“It was all worth it, thank you, Eli.”
Nagulat ako nang yakapin ako ni Camille matapos naming matunghayang lumabas si Phelps mula sa office ng CEO, pinanggigigilan niya ang surgical cap niyang nasa kaniyanh kanang kamay, bago lumandas sa aking ang kaniyang tingin. Napaka sama niyon, na para bang makakapatay siya. Umiwas na lang ako ng tingin. Ang importante ay wala na sa kaniyang badge niya.
“Your words must have touched the board members’ ears, huh?” sambit pang muli ni Camille bago niya ako tuluyang hiniwalayan. Napangiti na lamang ako sa nurse’s badge na muli ay nakasuot na sa akin.
She’s right. It was all worth it.
“I am a lesser victim than the people at my back, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t talk here in front right now to speak for them. Neurosurgeons indeed are the bigger persons here, but that doesn’t mean that they can do what ever they fucking want with people smaller than them! We deserve the same respect! We committed ourselves to administer the right medication, and offer help to the people that need our help. We give all the safety that we can give—but in return, give us the same safety, dahil tao rin po kami!” lumingon ako sa aking likod para tignan ang mga nurse na gaya ko, hawak ang megaphone ay sinabi kong, “Florence Nightingale Oath everyone.”
Ngumiti sila ng malaki nang marinig ang huli kong salita, tapos ay sabay-sabay naming nirecite ang Florence Nightingale Oath.
“I solemnly pledge myself to God and in the presence of this assembly,” sigaw namin, nangingibabaw ang boses ko dahil sa gamit kong megaphone. Pero dahil sa tulong nila ay mas lumakas ang puwersa namin, “To pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully.”
Nagpalitan kami ng tinginan. Lahat sila ay may tagumpay na mga ngiti, kahit hindi pa man kami nananalo, “I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug.”
Mas lumalakas ang mga boses nila, tila ba ay sumisigaw na, “I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling.”
A tear fell from my eyes, as we all, powerfully said the last words, “With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.”
Paulit-ulit naming nirecite sa harap ang Nightingale Pledge habang hawak ang mga karatula. Panay ang pagtulo ng mga luha ko habang paulit-ulit akong sumisigaw from the top of my lungs.
Lumabas ang CEO no’n at nakahalukipkip kaming pinanood habang paulit-ulit naming nirerecite ang Nightingale pledge. His face is of a defeated one. Nakita ko ang bahagyang pagngiti niya sa akin bago na siya muling pumasok sa loob.
His smile made me cried even more.
Alam ko nang sa mga oras na iyon ay nanalo na kami.
“Welcome back, bitch. I didn’t even notice you were gone.” pagbati ni Astatine nang pumasok na ko sa ward, napakibit balikat na lang ako sa kaniya habang nakangisi.
Napalukot agad ang kaniyang mukha sabay sabi, “Ay, ang yabang mo do’n, friend.” natawa na lang ako sa naging reasyon niya.
“Back to work.” madiing sambit ni NSV nang lapitan niya ako, agad umalis sa tabi ko si Astatine at saka ay chineck ang MAR na bitbit niya. “Ito na po,” sambit niya sabay nagmadaling umalis sa Nurse station.
“Welcome back,” bati ni NSV sa akin tapos ay ngumiti siya ng tipid bago ako inabutan ng MAR, tapos ay naglakad na siya paalis. Pero tumigil siya sandali at saka ako nilingon, “You were great back there. And the oath is a genius move.” sambit niya bago na siya tuluyang umalis.
BINABASA MO ANG
Drastic Measures
RomanceToxicity at its finest. Battered and broken, Eli was determined to change her life and get away as far from her abusive husband. And then she met Brix, a neighbor with a dark past whom she'd have an affair with. Read at your own risk.
