Dying Embers

Chapter Seventy-Three

Chapter Seventy-Three: Half a Step Away

Two years later...

"Wow, your temperature went down overnight. You're so strong," ngiti ko sa bata, habang tinitingnan ko kung paano kumislap ang excitement sa kanyang maliliit na mata. "See, I told you, the fairy potion was really effective."

"See, Mommy? Fairy potions are real!" sabi niya, sabay talon sa tuwa, ang boses niya parang maliit na kampanilyang tumunog sa kwarto.

Napatawa ang mommy niya sa gilid. "Yes, sweetheart. Let's thank the fairies later, okay?"

Tumayo siya, may ngiting pagod pero magaan, at lumapit sa akin. "Thank you so much. Will she be able to get discharged today?"

Tumango ako habang inaayos ang mga folder sa kamay ko. "Yes, ma'am. I just need to get these medicines prescribed by Dr. Evans. For her food, try to give her light, healthy meals, and avoid oily, junky, and heavy foods until she's fully recovered."

Halata sa mukha ng babae ang ginhawa. "Thank you. Can she go now, though? Her dad's waiting outside. I'll just wait here for the meds."

"Yeah, sure." Tumingin ako sa bata. "Bye, Kitty!"

She looked up at me, her big brown eyes sparkling. "Bye, pretty nurse!"

Napangiti ako. "You're so sweet," sabi ko, sabay lingon sa mommy niya. "Please wait for me here. I'll be back with the medicines."

Paglabas ko ng pediatric private room, sinalubong ako ng pamilyar na amoy ng alcohol at disinfectant, malinis, malamig, at medyo nakakaantok. The hallway lights hummed softly above me while I flipped through the patient's chart. The little girl na na-admit last week dahil sa matinding lagnat, finally, pwede na siyang umuwi. Relief washed over me. Kailangan ko na lang i-prescribe ng vitamins at ilang gamot bago siya ma-discharge.

Then, a familiar voice sliced through the the ward.

"Rain, wanna grab lunch?"

Paglingon ko, nakita ko si Elsie. Her smile tired but warm, the kind that always carried a piece of home. Siya lang ang kapwa-Filipino ko rito sa ospital, and somehow, just seeing her made the world feel a little less foreign.

Yes, I'm now a UKRN. I sometimes remind myself, as if the title alone could anchor me here. Six months in London, working in one of its biggest hospitals. Pero kahit gaano kalaki ang lugar na 'to, kahit gaano ka-busy ang trabaho, may isang dahilan kung bakit ako nandito.

I didn't just come here to heal strangers... but to find someone I lost two years ago.

"Sige," sagot ko kay Elsie, pinipilit ang ngiti, "pero kukuha pa ako ng meds ng bata para ma-discharge na siya. I still need to explain the do's and don'ts, tapos ibigay 'yong meds."

"Okay then, I'll wait for you," sabi niya, inaabot ang ID niyang nakasabit sa leeg.

Umiling ako, sabay tawa. "Hindi na, mauna ka na. 'Di ba may kailangan ka pang asikasuhin?"

"Yeah," she groaned, rolling her eyes. "Gutom na nga ako eh, tapos sinusungitan pa ako ng isang nurse do'n sa station ko. As in, gusto ko na siyang sabuyan ng kape. So, saan ka ngayon? Sa pharma?"

"Oo," sagot ko.

"Then I'll get going," she said with a mock salute. "Pasensya na, nanginginig na talaga ako sa gutom."

Napatawa ako nang mahina. "Ingat, Elsie."

Pagkaalis niya, unti-unting naglaho 'yong tawa sa labi ko. The laughter faded, leaving only the sterile silence of the hallway. I let out a long breath I didn't realize I was holding.