Brave the Storm (La Familia Series #1)

Chapter 24

"We've successfully removed her hematoma and the craniotomy was a success. For now, we just have to monitor the patient until her condition gets better. We did the best we can pero hindi pa rin natin masasabi kung may mga komplikasyon na mangyari. So I say it'll be better for her to stay here." Sabi Dr. Nuerva sa anak ng pasyente.

"Salamat po, Doc," with teary eyes he shook Dr. Nuerva's hand and he turns to me, "Salamat, Doc." I smiled at him.

"We just did our job. If you have any questions, you may ask Dr. Sanchez. I'll leave you be," nagpasalamat siyang muli, and Dr. Nuerva just gave him a small smile.

I checked the monitor and her IV drop before leaving them. Akala ko kanina hindi papayag yung anak na operahan ang nanay niya dahil kung i-b-base lang rin sa statistics, it was a 33% death rate if surgery is done, 33% rate to have a severe neurological injury, and 33% rate of having some functional recovery. Plus, the hospital bill will not be cheap but Mr. Almodovar didn't think twice, agad siyang pumirma ng consent and we did the surgery right then and there. It was so nerve wracking inside the O.R., even Dr. Nuerva was silent for a moment. Maybe all of us were silently uttering our own prayers for the surgery to be successful.

I looked at Mrs. Almodovar, 'Please fight,' I silently uttered and I just hope it reached her. Before closing the door, I heard the guy's muffled sobs but the words he uttered were louder than his cries; "Salamat, Nay". Mga kama ko'y nanginginig nung naisara ko na ang pinto. Ilang beses na ako naka-saksi ng mga ganong scenario pero hindi talaga ata ako masasanay.

Tuwing may namamatay sa operating bed bigla akong lalamigin, mahihilo, at parang bumabaliktad ang sikmura. I've tried not to be too attached with our patients pero hindi ko magawa. Nung asa med school kami laging usapan na bilang doctor dapat masanay na kaming makasaksi ng mga namamatay o ng mga unsuccessful operation, hindi daw kami dapat sobrang emosyonal. May mga colleagues ako na hindi ko man lang nakitang umiyak o magulat nung maka-experience sila ng una nilang unsuccessful operation, o baka akala ko lang.

Wala sa sarili akong naglakad at nakarating sa nurse's station. I heaved a deep sigh, trying to even my breathing and set aside whatever emotions I'm feeling right now.

"Hey," my eyes widen a fraction upon hearing that familiar voice.

Paglingon ko sa kanan ko nakita ko si Cove na nakatingin sa 'kin. Masyado na atang malalim ang pag-iisip ko dahil di ko man lang napansin ang presensya niya.

"H-hey," and of course, I stuttered.

Hilaw akong ngumiti sakanya. He was staring at me and so I stared back, nailang ata siya dahil inilipat niya ang paningin niya sa chart na hawak niya.

"Are you okay?" he suddenly asked.

I was confused as to why he asked such a question. Napansin niya ba yung itsura ko kanina? On another note, baka naman it's just an ice breaker.

"Yeah, how about you?" I asked back just to be polite, or maybe I just want the conversation to keep going.

"I'm okay," and he gave me a glance and smiled.

There was a dead air between us, he kept on glancing in my direction and I would catch him kaya naman bigla siyang aalis ng tingin. It was awkward! And so, I randomly get a chart and cleared my throat. He looked at me.

"I'll go now, may rounds pa pala ako," his mouth forms an 'o' and so I flashed a small smile.

Inilagay ko ang kamay kong may hawak ng chart sa likod ko; it was shaking. And I'm sure I'm sweating bullets kahit air condition ang ospital.