GENEVIEVE ASHBOURNE'S POV

Pagpasok ko sa office ng director ay isang Clifford na halos awayin na ang director ang naabutan ko.

"we can't just pull her in her vacation, Clifford! You know how exhausted she is so I let her take her leave! Why not find another doctor to check your aunt? It's just a pain in the abdomen!" sigaw ng director.

"the case is not just simple." nagulat silang napatingin sa akin.

"Genevieve? Why did you come back so soon? I'm planning to extend your leave to give you more time to rest." saad ni sir.

"what do you mean on what you said?" tanong naman sa akin ni Clifford. He looks very exhausted.

"I already saw the scan and read everything on the report. It's an abdominal cocoon syndrome." I seriously said while looking at Clifford directly in the eye.

"what do you mean? I never heard about that kind of case. Is it a severe disease?" nanginginig na boses niya.

Tumango ako.

Pasalampak siyang napa-upo sa may sofa.

"Abdominal cocoon syndrome is a rare but significant cause of intestinal obstruction. It's the rarest of all rare diseases." saad ng taong kapapasok lang ng pinto.

"Dr. Manuel. What are you doing here? Did I request your presence here?" tanong sa kanya ng director. Hindi siya pinansin ni Dr. Manuel.

Nasa likod ko siya kaya di niya kita ang mariing pagpikit ko at bumuga ng hangin.

"Dr. Manuel said is right." pag-sasang ayon ko sa kanya.

"so how do you plan to treat this disease, doctor Genevieve Ashbourne?" he said with a bit sarcasm. Gusto ko man patulan pero pinanatili ko ng aking work ethics at humarap sa kanya.

"it only have one solution. Surgical intervention through exploratory laparotomy."

Tumawa siya na may halong nakakaasar.

"you know what are you talking about? We both have never done an operation to that kind of disease. With your experience, do you think you'll gonna make it successful?" Pambabara niya sa akin sa harap mismo ng director. He knows that if I ever make the operation, isang malaking opportunity na naman sa akin at sa Hospital to successfully treat a rare disease.

Huminga ako ng malalim at magsasalita ulit sana kaso pinutol niya ang sasabihin ko.

"It's better to transfer her to a higher hospital for a chance to be successful. Doctor Ashbourne, don't be selfish. Think about it. If you fail the operation, you'll not only drag yourself down but your medical team and the name of our hospital. You'll drag all of us working in this hospital if you fail that operation. Hindi lang ikaw ang masisira ng reputation. That kind of rare disease is not for us to intervene. Especially you, you're too young to----"

"Doctor Manuel, you shut up!"

Napapikit ako sa sigaw ni director.

Natahimik naman si Dr. Manuel.

"Genevieve, what's your decision? I'll support you and provide anything you need if in case." Saad ng director.

"how many percent?" tanong sa akin ni Clifford na kanina pa tahimik sa tabi.

"how many percent of chance in the operation?" ulit niya.

I inhale and exhaled to answer him confidently.

"1 percent."

Napatingin siya. His expression can tell that he looks like losing his chance anymore.

Pumikit siya at pagod sa sumandal sa lamesa. "I'm worrying about Dwayne, her child. If something bad happen, I don't know how to explain to her." he said.

"at least it's not zero. There is still a chance." I said with my serious expression.

Tumitig siya sa akin hanggang sa nakita ko ang determination sa mukha niya at tumango siya.

"I'll count on you then." he said firmly.

Narinig ko pa ang pagreact ni Dr. Manuel sa likod at ang bulong niya. "too arrogant huh?" hindi ko na lang iyon pinansin.

Natuloy nga ang operation, kasama dati si Clifford sa team ko every operation but it is not right for him to be here.

He's an excellent equipment nurse. He's always at my side kaya kahit hindi ko sinasabi ang kailangan kong equipment na gagamitin ko ay nakalahad na iyon sa akin. Nasabi niya minsan sa dinner naming team na gusto niya rin maging general surgical doctor, but due to fear to make mistakes or failing an operation ay nakontento na lang siya bilang isang equipment nurse. Hindi man doctor, hindi man surgeon, at least nakakapasok pa rin siya sa operating room at napapanood ng live ang operation. That means, he can still contribute and can still use his skills. That's why he have many knowledge about operation.

The operation is still ongoing and halos 2 hours na. Nakikita ni director at ibang doctors ang nangyayari dito sa loob ng operating room dahil sa kabilang room ay glass wall lang ang pagitan at may screen doon na pinapanood nila. Konektado iyon dito mismo sa ino-operahan namin.

Alam kong pagod na rin ang mga kasama ko at nag-aalala na ang mga nasa kabilang room maging ang director.

"Dr. Ashbourne, can you really take it? It's already 2 hours. You can stop it now if it's impossible to make it successful." saad ng director gamit ang intercom para magkarinigan kami.

"If I'll stop it, she'll only live for 6 months. If it is successful, she'll live her life until she can." sagot ko habang muling sinusubukan ulit ang process sa gamit ang incision process.

And I promise Clifford. I given him the assurance to help his only relative left. And I can't afford to break that promise and his trust for me. And for the child, she's too young to lose a mother. I know how it's hard.

"Dr. Ashbourne, it's already 3 hours. You expose yourself too much in radiation." Saad ng isang doctor.

Narinig ko pang nag r-rant na ang director at kinukumbinsi akong ihinto na ang operation.

"doc." nag-aalalang tawag sa akin ni Anne.

"continue it." I said in determination.

I almost make it nang makaramdam na ako ng hilo at makarinig ng ingay or tinnitus sa aking tenga. Sobrang pinagpapawisan na rin.

"doc, are you okay?" nag-aalalang tanong ng taga punas sa akin na nurse. Hindi na ako nagsalita kasi kung magsasalita pa ako ay baka lalala pa. Maging ang paningin ko ay nanlalabo na rin but I still manage to tie the tissues.

Napasinghap lahat ng kasama ko nang makita nilang successful ang operation namin. Napatingin ako sa direction at sa ibang mga doctor na nanonood sa monitor. I saw the amazement in their eyes.

"that's our star-doctor!" they cheerfully said.

Napatingin ako kay director sa gilid na maiyak-iyak na nakatingin sa akin. Sa tabi niya ay si Dr. Crester na sa akin din ang tingin with his half-smile. I gave him a smile too behind my surgical mask. Hindi ko alam kung napansin niya yun.

Hanggang sa hindi ko na napigilan ang bigat ng katawan ko at bigla na lang nag pass out. I heard their commotions at ang pagtawag nila sa pangalan ko.

Naalimpungatan ako nang makarinig na ingay. Hindi muna ako dumilat.

"Thank you. Thank you. This is the first time. My mother who was delivered in the operating room but came out with a cold body. My drunkard father who was also delivered in the operating room but also came out lifeless. My younger brother who was sick and also delivered in the operating room but came out with a cold body too. I am still young back then, I don't want Dwayne to experience that too. And a month ago, a childhood friend didn't also manage to come out in the operating room alive. And this is the first time that a close person I have that was delivered into the operating room came out alive and can successfully live her live with out any worry. It's all thanks to you." rinig kong bulong ni Clifford. Nagmulat ako at nakitang nakasubsob siya sa may side ko at halatang umiiyak dahil sa nanginginig niyang balikat.

Gamit ang paos kong boses ay nagsalita ako.

"Hospitals really are the turning point of one's destiny and fate." saad ko.

Napatigil siya sa pag-iyak at mabilis na tumalikod saka nagpunas. Humarap siya sa akin na maga ang mata at pinilit na ngumiti.

Tinulungan niya akong bumangon at inabutan ng tubig.

"what do you want to eat?" tanong niya.

Tumingin ako sa side table at nakita na wala sa mga nasa prutas na nakalagay sa lamesa ang gustong kong kainin.

Tumingin ako sa kanya.

"apple" I said na may tunog pa ang 'p'

Natawa siya at nagpaalam na lumabas para bumili ng pagkain.

Tahimik na naman ang paligid pagkalabas niya.

I was busy reading a book na available dito sa room para libangin ang sarili nang may pumasok sa pinto. Hindi ko na yun tinignan pa pero napansin ko sa aking peripheral vision na nakasuot ito ng itim. He's wearing a black robe down to the ground. Nang tinataas ko ang tingin dun sa pumasok ay naitapon ko ang librong hawak ko at mabilis na bumaba sa kabilang side ng kama.

He's wearing a black robe with hoodie on it na nakatakip sa half face niya. He is holding a scythe. A grim reaper!

I realize na hindi siya isang tao na nantitrip lang. Medyo nakalutang siya sa ere at napapalibutan siya ng itim na usok.

"who are you!" sigaw ko.

Sinubukan kong maghanap ng mga tools na pwede kong pang depensa.

Kita kong ngumisi siya at nagsalita. "It's time. It's time! It's time!" palakas na palakas na sabi niya habang papalapit siya sa akin.

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang pumasok sa pinto sina Dr. Crester at Nurse Clifford. Parehong may bitbit na pagkain. Katulad ko ay nagulat din sila sa nakita nila.

"Genevieve!" sigaw nilang pareho.

"umalis na kayo!" I shouted to make them leave. I know na wala silang laban na dalawa sa nilalang na ito.

Sinubukan pa rin nilang lumapit pero mabilis na sinugod sila ng itim na usok. Natapon sila at naibalibag sa pader hanggang sa nawalan ng malay.

"No!" I shouted.

"What did you do to them!? Ako ang kailangan mo! Please...spare them.." I beg.

"huwag kang mag-alala, they just passed out and I didn't hurt them too much. I'm here to take you back to your Izacaetopia realm. Everything you had in this earth is just temporary. Everything you experienced is only your retribution to your sins. And it's time for you to go back and save the Izacaetopia to the upcoming disaster. It is all your fault!"

Napailing-iling ako kasi wala akong maintindihan sa sinasabi niya.

"I don't know what you're saying!"

"do you want to lose another person again? Do you want to do another sin again!? These two, their life in exchange of your own?"

Umiling ako at nanginig.

"No, no, no!" sigaw ko habang napapahigpit ang hawak ko sa aking hospital patient gown. Tears already cascading on my cheeks.

Nakita kong lumutang ang katawan nila sa ere at pinakita niya sa akin kung paano niya unti-unti sunugin ng itim na apoy ang katawan nila. I saw how they struggle and shout in pain. Para silang sinusunog pero hindi nasusunog literal. Napapaso sila sa mainit na apoy.

Dumudugo na rin ang bibig ko sa mariin na pagkakakagat ko.

Tumawa ang grim reaper.

"you're selfish, really! You can sacrifice everything for your own!"

"Stooop!" sigaw ko at patakbong lumapit sa kanya para pigilan siya. Yun na lang ang alam kong kaya kong gawin sa mga oras na ito. Pero hindi pa ako nakakalapit ay hindi ko napansin ang mabilis na paglipad ng scythe niya pasalubong sa akin. Naramdaman ko na lang ang kirot sa leeg ko at ang pag-agos ng sarili kong dugo. Unti-unti akong nawawalan ng hininga at nahiga sa sahig. Napatingin ako sa kanya habang hinihintay ang pagkamatay ko.

Nakita ko pang dahan dahan niyang nilapag sa sahig ang dalawa at tinanggal ang sakit na nararamdam nila maging ang mga galos nila sa katawan.

"paggising niyo, pumasok kayong dalawa sa kwartong ito at nakita niyo ang katawan niyang wala nang buhay. But you'll never remember about me and what happened." he said at naglakad palapit sa akin.

"This is your last retribution. To die in a tragic death. To leave everything you fight for, your life, your formed friends, your own profession and everyone who you cherish. To leave them hurting and mourn about your death, Queen Genevieve Ashbourne of Izacaetopia. Let's see if you can change your fate this time." he said.

And for my last breath, I wish everyone to just forget me in an instant.