BORROWED TIME

"A-anong nangyayari dito?!"

I saw my mom and sister rushing towards us.

"M-ma... Si p-papa. Nagsi-seizure." I cried as I hugged my mom.

"Jusko.. John, lumaban ka. Hindi ka pa pwedeng mawala!" my mom started to sob and Jaja hugged us.

"Ate... Si papa..." nanginginig na sambit ni Jaja as we watch the doctor and the nurses revive our father.

"Shh... Ja. Magiging maayos din ang lahat. Mabubuhay pa si papa." I said kahit na pakiramdam ko ay malabong mangyari ang mga sinabi ko sa kapatid ko.

"Clear!" the doctor shouted once again pero flat line pa rin ang heartbeat ni papa.

"Pa p-please..... Lu-lumaban ka...."

Napa-iling na lang lahat ng nurses but I wouldn't stand here and watch them slowly losing their hope that they can save my father.

"No! Tabi!" I fearlessly said at hinawi silang lahat.

"M-ma'am, bawal po yang ginagawa niyo--"

"I am a licensed doctor okay?! Doc Jhoana Maraguinot of St. Anthony Medical Hospital. Kaya tumabi kayo and I will save my father!" I harshly grabbed the defribillator from the doctor.

"Put some gel!" sinigawan ko pa yung nurse na may hawak ng gel.

Natakot yata siya kaya agad-agad naman niya akong sinunod.

After putting some gel on the pad, I immediately pressed the pad against my father's chest.

"Pa, please. Lumaban ka!" I said as I repeatedly pressed the pad.

"Please, Pa. Wag kang susuko." I tried once more.

I can hear my mom and sister's cries and saw them hugging each other while mama is saying a prayer and I can't help but to also cry dahil nawawalan na rin ako ng pag-asa. His heartbeat is still in flat line.

"Please pa. Wag muna ngayon. P-please."

I tried once more pero hindi pa rin nagrerespond si papa.

Hanggang sa napaluhod na lang ako.

Hanggang dito na lang ba? Iiwan mo na ba talaga kami, Pa?

I closed my fists and prayed silently. Until Bea's words suddenly flashed in my memory.

"He's your dad. Kung gaano ka kapursigidong tulungan akong makalakad ulit, I'm pretty sure he's also eager to wake up. Magigising siya para sa inyo. Magigising siya para sayo kasi kailangan mo pang bumalik dito and help me walk again."

Bea's right. Hindi ako pwedeng mag-give up. I have to revive my father. Hindi pa siya pwedeng mawala sa amin. Hindi pa.

I stood straightly and said, "Isa pa!" I grabbed the defribillator once again and for one last time, I tried to revive him.

"Please, Pa. Wag mo muna kaming iwan."

And with all my might, I pressed the pad against his chest.

Then closed my eyes and waited...

*toot toot toot toot*

"Jusko, anak!" my mom immediately hugged me tight as soon as we heard the monitor's sound.

"M-ma..."

Umiiyak na ring lumapit sa amin si Jaja.

"Salamat sa Diyos! Anak, you saved your father's life!" mama said at mas lalo kaming nag-iyakan.