“Doc Irene, we have something. Woman in mid-thirties, abdominal trauma and possibly brain injury due to a car crash five minutes away. Please standby.” Sabi ng nurse kay Irene. Sa totoo lang, ilang araw na siyang naka-toka sa ER dahil isang linggong pinadala yung ibang mga surgeons sa States for a symposium.

Sanay naman siya sa mga ganitong sitwasyon. It’s on a daily basis na ganito naman ang scenario, pero mas nakakapagod lang na tatlo lang silang naiwan na surgeons dito. Yung tipong dalawang oras na lang araw-araw yung tulog niya but since kulang sila ng manpower, wala talaga siyang choice. Sinusumpa niya talaga na kapag nakabalik na yung mga doctors from the symposium, mag-ffile talaga siya ng leave for a week.

She immediately went on her way doon sa labas ng ER, naka-abang na rin yung mga nurses kasama niya. Nakakapagtaka lang na parang doble ng usual na nurses ang meron sila ngayon.

Narinig niya yung pagkalakas-lakas na sirena ng ambulansya. She both hates and loves its sound. Hates it because there’s another patient trying to fight for their life and loves it because she gets the chance to save them.

Habang nililipat sa stretcher yung pasyente, she saw how much blood is being lost. Mukhang hindi pa rin napigilan ng medics yung pagdudugo. This is already a red flag for her. Bini-briefing siya ng isa sa mga medics tungkol sa bungguang nangyari sa isang intersection. Apparently, the patient was driving through an intersection at may truck na nawalan ng preno. Nakaseatbelt naman daw but still, the casualties are too big since sixteen-wheeler truck daw yung nakadali.

Her attention was caught nang makita niya yung relo na suot pasyente, may basag ito at evident din na natalsikan ito ng dugo. She was on her way to attend to her duties, but memories come crashing on her.

The patient is none other than Seulgi Kang, her ex-girlfriend. Her Seulgi.

Natigilan siya, isang metro na lang ang pagitan nila. “Doc, what do we do? She’s losing a lot of blood.” Her hands suddenly feel like jelly, nanginginig ang mga ito at sinubukan niyang higitan yung malaking cut na malapit sa pagitan ng puso at ribs nito. She’s sure more than half of the ribs are broken.

“Prepare an OR now!” Irene shouted. Kahit yung nag-iintubate na nurse parang wala na sa katinuan. “I’m scrubbing in! Call Doc Sunny of neurosurgery. We’ll need her as well.

Halos isang taon pa lang ng makakuha siya ng specialization niya as a cardiothoracic surgeon. Hindi naman ito yung unang beses na magkakaroon siya ng ganito kalalang case. Dirediretso siya sa OR at dali-daling naghugas ng kamay niya.

“Rene, are you sure you can operate on her?” Biglang tabi naman sa kanya ng pinaka-close niyang surgeon dito sa ospital. “That’s Seulgi we’re talking about. You’re too acquainted with the patient.” Pinili pa ni Sunny yung word na hindi masyadong makaka-trigger dito.

“I’m sure. Just assist me. I need to save her.”

---

Irene immediately spotted Wendy and Joy na nag-aabang sa labas ng operating room. Sa totoo lang, gusto niyang umiyak at mapag-isa. Pero as the main surgeon, kailangan niyang mag-report sa family members ng pasyente.

“Doc, kamusta yung pinsan ko?” It was Wendy who spoke.

Tinanggal ni Irene yung mask niya. “The operation was successful. We need to wait for her to wake up. She lost a lot of blood, so it might take a while. We placed her in the ICU to further monitor her status.”

“Ate?” It’s Joy who called her this time.

Irene gave her sister a pained smile. “Don’t worry, Seul will be fine.” She gave Wendy a pat on the shoulder before she turned to walk away. Kulang na kulang yung dapat sinabi niya sana. But she’s got no strength to do that. Bukod sa physically demanding yung operation dahil halos siyam na oras silang nakatayo, her heart that felt empty for the past five years suddenly feels too much.

---

Flashback…

“You seem bothered.” Lumingon si Seulgi saglit kay Irene bago humarap uli dahil napansin niyang sobrang tahimik ng girlfriend.

Kasalukuyan silang pauwi sa Maynila at binabagtas na nila ang NLEX. Sa halos dalawang linggo kasi nilang paglagi s