BORROWED TIME

42

B E A T R I Z

"Hey Bea. Are you ready?"

Doc Rex smilingly approached me but I just nodded my head.

I don't actually know if I am nervous or elated or maybe both.

"Don't worry. This will be successful. Let's go." he told the nurses as they started to push the bed I am lying on.

"Hey, Bei. Be brave, okay? Nandito lang kami para sayo." it was my kuya whom I saw outside the room and was followed by my parents.

"Wag kang mag-alala anak, after all of this, everything will be fine. We want to see you walking again. And that will happen." it was dad who tapped my head.

But my mom is on the other side of the story. She sighed as I saw nervousness in her face.

"Mom, you don't have to worry or be scared. I am the one who will take the surgery. Not you." I told her jokingly but it didn't changed her facial expression.

"I am just scared for you, Isabel. Paano kung may hindi magandang mangyari? Paano kung mag-fail yung operation?"

"Det, kumalma ka nga. Kung anu-ano na namang pinag-iisip mong negative eh. You're just scaring Bea. Leg surgery naman yan at hindi heart surgery." dad said but my mom just glared at him.

I shook my head at my parents' manners.

"I was just afraid to whatever might happen to Bea. Especially now. Wala si Jhoana."

As I heard mom mumble those words, I had this feeling inside of me that is pulling down my high hopes earlier.

She promised she's gonna go back.

"Ahm excuse me. But family members have to stay here." the American nurse said so I looked at all of them with my mom, not wanting to let go of my hand.

"Mom, don't worry. I know I'm in good hands. I will make it."

They all hugged me and then we finally entered the surgical room.

"Don't worry Bea. Kayang-kaya mo to. You prepared for this at hindi masasayang to." Doc Rex said as they are preparing for the equipments of my first surgery.

"Propofol please." He said as someone handed him the syringe that has the anesthesia.

But before he could even inject it to me, someone grabbed my hand harshly and when I looked at who the person was, it was--

"Jhoana." I was surprised as I am trying to blink to make sure that I am seeing her right now.

She smiled at me.

"Take a sleep, Bea. Paggising mo, everything will be fine."

~~~~~~~~~~

J H O A N A

"Jho! How's the surgery? How's Bea?"

Mga tanong ni tita Det ang bumungad sa akin paglabas ko ng surgical room.

I removed my face mask and hand gloves then walked near them. I looked at their worried faces and smiled.

"It will be succesful, tita. I am sure about it."