Annika
"Bata ka pa ah?? sigurado ka bang kaya mong magopera ng ganitong kadelikadong kaso? Are you competent enough? VIP ang pasyente, hindi basta kung sino lang."
"Aalis na po ba ako? Hindi naman po ako namimilit ng pasyente. Kung ayaw nyo sa akin, wala naman pong problema."
Tumalikod na ako sa kausap ko kanina. Bakit ganito sa Pilipinas? Mahigit isang taon na rin naman akong nakauwi pero hindi ako masanay sanay sa ugali ng mga Pilipino. Haiii. Ang hirap ding pigilang lumabas ang ugali ni Nikkaela na namana ko. I tried so hard to be a loving kind hearted person pero minsan talaga nakakalimot din ako.
"Hello po Tatay, okay lang po ba kayo?"
The old guy smiled at me. He had his bypass a week ago and it was a success. Konti na lang uuwi na yan, di mo iisipin na bago pa rin pumayag ang mga guardian nya, iniresearch pa nila kung kaya ko nga bang gawin ang procedure.
I lifted his arms and legs then checked the wound.
"Everything looks good Tay! Mukhang malapit na po tayo umuwi."
Time passed by so fast that I thought I won't be able to cope pero, look now, I made it. When I was in Germany, I studied and practiced so hard. I dedicated all my being so I could be the best doctor I can be. I did everything I can so I would be able to save a lot of people with heart problems. I was already a Facharzt (specialist) in cardiothracic department when I left and returned here. Ito kasing mga magulang ko, mas gusto magstay dito sa Pilipinas. Andito raw kasi si Kuya Jacob. I was planning to just stay and live there but I cannot let my parents live on their own. After everything, I promised myself that whatever happens, it will always be the two of them as my priority. And I will do everything to make them happy.
"Doc,.."
"Yes po Nurse Jen?"
"Pinapabalik ka daw po sa room ni Congressman."
"Matapos nila akong kwestyunin, ngayon pababalikin nila ako? Pambihira talaga."
Nurse Jen smiled at me and tap my shoulder. Haii naku talaga. So even with a heavy heart, I went back to the VIP patient's room.
"Doc, you did not tell us you came from Germany."
Tinaasan ko na lang ang kilay ko. Hindi ko malaman kung anak ba ito o asawa. At ano naman kinalaman kaya kung galing ako Germany o hindi. Ngayon plastic na syang nakangiti sa akin.
"You see, my hubby is a very important patient. Sabi ng Head Surgeon ikaw daw ang pinakamagaling dito, so we will trust you on this. It is just right to make him better kasi need pa sya ng constituents and also he will still be helping the country grow. I hope you understand?? "
I rolled my eyes. So asawa pala. The Congressman is around 60 years old while this lady infront of me, parang kasing tanda ko lang o mas bata pa. Money and power really can buy even the most precious thing on earth.
"Doc, you need to promise me that you will make him okay. Hindi pwede sa akin yung laging best lang. I need to be sure na kapag ikaw ang doctor nya, masisiguro mong gagaling sya. "
Numinipis na rin ang pasensya ko sa kanya. This girl talks a lot and too highly. Doctor naman ako hindi naman ako aliping napulot sa kanto. Doctor lang naman ako at hindi ako si Lord para gumawa ng miracles. Sure I will do my best, my extraordinary best just to save patients but I cannot do miracles, I cannot extend lives that are on their limits. Because if I could, I won't be missing that beautiful part of my life.
So I took a breath so I can add more patience.
"Do you understand ba? You need to be very very careful. He's a VIP."
"Are you done Miss? you just need to tell me if you want me to be his doctor. It's easy as that. If you don't then, don't pick me."
"Who are you to talk to me like that? Hindi mo ba kami kilala? "
"I will have the same treatment with my patient Miss, VIP or not, I will do everything I can to save my patients. Now, if you are here to question my ability, and my will to do my job, you are very much welcome to choose another doctor with no feelings hurt."
Wala naman kasi akong pakialam kung sino man sila ano. I never even have the intentions of knowing them. Ano sila lang ba ang bigshot? Kapag VIP lang dapat maganda ang treatment??
The hospital director then came and saw the commotion. The lady told the director how arrogant I was and how rude and how bad I am treating them.
"Madame, I will be the one to apologize in her behalf. But please let Doctora Seigfreid handle this case. She is the best this hospital can have."
"Kapag may nangyaring masama sa hubby ko, ikaw ang mananagot."
"Doc Guiller, if the patient and their guardian don't trust me enough, I won't do any procedure. You know that."
"Madame, trust her."
"Bakit parang takot ka sa simpleng doctor lang. Director ka dito!"
Haii nako, ang mga tao nga naman. The director is not afraid of me, he values me and my work and leaving this hospital is never an option. He was actually the one who convinced be to be here therefore he also don't want me to find reasons to leave.
"Madame,.."
Nagtatalo pa silang dalawa when the Congressman suddenly have an attack. So I hurriedly went there and do what I need to do. After the patient becomes a little stable, I asked the lady if I will do the procedure. Umoo na lamang sya. Buti naman at nanahimik na sya.
We had an emergency surgery dahil nagkaroon na ng problema. We cannot anymore hold him by just meds and machine.
The procedure lasted for 5 long hours. He had an Aortic Surgery.
Sa pagod ko, I just nod at them after everything and take a taxi going home. Di ko na kaya pang magdrive.
Pagdating sa bahay, I took a shower and doze to sleep. Napagod talaga ako ng husto. Hindi ko man lang tuloy nasilip ang mga magulang ko.
Since I slept early, and woke up early too, I decided to cook something for my parents.
"Wow, you're up early, what's for breakfast?"
I kissed Mommy. 15 years ago, I've done a lot of stupid decisions that badly hurt my parents. 15 years after, here I am with them, making up with regrets of hurting them.
"Good Morning Mommy, I slept early and woke up early so I prepared breakfast for us."
"Oo, hindi na namin namalayan na dumating ka. Daddy peak on your room kaya alam namin na nakauwi ka na, wala ka naman dalang kotse pauwi."
"Sorry Mommy, pagod na pagod po ako sa surgery kahapon."
"This makes you happy diba Annika?"
"Yes Mommy, this is my passion and this makes me happy. Can you taste this for me Mommy?"
"Hmmn, this smells good and taste good too!"
"Mushroom-bacon wrapped yan Mommy so you both can eat vegetables."
"Haha! You tricky little kitten. Wait, I'll wake up your Dad. He'll be so happy to see this."
Mommy wake Daddy up. I saw them heading down while holding each others hand. This is the love I would kill for pero tanggap ko na hindi naman lahat nagkakaroon ng ganito kagandang love story. I will just be happy that I have been blessed with parents who loves each other so much.
Everyday of my life, I feel so sorry for hurting my parents like that. Maaaring napatawad na nila ako at kinalimutan na nilang lahat ang nangyari but that wound I made, that would never heal. That will be the scar I would forever hide because I don't want my Mommy and Daddy to be hurt that much again.
"Hi Doc, your Mommy said you've cooked?"
"Yes Daddy. Good Morning."
"Sweetheart, my daughter can now be marry."
"Oo naman, dapat na nga syang mag-asawa kundi mauunahan pa yan ng anak ni Matteo eh."
I laughed with them, I just wish to make them happy, really happy because even everything seemed normal, the fear of hurting them is bigger than I am.
