Since Childhood

16: The Married Ex-Boyfriend

[Daniela’s Point of View]

“How was your stay in your tito Joe’s? Kung hindi pa ako nakatanggap ng message from Tim na doon ka na magpapalipas ng gabi, your father and I would send a research team to look for you.” Iyan ang bungad ni mama sa akin pagpasok na pagpasok ko ng bahay. Tim insisted to drive me home but tumakas ako habang nasa kwarto sya preparing to leave going to his work.

“Normal naman. What do you expect, ma? Uuwi naman sana ako eh. Kaso kasi anong oras na ang hirap na nga sumakay tapos traffic pa. I’m lucky that Tim and I crossed path.” Pagpapalusot ko.

“By the way, anak. I have good news for you. Kagabi ko pa sana ibabalita but you weren’t home. Ayoko naman ibalita through phone call because that’ll ruin the moment.”

Confused, I asked her. “What is it? Good news ba talaga?”

Lumapit si mama sa drawer na nasa salas. She pulled a drawer open and picked up a brown envelop. Tapos ay lumapit ulit sya. With a sweet and excited smile on her lips, iniabot nya ang papel.

“Ano ‘to ma?” Tanong ko nang makuha ko ang papel.

“Open it. Find it out yourself.” Sa laki ng ngiti ni mama I can feel that whatever is in the inside, it is surely a very good news to see.

Binuksan ko ang envelop. Inside, nakita ko ang ilang mga papel. Excited and nervouse, that is how I exactly feel right now.

Dinukot ko ang papel at binasa ito. It’s a notice. A notice from Philippine International Hospital that I got accepted as one of their ob-gyn doctor. And I could start occupying my own office starting tomorrow!

I squealed saka ako napatalon at yumakap kay mama ng mahigpit.

Hindi ko na alam kung ilang beses kong tinignan kung anong oras na. Hindi na kasi ako makapaghintay na dumating ang bukas so I can finally apply all the medications that I’ve learn and I work for.

Gabi palang ay inayos ko na ang damit na isusuot ko sa hospital. I packed all my personal stuffs that I will stock in my office. Books, picture frames, my amazing clock, basta lahat ng bagay na ikakaganda ng opisina ko ay dala-dala ko.

Next morning, I wake up cheerfully. Naligo, nagbihis, nagmake-up. Lahat ay ginagawa ko while humming. I can finally start my career. Today is the starting point and I will not let anything hinder me from achieving all the goals I have in my list.

Dad escorted me to the hospital. He unload my box from the car and then sya na din ang nagbitbit non papunta sa opisina ko.

As soon as I open the room that awaits, a confetti explode in the air. Colorful metallic foils started shattering around.

“Welcome, Doktora Sebastian!” My family greeted. Nandon si mama, si kuya Vien and si kuya Noah. All of them are wearing their laboratory gown.

Lumapit si mama sa akin. Hawak hawak nya ang isang pangbabaeng lab gown.

“I believe that this is yours, Dr. Daniela.” Mom said in a professional manner. Tinulungan nya ako na maisuot ang gown and they all clap their hands. I don’t know how I’m gonna address them now. Dapat ba mama and kuya parin? Or should it be Dr. Divina, Dr. Davien and Dr. Noah? Hindi naman pwedeing Dr. Sebastian because apat kami ditong Sebastian ang apilyedo.

“We are so proud of you, Niela.” Kuya Davien said lovingly. “Or should I say, Doctor Daniela.”

“Thank you, guys.” I held my heart to show how touching this is. Then I look at my father. “Ikaw dad, ha! Kaya pala bigla na lang nagkaroon ng problema kanina while you were driving. You are buying them more time.”

Dad shrugged while chuckling. Lumapit ako sa kanya with an open arms. I mumbled that I love him so much.

In the middle of our brief family reunion, biglang tumunog ang emergency bell. Kuya Noah and Davien excused themselves at patakbo silang lumabas ng opisina.

“I’m going to catch up with you later, anak. I’ll just go back to my department before they started announcing my name.” She explained. Dad and mom kissed goodbye. Just few minutes after mom left, dad said he’s going back home too.

Naiwan akong mag-isa. That’s what I like tho. Para makapag-ayos ako ng mga gamit ko. Kakatapos ko lang magligpit ng gamit nang may kumatok sa pinto. It was a guy. A doctor to be exact. Hindi lang basta lalaki dahil isa syang gwapo, matangkad at machong doktor.

“Hi. I’m Nathan Diosdado. You can call me Nate. I’m a Pediatrician. We are on the same department and I was tasked to orient you about the hospital’s thingy. Just few stuffs.” He was smiling all the time he was speaking.

“Oh, yeah. Sure. Tapos na din naman ako magayos so I  think we can start.”

“Alright. This way doc. I’ll show you the delivery room.”

The afternoon was fun tour with Dr. Nate. He was serious at first but when we spend like hour after, we became friends easily. I found out from him that he is a married man. That fact was kinda disappointing. Mejo crush ko kasi sya but knowing that he have a wife, that he’s already off limits, automatic na lang nawala yung 5% affection ko for him.

At night, bandang alas syete, may isinugod na babaeng manganganak na sa delivery room. The doctor’s from my department were currently at the canteen having dinner. Yung iba naman ay nasa sarili nilang delivery operation, yung iba ay umuwi na because their working hour has end.

“Dr. Daniela, please lead the delivery operation. Ako na muna ang magiging surgeon assistant mo.” Dr. Nate said as he order the nurse to get all the things needed be prepared.

“O-okay.”

Suddenly, kinabahan ako. It was not my first time leading a delivery pero kasi iba padin yung nasa balikat mo na talaga ang buhay ng pasyente. Wala nang prof na mag g-guide ng bawat hakbang mo. The decision falls under your shoulder and it was a real pressure for the doctors.

Before getting into the delivery room, nagsuot na kami ng surgical mask, cap, gloves and the gown.

I calmed myself down.

“Let’s start.” I said as we all gathered around the woman who are about to give birth to another beautiful life.

Nang magumpisa na ang operation, we found out that the mother and the baby’s condition was not okay. The baby shall be deliver in breech birth. O ito yung tinatawag na suhi where the baby is position to born bottom first instead of head first. Most babies in the breech position are born by a caesarean section because it is seen as safer than being born vaginally.

In my lead, we cut the woman’s womb to save the baby on that risky position. We perform caesarean delivery.

Sa tulong ni Dr. Nate, we were able to ensure both the baby and the mother’s safety.

After the operation, lumabas na kami isa isa. The baby will be taken care in the neonatal intensive care unit while the mother will be transferred to a ward for her recovery.

Pagkalabas na pagkalabas ko ng delivery room ay lumapit sa akin ang nanay ng babae. She’s so worried. May isa ding batang babae na nakatulog na sa waiting area, sa helera ng mga bangko doon.

“Dok! Dok kamusta po ang anak ko at ang apo ko?”

“Ma’am, ligtas po ang delivery ng patient, wag na po kayo mag-alala. Nasan po pala ang spouse ng pasyente?” Saktong pagkatanong ko non ay may lalaki na mabilis ang takbo papalapit sa amin.

“Ma! Kamusta si Lara? Okay ba ang delivery? Sorry, traffic kasi kaya hindi agad ako nakahabol.”

I look at the man carefully. I even squeezed my eyes shut dahil baka namamalikmata lang ako. But when the same guy asked another question about his wife, I confirmed it.

“August...” banggit ko sa pangalan nya.

His mother-in-law and he himself look at me.

“Rhein?” he was also surprise to see me.

Suddenly, nagising ang batang babae na nakatulog na sa bench. As soon as the little girl saw August, she ran to him crying.

“Daddy!!!”

August kneel down and he embrace the little girl. Probably his daughter.