Ricci Rivero, MD

Epilogue

Reality has a way to things. Like telling you that at one point you're meant to be with that person but then ended up breaking things apart.

Its been a week since everything got fucked up. I'm always sure that I'd end up with him. I'd marry him and have kids with him. I thought it was easy but it's not. We just stopped and thought of why we want this more than anything.

I'm almost 33 and maybe this is reality speaking that I need someone else and just stop hoping that Rivero and I would end up together. I couldn't waste more of my time. I need a family, too.

I closed my eyes by the thought of him. I'm hurting so much and I just need a hug from him. Gustong gusto ko pa din siya pero ba't ganon? Isang away lang yun pero nabuhos lahat yung hinanakit for 5 months. Second chances don't mean you'll end up happily.

10 minutes nalang and I'll be leaving Philippines for good. Australia, please be good to me.

"Is there a doctor on board?" I heard that twice already. We're on the plane for 4 hours already. Another 4 to go.

"I repeat. Is there a doctor on board?" Then it hit me. Doctor pala ako. I forgot. My mind was just preoccupied.

I stood up at pumunta na sa nag announce non.

"I'm a doctor. What's happening?"

"I believe it's a Myocardial Infarction." Agad akong tumakbo papunta sa babaeng nakahiga na sa hallway ng eroplano.

"Do you have any place for emergency here?" I asked. She nodded at agad naman nila ito kinarga don.

"She doesn't have pulse. Get your medical kit for heart attack please." the other doctor informed. Dun ko lang namalayan na may doctor pala cause his back is facing me.

Even though it's just his back. I know it's him. Why do we have to meet now?

"Dr. Rivero. This is Dr." The flight stweardess stopped asking for my family name. "Larazabal" I stated. "This is Dr. Larazabal." she continued.

"Can you perform endotracheal intubation?" I just nodded at kumuha na ng sterile gloves.

I'm really not that 100% sure. This wasn't our field. This was for cardiologist but kami lang ni Rivero ang doctor dito and we're general surgeons.

"Can you just check up on her for me? Ako nalang mag intubate." Pero may biglang inatake na ibang passenger.

Oh fuck.

Agad siya dinala dito kaya no choice kami. We have to do intubation separately or else they'll die and if this intubation is placed incorrectly they'll die also.

I need to focus. Kaya ko to'.

"Dr. Larazabal." tumingin ako sa gawi nya

He mouthed "kaya mo yan."

We started the procedure. I inserted a laryngoscope to look for the upper portion of trachea. Nakita ko na yun at unti ko ng pinasok yung tube to her trachea.

I pumped the tube at nakita ko na itong huminga.

"Let them stay here. When we land take them right away to the nearest hospital. Okay?" I instructed the stewardess.

I got up and started walking away.

"Hey." I felt a hand grabbing my arm.

"Hey." I replied.

"How are you?" He's wearing a plain black shirt and naka jogger shorts lang siya. No one would think he's a doctor with what he's wearing pero ang hot nya pa din. He always have this sex appeal that can make you drool over.

"I'm okay. Ikaw?" I lied.

"You're lying." He chuckled.

I missed you.

"I'm not. Ikaw ba?" I chuckled trying to make things light for us.

"Can I hug you?" I just nodded.

He wrapped his humerus bone to my upper extremity.

"What happened to us?" Tanong nya but no one was brave enough to answer.

He kissed my forehead when we decided to part from each other.

Sometimes you just don't need any closure. Sometimes you just have to accept things and move-on. Fate decided for the both of you.

I sat down and started writing in my notebook.

To the man I'll always love,

When I was in med school I was only sure about becoming a doctor but you came and made me certain of you.  You'll always be that seatmate I'd always be amaze when you answer,  You'll always be that neighbor who'd always bring a drink when things our about to weigh you down and you needed someone to share it with, You'll always be that food buddy where we'd eat together trying to be healthy for our patients, You'll always be that study buddy where you'd make me reviewer just to ace an exam, You'll always be that doctor who'd work his ass off more than his duty time just to make sure his patients are okay before leaving, You'll always be that Ricci Paolo Rivero that I fall in love with and that person who always makes me feel loved the way a woman deserves to be. Maybe this isn't our shot in life. Maybe the next ones will? Right? I hope so.

I went down from the plane and started walking going to the baggage place.

A familiar scent stood beside me.

"You'll be here for good?" He asked.

I just nodded for words that's left unspoken.

"Ako pa din ba?" I saw my baggage at kinuha ko na ito.

"Ikaw pa din. Ikaw lang naman palagi eh." I bitterly smiled while preparing to leave.

"So what do you say about getting a coffee, then?" He got his baggage and  I saw him smile.

"Sure." I answered.

I don't know how this would end but one thing's for sure we're not leaving without a fight.

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Author's note next chap.