Alondra’s POV
I just finished my food when Dr. Sylvia came in. She's in her white doctor's gown and has a stethoscope hanging around her neck. I sat properly and flashed her a smile. She occupied the vacant chair on the left side of my hospital bed.
“How are things, Doc?” I asked her as she sat down. I noticed that she sighed before answering my question.
“Everything's fine Mrs. Madrigal. I should be the one asking that. How are you? We will be conducting your surgery tomorrow.” I drew a forced smile. I heaved a sigh during those moments, but I felt a tingling pain on my right chest. The smile I forced faded and was replaced by a poker face.
“Are you alright?” She asked me next, but I just nod at her with a smile to make her believe that everything's fine. I gulped when I felt the pain once again. I closed my eyes when I felt like everything around me is turning. I glanced at Dra. Sylvia, but my vision started to blur. I saw her open her mouth as if she's saying something but I can't understant any word she utters.
Seconds later, the pain on my chest started to crawl throughout my whole body. The next thing I knew, someone held me by my arm. I tried to look at that direction but I got dizzy and the pain worsen. I heard noise from afar. I was about to ask Dra. Sylvia about what's happening but everything just turned black.
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Doctor Sylvia’s POV
I immediately pushed the emergency button placed beside Mrs. Madrigal's bed. The alarm was ringing for about ten seconds when two male nurses with a cart containing medical apparatuses came rushing in. I took my stethoscope and checked her vital signs. Her heartbeat slows down as well as her breathing. I saw one of the nurses began to check up on the wearable patch placed on Mrs. Madrigal's wrist, together with her IV fluid.
“Darell, call the information desk. Tell them to clear the operating theater. She needs to undergo surgery right now!" I ignored the fear crumbling through my spine. I was holding Mrs. Madrigal's hand while she's unconsciously lying on her bed.
“Code blue, level two, 2nd floor room 209! Again code blue level two, 2nd floor room 209!” Said a voice from the speaker outside Mrs. Madrigal's room. A little longer, the nurses arranged the patient's bed and pushed it out of the room heading to the operating theater. Fortunately, the theater is just around the corner and we made it there in no time.
“Doc. Sylvia!” I turned my back when I heard that voice. A lady in her lab gown entered the operating room while staring at Mrs. Madrigal.
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Dia's POV
I was facing a vanity mirror that has LED bulbs surrounding the whole glass, like those that are placed inside the dressing rooms in our office. I was staring at my reflection while waiting for this woman in front of me to finish my make up. She's having a messy braided hair, a sky blue blouse matched with a white balloon shaped skirt. Later, she spun the swivel chair where I am at, and checked my look. I felt a bit anxious with all that I've been through this morning, but Brando on the side caught my attention. He's sitting on a couch beside the guy who picked me up earlier. They were talking as if they are just the same age. I stared at them for a bit more, although I can't really hear a thing due to the music played on the make up artist's phone. I saw the two looked at my direction, and I just smiled at them. Brando flashed a genuine smile in return and that made me less anxious and tensed. I looked at the guy who picked me up earlier and he's just staring at me without any emotion. He looks like a hungry cannibal who could consume me in just a blink of an eye because of his stare.
Few seconds later, the clock placed on top of the door of this room says it's already 8:48 in the morning. I am not yet done with the preparations and it is almost time. Tension started to grow inside me once again
“Becky, please get it done in 5 minutes. You have to hurry. You still need to fix Miss Madrigal's hair." I looked at Brando while she's talking go this lady named Becky.
Couple of minutes passed and she's finally done with my face. I helped her in putting away the products scattered on the table that she used on me. I smiled at her when she looked at me.
"I help you with this." I told her. She smiled back at me then headed to the couch where Brando is sitting. The guy who picked me up earlier left us here. He might have an errand to do. Later, Becky approached me. She's holding a hair dryer on her left hand and a straightener on her right. She plugged both of it and started fixing my hair. She's indeed a pro since she finished doing my hair in less than 10 minutes. Becky removed the cloth hanging around my neck that prevents the make up from smearing to my clothes.
“Thank you Becky, Miss Madrigal, this is your schedule for the day. You are in charged on the table numbers, table cloths, chairs and covers and the centerpieces as well. All you have to do is to supervise and check the status of the elements from time to time. You can approach Becky if you notice something odd. The gathering that we are having today is for the welcoming of CEO of our Company. He's also a stockholder of Swisly Group of Companies.” Brando handed me a blue folder. I've been noticing the color blue since I got inside the hall. It must be the motif of the event that's why I was forced to wear a blue dress as well. But the guy who picked me up from the office is wearing a black suit. I whispered at the back of my head.
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Doctor Slyvia’s POV
I am already in my scrub suit, surgical mask, gloves and cap together with the other 5 hospital personnel that'll help me with this surgery. I raised my hands with my palms open opposite my chest. I waited for Cecill to finish injecting the general anesthesia to the IV drip using a syringe. Cecill is one of the best anesthesiologists here at our hospital and even abroad. I've been working with her for about six years now. I've seen how she handle patients and I am a hundred percent sure that Mrs. Madrigal is in good hands. I was just looking at the monitor attached to the patient's body during those moments.
We are 6 persons inside the operating theater. Dr. Cecill Bo, a licensed anesthesiologist. Darell Mercado, is the nurse on duty inside the operating room. He's a registered and licensed nurse and I've been working with him since day one.
Next is Dr. Rawn Santiago, he's my assistant physician as of this moment. He finished his master's degree and works as a part time professor in School of Medical Society here in the Philippines. Dr. Theodore Dejoya is the surgical technologist. And Dr. Adelaine Luson, who's standing beside the medical ventilator and writing something on the patient's chart, is the resident surgeon. Few seconds passed and Dr. Adelaine is done with what she's doing. We all waited for another 2 minutes before we proceed with the surgery.
“Antiseptic solution.” I uttered. Theo handed me the solution. I started rubbing it on the center of the patient's chest. After that, Darell llaced the sterile drape around the affected area. One or more sections of blood vessel will be taken from leg, thigh or chest wall and the incisions at this points will be sutured and bandaged.
“Laser scalpel.” I said next. I immediately made a vertical incision. I asked for the blunt senn retractor next to expose the superficial wound. I can clearly see the breastbone of the patient. While Rawn is adjusting the retractor, Theo handed the sternal saw to Darell. It is used to perform median sternotomy, opening the patient's chest by splitting the breastbone or the sternum. Darell carefully cut open the patient's chest. Rawn is ready with the sternum retractor. He's just waiting for Darell to finish opening the chest. Moments later, the chest is completely open in front of us. After I clearly viewed the heart, I make another incision in the pericardium which is a thin membrane that encloses the heart. Rawn pull back the pericardium and reveal a beating heart. I took a deep breath before I carefully put an incision on the aorta. Rawn inserted a tube on that part. Next, I cut the right atrium for a way to insert the tube. One or two smaller tubes are then inserted into the heart, that will carry a special solution that helps preserve the heart's temperature. After that, Theo switched on the heart-lung bypass machine, and it started to circulate the blood as the heart cools down, then as the cooled blood circulates through the heart as well as the heart muscle cools causing the heart to be at a slower pace.
“Liddle clamp.” When it reached its proper level, Theo immediately handed me the clamp. I put it on the aorta to temporarily stop the heart from beating. I began to open the artery on the right side of the heart going to the lungs.
“TromboWire .” I said when I saw blood clots on that part. The pulmonary thromboendarterectomy takes about 8 to 10 hours. This is one of the most critical surgeries but because I trained hard to perform surgeries like this, I am positive that it will be a success operation. I've got 10 cases relevant this in 6 months and I really have no tension within me whenever I perform operations like this. I got used to it as time progresses. But this one has a different story. I can really feel my body trembling every second that pass by.
Alondra is one of my classmates back in grade school, but we moved out of the country because of my parents' business. Nobody in this hospital knows that I knew her personally, especially my team. I did not violate any law of this establishment since we've been classmates for just a year and it happened 25 years ago. I heaved a sigh and continued to remove the blood clots in her artery.
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Shine's POV
I was standing outside Tita Alondra's room while trying to call Dia. It's been 40 minutes since Tita was brought inside the operating room. I heard what happened from Darell. I'm very thankful that Karen is in good mood when I asked for permission to come here. Unfortunately, I still cannot contact Dia. I sat on one of the benches and for the nth time, I dialed Dia's number.
“Sorry the number you have dialed is out of coverage area, please try your call later.” Said the operator on the line. I heaved a deep sigh and rested my head on the wall.
Where on earth are you, Dia? Your mom needs you here. She's having her surgery right now. I whispered underneath my breath. Concern and being worried is written all over my face. I'm just suppressing the tears that are about to flow of my eyes. I really need to be strong. Not for me, but for Tita Alondra.
Someone’s POV“Are you sure you're gonna do that?” I chuckled with what he said. I am standing here at the lobby with a guy, waiting for all of the guests to finally leave the hall where we hosted the event. Some of the employees are still sending their greetings to the CEO who just arrived in the country for an important appointment. I thought that I will be handling that meeting alone, but fortunately, he was pursuaded. All thanks to his son who's been very busy managing a project of the company that's still under the process of advancement due to its complicated set of objectives. Although the said project took him 2 years of propagation and still counting, he has gained a lot of positive feedbacks and benefits for the company itself.Later, I saw Erick approaching me with his infamous poker face. Honestly, I haven't seen this man smile, not even once. “Everything's been settled, Mr. Swi
Shine's POVNagising ako ng maramdaman ang tapik sa aking kaliwang balikat, hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog na pala ako dito sa labas ng kuwarto ni Tita Alondra.“Miss Yong pinapatawag po kayo ni Dr. Sylvia sa kanyang office.” Sambit ng isang babaeng nurse na tumapik ng aking balikat, tumayo na din ako sa aking kinauupuan at tumungo sa office ni Dr. Sylvia, habang naglalakad ay napatingin ako sa wrist watch ko.2:05 na ng hapon grabe nakatulog ako sa upuan ng ganun kahaba? Bulong ko sa sarili ko habang naglalakad, bigla namang sumagi sa aking isipan si Dia dahil hanggang ngayon kasi wala pa din siya, kinuha ko sa bulsa ko ang cellphone ko at sinubukan muling tawag si Dia ngunit bigo pa rin ako katulad kanina, out of coverage area.Nasaan ka ba Dia? Kung kailan mas kailangan ka ni Tita Alondra ngayon tsaka ka naman hindi macontact. Tutya
Shine’s POVKadarating lang ni Dia matapos ko sa paggamit ng banyo, napansin ko na napatigil siya sa bandang pinto ng makita si Tita Alondra na nakahiga sa kama. Nilapitan ko siya ng makitang umiiyak na siya sa mga oras na iyon. Inalalayan ko siya na makaupo sa couch na nasa loob ng room ni Tita Alondra, umiiyak lang siya habang nakatingin kay Tita Alondra, iniabot ko sa kanya ang handkerchief na nasa bulsa ng disposable visitors gown na suot ko maging siya ay nakasuot ng ganito dahil required iyon lalo na kapag nandito sa loob ng ICU.“Dia okay na si Tita, kaya huwag ka ng mag alala.” Nginitian ko siya at hinawakan sa kamay habang patuloy pa rin siya sa pag iyak.“Anong sabi ni Dr. Sylvia?” Tanong niya nang punasan niya ang pisngi niya gamit ang kanang palad niya, ibinalik niya sa akin ang handkerchief na binigay ko sa kanya ng nakangiti ngunit bakas p
Kade’s POV“Excuse me.” Nagising ako ng marinig iyon, minulat ko ang aking mata at napatingala ako ng ulo, nilingon ko ang pinanggalingan niyon.Isang lalaking nakasuot ng puting coat habang nakalagay ang kaliwang kamay sa bulsa niyon, may nakasabit sa kanyang leeg na stethoscope habang may black and red ballpen na nakalagay sa kanang bulsa ng coat niya at napansin ko pa ang embroidery name niya. Dr. Rawn Santiago, iyon ang nakalagay sa coat niya.“Pasensya na pero bawal dito tumambay.” Napakunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya, tiningnan ko siya ng nakataas ang kilay samantalang steady pa rin ang postura niya. Hays itong doctor na ito mukhang walang pinag aralan, alam na ngang nagpapahinga ang tao papaalisin dito.“Kasama ako ng pasyente sa loob.” Iyon na lang ang sinabi ko at pumikit upang bumalik sa pagtulog.“Kailan pa nagkaroon ng bagong boy
...Shine’s POV“What?!” Nagulat ako sa malakas na sigaw ng superior ko matapos kong sabihin ang pagleave ko sa loob ng tatlong araw.“Pero gagawin ko pa rin naman po ang mga documents na naiwan ko, kailangan lang po talaga ako ni Nanay sa hospital.” Nakatango kong sambit habang pinapakalma ang sarili sa mga sandaling iyon. Maaga akong umalis sa hospital para makapagpaalam ng maaga ngunit mukhang ayaw akong pagbigyan ng walang hiyang superior na ito.“Napagbigyan na kita na bumisita sa hospital noong mga nakaraang araw, sorry pero mas kailangan ka ngayon lalo na at nalalapit na ang fashion show ng Mondragon Company.”“Pero ma’am...“Still no, bumalik ka na sa trabaho mo.” Tumalikod siya sa akin at naglakad palabas ng opisina niya, nakatayo lang akong nakatango sa mga sandaling iyon.
Chapter 11: September 5Magdamag akong nagbabantay kay Mama matapos ang pamamasyal namin kanina ni Shaine sa buong opisina ng Blant Styl, kahit pagod ako ay nanatiling dilat ang mga mata ko na akala mo'y hindi napapagod."Marami akong tanong sayo Ma, ngunit hindi ko alam kung paano ko sisimulan. Anak niyo po ba talaga ako?" Nakasimangot kong tanong sa aking Ina na nakahiga sa kama, hinawakan ko ang kamay niya sa mga sandaling iyon. Hindi ako makatulog, hindi rin ako mapakali sa tuwing sumasagi sa aking isipan ang tungkol sa totoong pagkatao ko. Tsaka naiinis ako sa hitsura ni Nico kapag sinasabi niyang Prinsesa ako, hays Nico na naman.Una sa lahat pinipilit ko lang ang sarili ko na maniwala sa mga sinasabi nila, pero hindi pa rin nabubura sa puso't isipan ko na si Mama Alondra ang totoo kong magulang.Kung ako ang Prinsesa na matagal na nilang hinahanap bakit ngayon lang sila dumating sa buhay ko? Bak
Nico's POV"Kade, cancel all my appointment this coming week.""Even your appointment with Miss Alira Bernardo?" "No, just reschedule it.""Should I call her manager about this?""Yeah sure."Naiwan ako mag-isa sa opisina ng lumabas si Kade sa terrace upang tawagan ang manager ni Alira, last appointment ko ang puntahan ang mga model para sa fashion show na magaganap ngayon. Kahit abala ako dito sa opisina ay hindi mawala sa isip ko kung ano na ba ang status ng lesson ni Dia sa mga oras na ito maging ang kalagayan ni Mrs. Madrigal na naka confine ngayon sa hospital.Binuksan ko ang laptop upang icheck ang nangyayari sa Blant Styl sa mga sandaling ito. Mula doon ay nakaupo si Dia sa tabi habang nakatingi
Dia's POVHanggang ngayon ay lutang pa rin ang isip ko at di makapagfocus sa aking ginagawa."Naintindihan mo ba lahat?" Blankong mukha lang ang naisagot ko kay Shaine habang hawak ang mga libro na ilalagay na sana sa bandang ulo ko."Huwag mo akong bigyan ng ganyang sagot, tsaka may kasalanan ka pa sa akin." Ibinagsak niya ang tatlong libro sa mesa sabay talikod sa akin.Problema ba nitong babaeng 'to? Kanina pa siya ganyan, akala mo naman naglilihi na ewan. Bulong ko sa sarili ko habang nakatingin lang kay Shaine."Within 30 minutes dapat matapos mo 'yan. Para kapag pumunta na dito si Nico at si