parang batang kumaway sa akin at tumakbo papunta sa amin ni Timo. Katulad ko ay nakasuot din siya ng sundalong uniporme at sa kanan niya ang baril niya. "Kanina pa kita hinahanap," he casually approached after he sitted beside me. "Hi Baby!" I tried to prevent my laugh when he call Timothy Baby again.

"He's Timothy, Ali," I remind him again and noticed my companions approaching us with Jean and her grandmother.

"Ready na kayo? Ten minutes na lang daw at aalis na tayo," Thea acknowledged us with her arms on Jean. Nasa likod nila si Drew at Gwyn na bagay na bagay ang unipormeng suot ngayon. We heard a voice announced our departure. "Let's go?" she excitedly asked and after I handed Timo at one of the Nurse we started to walked at the center of the place.

"Claire!" My whole family called me and Filan is the one who embraced me before each one of my family. "Mag-iingat kayo roon," My Mom gently said and we're surprised when she hugs Drew, Thea, Gwyn and Ali then bid them a goodbye and remind them to take care.

"So, are you guys ready?" General Dela Rosa asked us before we enter our aircraft, we're on our group now and Salvador becomes our leader while we're all more than forty on our group. Kasama ko sina Gwyn, Drew, Thea at Ali pati na rin ang babaeng sinabi ni Thea na nakaaway daw nila. I even heard Thea complained when we found out that Salvador will be our Captain and that woman with black outfit is also part of us.

Tumagal ng mahigit siyam na oras ang biyahe namin bago kami nakarating sa operation area namin, ang Philippines General Hospital o mas kilala bilang PGH. "We're ready to take off. Magsihanda na kayong lahat," I heard our General remind us from our TCAPS on our ear before we step down of the airplane. Nagpakawala ako nang malalim na hininga bago ko ilibot ang tingin sa paligid namin.

Nasa labas na kami sa harap ng Philippines General Hospital at ang konkretong statue ni Guillermo Tolentino ang unang bumungad sa aming lahat. As I look up the statue of the artist I suddenly remembered the sign of his arms outstretched which symbolizes selfless offering oneself to his country, at second I find ourselves same on him. We're offering ourselves to serves and save our country.