A Kiss to Life

"Are you really sure about this?" My brother, Mason, asked. He followed me here in Italy and now is helping me pack my things because we are going home to the Philippines. I nodded. "Yeah. I already missed a year from medical school. I cannot miss another year," I answered and that stopped him from packing. “Medical school?” “Yeah. I want to be a doctor,” I answered. That was one of the things I realized moving out from home and leaving alone here. It was like I was suddenly forced to mature and think about my future. I love being a nurse. I dreamed of it at first but the thought of becoming a doctor fascinated me and I wanted to pursue it. "I thought you wanted to be a nurse and you’re staying here for good," he said. I arched my brow. "I still want to be a nurse. I am. I just want to continue my studies to medical school to help more people,” I answered. “And I'm not staying here any more than I already have. I just stayed here for a year but that doesn't mean I'm staying for good," I answered. "You can study here instead, though." He shrugged. "Like, Tita Bree. She studied medicine here, right?" I creased my brow and put my hand to my waist. "Why are you pushing me to stay here, huh? What are you up to?" I asked. Defensively, Mason's brow furrowed. "I am not up to anything, Ate. I just thought you needed more time to..." He shrugged again, not completing his sentence. Even so, I understood what he meant. I continued packing as I said, "It has been a year, Maze. I already moved on." I knew he was worried that is why he wanted me to stay here longer. And since he was older than me, I guarantee he will suggest I stay here for good. "You moved on already?" He asked doubtfully. I nodded. "Yeah... I was hurt but I understand his reason. So, I accepted and decided to move forward with my own life." "But, Ate, he promised to you and he f*****g broken it!" "Mason, we were still kids when that promise was made. We are adults now. And not all promises that were made when you are younger were meant to be granted when you have better choices in the present," I told him. His brows creased. "You are the best choice he could have, Ate." "And I refused to be an option, Maze." I told my brother. "He has made his decision and he is firm about it. So, why would I sulk over something I no longer have control with?" I explained but my brother, being my brother, shook his head. "Ah, basta! Galit pa rin ako sa kanya at hindi ko siya basta-basta mapapatawad. Kung ikaw napatawad mo na siya, ako hindi. Hindi ako kasing bait mo para kalimutan na lang ang lahat ng nangyari ng ganun-ganun lang,” he said. "Mason Elliot," I called him, shaking my head. He shook his head too. "Ate, he hurt you. I saw it. I saw it with my own two eyes how hurt you were because of him and don’t know how it pained me too. I will never understand how he could lead you for so many years but turn his back from you in the end," he told me. “Simula bata palang kayo lagi na niyang sinasabing ikaw lang; na kayo sa huli pero anong ginawa niya?” My heart hurt hearing that. As much as I don't want the people around us to be affected by what happened, I cannot stop it from happening. They all hoped for us. They believed that we would be together in the end. And I know when they saw me severely hurt, I hurt them severely too. And for my brother, I understand why he is reacting this way. He loves me so much. And him witnessing all the tears I shed, all the sobs, and pleading for the pain to go away, I know that must have hurt him so bad as well. And my parents, I cannot imagine how much pain my mother felt seeing me like that. Or how dad took what happened... My daddy, he must have been so hurt too. And the pain I added when I chose to leave them... My heart clenched realizing all that now. "Let's just forget about it, Maze. I respect your opinion but please, respect mine too. I am choosing to live peacefully now. I don't want to think about the past now," I said. Their feelings are valid like how mine was. But what else I can do about it? None but move forward. Mason sighed and nodded. "Just promise me you will not talk to him or let him near you again. I don't know what I would do if I saw him near you again," he said and I laughed hearing that. "What can you do against Kairus, Mason? He's older than you—6 years older. His build is more mature than yours," I teased. Mason brows immediately ceased. "Ate, my build is way more mature than other 17-year-olds! I can knock him down!" He insisted that I laugh even harder. "Whatever you say, Mason." "I swear, Ate. I can!" He insisted more. I shook my head while still laughing. "Alright, alright." I said then pointed out the box in front of him. "Finish that. We still have a flight to catch and we need to bring these boxes to the courier’s office." I told him. Him, being a good brother, followed what I asked him to do and resumed putting my books in the box. Our flight will be at 7pm and Mason and I decided to be in the airport 4 hours before our boarding since we no longer have a place to go. I already returned my apartment’s keys to my landlord after bringing my boxes to my chosen courier. And since it will be an almost fourteen-hour flight, we decided to roam around the airport to look for something we can bring on the plane. "Are you buying a new book?" Mason asked when he noticed that we were heading to a bookstore. "Yeah. I know I will get bored on the plane, so I need something to kill time with," I answered. He arched his brow. "I saw you putting a book in your backpack earlier. So, why do you need a new one?" "I'm almost through that, Maze. I'm down on the last five chapters. So, I need a new book to read after that," I answered to my very curious brother. I wanted to tell him I was supposed to finish the book last night if he didn't just drag me to go out and have our dinner with him. "Alright," he said and followed me silently. We walked inside and I immediately went to the new releases. And seeing the book I have long waited to be out, I grabbed it without thinking twice, immediately and aggressively. I also grabbed another one that caught my attention, seeing what was said on the cover. I knew this book and I can't believe they put some in the airport's bookstore! "I thought you only needed one?" Mason asked. I showed him the book. "This one's a rare limited edition. They will only release a hundred copies of this. And this one, I waited for this for months to be released!" I told him excitedly, jumping a bit. He took one of the books and read its synopsis and swear, I almost laughed seeing him gasping at the price. "You're going to make dad broke," he said, handing me back the limited-edition book. "You're overreacting," I commend, rolling my eyes. "It's just $239.29, Mason." "That was more than ₱13,000.00 pesos, Ate.” he insisted. "And since when you like reading books, huh?" "Since I came here. I have no one to talk to here and I don't like going out. This is the only thing I can use to make my day productive," I answered. Saying that, I saw how fast my brother's expression changed. His mouth opened, about to say something, but chose not to say it. Instead, he took out his card and handed it to me. "I have my card, Maze." I said, returning his card but he just shrugged. "I will pay for your books, Ate. Think of it as my moving on gift for you," he said. I was about to complain more but he just waved his hand, motioning me to move and pay for my books. Shaking my head, I give in. Only that, I added another book, testing if he will react and change his mind. These books will cost him almost ₱20,000 pesos. But he didn't. He took the books and paid for them using his card. "Dad would surely wonder why you spent those dollars in a books store," I told him. We are already on board and waiting for take-off. "I will tell him you stole my card and use it," he said. "What?" I asked, turning to him with creasing brows. Mason laughed and reached for my head, tossing my hair. "Kidding. I will tell him I bought you gifts. Besides, whatever reason it is, once he hears your name, he will just shrug and forget about the money being spent.” I nodded. "Like how he spent thirty of thousands for that—what was that again?" "PS5." "Right. I remember how mom almost fainted seeing the receipt!" I said and we both laughed. "And mom's reaction when Elias broke it a week after? God. That was so epic," he added, shaking his head. "Oh, yes. How can I forget that? Elias almost ran away because he was scared dad would get mad at him," I shook my head. "You always bully Elias, Maze. Kawawa naman ang bunso natin," I told him and he just laughed. I have two younger brothers whom I loved dearly. Mason Elliot and Elias Maurice. Mason is 6 years younger than me and Elias was 10 years. We were all unexpected but accepted and loved dearly. My parents didn't hide from us their history. And Dad also admitted that he didn't have any plans of having another child after me. But Mason came a few months after mom and dad reconciled. Followed by Elias 4 years later. "Because he's really cute when he's mad," Mason said, pertaining to Elias' reaction every time he teases him. I just shook my head but our laughter still hasn't subsided. We only stopped when the captain started announcing our take-off. "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome onboard Flight 121A with service from Italy to the Philippines. We are currently second in line for take-off and are expected to be in the air in approximately five minutes time. We ask that please fasten your seatbelts at this time and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in overhead compartments. We also ask that your seat and table trays are in the upright position for take-off. Please turn off all personal electronics devices. Smoking is prohibited for the duration of the flight. Thank you for choosing Fly High Asia. Enjoy your flight." "Oh, is that Tito Gavin?" I asked Mason. The captain sounds like Tito Gavin, dad's friend. "I think so? In case, Kenzie's here too," he answered. My eyes widened and my mouth went 'o'. "Really?" Mason nodded. "She's co-piloting with Tito." "Oh, my god." I blurted, trying to sneak a peek in the cockpit although I knew it was always closed. "You can't see the cockpit from here, Ate." He said. Maze and I boarded in the business class. "Please settle, ma'am." A cabin crew told me, seeing me peeking in front. I followed and calmed myself. I can't contain my excitement knowing Kenzie might be co-piloting her father on this plane. Kenzie's a dear friend. We've known each other since we were five! "Calm down, Ate. You'll see her later when we land," Mason said and I just nodded, biting my lower lip. The plane started moving and since I was seated beside the window, I saw how the plane ascended from the ground until we were flying in the skies. And when the cabin crew announced that we may take off our seatbelt and move around the cabin when needed, I took my book and started reading. While Mason, on my side, said he would sleep. He has nothing to do in the plane so he would rather sleep. "I will close this," he asked me, pointing at the partition dividing us from other passengers. I nodded and let him do whatever he wanted. And when he's settled and ready to sleep, I started reading. I was reading until I finished the last five chapters of the book I brought from my apartment. It was already 9pm since we flew. We still have more than ten hours in the skies before we land. It was a long and straight flight since we chose direct flights rather than the cutting one. Mason hates transferring from one aircraft to another. It feels exhausting for him. He said, he rather has his back and butt ache on sitting for 14-hour-flight than have his feet aching from walking in and out the aircraft. I agree but not all the time. I glanced at my brother who was sleeping tightly and comfortable on his seat. We were in the business class seats since it was a long flight. And although it was kind of expensive and I was taught by my mom to be financially wise, I still can't say no when Maze said he booked two business class seats for us. I knew he’s still tired from his flight coming to Italy just to pick me up, that going against his wish would be so selfish of me. I grabbed his blanket and tucked him in. I continued reading until I finished my book. Finishing the book, I decided to sleep as well. But in the middle of our flight, an announcement was made that caused my heart to beat so fast. I was listening attentively when the cabin crew announced that we had a medical emergency on board and they needed a doctor or any medical specialists. That woke Mason up. Unhesitatingly, I raised my hand. "Me. I'm a nurse," I told the cabin crew and I saw how relieved she was hearing that from me. "What's the condition of the patient?" I asked. I stood and was about to walk to her when Mason stood immediately from his sleep and held me on my elbow, stopping me from approaching the cabin crew. "Ate," he called hesitantly, shaking his head. I turned to him and smiled. "I will just check the patient," I said. "You're not practicing yet." He whispered. I rolled my eyes. "I know. But Maze, I watched mom and dad save lives. I studied nursing and even before that, I am exposed to this kind of work, you think I will not have any idea what to do just in case?" "This is different, Ate." He insisted, creasing his brows. I shook my head. "This is not, Mason. I'll just check the patient and see what I can do, okay?" I told him. "Stay seated, Mason Elliot. I will just check the patient. I will not act against my knowledge, okay?" I told him again when he didn't listen. I turned my back to him, not waiting for his answer. I followed the cabin crew until we reached where the patient was. He's a man. Conscious but he's having a hard time breathing. I kneeled to check him. "What are you feeling, Sir?" I asked as I got the stethoscope but, instead of answering, he asked me as well. "A-are you a doctor?" He asked between catching his breath. I shook my head and I immediately saw how his brows furrowed. "I'm a nurse," I answered. "Are... are you l-licensed?" He asked again. I nodded. "Yes. I'm licensed. Now, please tell me what are you feeling? Do you have asthma?" I asked. I put the stethoscope on his chest and I am surprised how fast his heart is beating. One deep breath, he shook his head. "N-no. I... I don't. I am having... having a h-heart atta...ck," he answered and he flinched from pain. My eyes widened. A heart attack? "What?" I blurted. "I'm having a heart attack, Ms. Nurse.” He breathed. “Now, listen… to what I'm going to tell you to save me," he said hoarsely, breathing hardly. I was still shocked that I wasn't able to react immediately. "A-are you listening?" "Y-yes," I said, recovering. One deep breath again and he lay on the floor, pointing at the bag behind me. "I still have two minutes before I finally lose consciousness... I already took my medicine but since we're on the higher latitude, my heart couldn't grasp enough oxygen... Now, what I want you to do is pump me oxygen until I gain consciousness..." he said and I was nodding as I listened. "F-five minutes. Give me five minutes to regain consciousness. If... If five minutes pass and I'm still unconscious, I am giving you per... permission to insert a tube in my throat. I hope you know how to do that." "I know. I practice with my dad. He's a doctor." "T-that's... That's great, then." He said and I watched how hard he's trying to catch his breath. He raised his hand to look at his watch. "Fifteen seconds," he said, then turned to me. "What is your name?" "Amaris," I answered immediately. One deep breath. "Al... alright, Nurse Amaris. Start your f-five minutes now..." He said before losing consciousness. And as he said, I followed his instructions. I put the air pump in his mouth and started pumping air to it, while the cabin crew helped me by monitoring his heartbeat. One minute... He is still unconscious. Two... still no response from him. I look at the cabin crew. "His heartbeat is getting weaker," she said. I shook my head but continued pumping. Three... My hands started sweating as I waited for him to wake up. "Twenty per minute," the cabin crew said. Four minutes... he was still unresponsive. “30 seconds to five minutes, Nurse.” The cabin crew informed me. That alerted me. "Damn it!" I blurted and with a heart beating too fast, I discarded the pump and started pumping his chest using my hand. Pumping oxygen in his mouth is nothing if his heart stopped beating. I counted thirty as I pump his chest before pumping air to his mouth using my own. I rest for seconds before repeating the process. "1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 30." I counted again then gave him a mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Still, he's unresponsive. I repeated the process again. I pumped his chest thirty times before pumping air to his mouth. And the relief I felt when he finally responded to it. "Oh, god." I muttered seeing him gasping for air. His eyes were bloodshot and there were tears on the side of it. I took the stethoscope from the cabin crew to check his heartbeat. "Forty per minute. He's getting stable," I told the cabin crew and she nodded. "How long are we before landing?" "I will ask the Captain, Ma'am," she answered then stood. And while waiting to come back I turned to the patient again. "You're stable now. Thankfully, I don't have to put a tube in your throat," I told him, fixing the buttons of his dress shirt—I took off some of it earlier. And as I was, he was looking blankly at me. He's still probably dazed from what happened, but I'm sure he understands what I was saying because he nodded. "We are about to land at Phuket International Airport, Ma'am. We already have an ambulance stand-by at the runway," the cabin crew said after coming back. "We're in Thailand?" "Yes, Ma'am. This is the nearest airport we could land at," she answered. We're still more than three hours away from Manila. I’m afraid what might happen if he didn’t respond to my first aid. "Okay," I said and helped her prepare the patient for landing The captain announced our sudden landing and explained the reason. Thankfully, no one complained so the crew was able to act fast. "Here," I told the patient as I handed him a sticky note where I wrote my full name, email address, contact number, and my license number. "What's this?" He asked, brows creased again. He's responsive now but still needs to be monitored. "In case something happened and you need to find me," I answered. He was about to say something but the crew came already and helped him to get on the stretcher. He was then carried out of the plane.