4 Chapter 3

February 14, 2017

"Miss Georgina, I am Glicel and this is my team and we will be in-charge for your hair and make-up." Napatigil ako sa pagbasa ng magazine and crossed my legs then nodded. They immediately started with their job.

Thank you for taking my workload.

I sent the message to Honey, I asked her to take on my shift for today and thank God dahil pumayag ito, bumabawi lang ito dahil sa pabor nito last time.

Napabuntong hininga ako at napapikit when they started applying serum on my face. Mas gusto ko pang bumalik sa ospital at magtrabaho kaysa dadalo sa charity ball ni lolo, not to mention Ee's quick play of being a 'matchmaker'.



I opened my right eye slightly when I heard some noise. Napahinto ang mata ko nang nakita ang dalawang pares, a guy who is holding a lot of paper bags and a girl which is now sitting in one of the chair, I can't really see her face because of her hair in sideways.

"Tilde, kailan mo ba ako planong papauwiin huh? I've been with you since morning and now its past noon!" Reklamo ng lalaki, alam kong hindi mabuti ang ginagawa ko. Normally people will just ignore them pero hindi ko napigilang makinig sa kanilang pag-uusap.



The guy is the living proof of a the word 'handsome'. He's tall, he is wearing a black long-sleeves polo nicely tucked in a black pair of slacks. The sleeves were folded neatly that you could see his veins popping out, not in a gross way though.

"Manahimik ka nga diyan kahit isang minuto lang please? I am trying to relax here. And by the way, it is your duty na bantayan ako kaya 'wag kang magreklamo diyan." She scoffed. The guy gave up and placed the girls' paperbag in the sofa at the back. He looked defeated when he stubbornly say down.

"Can't you hurry up? Hindi pa nga ako nakapaghanda para mamayang gabi. Ang arte kasi." Sasagot na sana 'yong babae nang tumikhim so Glicel.

She wasn't able to apply foundation on my right eye because it was slightly opened. I cleared my throat and closed my eyes obediently.



Tumagal ng halos tatlong oras para matapos na ang paghahanda ko. I wore my cream dress filled with sequince which fitted me so well, parang second layer ng balat ko lang ito kung tutuusin. My hair was in a messy bun and they placed the accessory that I bought which is the Lily hairclip which was made with real diamond.

I thanked the staff for the job well done and dialed our drivers number.

Pick me up

I went to the sofa near the entrance so I can check if nakarating naba ang driver. I only occupied 1/4 of it because of the paperbags which were displayed by the guy kanina. Wow the girl can shop.

The guy with her is at the other chair beside the sofa and he is sleeping.

I checked the girl out, she was still not done with her make-up, nasa blending stages pa lang.

Tough luck. Matagal pa 'yan matatapos.



The girl looked at the mirror and by reflex I avoided my gaze and just stared outside to check if the driver arrived, she couldn't have seen me looking right?

"Dr. Sperbund?" Nagkasalubog ang kilay na nilingon ko siya. How come she knows my name? Have we met before? She's not that familiar though.

Itinaas nito ang kamay niya ay humakbang palayo ang staff na nag-aayos sa kaniya. Tumayo ito at hinarap ako.

"Ikaw nga, doc!" Humakbang ito palapit sa akin, I decided to stand up and meet her gaze. I smiled at her with a questioning look.

"Uh, I'm sorry but have we met before?" I can't seem to recognize her. Maybe dahil sa make-up? I didn't get to see her face bare kanina dahil natabunan ito ng buhok.

"It's me,Tilde Veñalez. I'm sure hindi mo maaalala lahat ng naging pasyente mo based on looks. I just want to say thank you for saving my life." She held my hands in between her.

"Ako 'yong nagka-pneumothorax sa airport  you performed an emergency surgery at the site. You are my guardian angel doc!" Airport, pneumothorax, surgery.. I was trying to recall my memory using the 3 keywords. Could it be...

November 3, 2014

I was going on a trip with my seniors at work, I was a resident doctor and the youngest of them. We were gonna have a seminar in Cebu but then an accident occurred. The elevator suddenly collapsed and fell directly from the 3rd floor to the ground.

The security forced open the elevator and there was a girl inside. She is facing the floor, she couldn't breathe, she was struggling.

The senior doctors that I was with were confused and told the security that they should call an ambulance, which then ticked me off.

Present in the area are 6 licensed doctors with a diploma of medicine, and they wouldn't do anything, to do any initial intervention?

"We have to help her immediately,any second she will lose her breath!"  I tried to bring some sense into them but they just shrugged and reasoned out that they should leave it to the EMS.

"Fuck the EMS." I went to the girl, she was carried out of the elevator and she is now lying supine. I checked her lung field, there's been a blunt trauma, she is experiencing shortness of breath and her chest is getting rigid.

Pneumothorax

I got my first aid kit in my back pack, grabbed my anti-septic solution and poured it on her chest.

"May matutulong po ba kami?" One of the security asked.

"We need privacy, though this is an emergency kailangan ko paring protektahan ang kaniyang dignidad." They assumed in position, one of them got a blanket and surrounded us by it, securities were maintaining the privacy of the victim.

I took out my scalpel and a sterile tube, I didn't knew this would come in handy someday.

"Sperbund! You are making a big mistake right now! If anything happens to the victim, you will be held liable!" Pag protesta ng isang senior. I gritted my teeth and my grip on the instruments tightened.

"And if she dies without us even helping, it would be my burden forever." After so many set-backs I took a deep breath and started to incise on her 2nd intercoastal space. Blood gushed out as well as the air, I immediately inserted the tube. Please, please.

Everyone gasped in shock when we heard the victim grasping for more air ,for 10 minutes she is finally stable, when they were gonna transfer her I stood up and step backed but she held unto my hand.

I stared at her tired eyes, she tried to form a smile and her grip became tighter.

"Thank you." And she was sent to the hospital.

"Oh my, I can't believe it." I covered my mouth.

"Naaalala mo! Kaya lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa 'yo doc. You saved me."  Nang nakabawi na ako ay nginitian ko siya.

"I did it because that's my duty. It's my duty to save lives." I looked out of the window and saw our car. Tumango ako sa driver na agad na binuksan ang backseat.

"Tilde, I'm really sorry but I've got to go. Keep safe" Binawi ko na ang kamay ko sa kaniya.

"If there is any way I can be useful to you please tell me. I will be forever indebted to you."

"Salamat ulit Dr. Georgina." I bid my goodbye and left.



"Ma fille." I turned around to face her. She is getting old but her beauty never fails to enchant everyone.

"Ma. I missed you." My steps doubled and hugged her. I buried my face on her shoulder. The sweet scent of a mother enveloped me.

"I'm glad you arrived safely ma fille." I faced her and kissed her on the forehead.

"You should be resting ma. Don't push yourself." She can stand but she's still too weak. I helped her walk and let her safely sit on her wheelchair.

"My body's okay, you don't need to worry." Her reassurance made my heart lighter, but I know better.

"Of course, you're the iron lady. Thank you ma for fighting. Congratulations your last cycle." My mother had always been strong. When she was diagnosed with brain cancer, she didn't shed a tear. She was always there for me. But now, I don't know if she's either strong or putting on a facade.

"For you ma fille. I am willing to fight the impossible and God is with me, He is in here." Tinuro nito ang kaniyang dibdib.

"I am not fighting alone." I smiled at her words.

"You have papa, lolo and me too." She nodded and I guided her to the hall. Classical music from the live orchestra filled our ears as we enter the grand hall.

"Clarissa, how have you been?" Marami ang nangangamusta kay mama. The people whom she had helped in the past, they are still with her.

"Ang ganda mo pa rin, parang noong kolehiyo pa lamang tayo." Their chat went on and mama was like she went back to the past, she was smiling from ear to ear.

"Ma fille." She touched my hand on her shoulder.

"You can leave me now. You can go." That's what her mother wanted and she respects it. She nodded her head and turned to her mother's friends. Napangiti ako when I realized how much of a good person my mother is.

"I guess I'll take my leave." They smiled and assured me that they can take care of her.



"Doctor Sperbund!" Emerald walked towards me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I replied by doing the exact same thing.

Emerald is wearing a bloody dress paired by her collection of pearls. She is quite a temptress tonight.

"Ee, I would've said that you looked stunning but a memory of you keeps me from telling you." I sarcastically implied. I shifted my gaze to Prin and appreciated his presence by smiling.

"Oh Gee, you have a very plausible memory, so remember to thank me alright?"She really thinks I'll thank her? Napairap ako at napabuga ng hangin.

"So Ee, where is he?" I low-key looked around my surrounding.

"He received a call from work." Prin answered.

"Seems like a busy man." I commented.

"Just your type!" Magiliw na bigkas ni Ee.

"Well, if he's not here... I have to go. Excuse me." I turned my back at them and started making my way to the banquet table when my stilettos stepped on my gown, shit.

I held my breath and was preparing myself for the impact when I felt a warm hand pulled me to its side. I held on his shoulders for support.



"You okay?" A deep voice whispered. His voice sent shivers down to my spine. This voice

I composed myself and stood straight, my gaze went down to my hips, his hand is still there, supporting me. I shifted my gaze to his face. Ryu

"Fancy meeting you again Georgina." My breathing stopped when he mentioned my name. How could my name be such a sweet melody when it comes from his lips. His face is just a few inches from mine, my breathing became uncontrolled as I tried to hold it.

"R-Ryu. Nandito ka? Bakit?" He removed his hands on my waist. Napailing ako. The words came out wrong. Baka kung anong isipin nito.

"Sorry, I was just-" I paused trying to look for the right word when I heard him chuckled.

"Why are you smiling?" I felt insulted and confused. Umiling ito at kinagat ang kaniyang labi.

"Sorry." He apologized but there is still the trace of his smile.

"You're just too cute for me Georgina."

"H-Huh?" All the blood rushed to my cheeks. He couldn't possibly tell that because of the thick layers of make-up.

"Am I too forward if I'll ask you to be my date for tonight?" Date?

"Uh, my cousin set me up with someone who I don't even know. Does that count?" I wished Ee didn't decide on her own when she chose  who I'm going with.

"Does he count for you?" My eyes darted on his dark almond pair of eyes. I looked down and took a deep breath. I can't look him in the eyes, I'm so embarrassed and at loss of words.

Where did that smart mouth go?



"Soryu!" Oh? It's Prin's voice. I lift my head and saw Ee and Prin.

"Prin. Sorry I got to excused myself earlier."

"So Gee, you finally met him." What? 

"Y-You mean, the guy you set me up with is R-Ryu?" Ee flashed a triumphant smile and nodded. With my knotted forehead I faced Ryu.

"Do I count Georgina?"He was referring to our conversation earlier. He smiled at me and he placed his hand midair.

"Can I have the honor to be your date for tonight?" Still shocked and confused I gave him my hand and replied.

"Yes."