Estrella Cruzada ⋮ ᴏɴɢᴏɪɴɢ ⋮

꧁ ıѵ | ƈųąɬгơ

ꜱᴀ ᴘᴀɴᴀɴᴀᴡ ɴɪ ᴀʀɪᴀ ꧁

Natigilan kaming lahat dahil sa putok ng baril. Napuno ng katahimikan ang paligid. Walang nagtangkang gumalaw. Maski ang paghinga'y pinilit naming huwag makagawa ng ingay. Ilang segundo lang ay natumba na lang bigla si Mr. Shinohara.

I overheard their scared whispers and excited outbursts. I was completely shocked by what I saw. I glanced at Mom, but she didn't comment, and then at Dad, who was just smirking and even had the nerve to smile. That grin, like he hadn't just taken down someone right in front of him.

Are you out of your mind, Dad?!

"Dad, you—!"

My father was totally giving each of those scared guys a hardcore stare-down and speaking Japanese all serious and firm, "What a rebellious move by this fool! He went and made a deal with the hospital that's our competitor to sell the new medication we developed for neuropsychological disorders, which we were going to release next month."

Inalis ko ang aking paningin kay Dad at tinitigan si Shinohara-san na nakahandusay sa sahig. Marami nang nawawalang dugo sa katawan niya. 'Di ko mapigilang magdalawang-isip.

Hindi pa ako lisensyadong doktor kaya bawal akong mag-perform ng surgery. Pero kailangan ni Shinohara-san ng agarang tulong.

Isa akong surgeon sa aking isip at kaluluwa. May dapat akong gawin kung may buhay na nakataya, maiiligtas ko man ito o hindi. Sumumpa ako sa aking paaralan na ang halaga ng ignatian values ng magis at ng cura personalis ay isasapuso ko sa pagtatapos namin sa pag-aaral.

'Di ko alam kung paano pa tatratuhin ang aking ama sa ginawa niya kay Shinohara-san. Ayaw kong maniwala na ganito ang ugali ni Dad.

Hindi ko na pinansin kung nagsasalita pa si Dad o kung akin nang nababastos ang mga bisita niya. Basta mabilis akong lumapit kay Shinohara-san  at tinignan ang lagay niya.

"How do you think he'll do?"

"Did he die? Should we try to help him?"

"I can't believe you missed the Director's comments! He's such a backstabber! Why would you even consider saving him?"

"Yep, you're spot on. And honestly, nobody knows how to deal with him. Let him just kick the bucket,"

What they were saying really bothered me. I mean, why not just call a doctor instead of trash-talking him? Maybe we can still save him if we act quickly.

"Everyone has had their say. So, since you decided to let him die, I will too—" my dad suddenly started speaking Japanese again. He looks super entertained by whatever he's hearing.

I stopped my dad from completing and just yelled, "Alright, I got it! Just hold off on the chatter, Chichiue!"

Tumingala ako at sinamaan ng tingin si Dad. Nagtama ang mga mata namin, doon nakita ko ang tuwang-tuwang ekspresyon nito. Sinuklian naman niya ng inosenteng ngiti ang sama ng aking tingin.

"Hai, so shimasu. Kore wa anata ga kirainahitodesuga, watashi wa kare o sukuimasu," I confidently carried on without waiting for my dad's response. I carefully examined Mr. Shinohara's gunshot wound. (Yes, I will. This is the man you hate, but I will save him.)

Checking out the wound, it seems to be right above his stomach, and blood is flowing out from there.

"Totally absurd! His heart got shot. Trying to stop the bleeding is just not happening," my dad totally thought he knew better and said it all smugly. He just smirked a little and then took a seat.