"Talia, I'm already at the hospital cafeteria." I sent a WhatsApp message.
"Okay, give me a moment. I'm just tidying up my desk." Talia replied.
"Okay." I sent back.
The long hand of the clock had already moved thirty degrees. I scrolled through my smartphone screen while waiting for Talia.
Someone tapped my right shoulder. I turned around. No one. I looked in the opposite direction.
I was startled, reflexively stepping back slightly. We almost kissed.
"Aww... surprised, huh?" Talia teased.
I just smiled at her antics.
"Come on, follow me."
"Where to?"
"Checking on a patient for a bit."
"Aren't you done with work?"
"I am."
"Then?"
"Just come along."
I stopped asking and caught up with Talia's steps down the hospital corridor.
This hospital building is truly classic. Despite multiple renovations, its distinctive character remains. The original structure dates back to the colonial era.
After passing through several corridor intersections, we arrived at the infant incubator room. There was no one else. Just me and Talia.
"Do you see that baby?"
"Adorable. What's wrong with her?" I looked at the tiny baby inside the glass box.
"She has been diagnosed with a heart defect." Talia murmured sadly.
"A grandfather came to the hospital this morning, carrying the baby with a worried look. He panicked, desperately asking for help from the first nurse he found."
"..."
"I was still having breakfast when I got a call from the hospital, informing me about a baby with suspected congenital heart disease. I rushed to the location, and it turned out to be true. Upon arrival, after examination, this tiny baby was diagnosed with a heart defect."
"Are her parents healthy?"
"There's no history of heart disease in the family. No signs of hereditary issues. Her grandfather is fine. Her parents were fine. This is purely a genetic anomaly. However, both of her parents are no longer alive."
I was stunned.
"Her father was a construction worker. He passed away while working when this baby was only six months in the womb. And her mother... she passed away right after giving birth to this little girl."
I sighed deeply. It was heartbreaking to hear such a tragic story. Not everyone is lucky when they enter this world. Those who are born and get to see both their parents should consider themselves fortunate.
"Wis... Nu..." Talia lowered her gaze, then looked at me.
"I'm scared." Her eyes started welling up with tears.
"Tomorrow, I will be performing surgery on this baby. I'm scared I won't be able to do it." A tear rolled down from her left eye. Seeing that, I immediately hugged herâtrying to comfort her.
"It's okay. You can do this."
"This is my first surgery as the lead surgeon. Before this, I was only an assistant in surgeries. And I am truly afraid." Talia sobbed against my right shoulder.
"It's alright, really. You can do this." I patted her back gently.
"The hospital management must have great confidence in you. Because they know you can do it."
Her tears gradually subsided, leaving behind small sniffles. Then, the sorrowful atmosphere was interrupted by the growling sound from my stomach.
"You're hungry?" Talia asked, still sniffling. I let go of the hug and looked around for tissues. Found one. I handed it to Talia.
"A little. I think my stomach worms are already protesting." I grinned.
"Let's go get something to eat."
"Shall we go to the rooftop restaurant?"
"Sure. That's a great idea."
Talia glanced at my shoulder.
"Sorry... I got your shirt wet."
"I don't mind."
***
The Next Day
Nine in the morning. Talia was nervous. Her heart pounded. That's normal for any first-time experience. I had taken the initiative to accompany her before the surgery, helping her through the process.
Talia had risen quickly to lead a surgery. For a young doctor who had only obtained her specialist license three months ago, this was remarkable. Usually, fresh specialists take one to two years before being allowed to lead an operation.
So far, all the heart surgeries she assisted in had been successful. It made sense that the hospital management placed such trust in her. A challenge, but also a significant milestone for Talia's career.
But I was sureâthe woman I had known for thirty days could do it.
"Good luck. Don't forget to pray. You got this."
"Yeah, thanks. It's time. I have to prepare the equipment and brief my team." I hugged Talia, trying to give her some inner strength.
Then, she walked toward the operating room. Just before entering, she greeted an elderly man. I assumed that was the grandfather from Talia's story yesterday. They spoke briefly. I couldn't hear what they were saying from my spot down the corridor, but Talia seemed to be comforting the old man, while he looked so hopeful and resigned.
"Excuse me. Are you Doctor Talia's boyfriend?" A chubby nurse in her thirties, wearing a calf-length skirt, suddenly asked me. Just after Talia entered the operating room. Maybe she had seen me with the doctor earlier.
"Ah. I'm just a friend." I answered, a bit puzzled.
"Even if you were, that would be great. I've never seen the doctor with any man before. This is the first time. You and Doctor Talia actually make a good matchâhandsome and beautiful together."
I smiled at her comment.
"She's beautiful. Smart. Kind to everyone. Such a good person. She's the one performing the surgery, and she's also covering the cost."
"....." I hadn't known this. She was paying for the surgery. Meaning, she wasn't getting paid for it.
"Oops. Maybe I said too much. You didn't know?" She realized my confused expression.
"Ah. It's okay. Maybe she'll tell me afterward." I tried to reassure myself.
"Oh dear. I'm so sorry, sir." She understood how I was feeling.
"No worries. It's all good."
"Alright then. Excuse me. Oh, do you want me to get you a drink?"
"Thanks. I'll get it myself later."
"Alright then. I'll take my leave."
I sat down in the waiting area and looked down the hallway at the old man, sitting alone and anxious. I started to understand why Talia was doing this selflessly.
***
9:00 AM
The red light above the operating room door lit up. It would stay on for three to six hours. Time seemed to slow down for me, knowing I could only wait. None of my clients were urgently calling. It didn't matter. I had promised Talia I would wait.
I grabbed one of the daily newspapers that were "hung out" near the waiting chairs. There were five newspapers from different publishers. I took the second one from the backâthe one with the directional arrow logo.
Ehm. I sighed.
The headline only made my emotions more chaotic.
Just five seconds into reading, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
Who could it be? Mom or Dad?
Mom.