Song: Train Wreck- James Arthur

News

"No..."

I keep on repeating those words as I watch Ron's blood continue to drip down his head. Nanginig ako at natulala ng sandali, hindi alam ang gagawin.

I didn't mean to do that. It was an accident.

Kahit na nanginginig pa ay sinubukan kong gumapang palapit sa kanya. Napasinghap ako nang makita ko kung gaano na karami ang dugong lumalandas mula sa kanyang ulo. Hindi pa ako mapakali dahil hindi ko alam kung ano ang uunahin.

My instinct told me to check for his pulse so that's what I did. I pressed my shaking fingers against his carotid pulse. Halos maiyak pa ako nang maramdaman kong may pulso pa siya.

Napasabunot ako sa sarili at napaatras sa katawan niya. Hindi ko talaga sinasadya. Sinubukan ko lang namang dipensahan ang sarili sa pag-atake niya. Hindi ko kailanman ninais na humantong sa ganito.

Patuloy ako sa panginginig. Halong takot at konsensya ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. I tried to catch my breath because I feel like I was having a panic attack.

Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang dibdib ko habang patuloy na hinahabol ang hininga. Nagpatuloy ako sa pag-atras, natatakot makita ang kasalanang nagawa.

You have to keep yourself together, Fel. You have an emergency situation on your hands. You have to act fast or else you'll lose this patient.

I took a deep breath and tried to stand up. Kaso, sa halip na makahinga ng maluwag, mas lalo pa akong nahirapan habulin ang hininga ko. I teared up.

"Doc, eto na po 'yung- Doc! Ano pong nangyari?!"

Agad akong napabaling sa pinto kung saan pumasok ang gulat na gulat na intern na kasama ko sa case na ito. I tried to say something but a muffled sound was the only thing that came out of my mouth.

"I need some help in here!" sigaw niya.

Sunod-sunod na pumasok ang ilang nurse pati na rin ang kapwa ko residents sa loob. Natigilan sila nang makita ang sitwasyon. Lahat sila ay napabaling ng tingin sa akin pagkatapos nilang tingnan si Ron.

Gusto kong ipaliwanag ang sarili. Gusto kong sabihin na hindi ko sinasadya at dinedepensahan ko lang ang sarili ko pero hindi ko magawa. Mas nangunguna ang takot sa akin.

What if I get in trouble because of this?

What if Ron dies?

What if... I get sued for this?

Hindi pa nakatulong ang pag-sigaw ng ina ni Ron nang makita ang nangyari.

"What happened?" Ron's father's voice thundered.

"Sir, you need to get out of the way." Ani isang nurse.

"Anong nangyari sa anak ko!? Bakit-"

Hindi ko na tuluyan pang narinig ang sigaw ng mga magulang ni Ron dahil sinara na ng nurse ang pinto at tuluyan itong nailayo sa silid.

I continued to cry and gasp for air as I watch the scene in front of me in horror. My hands and lips are both shaking uncontrollably. I honestly don't know what to do.

I'm scared... that's all I know for now.

Nag-tulong tulong silang ilagay si Ron sa kama. I heard someone paged Kuya Rico. Ang resident na kasamang pumasok kanina, agad na ginawa ang trabaho niya. He turned to me as he tries to assess the cut on Ron's head.

"Dr. Donovan, tell me what happened!"

Pakiramdam ko ilang ulit na niyang tinatanong sa akin 'yan pero hindi ko naririnig. Tanging iling lang ang naibibigay kong sagot sa kanya.

He muttered a curse before he went back to work. Bumukas naman muli ang pinto at iniluwa noon si Kuya Rico. Sa akin agad tumama ang tingin niya bago sa pasyenteng inaasikaso nila ngayon.

He checked Ron's condition before he gave his instruction to the resident. He pats his shoulders as if he was encouraging him to keep doing what he's doing.

Lumapit naman sa akin si Kuya Rico at lumuhod sa harap ko. Natatakot kong tiningnan ang mga mata niya. He smiled a little at me.

With shaking lips, I finally managed to speak.

"I didn't m-mean it."

Kuya Rico nods his head slowly. "Calm down, Felicity. Everything's going to be okay."

"It was an accident. I-I was just... defending myself. He suddenly attacked me and I-"

"Breathe, Fel. Breathe slowly," Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at binalewala ang sinasabi ko.

"I'm... scared."

"I know. But just breathe for me, okay? Breathe..."

Kuya Rico guided me to take slow and deep breaths. I closed my eyes shut so I can focus on my breathing. I felt him gently caressing my hands as I continue to calm my nerves down.

Naramdaman ko siyang gumalaw. Nanatili akong nakapikit habang patuloy na sinusubukan na habulin ang hininga. Mamaya-maya pa ay naramdaman kong may panibagong kamay na humawak sa braso ko.

I opened my eyes and saw a nurse trying to help me get up.

"Just continue breathing slowly, Fel. You can do it." Si Kuya Rico.

I nod my head. Ang nurse naman ay ginabayan ako patungo sa pinto. I stared at Kuya Rico in confusion.

"You should go. I'll handle this."

Kahit nagugulohan pa sa nangyayari ay 'di na rin ako nakapalag pa dahil nagpadala na rin ako sa hila ng nurse. Lumabas kami ng emergency room na iyon at agad na sumalubong sa amin ang magulang ni Ron.

"Anong nangyari?! You were the last person with him before this happened! Anong ginawa mo?" his father asked.

Bumulong naman ang nurse sa akin na huwag ko na raw pansinin at mas isipin muna ang sarili. I listened to her and didn't answer his question. Susunod sana siya sa amin nang harangin siya ni Lucas.

"Sir, you need to calm down."

"Calm down?! You expect me to calm down?! My son is dying because of that-"

Hindi ko na narinig pa ang mga sumunod niyang sinabi dahil tuluyan na kaming nakalabas ng emergency room ng nurse. Sa gitna ng pag-layo namin doon, nakasalubong ko naman si Ate Margaux at Kuya Gio.

"What happened?" nag-aalalang tanong ng dalawa.

"Panic attack, Doc. May aksidente po kasing nangyari at involved po si Dr. Donovan."

"What!? What accident?" tanong ni Ate Margaux.

I raised my gaze to her. Agad namang may tumulong luha sa mga mata ko dahil sa takot.

"Hindi ko kasalanan..." I said desperately. "Hindi ko kasalanan..."

Ngunit na kahit ipagpilitan ko pa iyon, wala paring ibang sisisihin kung hindi ako. I was the only person inside Ron's room when that happened. Kaya sino pa ang pupwedeng sisihin maliban sa akin?

But it was self-defense, right? That wouldn't happen if only he didn't attack me. He choked me to death! I was just trying to defend myself!

Agad na dumalo sa akin ang mga kapatid ko. May kung ano pang sinabi ang nurse sa kanila na hindi ko na masyadong naintindihan pa dahil iba na ang tumatakbo sa isip ko. They grabbed a wheelchair for me so they can bring me towards Kuya Gio's office.

"I swear I was defending myself. I didn't mean for that to happen... everything w-was just an accident. Believe me!"

Iyon agad ang sinabi ko nang ipasok nila ako sa loob ng opisina niya. They locked the door and made me sit on the sofa, in front of Kuya Gio's desk.

Habang abala si Kuya Gio sa tinatawagan, si Ate Margaux naman ang tumabi sa akin upang itanong sa akin kung ano ang nangyari.

"Tell me what happened, Fel."

Mangiyak-ngiyak ko siyang binalingan ng tingin. Agad niyang kinuha ang kamay ko at mahigpit na hinawakan ito.

"The patient was already aggressive when he was rushed in the hospital. I gave him meds so he eventually calmed down and was put to sleep. Then I-I went to check up on him again a-after I got his lab results back. His parents believe that something is wrong with him even if the results are all normal. So that's what I did and went back to his room.

'We were the only ones left inside. He was sleeping peacefully so I was confident that nothing will happen even if his restraints are off because calmed down now. So I was suprised when he suddenly grabbed my arm and started to harass me. He choked me so I just defended myself!"

Sinalo ko ang ulo ko at tuluyan na ngang naluha. Ate Margaux moved closer to me and gently caressed my back as I continue to cry.

Kuya Gio had to leave for a meeting so I was left with Ate Margaux. Sinubukan niya akong pakalmahin at paulit-ulit na sinasabi na hindi ko kasalanan. Na aksidente lang nangyari.

Mas lalo akong naiyak doon dahil pakiramdam ko may naniniwala sa akin. Everyone thinks that I probably did it on purpose since no one witnessed what really happened. And I look completely harmless when they got inside the room so they will initially thought that I really did it on purpose.

Ate Margaux stayed by my side as she waits for me to calm down and stop crying.

Oo, nag-sisisi ako sa ginawa ko. Hindi ko sana siya tinulak nang ganoon kalakas pero... gusto ko lang talagang dipensahan ang sarili ko sa posible niyang pag-atake sa akin.

I almost died if only I wasn't able to stop him from choking me. Kung sana nag-marka lang ang kamay niya sa leeg ko, mapapatunayan ko sanang totoo ang lahat ng sinasabi ko.

But I guess... justice isn't on my side today.

"The Chief wants to talk to you, Fel." Iyon agad ang bungad ni Kuya Gio sa akin pag-balik niya sa kanyang opisina.

"You had a meeting with them?" Medyo napataas ang boses ni Ate Margaux.

"Yes, the news quickly reached their offices so we gathered for a quick meeting," he sighed. "You should go now."

"But I-"

"It's better if we'll settle this right away," pag-putol niya sa sinasabi ko. "I'm on your side, Fel. Don't worry."

I pursed my lips and looked down on my feet. Panigurado siya lang ang kampi sa akin sa meeting na iyon dahil kapatid ko siya. The board probably wants me to punish me for what happened and maybe... I deserved it.

Both my siblings walked with me towards the Chief's office. Nilingon ko sila bago ko itulak ang pinto ng opisina. Both of them gave me an encouraging smile. Si Ate Margaux hinawakan pa ang balikat ko.

Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hininga at tuluyan na ngang pumasok sa loob.

Chief, Kuya Rico, our hospital's legal attorney, and another attorney—which I suppose is for Ron—were the ones I saw when I entered the office.

Ang problemadong si Chief ay agad na napaangat ng tingin sa akin nang pumasok ako. Tahimik akong tumabi kay Kuya Rico habang nakayuko ang ulo.

I heard the Chief sigh before he started.

"Explain to me what happened, Dr. Garcia." The chief asked.

I glanced at Kuya Rico nervously.

"We managed to control the bleeding on Ron's head. He had a massive head injury and he lost a lot of blood in his brain as well as oxygen. He ordered a head CT and we saw an indication of concussion. He's... in a critical condition right now, Chief."

Yumuko ako at mariing ipinikit ang aking mga mata. Fuck! What will happen to me now?

The chief sighed and looks at me disappointingly.

"You know that it's a VIP patient, right, Dr. Donovan? His parents are extremely pissed off and they wanted to sue you for what happened! Hindi namin magawang pakiusapan hangga't hindi namin nadidinig ang side mo. Can you give me any explanation for your behavior?"

"I'm really sorry, I just-"

"A doctor attacking a patient, really? You think it was the right thing to do?" Ron's family lawyer fired at me.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "He attacked me first! I was just defending myself!"

"How are we supposed to believe that? There are no evidences that he attacked first. He's a patient! He's here because he's weak! You think he will attack you all of a sudden? Not unless you did something to him!"

Umiling ako. "I didn't do anything to him! I was just assessing him because we couldn't grasp whatever is happening with all the symptoms that he presented. His vitals and lab results are all normal so I went back to check up on him. Because maybe we just missed something that's why we couldn't give our diagnosis.

"Everything was going smoothly until he suddenly woke up and told me that I shouldn't touch him! I was taken a backed when he suddenly grabbed my neck and started choking me! He is much stronger than me because he's normal and there is nothing wrong with him! I was just defending myself! Why is that so hard to believe?!"

"As of now, we can't support your version since the only evidence that we've got as of the moment is Ron's blood from his head injury. I'm pretty sure that his family will sue our hospital and also Dr. Donovan because of what happened."

"Why?! It was self-defense! I told you he attacked me first!"

"You're being so defensive, Dr. Donovan. Almost sounding like you're guilty." Nakangising sinabi ng attorney ng pamilya ni Ron.

"Well, I have the right to defend myself! Ako ang naiipit dito! I'm just explaining my side because is the truth! That's what really happened! May karapatan akong dipensahan ang sarili ko dahil lisensya ko ang nakasalalay dito, Attorney!"

Chief sighed heavily again. Naramdaman ko namang bumaling ng tingin si Kuya Rico sa akin.

"Enough of the argument and let's just focus on what's going to happen." Ani Chief.

"I can't let my license to be at stake because of this." Sabi ko.

"The moment you decided to attack a patient, your license is already at stake, Dr. Donovan." Bato naman ng family attorney ng pamilya ni Ron.

Bumagsak ang balikat ko at nagmamakaawang tumingin kay Chief. Umiling siya at pumikit. Bumaling siya sa mga taong nandito sa opisina niya bago siya nagpakawala muli ng malalim na hininga.

"I understand that you're all trying to do your job here but I would just like for you to leave me alone with Dr. Donovan for now. I need to talk to her privately."

Kuya Rico turns to me again and gave me an apologetic smile. I let out a deep sigh. Ang abogado naman nila Ron ay dismayadong umiling bago tuluyang lumabas ng opisina ni Chief.

Nang maiwan na kaming dalawa, agad akong humingi ng tawad sa kanya.

"I'm sorry..."

"Dr. Donovan... the family wants to sue you and your family's hospital. His son is in coma because of what happened." He said. "Right now, we are anticipating for the worst-case scenario. A bigger problem will arise if ever Ron dies. You probably heard that he lost a lot of blood, right?"

I nod my head.

"But don't worry... we won't let Ron die. We'll do our best to keep him in a stable condition so no jobs will be at stake here," he paused for a while to massage his head. "We had a board meeting a while ago and... we all came up with the decision to suspend you until further notice."

My eyes widened. Hindi makapaniwala ko siyang tiningnan.

"What? Kuya Gio let that happen?"

"Of course not. He was on your side. He was trying to defend you but the majority of the board's vote is what lead us to this decision."

I massaged my head. I couldn't help but get more disappointed.

I just defended myself because he was assaulting me. I already warned Ron not to do anything anymore but he still did! What I did was an automatic reaction because I was scared. I mean... who wouldn't be?

Hindi ko lang kayang hayaan siya na atakehin ako ulit bago ko pa madipensahan ang sarili kaya ko nagawa iyon.

I didn't know that defending myself from an attacker would also mean that I would get suspended.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Donovan. Iyon ang napagakasunduan at sinusunod ko lang iyon."

I clenched my jaw and fist. Dahan-dahan akong tumango bago ko alisin ang aking ID sa bulsa ng aking coat. The chief reached for it.

Gusto ko pa sanang ipagtanggol pa ang sarili kaso wala nang ibang tumatakbo sa isipan ko kung hindi ang takot, galit, at frustration.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Chief.

"Go home now. It's been a long day for you."

Tumango ako at kahit nanghihina pa, sinubukan ko parin na lumabas ng opisina niya. Kasabay ng pag-sara ko ng pinto, ay ang pagbuhos naman ng luha ko.

Kuya Gio immediately caught me in his arms when I started to break down again. I can't believe that this is all happening. Ilang buwan palang napapa-sa akin ang lisensya ko tapos ngayon... may tsansa na mabawi ito sa akin dahil sa kasalanan na hindi ko naman sinasadya.

"What have I done?" I asked.

Ate Margaux looks at me gently as she wipes away my tears. Ang sakit lang na isipin na ilang taon kong pinaghirapan na makuha ang bagay na iyon tapos gano'n lang pala siya kabilis mawawala sa akin.

"I did everything I could, Fel. Pero 'wag kang mag-alala... we will do everything we could to get you out of this situation. I will prove to them that you don't deserve your punishment. I will make sure that you'll get back to work immediately." Sabi ni Kuya Gio.

Suminghap ako at mas hinigpitan ang pag-kakayakap sa kanya.

I was too tired to even notice that I didn't eat for the whole day. Mag-gagabi na nang ihatid ako ni Kuya Gio pauwi para makapagpahinga na. Pakiramdam ko nasabi na agad nila ni Ate Margaux ang tungkol sa nangyari kay Mommy at Daddy. Pati si Kuya Dominic pakiramdam ko alam na rin ang tungkol doon.

They didn't ask me any questions about what happened. Instead, they offered me comfort and promised me that they will always be on my side.

Wala akong ganang kumain buong araw kahit na nagpahatid na ng pag-kain sila Mommy sa kwarto ko. Ilang beses na ring nag-riring ang telepono ko pero dahil sa nangyari, wala akong ganang sagutin iyon.

To say that this punishment was nothing but dismay and frustration is an understatement. Sa mga araw na nananatili lang ako rito sa bahay, pakiramdam ko may kulang.

The hospital is like my home now. So, the fact that I'm not there working makes me feel really incomplete. Wala akong ibang ginawa kung hindi ang humiga at mag-hintay ng updates about sa kundisyon ni Ron.

I really regret what I did. Kahit na hindi naman sinasadya, nag-sisisi parin ako. He had a serious head injury and it caused him to be in comatose. Mabuti nalang talaga at palagi akong inuupdate ni Ate Margaux at Carmela tungkol sa kanya.

Archer knew about what happened and he came to visit me yesterday. Syempre naiyak na naman ako dahil naalala ko na naman iyong nangyari. He even offered to help Kuya Gio to arrange my case for me.

Sa totoo lang, ang tanging hinihiling ko nalang ngayon ay hindi ang makabalik sa trabaho kung hindi ang 'wag nang ituloy ng pamilya ni Ron ang pag-sampa nila ng kaso sa ospital pati na rin sa akin.

Though they have the right to do that, but I just wish that they won't let their feelings affect their decisions. I just want them to wait until they find an evidence that I really didn't do it on purpose.

"How is he?" tanong ko nang tumawag si Carmela sa akin para i-update ako sa lagay ni Ron.

"Still the same, Fel. Dr. Garcia is keeping an eye on him and the family doesn't want anyone to handle their son except him. Kaya sa kanya nalang din ako nakikibalita. And you know what's weird about this? They hired people to guard their son's room as if he's the president or something!"

I heard her scoff sarcastically on the other line. Kung siguro mag-kasama lang kami ngayon, malamang umiirap na 'to.

"They have the right to do that, Carms. Baka natatakot lang silang mangyari ulit 'yung... nangyari sa anak nila."

"Tss. But still! Sa pagkakatanda ko, ang mga pasyenteng pinababantayan lang ay 'yung mga kriminal o 'di kaya ay president. I don't even remember some VIP patients―that we've handled before―had their rooms guarded by the police! They are just making this look like a crime even if it's not!"

"'Wag mo nalang pansinin 'yun, Carms. Let's just focus on Ron's condition."

"What if the family is hiding something? Perhaps, the son is hiding something?"

Kumunot naman ang noo ko sa sinabi ni Carmela. The son is completely normal. His toxicology reports are also normal so I don't think this family is really hiding something.

"Maybe they just want to protect their son. Hindi rin biro iyong nangyari, Carms, kaya baka naniniguro lang sila."

Carmela sighed. "Kahit na! It's OA and almost- Oh my god!"

"What happened?" kuryoso kong tanong dahil nabahala ako sa tono ng boses niya.

"Isn't this..."

"What, Carmela? What's happening?"

"It's Aya, Fel. Sinugod siya ni Archer dito!"

My eyes immediately widened. Agad akong napatayo mula sa kinauupuan ko nang dahil sa gulat. Parang kanina lang sabi ni Archer sa akin bibisitahin niya lang si Aya tapos ngayon... isinugod na niya ito sa ospital?

"What happened?!"

"I-I'll talk to you later, Fel. I need to-"

Bago niya pa tuluyang matapos ang sasabihin ay binaba na niya agad ang tawag dahil sa pagkatarata. Hindi rin tuloy ako mapakali sa loob ng kwarto ko sa kakaisip kung ano ba ang maaaring nangyari kay Aya.

I cursed under by breath before I decided to grab my jacket and head out of my room. Kinuha ko rin ang susi ng sasakyan ko upang sumugod sa ospital upang alamin ang nangyayari.

"Where are you going, Felicity?" tanong ni Daddy nang makita akong nag-mamadali.

"At the hospital. Archer rushed his sister at the emergency room. I need to be there."

"But you're not-"

Hindi ko na pinatapos pa si Daddy dahil agad-agad na rin akong lumabas ng bahay at nag-tungo sa nakaparadang sasakyan. I drive as fast as I could towards the hospital. Nang makarating, agad akong dumiretso sa emergency room.

Sinuyod ko ang paligid at hinanap kung nasaan sila Archer. I immediately spotted them talking to Lucas and Aya's oncologist. Agad akong dumiretso doon upang alamin ang nangyayari. Nabigla pa ako nang makita ko na narito rin si Tita Gretchen kasama si Archer.

"We've been giving her high doses of chemotherapy ever since that it eventually led to Aya's bone marrow to be destroyed. Right now, the best course of action is for Aya to undergo a bone marrow transplant." Sabi ng oncologist ni Aya.

"That means she will need a donor, right?" tanong ni Archer.

Lucas nods his head. "There are different types of transplant but if you want her to undergo an allogeneic bone marrow transplant, it's fine. A sibling is most likely to be a good match since they both have the same set of genes."

"Then I'll donate mine. Just tell me what I need to do."

Bakas sa mukha ni Tita Gretchen ang pag-kabigla sa biglaang desisyon ni Archer. She creased her forehead and immediately opposed to her son's decision.

"No, Archer. I will not let you do that!"

"But Aya needs me! She needs a donor and I'm eligible so I'm offering myself!"

Lumapit ako kay Archer. Marahan ko namang hinaplos ang likod niya dahilan kung bakit siya nabigla. Binalik niya naman muli ang tingin sa ina na siyang nag-patuloy sa pag-sasalita ngayon.

"But she's just your half-sister! You can't-"

"Just because she's just my half-sister doesn't mean I will just stand here and watch her suffer. I won't let Aya die, Mom! I will do everything to save her and you can't stop me from doing that!"

Tita Gretchen rolled her eyes. Ang Mommy naman ni Aya ay nanatiling nakatikom ang bibig habang hinahaplos ang ulo ng anak niya na critical na ang kondisyon ngayon.

"You don't have to do this, Archer." Aniya matapos ang ilang sandali.

"Oh! Turns out you know how to speak huh?" sarkastikong sinabi naman ni Tita Gretchen.

"If Aya wants to give up... t-then I'll let her go. I just don't want her to suffer anymore." her voice broke. Binalewala lang ang panunutya ni Tita Gretchen.

Archer clenched his jaw before he shakes his head.

"No," he said firmly. "You can't give up on her. She hasn't given up on herself. She's fighting and we will fight with her." Humarap naman siyang muli kay Lucas. "I will donate. Just tell me what I need to do."

"Archer, you can't-"

"I'm old enough to decide for myself, Mom. If you don't like my decision, then it's fine with me. I will still follow my choice. I want to save Aya's life."

Natameme naman si Tita Gretchen nang dahil sa sinabi ni Archer. She pursed her lips and looks over to Aya. Si Lucas naman ay nag-patuloy sa kanyang sasabihin.

"We need to do special tests in order to determine if you're a good match with Aya."

Tiningala ko naman si Archer. "Are you sure about this?"

He nods his head. Tiningnan ko naman si Lucas at tinanguan siya. He nods his head once before he excused himself to prepare the paper works and to order the special tests that Archer needs to undergo before he can donate his bone marrow to Aya.

It took them a week before they can finally get the results of Archer and Aya's HLA matching. Archer sighed in relief when they matched. Sa loob din ng linggong iyon, pinayagan na akong bumalik sa ospital kaya palagi rin akong nagagawi sa kwarto ni Aya.

She looks really weak but you can still see on her face how much she wants to fight for her life.

It's also hard to watch her mother lose hope. Mabuti nalang at nandiyan si Archer para ipaalala palagi sa kanya na lumaban din para sa anak. Hindi ko naman mapigilan na isipin kung ano kaya ang ginagawa ng ama nila sa oras na ito.

Her daughter is in a critical condition and I never even saw him come here once. Palaging si Archer at ang Mommy lang ni Aya ang nandidito.

At dahil nakabalik na nga ako sa trabaho, napansin ko rin ang pag-babago ng tingin ng ibang katrabaho ko sa akin. I'll sometimes hear them talking about me and what happened a week ago behind my back. Binabalewala ko nalang iyon pero minsan naaapektohan din ako sa mga sinasabi nila.

It's just too much. People will surely talk about you without even knowing the whole story. Kaya minsan mas pinipili ko nalang manatili sa kwarto ni Aya kasama si Archer kaysa sa marinig ang mga bulungan nila.

"Good luck on your surgery. I'll wait for you." sabi ko kay Archer nang inihahanda na siya para sa transplant ni Aya.

He smirked and kissed the top of my head. "And I'll look forward to seeing you when I wake up."

I smiled and grabbed his hand.

Sumama naman ako habang dinadala siya sa OR. I wish I have his bravery and strength. I've never even saw him afraid about the outcome of this transplant. What's more important to him is to be able to save his sister's life and nothing more.

He reached for my hand before he enters the OR. I brushed his hand and watch him disappear from my sight. Kuya Ethan and Lucas both smiled at me as they made their way inside the OR. I smiled back at them.

Nagpakawala naman ako ng malalim na hininga at naupo nalang sa may waiting area ng OR. I have nothing else to do now since my shift already finished. Kaya sa halip na umuwi na, nanatili ako rito para hintayin si Archer at Aya.

Ilang oras na akong nag-hihintay at unti-unti na rin akong kinakain ng antok kaya naman napagdesisyonan ko na bumili muna ng kape.

Sa gitna ng pag-lalakbay ko palabas ng ospital, naka salubong ko si Kuya Gio kasama si Kuya Rico. Nagkagulatan kami pero mas naging bakas sa mukha nila ang pag-aalala.

"Hey." Bati ko.

"Have you heard the news, Fel?" tanong ni Kuya Gio.

"What news?"

Kuya Rico glanced at Kuya Gio. Bahagya niyang iniyuko ang kanyang ulo. My forehead creased. Nagpakawala naman ng malalim na hiniga ang kapatid ko bago niya hinilot ang kanyang sentido.

"We should tell her. She deserves to know." Narinig kong sinabi ni Kuya Rico.

Mas lalo namang kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa kuryosidad. Wala akong alam sa kung ano ang tinutukoy nila. I waited for them to continue.

"It's better if you're the one who'll tell her." Si Kuya Gio.

"What's happening?"

Nagpakawala naman ng malalim na hininga si Kuya Rico. He tried to smile a little at me pero mas nanaig padin ang pagkabahala at takot sa mukha niya.

"Ron Lopez died today. He didn't survive, Fel."