Winning Hurricane

XL- Defibrillation

"I'm getting married!"

Everyone's head turned around to look at the lady who just shouted in the middle of the hospital's lobby, it was followed by some head's shaking in disagreement all just because she's a doctor and it's improper, while the rest—including me only chuckle. Very happy at the sudden announcement.

Another soldier down.

Tuloy tuloy lamang ako sa pag-lalakad papasok, my hands in my coat's pocket. "Congrats," I said bago siya nilampasan.

"Doc A!!"

Oh no.

Agad niya akong hinila pabalik sa gilid niya, her eyes were glinting with joy as she showed me her finger—the one wearing the diamond ring. I rolled my eyes as I congratulated her once again.

"So when's the wedding?" I asked nang mag-simula kaming mag-lakad. Hindi niya inalis ang pagkaka-angkla sa braso ko. Janella's still giggling as she told me how the proposal happened before finally answering my question.

Almost everyone in my batch ay kasal na, engaged, or working on their second or third baby. Yong iba naman nasa ibang bansa na.

But I didn't feel left out. There's no really pressure na makita silang lahat bumubuo na ng pamilya because well, maybe deep down, I've long accepted the fact that I'll grow old and alone.

And that is fine.

I dedicated my whole life to save lives. I was born to treat hearts.

"Anyway, Diego has a friend—"

Oh hell.

Inalis ko kaagad ang kamay niya sakin bago mas binilisan ang pag-lalakad, hindi ako lumingon nang tawagin niya ang pangalan ko. "Block that doctor behind me," I told Jen, one of our interns na nakasalubong ko. Tinawanan lamang niya ako pero sinalubong din naman si Janella.

I asked for the records nang isa sa patients ko—the one with large aneurysm of the aorta—pagkarating sa nurses station. Nurse Ja gladly handed me the chart. "Thanks."

"Sure, doc."

"By the way, have you checked Miss Solomon's room?" I asked my eyes still on the chart. Si Miss Solomon ang ooperahan ko mamayang seven ng gabi. She's a 50 year old sweet woman but she really doesn't take orders from us. Kahapon pa dapat ang surgery pero may nakatago siyang pagkain sa loob ng unan and buti nalang nahuli siya ng isa sa nurses namin na kumakain three hours before the surgery kaya I asked Nurse Ja na iclear ng mabuti ang room ng patient.

"Yes doc, here."

Inilabas niya ang isang basket na naglalaman ng mga junk food. Oh goodness! My face remained blank as I shook my head. We really care for our patients; I just hope sumunod din sila sa amin because everything we say is for them.

I gently massaged my temples, narinig kong napatawa si Nurse Ja. "Ayaw niyang bitawan kanina," then her shoulders sagged, voice losing its usual tone. "Baka daw di na niya makain after surgery."

I smiled, returning the chart. "Then we'll make sure she can eat those foods again after this."

Nurse Ja smiled warmly and was about to open her mouth to say another word when someone called my name. Sabay kaming napalingon sa lalaking tumawag sakin.

"Chandy?"

My lips partly opened as I blink, making sure I am seeing the right person. Omg! He became more mature, pero hindi nawala ang usual playboy look. He's wearing this fitted gray long sleeve polo that can make some—because girls like me don't—drool over him and of course, hindi padin nawawala ang glasses! He really looks very professional and.. "Hot." I heard Nurse Ja complimented behind me.