The most awaited time had come and the inauguration program started full of cheers. The host made a roll call and almost all of the important guests were present. After a draggy intermission number of cultural dance, the mayor then gave a privilege speech. He was the event's guest of honor and everyone was all ears the moment he opened his mouth to say his piece. Like in most situations, he read a ready-made speech; however, the mayor was such a good actor that he did it with class and emotions, as if the words were spontaneous and truly heartfelt.
"The mayor has such a gift of making people believe him," Dr. Alvarado said under his breath as he listened.
"True, Sir," Morgan whispered back who was seating next to him. "The mayor is indeed a man who plays his game really well."
The two placed themselves away from the guests and near the podium. Their eyes scanned the crowd as their ears partly listened to the speech.
"I have something important to tell you, Sir," Morgan said.
"That important?"
He nodded.
"Go on."
"The nurse is dead."
Dr. Alvarado was surprised.
"Are you certain of that, Morgan?"
"Yes, Sir. Our contacts in the hospital paged me earlier. I called him back and she was confirmed dead."
"Tell me quickly how."
"She was hit by a truck. Alive upon arrival but she did not last long in the hospital."
Silence.
"Pity her. God rest her soul in peace."
"I pray it happened quickly to her."
"You are not a man of prayer, Morgan."
The doctor smiled.
"She was good until she talked carelessly."
"True, Sir."
There was a long round of applause after the mayor ended his speech. Everybody stood as if something victorious had happened. Dr. Alvarado was smiling as he clapped his hands. When the mayor left the podium, he was quick to leave his seat and meet him. He congratulated him and they chattered as they went back to their seats.
The program host took the microphone and after minutes of flattery, he called for the local talent group to render another intermission number. The audience's attention wandered off as the dance went on. After almost ten minutes of another lousy performance, the number was finally done. Dr. Alvarado rearranged his suite and gracefully went to the podium when his name was called. He delivered a brief reply speech to the mayor's words and then went on to give the audience an overview of the different kind of services the new facility offered. Dr. Alvarado was not reading any prepared speech. His words just beautifully flowed out of his mouth. He only had mental notes of the things he wanted to convey and though his mouth was busy talking, his mind was expertly preparing the next words.
"It is my regret that this new facility came somewhat late," Dr. Alvarado was saying. "Too many people have already died. Our loved ones, neighbors, and close friends have already left us. If only the facility had been built earlier, a number of lives could have been saved. We could have prevented the departed from leaving us, broken and shaken....."
The crowd was stirred by the sudden emotional shift of the doctor. They did not see that coming.
"My friends, this is actually personal for me as someone I know perished while battling the outbreak," Dr. Alvarado said dejectedly which saddened the audience. "She is a dedicated nurse - young, bubbly, and overflowing with dreams and hopes. When the outbreak started, she was one of the first few people who responded to the challenge. Armed with nothing but her guts, determination, and devotion to serve the people, she selflessly offered any effort she could to help the infected. She was tireless and brave. And then today....."
Dr. Alvarado's voice broke so that he stopped his speech. When he mildly sniffed his nose, the people knew that he was grieving so that tears also began forming on their eyes. They were touched. They knew the doctor was a religious man and a generous philantrophist but seeing him in such vulnerable moment moved them.
"Today, she left this world," Dr. Alvarado resumed his speech. The crowd gasped. "She was happy when she left her work. It was her leave and she could finally take a break. But then a truck crossed her path and took away her life. The hospital personnel said she was still breathing when she arrived but the pain took its toll and she expired moments later. She was a kind soul and a diligent worker. She was young but she left too early. She is a hero to me and a fallen hero in this outbreak. She could have given more to this world but sadly, she won't. I could have save her, but sadly, I was not able to do so..... "
Some audience wiped a tear or two. It was intense.
"Friends, some of us may have shed some tears because of the outbreak. But the time of grieving will soon be ending. Broken hearts will see joy again...."
Dr. Alvarado then went back to the meat of his speech and talked about the facility again.
"Good job, Sir," Morgan whispered to himself in his seat. "You are wiser that I thought. You are too vicious as you used that girl's misfortune to create drama and make yourseld a hero in this outbreak. Bravo!"
Dr. Alvarado finished his speech and everyone also stood up and clapped. Estella pulled Sonny by his shirt and they went to a corner.
"Who is the dead nurse he was talking about?" Estella whispered.
"I don't know. Did the main office tell you something about it?"
"I have not received any message yet."
"Could the nurse be one of those working in the isolation camp?"
"It's highly possible. The doctor had been involved in the camp and anyone from the medical team could be his friend."
"Friend?"
"Don't be silly, Sonny. It seemed he was genuinely affected by her death."
"Or she was just a random acquaintance and the doctor simply took advantage of her death story to make himself appear great."
"Could he really be that heartless?"
"I'm not sure. But plenty of things about the doctor are funny and fishy already."
The two snapped out of their conversation when the host called everyone to arrange themselves for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The VIPs smiled as they lined up along with the mayor and Dr. Alvarado. With one swift strike of the scissor, the lace was cut and the facility was declared officially open. Everyone cheered and the tour began. It was still midway through the tour when an electrical outage suddenly happened. The women screamed as the building was covered in darkness. The blackout was not happening in the entire district but only in the facility. It was dark and people were panicky. It was time to move.....