Beyond The Stethoscope

Prologue

Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

The names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this book are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

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"Congratulations, Dra. Valerie Valdez!,"

I was holding a bouquet of flowers na binigay sa akin ni Nurse Ong. Today is my happiest day kasi nga may doctor license na ako. 'Dra. Valerie Valdez' sarap sa tenga.

"I am sure proud na proud ang mga magulang mo saiyo, Val," mahinahong banggit ni Nurse Ong sa akin kaya naman napa-ngisi nalang ako. I don't want to ruin my day dahil lang sa sinabi ni Nurse Ong. My parents have never been proud of me. They didn't support me even when I was working as an intern here.

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Girlies:

Bridget: Congratulations, Dra. Valdez!

Prim: Congrats, Valerie! Omg, professional doctor ka na, may maga-gamot na rin sa peklat ko.

Rose: Tangina be, congrats! @valvaldez oh, ano? Celebrate tayo.

They have been my friends since highschool. Noon pa lang ay marami na kaming kaga-guhan na mga ginagawa. Like going to clubs, hanging out, and worst pa doon ay nagcu-cutting classes pa kami. But even with all that, masaya naman kaming magkakaibiganan.

Girlies:

Me: Sorry, loves. Busy ako, maybe next day?

Bridget: Sad na kami, oh :(

Bridget: Joke lang, okay! Susunod na araw!

Me: Where naman? Club? Ayoko na.

Bridget: Luh, first time tumanggi, ah? hahaha

Me: Sa condo ko nalang para tipid :)

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Maaga nga akong pumasok ngayon sa hospital, as always naman. Dumiretso na ako kaagad sa office ko para ilagay ang mga gamit ko at at nag-bihis na doon, inayos ko na rin ang buhok ko. Sinout ko kaagad ang white ko 'Dra. Valdez'

"Good morning, Dra. Valdez," bati sa akin nong isang nurse. Ganyan naman sila dapat, kada umaga ay palagi nila akong binabati, actually, lahat naman.

"Dra, may patient po sa room 402," the nurse informed me, kaya naman ay agad kong tinignan ang pangalan ng pasyente.

Patient Information:

Name: Jack Yros Reyes.

Age: 10.

Gender: Male.

Date of Birth: May 5, 20XX.

Address: 123 Sunflower Street, Baranggay Rosas Metro Manila, Philippines.

He is so young. After that ay tinignan ko rin ang kanyang history and symptoms.

History and Symptoms:

Jack Yros Reyes has been having stomach pain on and off for the last month. The pain usually happens in the evening after he eats. Sometimes, Jack feels like he might throw up, but he hasn't actually vomited. He has been feeling tired and not as hungry as usual.

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After that, dahan-dahan naman akong naglakad habang tinitignan ko ang record ng bata.

Nang makarating na ako sa room 402, kalmado ko lang binuksan ang pinto doon.

"How are you—"

Naputol ang sasabihin ko nang maiangat ko ang ulo ko sa naka-upo sa harap ko.

"Dra,"

I saw Isaac Roy Rodriguez, naka-upo siya sa sofa habang naka-crossed ang kanyang paa.

After four years, it feels like I've seen a new version of him. He looks a lot more grown-up now. Even from distance, amoy ko ang mala-anghel niyang pabango.

Madali ko ngang inilipat ang tingin ko sa pasyente kong bata. Mahimbing na naka-tulog yung bata sa isang maliit na kama.

Sigurado naman din akong hindi niya ito anak, iba yung apelyido, e, magka-iba rin sila ng mukha, pero who knows?

"What is your relationship with the patient, sir?" I asked calmly, pero deep inside kabang-kaba ako, ang awkward ng hangin dito.

"Child," tumingin siya sa akin, lumiwanag sa akin ang kanyang almond eyes. "Of a friend." He is the child of a friend."

Wow, bakit may pa-ganon?

"Okay, I'll just come back later," sabi ko at nagsimulang maglakad paalis.

But before I could take another step, he grabbed my wrist and pinned me against the wall.

Narinig ko pa ang pag-lock niya sa pinto, trapping me inside. Wala nang mas kaba pa sa nararamdam ko ngayon. His two hands blocking my way.