Everyone's life is worth it. No matter how rich or poor you are, your life is worth it in this world. To save someone's life is my responsibility. It is my job to extend the life of someone. It is my work to free someone from illness. How hard is it right?

"Doctor please!" I heard someone begging inside the hospital. I quickly stood up and went outside of my office to check the new patient.

"What happened?" I asked the nurse who assisted the patient.

"There is a symptom of New Corona virus," the nurse answered, then I looked at the girl. She's so pale and weak.

"Put her to the observation area! Now!" I commanded. Since last week we have been receiving more than 20 people who are under observation with the COVID-19.

"Doc Ed! What happened to my daughter?" Someone asked me. It makes me frustrated with this situation.

I took a deep breath to calm myself so that I can talk respectfully to the mother of the patient.

"Ma'am, your daughter is under observation with the New Corona virus. Wait until 3 days to confirm her situation," I explained.

"Is she going to survive?" asked the mother.

"Let's see unless she has other complications but for now protect yourself with a mask because you might be infected with the virus," I answered.

"Thank you Doc," the mother said.

*RINGING*

"Excuse me," I said then I answered the call from my girlfriend.

"Hello?" I asked on the other line.

"Edward? Are you still on duty, babe?" she asked on the other line

"Yes Babe. Where are you? Let's have a date later, okay? 5 pm. I'll fetch you," I said to her.

"I am in the office. Sure Babe. Take care. I love you," she said sweetly.

"I love you too," I replied then the call ended.

*****

People always call me Doc Ed here in Philippine Public Hospital but my real name is Edward. I have been working here for 5 years. My girlfriend, Mika , is a firefighter. We have been in a relationship for 3 years. We are both life saver.

"Doc Ed! They need you in the observation area," the nurse called me. I fixed myself and started to continue my work.

As I entered the observation area, I put on my mask and started to check all the patients. One by one I have checked their blood pressure and they also took the blood test for the confirmation of their illness.

I didn't notice the time. The results came at exactly 4:30 pm. I've decided to check the results before I fetch Mika.

While looking at the results, I've noticed that one of the patients that I've observed has complications. Heart complications to be exact. I separated the file result of the girl patient before my duty ends.

*****

"Hi Babe!" I cheerfully said to Mika when I fetch her. She looks pale and ill as I kissed her on the cheeks.

"Are you okay?" I asked. She looked at me and said, "Yeah! I'm just tired. I wanna eat already Babe,"

"Sure? Where do you want to eat?" I asked her.

"To our favorite restaurant," she answered, then she smiled.

I really love this independent woman. She has lived her life alone since college. Her parents died in an accident that is why she has committed her work to save someone's life like mine.

However, lately she is having a hard time and I am here to always take care of her.

"How's your day?" I asked her.

"Well, it was good but I have seen a mother earlier begging for money and she said her daughter was admitted in your hospital. I felt pity,"

"Don't worry. Whoever is she, I will do my best to save her daughter," I also said to her then she kissed me on the cheeks.

"Thanks Babe," she said happily.

After we ate, she never stopped coughing and squeezing her nose.

"Babe, are you sure that you are okay?" I asked worriedly.

"Yhup, don't worry. It's just a normal cold," she answered.

But as a doctor, I checked her temperature and shockingly it was above normal so I decided to bring her home. I also stayed in her apartment overnight to check her every hour.

I am worried that she might have symptoms of the New Corona virus. That is why I've decided not to go to work for one week so that I can take care of her.

*****

For one week, I've checked and tested her blood and urine. I've also observed her if she has other symptoms of COVID-19. Now, I'm just waiting for the results of her test.

"Babe! Please let me go to work now," she demanded. She has been asking me to go to work since yesterday but I did not allow her.

"No! I am worried on what will happen to you and---" I did not finish what I am saying because someone called me on the phone.

"Doc Ed! They need you here at the hospital. One of the patients confirmed from COVID-19 having its complications. Heart transplant is needed," the nurse explained on the other line.

"Heart transplant?! Which patient?" I asked worriedly.

"The teen girl," the nurse answered.

SHIT! I forgot! I need to go there right now!

I looked at Mika and said, "Babe. Stay here! I will come back, okay?"

"What happened?" she asked.

"Just stay here! Please! Take care! I love you," I demanded and she nodded then I kissed her on the forehead.

*****

I quickly drove up to the hospital. When I got there I quickly put on my doctor's dress and went to check the patient and they were right. She needs heart surgery and we can also kill the virus during the operation.

"Have the parents found a donor for the patient?" I asked the nurse.

"The mother told me earlier that they found a heart donor," she answered.

"That fast? They are lucky. Alright, prepare the donor in 3 hours then we will start the operation," I said.

"Yes Doc," she replied and went back to her work. I rested in my office for a while so that I can prepare myself for today's operation.

I was thinking about the donor of the girl. One of the bravest people that lives in this world. I tried to call Mika before the operation because it is my usual thing to do before I operate someone.

Unfortunately, she does not respond to my calls. I called her how many times but her phone was unreachable. Maybe she was sleeping. I already prepared myself and went to the operating room.

I did not know who the heart donor was because another doctor did that. It was also confidential to everybody to know the donor for a heart transplant unless it is important.

After a few hours, the operation was successful. The virus also went out to her body. I did my best to transplant the heart to the girl but there's a part of me that was having a hard time to do it because I felt that the person who owned the heart was important to me.

I heavily sighed as I went out in the operating room.

"Doc Ed! How are you? I know it was a hard decision to do the operation," my co-doctor said. I feel confused.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Wait. You did not know the person who gave the heart for the girl you operated?" he also asked.

"Who?" I asked then my heart started to beat so fast. Why am I feeling so nervous?

He invited me to go to his office, then he gave me a white-long folder.

"Read it," he commanded. I slowly opened the folder and read what is written in the paper.

"Ms. Mika Sanchez. Heart Transplant Donor to Ms. Yna Perez. No case of any disease or illness," I read it out loud.

My eyes widened and my knees fell on the floor. I felt weak. I was shocked and my hands were trembling.

"NO! THIS IS NOT TRUE!" I screamed as I scrambled the paper and threw it on the floor.

"She went here while you were checking the patient. I've asked her how many times if she was sure about this and she answered yes. I've also asked her if you know all of this and all I know was you agreed with her," my co-doctor explained.

"WHY YOU DID NOT TOLD ME THAT SHE WAS HERE! WHERE IS SHE NOW?!" I screamed then I went in front of him and grabbed his shirt. I've never imagined this could be happened.

"She's in the mortuary," he replied. I let go of him and quickly went to the morgue.

"Wait! She gave me this and she told me to read it beside her," he said and he gave me another piece of paper.

I could not keep myself from being emotional right now! It was really painful to know all of this!

I saw the woman covered with white blanket in the center of the mortuary. I felt the heartache. I felt breathless.

"Babe!! Why did you not wait for me?! Why did you leave me?!" I asked painfully beside her body and my tears started to fall down.

I opened the paper and I saw that it was a letter from her. I read it out loud,

"Doc Ed! Babe! I love you so much. Sorry for not telling you this but someone needs my heart. I heard all about the girl. I rather die than not to save her life. I know how painful it is for you but to tell you honestly I was so very tired and hopeless. So I decided to save someone's life rather than taking my own life. You did a great job, Babe! Please promise me that you will be taking care of the girl and her mother. I love you! My heart still beats just only for you. Please take care of yourself. Love. Mika."

I cried as I read her last message.

I still could not accept everything! I just cried. I cried over and over again. It feels like I've also lost my life.

It took a week before I decided to cremate her body. Every night without her feels like hell.

Hell that keeps on burning my whole self.

No one attempted to talk to me not until I saw the girl.

I saw Yna, the girl who owns the heart of Mika. She went in front of me as I'm holding Mika's grave.

"Hi! Are you Doc Ed?" she asked while smiling.

"Yes, why?" I asked in return.

"Thank you," she said happily then he hugged me.

I remembered how Mika hugged me everytime she said thank you. It feels like I felt her again.

It feels like she's alive within Yna.

"Can I call you brother?" she asked. I looked at her and I can see the sincerity in her eyes.

"Of course! You are my new little sister from now on," I answered happily.

The hope blooms in my heart and this day I started to fulfill my promise to the one and only I loved. Mika.

T H E E N D