NURSE MADELAINE

CHAPTER 7: Paralyse

"One more hour to go guys!" Pinipilit na ni Gian na i-cheer ang buong staff ng Emergency Department pagkatapos nilang daanan ng mala-zombing dami ng pasyente.

He was in the middle of stitching a large avulsion of a three year old child, crying and constantly shouting for her Mom. The gaping wound revealed his cervical and upper thoracic area.

"Mama! Mama ko!" Patuloy ang pagsigaw ng umiiyak na bata.

"Cut." Senyas nito kay Madelaine na tagaktak na ang pawis habang nag-aasist sa kanya.

Wala na sigurong tatalo kay Gian sa pagkakaroon ng mahabang pasensya. Nakangiti pa din itong nagta-trabaho kahit na halos lahat ng bagay ay siya ang gumawa ng araw na iyon. Baguhan ang mga residenteng kasama niya. He don't have a choice but to work on his own lalo na at kulang ang doktor sa area. Drew and Kara filed for a sickleave. Nathan and Drake were on the Medical Mission in Tawi-Tawi.

"Alam mo kanina Dok, akala ko..."

"That the mother would be dead?" Tapos ni Gian sa sinasabi ni Madelaine.

"Buti na lang talaga, ikaw ang doktor! Tahan na baby... Pagkatapos nito, tapos na. Hmm? Huwag ka ng umiyak." Nasa batang babae ang simpatya nito na walang humpay sa pag-iyak.

"I will not let anyone die in my shift." Gian stare at her fondly.

She chuckled hearing those familiar lines. That was Doctor Ace's motto. Madelaine couldn't deny the fact that she missed that legendary ER Doctor who taught her everything.

Matagal-tagal na din mula nang magleave ito pagkapanganak ng asawa niya. Strikto man ito at madalas mas sersyoso, siya pa din ang pinaka-paborito nilang doktor sa lahat.

"I will not let anyone die in my shift." Madelaine is reciting this mantra several times while unconciosly smiling.

That smile is the prettiest thing Gian seen in a while. Her innocence, honesty,  and purity extend to her eyes. She was a free and vibrant soul. A smile that can reach places the sun can't. It can warm a human soul and cold heart.

Madelaine...

He shooked his head while looking at her thinking of bizarre things.

Geez! Gian, you are insane!

There is something in the way he looks at her. He stand there looking confused and strangely stimulated by her presence.

Seriously! Stop it! What were you thinking!

His brain stutters for a moment. Every part of him goes on a pause while staring at her sweet smiles. He regretted looking at Madelaine.

"Dok!" Iyon na ang pangalawang beses na tinawag siya ni Madelaine.

"Hmm?" Nag-iwas ng tingin si Gian nang marinig niya ang dalaga.

"Okay na Dok. Magpahinga ka na muna. Ako na bahala dito." Nakita niya kung paano nanginig ang kamay ni Gian habang nililigpit ang mga ginamit nito.

Pagod na pagod ito sa buong shift pero walang reklamong ginagawa nito ang trabaho niya.

"Ako na to Dok." They are wearing gloves but Gian can still feel the current running through him.

"Sigurado ka?" Mabilis niyang inalis ang kamay niyang pinaibabawan ni Madelaine.

"Trabaho ko naman talaga to. Masyado mo lang kaming ini-spoiled. Ikaw lang ang doktor na nagliligpit ng mga ginamit mo. Ako na to. May twenty five minutes pa tayo. I-reserve mo ang energy mo Dok Gian." Hindi na nagpumilit pa si Gian at mabilis na lumabas ng cubicle kung nasaan silang dalawa ni Madelaine. Malalalim ang hinga niya na may kasamang buntong hininga.