How Do We Live?

Prologue

How do we live?

In a world like this? How do we live?

"Can you finish this up?" I said in my giggly voice, very understandable kahit pa may surgical mask na suot. Nakangiti naman ang mga matang tumango sa akin si Dr. Cruz bago ko tuluyang iwanan ang surgery table. Huminga ako ng malalim bago tuluyang mag-step out ng operation room.

Agad kong hinubad ang PPE's na suot ko at idineretso iyon agad sa bin na malapit. Napangiwi pa ako ng maramdaman ko ang marahang kirot sa aking ulo gawa ng tuloy-tuloy na schedule ko sa araw na ito. My gosh! I've been in this hospital for almost 12 hours!

Agad kong tinapakan ang pedal para umagos ang tubig at makapaglinis na ako. I grabe the hibiclens soap and scrub my hands and arms properly bago tuluyang inanlawan iyon.

I need coffee! Liters of coffee! Imbes na matulog, kape ang hinahanap ng katawan ko!

Napailing na lamang ako dahil sa naisip. I'm literally caffeine-driven already, siguro isa na ito sa mga habit na hindi ko mabubura sa akin.

I'd rather die of palpitation than sleep-deprivation!

"Miss!" Napahinto naman ako dahil sa isang tawag. When I saw a little girl in front of me ay parang nanlambot ako bigla. Her small and chinky eyes is awfully looking at me like I bear a beautiful message for her.

"Yes, baby? Bakit ka andito?" I ask and level myself to her height. I guess she's just around five years old. Ang buhok ay nakahati pa sa dalawang tali sa magkabilang parte ng ulo. Her eyes are sparkling and her lips protruded on me.

"Kamusta po si mama ko? Gagaling po ba siya?" Her soft voice feels like a warm sound to my heart. How would it feel to have a kid this cute?

"Yes, baby. Your mommy will be okay!" I answer to her and smile widely. Nakita ko pa ang kislap sa mata niya ng sabihin ko iyon and somehow I feel the hidden void in me when it comes to children... I silently wash my thoughts away lalo pa ng mapansin ko ang isang lalaking papalapit.

"Andrea! Pasensya na ho doktora! Kamusta po ang asawa ko?!" Bungad niya sa akin na parang hindi alam kung ano ang uunahing punahin. The child goes towards him and hold his hand. I stand up again so I could face the immediate guardian of the patient.

"The operation is successful. Colectomy is a common surgery nowadays so you won't need to worry. We have already remove the tumor, mabuti na lamang at maaga niyong nadala rito ang misis niyo. It would be much worse if it's too late already." I said and the man is almost teary-eyed in front of me. I smile a little on him lalo pa ng akapin niya ang anak.

"Thank you, doc! Maraming salamat po!" He almost shouts at me kaya naman nginitian ko siya ng malawak. The child besides him is almost crying too as she buries her little face on his father's arm.

It would be such a blessing to have a child.

"I'll be going na po, sir. You should always take care of your family first, especially of your little princess and your wife. See you around po." The man smile at me with enthusiasm written all over his face. Paalam ko pa bago iniwan ang mag-ama as they rejoice for the safety of their mom inside the operating room.

Not all people are blessed to have a complete family. Some people are just lucky to have one.

I already change back to my semi-formal clothes. My black turtle neck is just fitting for the cold breeze of the Ber-Months. Inayos ko na rin ang white knee-length fitted skirt ko at ang heels na katamtaman lang ang taas. I immediately wear the white-gold necklace that I have and hide it underneath the cloth of my turtle neck bago kinuha ang white handbag na dala ko.