Diagnosis for Tomorrow's Afterglow

Reality Sucks Series #1: Between Lights and Medicine *** Eyeblinding lights, crowded and panicking residents behind the glass separated and surrounding the entire operating room on the second floor, watching in panic as we continue operating on a very special guest. Drips of sweat that we're easily wiped by the head nurse, the continuous heart beats that were heard before it stopped replaced by the VAD and was analysed by the anesthesiologist, the firsthand doctor trying to seal the new heart we obtained for transplant and I as the lead of the operation, the hardest way to start my night. As we continue to focus on the operation and connecting the new heart obtained from an organ donor, everybody in the room became more alarmed as the anesthesiologist told us that the vital signs were still on flatline and that we had to turn off the VAD in any minute to make the heart beat. My first hand doctor started to lose concentration and was in panic, he was shaking. I took hold of the heart and slightly massaged it hoping for an easy response. I continued to do until they had to hand me the MID (manual internal defibrillator). They raised the number till 100 when no response was made. "tangina, tulungan mo akong sagipin ka Third, I'm not giving up", I whispered as I continued to shock the heart until the number was raised to the highest number, 200j. Sinubukan ng head nurse pigilan ako pero binalewala ko lang yon, tears we're already clouding the surgical loupes I was wearing, I was ready to wail my heart out when suddenly his heartbeat came back. Everybody in the room and in the viewing area clapped as we saved the life of the most beloved idol in the world and my bestfriend - Third. Huminga ako ng malalim habang tinitignan ang Holter monitor na nakakabit sa kanya, inabot ko ang forceps at needle sa first hand assistant at muling tumingin kay Third bago lumabas ng operating room. I went to the washing area and went to face the family on the waiting area. I dropped down on my knees as I saw my friends and Third's family. Yumi came to my aid followed by Angel, Misty and Third's mom. "Hoy gago, wag ka naman ganyan", they we're crying as if they knew the result. Tumingin ako kay Tita Quad who was using her handkerchief to wipe my tears crying, "Tita I did it". Everybody froze as if time stopped until Yumi had to slap me at the back like I just did so bad. "Tangina neto, tatambangan kita sa labas, may paluhod luhod ka pang nalalaman akala ko naman na deds si pareng Third- aray!" Misty had to slap Yumi for using such a word infront of Third's family. "ang insensitive mo naman", sinamaan lang ng tingin ni Yumi si Angel. Tita Quad hugged me so tight and gave me words of thanks, Tito on the other hand secretly wiped his tears off and had to pull tita away from me for a hug. Sila Misty naman ang nag-hug sakin, "Kung ako yung andun, I'd panic before I even touch his body, ang galing mo Diah", Angel said. We hugged each other until Clifford or should I say Clef, my first hand assistant, together with the team held Third's stroller bed out of the restricted area. Lumapit agad sila Tita, crowding the pathway for Third's stroll. "We'll bring him to his room, please let us through", they listened to me as they made way for his stroll. "Etong si Diah bipolar talaga, kanina umiiyak tas ngayon may pa professional speaking", I heard Yumi from the back. "Shut it Yumi, maingay ka", I saw Yumi pout at my peripheral vision when Angel told her that. The hallway was crowded with the patients who we're a fan of Third, also the chants outside the building could be heard from the 9th floor which we are currently in. We used the elevator to head straight to his room and immediately placed his apparatus on the metal hang. Inasikaso na nila ang paglipat kay Third out of the stroller bed to the comfiest bed here in this floor. Anim na rooms lang ang nandito sa 19th floor, focusing on the highest ups that could pay grande just for peace and away from crowd. I left the room after a few minutes due to duty calls. I promised to comeback when I'm off duty, afterall I'm still Third's family. I walked through the hallways and used the exit stairs than using the elevator. As I walked down, I saw a man in hoodie going up and stopping one floor below me. I continued walking down until we we're both in the same floor, I was about to pass by him when he suddenly grab my arm pulling me to him backwards. Naestatwa ako sa kinatatayuan ko ng maramdaman ko ang pagbaon ng matalim na bagay sa tagiliran ko, not only that, diniin niya pa ito at muling hinugot at isinaksak sa may bandang tiyan ko naman, and I couldn't scream as he covered my mouth with his hand. Binitawan niya ako at hinayaang mahulog sa sahig ng hugutin niya ng pangalawang beses ang bagay na hawak niya, I saw the knife and I couldn't help myself but to cry while holding the stabbed area. He crouched down and lifted my head by my hair roughly. Iniharap niya ako sa kanya, he was using mask and had eyeglass so I couldn't identify him. "I sent you threats but you didn't actually listen to them, bobo ka ba? Binalaan kita now face your consequences", he pushed me down the last flight of stairs after talking. I heard the banging of the 2nd floor doors as I was stumbling down the f*****g 20 stairs. When I landed on the last step, I immediately chuckled like a crazy lady I am. Tignan mo nga naman, I just had to die in a miserable way without goodbyes, 29 years of living and I had to die early. Sa lahat ba naman kasi ng araw na gusto ko maglakad, ngayon ko pa naisipan maglakad dito, of course no one would know, this is an emergency exit. I'd be found three days after I die. I received a lot of threats to kill Third and place him on the deathbed in the surgery room but why would I? He's my f-cking bestfriend for Christ's sake. Hindi ko naman alam na mangyayari talaga ito. Damn. I should've listen to my father when he told me to bring security with me. What a fool am I. All my thoughts went away when I heard my phone ring. Totoo ngang bobo ako at bat di ko naisip yon, baka may pag asa pang mabuhay ako kung masagot ko to. I tried to reach my phone on my bloody coat and when I did I slowly answered the call without looking the caller. "Tangina, tulong", those were the last words I muttered softly before losing my consciousness and before I did, I pressed the send location button and had a glimpse of the caller's name. Heavenie. Yeah right, there goes my luck. I just had to answer a call I've always avoided. Heaven Dwayne Radford, that badass surgeon who stole my heart and had to kill it after. Calling like he didn't left me. Like he didn't use me. ✓