'NURSE'
All of it started on March 24, 2009.
"Haysst salamat naman at makakapagpahinga na!" I said after I changed my clothes.
Huling araw na kasi namin ngayon bilang 2nd year sa kolehiyo kaya napakaraming requirements ang pinagawa. The subjects were challenging too but worth it just like the water survival.
Maraming mga taong nakapaligid sa akin ang laging nagtataka kung bakit pa raw ako magpupulis samantalang kababae kong tao tapos pagpupulis pa ang nais ko. Magtanod na 'lang' daw ako kung gusto kong pagsilbihan at protektahan ang bayan.
No offense para sa mga tanod pero isa kasi ito sa mga halimbawa ng trabahong tumutulong para maging organisado ang bansa natin sa pamamagitan nga ng pagpoprotekta at pagsisilbi nila sa bayan natin. But my personal reason why I'd taken up Bachelor of Science in Criminology was because I know from my heart that this is my passion.
"Kaya nga. Super nakakapagod ngayon, gusto ko ng humiga agad sa kama ko kaya bilisan mo na riyan, Macy. Pasalamat ka hinintay ka pa namin ni kuya!" Leigh, my closest bestfriend which is studying BS Pharmacy now with the same year as mine.
Leigh and his brother Alex, are also my cousin. Kuya Alex's course is same as mine but he is in his 3rd year now.
Their father and my mother are siblings but their parents died early so my mother served as their guardian. My mother also shouldered their other expenses.
Wala namang problema kay mama dahil parang anak na rin ang turing niya sa mga pinsan ko at okay lang din naman sa akin iyon. Hindi naman kami gipit sa pera dahil may stable job si mama. Sa iisang bahay rin kami nakatira kaya parang kapatid na talaga ang turingan naming tatlo.
My father was died too because of the heart attack. He was a policeman before, as well as the father of Leigh and kuya Alex. Nasa tradition na talaga ng pamilya namin ang pagpupulis kaya mas lalo kaming naengganyo ni kuya Alex na kumuha ng criminology bukod sa gusto talaga namin ito.
I'd packed my things quickly. We ride in Toyota fortuner of kuya Alex. Bigay sa kaniya ito ng ninong/tito niya sa mother's side noong nag-19 siya. Wala kasing anak kaya ganon.
Pagod na talaga ako kaya bilang college student, inaabangan talaga namin ang summer para makapagpahinga.
Pagdating namin ay natulog agad ako kahit na tanghali pa lamang. My head is slightly aching when I woke up so I can't move well in our house chores. Anggaling talaga eh kung kailan naman nagkaroon ng oras para sa pahinga saka pa sasama 'yung pakiramdam ko!
"Oh anak gising ka na pala. Umalis sila Leigh para bumisita sa mga kamag-anak nila. Baka mamayang gabi pa sila darating," sabi ni mama.
"Napasarap 'yung tulog ko ma eh. Nakakapagod sa school," sagot ko.
"Sabi nga din ni Leigh kaya hindi ka na namin ginising pa nung umalis sila." she said while relaxing and sitting on our couch. Pagod din siguro si mama.
I went to our kitchen to get some foods for us. Kanina pa ako hindi kumakain dahil ang tagal ng tulog ko kaya siguro medyo sumasakit na rin ang ulo ko ngayon.
Naabutan kong kumukulo na ang tubig na isinalang ni mama kaya ako na sana ang magsasalin sa thermos para hindi na kumilos pa si mama dahil sa tingin ko ay pagod na siya galing sa trabaho but unexpected thing happened! Nabitawan ko ang takure at lumabas ang mainit na tubig dito.
"Mama!" I shouted.
The hot water fell down into my Femoral (common name: thigh). My tears instantaneously welled up and my heartbeat couldn't be tamed.
Me and my mother were panicking but at least, we still managed to immerse my skin in a cool running water for 10-15 minutes after removing my pants.
It developed some blisters on my thigh and it also turned my skin into red and swelling. I cried more. Natatakot na ako. Masakit na ang mga hita ko. This is absolutely dreadful. Is this even real?
I didn't bear the pain anymore so we decided to call our city's public order and safety office who performs safety & first aid services.
They brought me to Cortez Memorial Hospital thru ambulance after one of the rescuers there performed some first-aid to my burns wherein she put wet gauze on my thigh.
Wala pa rin sila Leigh at kuya Alex sa bahay dahil medyo may kalayuan ang lugar ng mga kamag-anak nila sa kanilang mother's side kaya tinawagan nalang sila ni mama para ipaalam ang nangyari at baka magtaka pa sila kung bakit walang tao sa bahay.
Pagkababa ko sa ambulansya ay medyo nakakalakad pa naman ako pero masakit talaga kaya binigyan agad ako ng wheelchair ng lalaking staff na nasa entrance ng hospital. He take me into the emergency room (ER) while my mother was remained in the information desk for my records.
The boy stopped in a room filled of some wheelchaired people. The old woman looked at me with pityingly eyes.
I am wearing a floral dress from my mother so it was easy for me to take away the cloth from touching the blisters on my skin. Pinasuot niya ito sa akin bago kami humingi ng tulong. Hindi ko na naisip na baka magmukhang manang ako rito dahil nataranta na talaga ako sa nangyari.
"Dito ka lang muna ha," the boy said before going out.
What!? The thoughts of being left behind here scared me. I remember the time I saw with my two eyes the death of my father in this hospital. Simula noon ayaw ko na talaga sa ospital.
"Napano ka iha? Nakagat ka ng aso?" the woman asked.
My cheeks were wet but more than my crying, I am still shock now so I just shook my head for my response.
Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na nasira na ang balat ko sa hita pero pasalamat pa rin ako dahil nakasuot ako ng pants noong matapunan ako ng mainit na tubig. Kahit na hindi ako palaayos ay nakakapanghinayang talaga dahil alam kong magdudulot ito ng peklat sa balat ko.
Buti nalang at thesis na raw ang pagkakaabalahan namin ngayong darating na pasukan kaya marami pa akong oras para makapagpagaling.
I looked around the room to see if there's a nurse or a doctor here but I can't see the both of them.
"Kawawa ka naman" that woman again, said. I ignored her although I don't like that kind of words. I don't want other people to pitty me.
Suddenly, another door inside the ER opened and my eyes were drawn to a tall figure man with a nurse uniform who just came out.
"Inumin mo lang 'yang nakareseta then after one week balik ka sa OPD at ipakita mo lang 'yung records mo." Literal na napatitig ako sa lalaking nasa harapan ko dahil sa lambing ng boses niya. Dinaig pa yung boses kong pangpalengke!
"Salamat po, nurse" the girl around 23-25 year old said demurely before going out.
The nurse glanced at me and he sat on his chair which was near with me.
"Anong nangyari sa'yo?" he is taking his pen right now on his desk so I've had a better view of his handsome face. His perfectly chiseled face and sexy lips were enough to drive any woman crazy. Damn, nang-aakit! Mabilis pa naman akong magkacrush pero crush lang naman kasi never pa akong nagkaboyfriend.
His gazed solemnly up into my eyes and caught me staring at him. I snapped out of my daze and urgently turned my head away. I muttered some curses in my head. Nakakahiya nahuli niya akong nakatitig sa kaniya at nakalimutan ko pang sagutin 'yung tanong niya.
I carefully composed the words in my brain before answering him so I could not be embarrassed again.
"Natapunan po ng mainit na tubig," I shortly explained while wearing a sad face recalling what happened a while ago.
"Diyan ka lang muna" he said before going out.
Nakabalik din naman siya agad dahil sa pagtakbo niya kaya medyo nawala na ang pagkairita ko kasi kanina pa ko iniiwan dito ha!
"Anong oras ka natapunan?" He was now reading a form. Nag isip isip pa ako kung anong oras ba iyon? My brain didn't function well that time dahil yung mga hita ko lang ang iniisip ko kaya di ko na masyadong matandaan!
"Mga 8 po... ayyy 9. Basta po kuya mga bandang 8-9 'yun medyo di ko na po maalala eh." I forgot that he was a registered nurse so medyo napahiya ako roon sa 'kuya' part!
He wrote something on the form and get an ointment. The main door opened and revealed my mother. Pumunta agad si mama sa tabi ko.
"Halika sundan mo ako" the nurse said without looking at me. He stood up and proceed right away to where we are going to.
My mood instantly changed from frightened into annoyed. Hindi naman ako mabilis mainis kaya hindi ko nalang pinahalata. Grabe hindi man lang inisip kung kaya kong tumayo. Alam na nakawheelchair eh. Hindi naman namin pwedeng dalhin 'yung wheelchair ko dahil masikip yung dinaanan niya.
Inalalayan ako ni mama para makatayo and luckily I managed to walk naman para sundan iyong nurse na 'yon! Naiwan ko pa ang tsinelas ko dahil nasasagi yung balat ko sa paa na natapunan ng kaunting mainit na tubig.
Pumasok siya sa room na pinanggalingan nila noong babaeng pasyente na kausap niya kanina. We followed him and my mother immediately went out to get my slippers.
I looked around the room. It was a small room filled with white color. Napahawak ako sa mga balikat ko dahil sa sobrang lamig na dulot ng aircon sa silid.
First time kong makapunta ng ER at ito rin ang unang beses na maospital ako that's why I wasn't familiar with it. Kadalasan kasi ay sa health center ako pinapatingin kapag may sakit ako.
He pointed the bed to me at tinuon niya na ang sarili sa mga inaayos niyang mga gamit. Tumingin lang ako sa hospital bed at iniisip kung kaya ko bang maakyat iyon na ganito ang kalagayan ko. I helplessly looked at him. Hindi mo man lang ba ako tutulungan o kahit alalayan man lang?
The door opened and it was my mother who came in. Buti nalang nandito si mama! My mother went straighted to me and helped me to get up. I am shocked that I didn't feel so much pain. Alright! I'm a judgemental on that part.
"Kaya ko naman pala," I said while slightly laughing to atleast burst out my guiltiness.
"Ma'am kailangan po natin ng ganitong klase ng ointment. Punta po muna kayo sa pharmacy." he said while giving my mother a prescription. My mother speedily went out.
"Saang banda ka natapunan?" He wore the gloves and opened the ointment on his hand.
"Sa hita ko po"
He gently applied the ointment in my skin and I felt such a sense of relief.
"Sa may bandang paa rin po" I said while slightly shaking my feet. I abruptly stopped when I realized that I commanded him without thinking.
I pinched my left hand to warn myself from being bossy. Ano ba Macy! Ayusin mo sarili mo!
He shifted his head and looked at me with a calmed face. My heart does a leap. Kanina pa ako nandito sa ospital pero iyon na nga ata ang pinakamatagal na tingin niya sa akin.
I raised my left brow and the side of my lips rose. May patingin tingin pang nalalaman. Paasa 'to!
I laugh in my mind. Nagpatuloy naman ulit siya sa ginagawa niya pero parang naiilang siyang lagyan 'yung ibang mga parteng natapunan ng mainit na tubig.
"Lagyan mo yung mga part na hindi ko pa nalalagyan" He gave me the ointment and came out for maybe my privacy.
I already get what he was saying. He was pertaining to my Inguinal (common name: groin) which was near on my private part. Medyo natapunan din ng hot water eh but unlike sa hita ko na medyo malala.
Sinunod ko naman ang sinabi niya at pagkatapos lamang ng ilang minuto ay pumasok din naman siya agad sa room ko na may dalang pang-injection. My eyes widened. Takot pa naman ako sa karayom!
"Iinjection-an niyo po ako kuya?" So stupid! Kuya na naman!
Hindi siya nagsalita. He just nodded to me while arranging the syringe.
"Masakit po ba 'yan?"
"Parang kagat lang 'to ng langgam."
"Pambihira ipakagat mo nalang po ako sa langgam, huwag lang injection-an."
Tumingin siya sa akin nang may tinatagong mga ngiti sa kaniyang mga labi. He then assured me, "Hindi naman 'to masyadong masakit."
"Parang kagat lang ng langgam tapos 20 na langgam pala!" I reasoned out.
"Parang kagat nga lang 'to ng langgam," he chuckled.
My brow furrowed. Aba! Ginawa pa talaga akong bata nito. Pang-alu nila 'yon sa mga bata eh. Effective pa rin kaya 'yun sa mga teenager na kagaya ko? Well, hindi ako nakumbinsi.
Sumeryoso ang mukha niya. He cleaned my deltoid site with an alcohol swab and positioned the syringe on it. I move over a little to escape the needle kaya siya naman ang nakakunot ang noo ngayon. Nakakatakot talaga ang injection.
"Ano po ba 'yan?" pangungulit ko pa para matakasan 'yung injection.
"Tetanus shot" He answered lazily. Siguro pagod na talaga siya. He's the only nurse here in emergency room. I suddenly felt a guilt for being a stubborn.
Dumating na rin si mama kaya napapayag na akong magpa-inject. He pushed the plunger slowly to inject the medication into my deltoid muscle (in the upper arm near the shoulder) and based on my experienced mas masakit nga 'yung mabanlian!
"Okay na po. Pwede na po siyang maghintay sa labas habang inaayos nyo po ang payment."
"Thank you po, nurse" my mother said after assisting me to stand. That nurse accompanied another patient as we headed to the waiting area.
Konting sakit na lang ang nararamdaman ko kaya hindi na ako masyadong nahirapang maglakad papuntang waiting area.
Ngayon ko lang din naisip na medyo nabawasan na ang takot na nararamdaman ko simula nang mabanlian ako. Dahil ito sa nars sa ER eh! He turned my emotion into being irritated. Ewan ko ba kung bakit ang bilis kong mainis sa kaniya tuwing nagsasalita siya tapos naaakit naman ako kapag tinititigan ko siya haysst. Yes I'm attracted. Pure crush lang gaya ng mga iba kong naging crush before. Maybe because he looks neat and clean.
I was comfortably sitting while waiting for my mother in paying the bills when I realized something. My mistake, I forgot his name!
I couldn't help gawking while hopelessly blaming myself so he didn't lost on my sight as he appeared. Napatingin agad ako sa kaniya nang mapadaan na siya sa harap ko but I instantly look on his id. Mahirap nang maging mabagal!
Pinaliit ko ang aking mga mata para makita 'yung nakasulat sa ID niya but it wasn't effective. He immediately noticed what I am doing so he covered his ID with his hand and looked at me with his brows furrowed.
I gave him my sweetest smile but he kept a wary eye on me. I made a grimace after he disappeared from my sight.
Napakadamot naman. Tinitignan lang eh. I will not search you if I saw it! Joke, siyempre isisearch ko kaya ko nga tinitignan eh. I slightly crush him pa naman!
Bumalik na lang ako sa kinauupuan ko at nagpakalma. Ang damot kasi!
I grabbed my phone and gasped the moment I saw my reflection. I was so haggard, so down on my lucks and I met him with this kind of face! Hindi ko man lang napakita ang charm ko sa kaniya. Kidding!
Pero wait! Charm? Eew. Hindi naman ako ganito magkacrush. Ano ba itong mga iniisip ko.
Pinilit kong alisin sa utak ko ang nars na iyon pero mas nangibabaw ang kagustuhan kong makita muli siya.
I'd totally lamented our first meet up but my mother came and announced to me that she was adviced by the nurse to bring me next week for the checkup.
After hearing those words from my mother, my face lit up. So I wasn't having a bad luck at all, hmm? Ponyeta, hindi talaga ako ganitong magkacrush. Hayaan na nga!
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•Femoral- anatomical name of thigh(hita)
•Inguinal- anatomical name of groin(singit)
•Deltoid muscle- is the most common site for vaccines. Ang muscle na ito ay nasa itaas na braso malapit sa balikat.
as_therese⭐