The Way It's Meant To Be

The Way It's Meant To Be "Doc, someone from County Medica Hospital called in." I stopped reading my patient's PIF when I heard that as I looked at my assistant and gave the PIF. She was about to speak when I cut her off and motioned to leave in my office right now. I massaged my temple when I checked my voicemails. It is from the chief in my previous hospital. I entered his number on my phone. It's ringing already. I sighed when he answered my call. "Dra. Santillan," he mentioned my name when he answered his phone immediately. "Chief," I could feel my heart beating so fast as I waited for him to answer. "Isabella, I need you to come back here as soon as possible. I need your help," I heard him sigh on the other line. I didn't speak, I was waiting for him to continue what he needed to say. "I need my best pediatric surgeon right now. I emailed you already about the case of this young boy. Please, check all the files that I sent you." I was about to speak when he ended the call already. I just sighed and opened my laptop to check my email. I was sighing back and forth as I opened my email. I scanned the face sheet of the patient. My heart jumped when I saw the patient's name. "Sebastian Elliott Valero," I whispered under my breath. I slowly touched the screen of my laptop. My lips trembled as I touched his picture. Hinang-hina kong binasa ang file na sinend sa akin ng dati kong pinagtatrabahuhan na hospital. I bit my lower lip to suppress the tears when I noticed his complications. This boy has a moyamoya. I checked his other information, too and my instinct was right. He's the son of Savion Andre Valero.  Attorney Valero, huh? I dialed the chief's number again. I took a deep breath. "Chief, expect me to be there after 2 days," I said with so much finality in my voice. I heard him chuckle and I was stunned for a moment when I heard him chuckle. "Mi Bella, I'll see you soon. Have a safe flight and thank you." After that, he ended the call. I leaned my back in my office chair and took a deep breath. I can't stop thinking about the case of this young boy. He needs some expertise to check him up, but I won't allow someone to touch my young boy. I should do it by myself. I should help my boy to survive. I will do my best just to save the boy. Lahat ng pinag aralan ko ay ibibigay ko sa kanya. Lahat ng possible at impossible ay kakayanin ko gumaling lang siya sa sakit niya. Because after all, he's my son, too. I was sitting in the lobby while checking my emails to see what's the update at my current hospital. Iniwan ko muna sa mga kapwa ko doctor ang mga maiiwan kong trabaho. I already asked my chief at my current hospital if I can go here to the Philippines. I know that he cannot say no to me, so yeah, he did. Tinanggal ko naman ang eyeglass ko at sinimulan kong ayusin ang sarili dahil sa init na nararamdaman ko. I smiled sadly. It's been 6 years since I left here in the Philippines for my career. Wala pa ring pagbabago sa Pilipinas, ganun pa rin ito katulad ng pag alis ko. Pero alam ko sa mga tao siguro, marami. Maraming pagbabago. And, I, too, I know something's changed. "Isabella," Naapangat ang tingin ko at bigla akong natauhan ng may tumawag sa pangalan ko. I looked at Dr. Cojuangco, he smiled at me. I just nodded at him. I was taken aback when I saw someone behind his back. Humigpit ang kapit ko sa aking laptop. "Chief," I answered back at him. Nilipat ko ang tingin sa kanya, ni hindi ko man lang pinadaan ulit ang tao sa likod nito. Why would I greet someone who turned her back at me when I have no one else and when I needed a friend that time. "Welcome back, Dra. Santillan." Napailing na lang ako dahil sa pagbanggit niya sa pangalan ko na parang proud na proud niya iyong sabihin pero hindi ko rin maiwasan mapangiwi ng kont dahil sa pagtawag sa akin ng 'doktora' I'm not used to it anymore. When I was in Santa Monica, California, UCLA Medical Center to be exact, it will always be a "Doctor Santillan" there. Para kasi sa ibang bansa, pantay-pantay lang ang mga babae at lalaking doctor, iwas sa gender inequality. Nakita ko namang napasulyap sa akin si Chief at biglang nabaling ang kanyang mga mata sa luggage ko sa aking tabi. Dito agad ako dumiretso pagkatapak napagkatapak ko sa airport. Hindi na ako nag dalawang isip dumiretso kung saan, alam kong wala akong pahinga pero sanay naman ako ron. Kunot noo siyang nakatingin sa akin at balik tingin sa luggage ko pero winalang bahala ko 'yon. It's not a big deal. "Why didn't you rest first?" tanong nito sa akin pero nginitian ko lamang siya at itinabi ang laptop na dala ko sa isa sa mga bag ko. "It's no big deal, Dr. Cojuangco. I can manage and besides I want to see this young boy. I need some background about him and his vitals. Can I visit him today?" dire-diretso kong sabi sa kanya, gusto kong makita ang bata. Gusto kong matignan kung ano ang kalagayan nito. Kung ano ba ang dapat gawin. I want to see him badly. I need to see my son, My poor baby boy. "Please rest first, hija," sabi nito sa akin at umiling lang ako bago isinuot ang coat ko. Hindi naman siguro sasamain ni chief kung gamitin ko ang coat ko sa hospital na pinagtatrabahuhan ko hindi ba? "Please, let me see the boy first, Chief," my voice was pleading, enough to hear that from me. Chief just sighed and looked at his back. Pigil na pigil ang hininga ko nang tapunan ng tingin ang kasama niya kanina pa na hindi man lang nagsasalita. I smirked at that thought. "Dra. Valero will accompany-" I cut him off and shook my head. Para iparating sa kanya na hindi na dapat niya ituloy ang gusto niyang sabihin.