"Doc, we have a patient coming. The ambulance are on their way."
"What's the condition?"
"Critical, her vitals is unstable. Theres a possible concussion because she collapsed while walking."
"She suddenly collapsed?"
"According to her hospital records, she was diagnosed with brain tumor but it was too late already. The tumor is restricting a blood vessel in the brain and there's a 5% success rate of an operation. The patient has only one month to live prior to the diagnosis."
"Whats tha patients profile?"
"Evangeline Summers age 53"
My body went to shock hearing her name. No! It cant be my mom. Shes perfectly healthy I...I know. How come! she...never showed symptoms. I would know that because I am a doctor.. This is a mistake!..
The blaring siren of the ambulance snap me out of my thoughts. My doctor's instinct took over my body and quickly run towards the door.
"Her blood pressure is dropping! Please hurry" one of the paramedics shouted.
Immediately as if on autopilot, We took her to the emergency room and plug all machines that needed to be. Once done, you can loudly hear the beeping sounds like an alarm as if telling you to wake up already or rather to wake the patient in this case. I never once looked at her face fearing Id lost my sanity while resucitating the patient. After a moment the beeping came into a constant sound almost soothing letting me know that no one died.
I removed my hand from her chest and heaved a sigh. Even without seeing her face, theres no doubt its my mother. I heaved another sigh. So many questions was on my mind, starting from why didnt she told me? How come I didnt noticed the symptoms? How could she hide it from me? I am her daughter!! I was mad at her but mostly at myself for being fooled by my own mother. I am a doctor DAMMIT!!
Suddenly, I heard that beeping sounds again and its not stable.
After 5 years...
The day was just starting but it felt like I was on my way home exhausted, drained to the bones and half-asleep wishing for a nice warm shower and asleep in a fluffy bed. I can already picture myself snoring not a care in the world but no, I am here at a crowded coffee shop 7 oclock in the morning cleaning tables and taking orders from cranky obnoxious customers who cant wait for their turn. Seriously!! I am not a robot! I dont have multiple arms people. If you want coffee that bad got to a vending machine!!Its fasteeeerrr!!! Ugh!!
By noon, I seriously thought that I am already armless because I cant feel them anymore MY POOR BABIES!
Thankfully the customers has dwindled down. When I looked around Only five tables are occupied so here am I, eyed closed slumped on the table and on the brink of falling asleep.
"Aww..my poor child you work so hard today maybe I should give you a reward"
I just ignored the voice knowing who is it exactly. Shes my mother or rather second mother. I met her right here in this cafe. Just as I came, she nearly hit her head on the counter because of how dizzy she was and so I came to her rescue. And now here I am.
"Yes please! My rumbling stomach wont let me sleep mom"
She smiled upon hearing the word mom.
"You know, no one's telling you to clean the tables. Last time I check you own this cafe"
I glared at her and retort
" Last time I check I co-own this cafe with a person named Margaret King which coincidentally is you. How many times do I have to remind you?"
She just laugh in my face as if its a joke.
"Honey, you practically bought this cafe remember? Its on the brink of bankruptcy...I mean its already bankrupt I was just waitind for a few more days before I closed it down"
From all the years Ibe known this woman I cant winan argument with her. So much for trying
"Whatever. Anyway where is my reward? Im dying of starvation here mom"
"Coming right up!" She smiled then kissed me on the cheek. I smiled in return because Ive always loved to be kissed. Its just sweet you know. Knowing that someone loves you enough to kiss you.
The bell chimed signalling a new customer. I looked around and everyones seems busy so I went to the customer who was already seated beside the window.
"Good afternoon sir. Can I take yout order please"
The man turned to face me. He is handsome alright despite the obvious wrinkles here and there. He is maybe over sixty years old. And his eyes are so blue. Ive always have a fetish on eye colors maybe because of my boring hazel ones.
He smiled but it seemed more like a grimace like he is in pain and hes sweating profusely. He cleared his throat the spoke.
"Can I have...a glass of water.... ple..ase?"
He sounded breathless like it takes all of hus energy just to speak. Years of seeing patients pained faces tells me that something is wrong with him and the signs of a heart attack is clear for my eyes to see. His breathing is rapid and shallow and hes holding his chest to which I am sure where the pain is.
"Sir is your chest in pain?" I asked just to confirm but before he could speak his eyes closed and he began to convulse on his seat causing her body to fall over. I grabbed his head so as not to hit on something and caused damage. Bubbles are already coming out from his mouth not a good sign I thought.
The commotion grabbed the attention of the cafe and Harley, one of the waitresses run to me.
"Soph what happened!!?"
" Call 911 NOW!!" I shouted while I placed my finger on his throat for his pulse when suddenly he stopped convulsing. He has no pulse. I can faintly hear Harley saying that the ambulance are on their way from the pounding of my heart. The scene is all too familiar to me that for a second I thought that I was in the ER with my mother lying on the bed lifeless. The sudden scream of Harley broke me from my memory.
" Sophie! HES NOT BREATHING!!"
Instincts took over and I find myself pumping his chest vigorously just stopping to feel his pulse. When I cant feel it I start pumping faster, giving him air. After a while I felt a pulse its faint but at least hes alive.
Just then the paramedics rush in.
"What happened to the patient?" One of the paramedic asked while putting the oxygen mask on the man.
"The patient js showing signs of a heart attack before he lost conciousness. He had no pulse for a moment but I manage to resucitate him. He had a pulse for now but its faint and I dont think he will survive if you dont take him to the hospital now" I said in one breath. By now they already put him on the stretcher and is whisking him away to the ambulance. The paramedic turned his questioning eyes on me eying my outfit which consist of a simple blouse and black pants with my apron which obviously screams waitress ugh! how judgemental I thought.
" Im a doctor" I simply said
Surprised flickered in his eyes before turning emotionless. Typical
" Very well. Can you please come with us in case theres a problem on the way"
" Okay" I removed my apron and followed him to the ambulance.
While on the car images of my mom on a stretcher while they brought her to the ER returned to me but I shake it off not wanting to relieve the pain.
Finally when we reached the hospital, the paramedics rushed the patient to the ER. I was right behind them when I realized that this is the same hospital Ive worked for. I internally grimaced at the familiarity of it. It felt so nostalgic that its hard to breathe. Like I was drowning, not from water but a sea of painful memories. I thought I might just replace the heart patient. Among the rush of memories is a voice, specifically a male. It's heartbreakingly familiar indeed.