Sa Ospital:
Paging Dr. Ellamil please proceed to ER bed 6. Paging Dr. Ellamil please proceed to ER bed 6. Kasalukuyang naghuhugas ng kamay si Raine ng kanyang marinig ang pagtawag sa kanya. Nagmamadali niyang tinapos ang kanyang ginagawa at patakbong tinungo ang elevator. Nagpapasalamat siya at eksakto namang pagbukas ng door. Pinindot niya ang 1st floor kung saan naroroon ang ER.
Lord, please let it not be critical. Please, Lord. Dalangin ni Raine. Every time she has a patient she always prays that it’s not critical or that her patient will be well. Because as much as she loves her job, she also doesn’t want to see people suffer helplessly.
Bumukas ang elevator at patakbo niyang tinungo ang kanyang pasyente. Inabutan niyang duguan ito. Before she became a skilled surgeon, if she sees a patient like this, surely, she would be rattled. But not anymore. She learned how to strengthen herself. She learned how to face her fears. She learned that being a surgeon meant being strong when her patients are weak to fight for themselves.
“What happened?” tanong niya sa mga medics na naroroon.
“Man’s name: Jerard Cruz, age: 34, he was shot.”
Dali-dali niyang nilapitan ang pasyente at siinuri ito. God. This is gonna be a long day for her. Binalingan niya ang mga nurse. Bago pa man siya makapagsalita ay may sumingit sa kanya. “You should know that your patient is a basketball star player. Now, I need the best doctor for Jerard. How do I know you’re not some doctor who kills patient?” nanghahamon ang tono ng pananalita ng matandang lalaki.
So ang pasyente niya ay isa pa lang kilalang personalidad. Nabigla man ay hindi sya papa-intimidate sa matandang lalaking ito. “Excuse me, sir. Who are you?”
Nagulat marahil ang mga kasamahan niya at ang lalaki. “I’m his coach.” Sagot ng matanda.
“Well, coach, I know what you’re trying to say, and I know what you mean. But if you want to save Mr. Cruz, you’re gonna have to let me take over. We’re not inside a basketball court; you’re in a hospital, my turf. So it’s my rules right now. Whether you like it or not. ”
Natahimik ang matanda at binalingan niya ang mga nurse.
“Let’s prep him for surgery.” Bilin niya sa mga nurse. Nilapitan niya ang pasyente. “Sir, you need to stay with us. Okay? You’re gonna be in surgery. I need you stay with us.” ulit niya.
“Am I… going to… d-die?” nahihirapang tanong ng pasyente.
Natahimik ang mga medics at nurse sa kanyang tabi. Everyone is anticipating what her answer will be. “Yes,that is if you won’t fight. So fight, you understand?” nagulat man ang mga tao sa kanyang paligid ay wala siyang pakialam. She had to tell him the truth. And she’ll do her best not to let that happen.
Tumango ang pasyente.
“Good. Now we are taking you in the OR.”
Russels POV
“TR, pwede ba? Tumahimik ka na. nakakrindi na yang boses mo. Para kang babae kung makatawa.” Inis na saway ni RR sa kaibigan.
“Heto naman. Sa masaya ako eh. ” nakangising sagot ni TR.
“Masaya, bakit?” tanong ni Russel.
Nakalolokong ngiti ang pinukol ni TR sa kanya. “Wala lang.”
“Neknek mo. Sabihin mo na!”
“Bakit ba?! Masaya ako. Wala na kayo dun.”
Sabay-sabay na binato ng mga kaibigan ni Russel si TR ng kung ano mang bagay na malapit sa kanila.
