The operating table can either be your best friend or your worst enemy. One could survive or perish in the blink of an eye.
While Francesca and I waited in the hallway, Michelle underwent surgery to remove the bullet from her right arm. It had been over an hour since Michelle saved both of our lives from Corinna's evil hands.
"I'm very nervous right now," my tearful voice resonating towards Francesca. "Michelle had just did a heroic deed, but her life..."
Unable to control my emotions, I sobbed incessantly into Francesca's arms. She embraced and patted me in the back hoping to soothe all my agonies.
Then I admitted to Francesca about the feeling of helplessness.
"I don't know what to do Francesca. I don't know."
"It's okay Christine," Francesca promptly replied. "If you love her so much just let it all out."
And let it out I did. The tears shed from my eyes represent the countless wonderful years me and Michelle spent in school and the constant times she defended me from criticism.
"Michelle, please don't die," I tearfully uttered.
Just then, Karina arrived at the hospital to check on her daughter, having been called on the phone moments earlier. She also felt extremely distressed.
"Christine, where's my daughter," Karina inquired me.
"She is in the operating room," I tearfully responded. "Michelle just got shot in the right arm."
"What?" Karina stunningly reacted to the tragic news. "My daughter's been shot?"
Karina wept bitterly upon learning of Michelle's condition. The two of us hugged as tears kept falling incessantly from our eyes.
Meanwhile, Francesca looked on silently, her anxious eyes likewise awash with tears. Shortly after, Karina came out to approach her.
"Christine, who was this lady sitting alongside you?" Karina pointed out.
"Karina, her name is Francesca," I summoned her. "She is the lady me and Michelle met when Corinna bullied and took her hostage in school."
Francesca stood up and shook Karina's hand. The two then shared a heartfelt embrace.
"Karina, it was a privilege to meet you," Francesca welcomed her. "If it wasn't for Michelle and Christine I would have been alive now. Unfortunately, I also feel concerned for your daughter because of what she did to me."
"I've already heard the news," Karina said. "My daughter gave her own life to save you. But I only hope for her survival."
As we waited nervously for the doctor to come out, my smartphone suddenly vibrated. As I carefully opened it, out came a tweet from school management.
"In light of the investigation surrounding the hostage incident earlier today, we regrettably announced that classes will be suspended until further notice," read the tweet. "No student is allowed entry inside the campus during the suspension. Please leave safely."
Karina, Francesca and I sat down in anticipation of the doctor's report. We held our hands together hoping for a miracle.
Hours later, the doctor came out with an assured look on his face. With a clipboard on hand, he gradually revealed the news.
"Ladies, your patient Michelle is in stable condition," the doctor said. "She is now recovering in Room 426. You can visit her now."
"Michelle should be all right," I joyfully replied. "We're saved."
"I can't wait to witness her wake up with a smile," Francesca added. "God never lets us down."
Inside Michelle's room, I received a call from Charissa. It was already evening and my mother sensed some uneasiness in her heart.
Charissa: "Hello? Christine, are you still in school?"
Christine: "No mother. Have you tuned in to the news tonight?"
Charissa: "I haven't. Why did you ask?"
Christine: "Well, there was a hostage crisis in school this afternoon and Francesca and I were kidnapped by Corinna."
Charissa: "What? That Corinna again. That must be her most despicable act yet."
Christine: "Fortunately Michelle came out to spare us but she received a gunshot wound on the right arm for her troubles."
Charissa: "Oh my!!! Where is Michelle now?"
Christine: "Mother, we're in the hospital with her but don't worry. Michelle is in stable condition now."
Charissa: "We're so relieved at the news. She must be an exceptionally brave person."
Christine: "She undoubtedly is."
Charissa: "Well I must go now to focus on a few online errands. But don't worry I'll visit you in the hospital tomorrow."
Christine: "Okay mother. Take care."
It was already 9:00 p.m. Thursday, and Michelle has not woken up. Her sleeping face was a picture of serenity, calmness and peace.
I approached Michelle's bedside and stroked her forehead. Moments later, Karina and Francesca followed.
"Michelle, you made a very fearless move out there," I whispered softly to her ear. "You were willing to sacrifice yourself just to liberate both me and Francesca, and I'm proud of that. But we hope you wake up soon. All of us were worried sick. Please wake up soon."
Karina then approached her daughter for a brief reflection.
'Michelle, I'm happy that you're alive," Karina quietly spoke. "You showed tremendous courage and bravery to free your friends from certain danger. I may not like your heroic deed but for a daughter who is a willing risk-taker, that was all we can say."
Karina gently touched Michelle's forehead and flashed a smile. Then as night went along, all three of us slept peacefully at her bedside.
Friday morning, the sun radiated through the window. As I opened my smartphone, a tweet on the hostage situation showed up on the screen.
"The criminal suspect Corinna has been arrested for hostage taking and attempted murder," the tweet announced. "She will be placed on trial later this week at the Manila Regional Trial Court."
That was undoubtedly encouraging news as far as we were concerned. But what mattered for us is Michelle waking up from her tranquilized state and so far she dwelled in a deep sleep.
Just then, Charissa opportunely arrived and embraced both of us. She cautiously approached Michelle and grazed her left hand.
"If not for you Christine would have been dead by now," Charissa silently said. "You truly risked your own body just to save my beloved daughter's life and I have nothing more than positive complements. Thanks for coming to Christine's aid."
Some four hours after Charissa arrived, we saw Michelle slowly opening her eyes. It is an encouraging sign for all of us.