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Gabriella Monica Jimenez POV
"Help! Help! Please help us!!" screamed the worried woman.
I suddenly woke up from being fainted. I was shocked to find us surrounded by people. But they quickly dispersed when I opened my eyes.
Oh my God, I fainted. I felt a wave of nervousness wash over me and immediately asked for some water.
"Sorry for the trouble, ma'am," I said to the woman who handed me the water.
I could see the concern etched on her face.
Wow, so this is what it feels like to have someone genuinely worry about you. I could also smell the menthol she had rubbed under my nose when I fainted, a scent that brought me back to my senses.
"Thank you so much, ma'am," I said gratefully, holding her hand tightly.
"Wait, where do you live, young lady? Do you want me to get you a taxi? It's getting late, and my daughter and I are waiting for a bus here at the terminal," she said.
Her words snapped me back to reality. Oh right, where am I supposed to go? Going back home isn't an option now.
I couldn't respond to the woman, and then a bus arrived. She and her daughter boarded it, leaving me alone.
I sat on the bench, lost in thought...
"Anyone else getting on? This bus is about to leave," yelled the conductor.
But immediately, the driver responds.
"Doesn't seem like it, I think we should have to go" replied the driver.
As the bus started to leave...
Suddenly, I felt a surge of anxiety. I stood up from my seat and tried to chase after the bus.
"Mister! Mister!" I shouted, running after the bus.
Luckily, it was moving slowly, so I managed to reach the door.
But the conductor was furious when I got on the bus.
"What the hell? You should have boarded earlier. Goodness, young people these days!" the conductor said, annoyed. I ignored his words and climbed on, looking for a seat. I found an empty one at the front and sat down. Exhausted, I didn't realize I had fallen asleep until I felt someone nudging me.
"Hey, miss. Wake up!" said the conductor. But I didn't wake up immediately because I was sleeping so soundly.
Then, a few seconds later, the conductor shouted loudly, startling me. "HEY MISS!! DON'T PRETEND TO BE ASLEEP!! THAT'S AN OLD TRICK!! I KNOW YOUR SCAMS!! WHERE'S YOUR FARE?!!" he yelled angrily, his eyes bulging with anger, which scared me.
"Ahh, I'm sorry, sir," I replied calmly, barely able to look at the furious conductor.
"Your fare? Where are you getting off? You're delaying us; I have a lot to do, young lady," he said, almost trembling with frustration.
I couldn't answer because I had no idea where I was going or what route the bus was taking. I just boarded out of fear of being left alone at the terminal.
"What?! Tsk!! You know, I'm getting fed up with you, girl. Since the terminal. Do you even have money to pay? If not, I'm dropping you off here. Good luck; we're in the middle of nowhere," the conductor threatened.
Oh my God! What have I done with my life? I couldn't help but cry because of the situation. "Sorry, sir. I don't know where I'm going. I'll just get off."
I stood up, and then someone spoke...
"Wait, young lady! Don't get off," a woman shouted from the back.
"Here, sir, here's the fare. She's with us. This girl is with us, here, take the fare," and she approached the conductor.
I was stunned to see the woman from the terminal again. I couldn't help but burst into tears when she saved me once more. I hugged her tightly while sobbing.
She made me sit with them. and when I sat down, I told them that I had run away from home. I also explained the whole reason for my leaving. Because of this, the woman suggested that I stay with them instead. I felt embarrassed at first, but she seemed kind and genuinely wanted to help, so I eventually agreed.
I still couldn't believe that there was someone with such a good heart like the woman sitting next to me. The woman was truly kind-hearted. Even though she didn't know me well, she helped me. When we got off, I asked her name and learned she was Emma Dizon, and the child with her was Faith, her only daughter.
I couldn't express enough gratitude for their kindness. They didn't hesitate to take me in and let me stay at their home. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Mama Emma and Faith. I will forever be grateful to them and will do everything I can to give them a comfortable life as a way to repay their kindness...
End of Flashback
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Lorenzo Miguel Samaniego POV
"Operation success, guys. Good job!" I said cheerfully to my team in the operating room.
"Doc, we'll take care of transferring the patient to their room. We know you haven't had any rest with all the patients you've handled," Nurse Summer said with concern.
"Yes, Doc. We've got it covered," the other nurses in the OR agreed.
"Okay, thanks, guys. Just call me if there's any problem or if you need anything. I'll be in my office to rest," I replied with a smile before leaving the OR.
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As I stepped out of the operating room, I was immediately greeted by the tearful family of the patient. They anxiously asked about the patient's condition, and I assured them that the operation was successful. Their faces lit up with relief and gratitude, bringing a sense of fulfillment to my tired soul.
After reassuring the family, I walked towards my office. I sank into my swivel chair with a deep sigh of relief. Finally, a moment to rest. I glanced out the window and noticed it was getting dark, and it looked like it was going to rain heavily. The soothing sound of the rain made me feel drowsy, and I was just about to close my eyes when I heard my office door open. I was too tired to pay attention at first.
"Miggy boy?!" a familiar voice called out, instantly waking me up.
Sigh! I knew it was Mom. I turned around, and sure enough, there she was with Dad. I stood up, gave them both a kiss on the cheek and invited them to sit across from my desk.
"Hey, Dad, Mom, why are you here? Is there a problem?" I asked, a bit concerned.
"Problem? Oh my god, Miggy boy, why do you always think there's a problem whenever we visit? Can't we just miss our son?" Mom said with a laugh, making me smile.
"Yeah, your mom is right, son. We just miss you, that's all," Dad added with a grin.
"Alright, alright, okay. So why are you really here then? Your son is fine and doing well. How about you two?" I said, trying to relax.
"Well, actually, we do have something to discuss," Mom said, her tone shifting to a more serious one.
"Okay, what's going on?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
"Son, we're here to tell you that you'll be sent to Elyu, your mother's hometown, for a medical mission. The hospitals there are nearly submerged due to flooding, and they need additional doctors. You'll be distributing relief goods and vitamins to the people there," Dad explained.
"Elyu? I've heard about the super typhoon on the news. No wonder it's been raining so much," I said, realizing the gravity of the situation.
"Yes, and the situation is dire. Some areas have no electricity, and your mother is very worried. Elyu is special to us, you know that," Dad said, his voice filled with concern.
"Alright, Dad. When do we leave?" I asked, feeling the urgency of the situation.
"Tomorrow, because the situation is dire. Some areas have no electricity, and your mother is very worried," he said.
I shook my head at the sad news. Elyu is special to my parents since it's where they first met. It must be heartbreaking for them to see their beloved hometown suffering.
I immediately called my assistant to gather the nurses and doctors for our departure. The relief goods were ready, all courtesy of the Governor, and we had a private plane prepared for the trip.
Preparations were underway, and I couldn't help but think about the people in Elyu. Despite my exhaustion, I felt a strong sense of duty and urgency. Tomorrow would be a long day, but knowing we were helping those in need gave me the strength to push through. I went over the checklist one last time to ensure everything was in order: medical supplies, relief goods, and my team's readiness. It was going to be a challenging mission, but one that was profoundly important.
As I settled back into my chair, I looked at my parents. Their presence and unwavering support meant the world to me. They had always been my rock, and now, it was my turn to be strong for them and the people of Elyu. With a deep breath, I closed my eyes for a brief moment of rest, knowing that tomorrow we would embark on a mission that would make a real difference in many lives.
"Ohh, alright then. Take care there, son. Just keep your Mommy updated, okay?"
"Yes, Dad. I have my Assistant with me, so I'll make sure he keeps you informed."
And I thought Dad and Mom were about to leave when they suddenly chimed in again.
"Oh, Miggy boy? There are plenty of beautiful girls in Elyu," Mom said with a mischievous grin, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. All I could manage was a chuckle and a smile in response.
But Mom wasn't done yet; she came closer and gave me a hug. "You never know, dear. Just like your Dad, you might find your forever there," she said, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
I couldn't help but smile at my parents' antics. "Mom, really? This is a medical mission, remember? I won't have time for romance."
"Oh, come on, son. Don't you remember? Your Mom used to be my patient. Even when she had no illness, she still insisted on regular check-ups with me. That's why I had to give her injections just to keep her coming back," Dad joked, followed by hearty laughter from both of them.
Oh, these parents of mine. Always full of mischief. I knew it; their visit would inevitably turn into teasing.
"Alright, Mom, Dad. I promise, if I see anyone there, I'll give them a shot right away," I joked back.
They were delighted with my response. "That's our boy! Miggy boy!" they exclaimed happily as they left my office.
Oh, boy. Dealing with them gave me a bigger headache than hours of work. If only finding a girlfriend were as easy as shutting them up. But I'm a changed man now, and I remain loyal to Dhalia. Sigh…
Then I found myself staring at the dahlia flower preserved inside the glass dome
" Dhalia., wherever you are. I know that I will find you eventually."
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