Chapter 13
As the maid , continued to serve the young girl , a familiar face entered the room it was Doctor Jasmin Dizon and behind her was Miyako Ueda, the two look tired and exhausted but as they saw Nille Miyako smiled at him and casually walked toward him , but she was discreet and walked silently while Doctor Jasmin wave at him and went toward the other patient, she greeted the young girl and the maid she thought was a family member, but the young girl corrected Doctor Jasmin Dizon, hearing that the female wasn't a family members.
Doctor Jasmin told the young girl only direct family members are allowed to stay with the patients, and because this is not a private hospital they need to follow the hospital policy , young girl introduce her self as, Lin Meiying, the granddaughter of the patient and, politely orders her maid to stay in the car and wait for her call, the maid nodded and place the last item on the unfolded table and left immediately,
Doctor Jasmin Dizon spoke " the hospital admin might question all items you place in this room, if more patients gets admitted here at this room, they will surely request for its removal,"
Lin Meiying straightened slightly, her small hands resting on the edge of the unfolded table. Despite her age, there was a quiet composure in the way she carried herself.
"I understand, Doctor," she said politely, her voice soft but clear. "These are just basic things… food, water, and a few personal items for my grandfather."
She glanced briefly at the items, then back at Doctor Jasmin.
"If the hospital needs the space, I will have them removed immediately. I don't want to cause any inconvenience to the staff… or the other patients."
There was a small pause before she added, more gently,
"I just wanted him to feel… a little more comfortable."
Her fingers tightened slightly against the table.
"He doesn't like hospitals."
Then she bowed her head just a little, respectful, controlled.
"So I'll follow the rules, Doctor. Please don't worry."
but after speaking she suddenly but in a kind soft tone requested a immediate hospital transfer, Doctor Jasmin Dizon was already holding the medical clip board with the details of the patient condition ,
As Doctor Jasmin Dizon scanned the clipboard, her expression shifted from routine focus to quiet concern. She let out a small breath before speaking, her voice calm but firm, trained to carry difficult truths without panic.
"Your grandfather is in critical condition," she began, glancing briefly at Lin Meiying before continuing. "The impact from the car crash caused severe blunt force trauma to his body. His abdomen was punctured, most likely by either shattered bone fragments or debris during the collision. This means that the protective wall of muscle and tissue that holds the internal organs in place has been breached."
She gently tapped the clipboard with her pen, emphasizing the gravity of her words.
"When that happens, organs such as the liver, intestines, or stomach can be damaged. In his case, there is strong indication of internal bleeding, which is dangerous because it's not always immediately visible. Blood may be filling the abdominal cavity instead of circulating properly through the body. When the body loses too much blood internally, it can lead to hypovolemic shock, a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to sustain vital organs."
Her eyes softened slightly, but her tone remained professional.
"On top of that, his rib cage is broken. Several ribs appear to be fractured, and there's a possibility that sharp edges from those broken bones may have affected his lungs. This can lead to complications like a collapsed lung or difficulty breathing, which reduces the amount of oxygen reaching his bloodstream."
Doctor Jasmin paused, allowing the weight of the explanation to settle.
"Right now, his body is under extreme stress. His systems are struggling to maintain balance, his blood pressure is unstable, his breathing is compromised, and his organs may not be receiving enough oxygen to function properly."
She closed the clipboard halfway, her voice lowering just a fraction.
"In simple terms… his injuries are life-threatening because multiple critical systems in his body are failing at the same time. Treating him requires immediate stabilization, stopping the internal bleeding, supporting his breathing, and preventing further organ damage."
She looked directly at Lin Meiying.
"That is why moving him right now is extremely risky. Even the slightest instability during transfer could worsen his condition. At this moment, our priority is to keep him alive long enough for his body to stabilize."
The room felt heavier after her words, clinical, precise, yet undeniably human in their weight.
Lin Meiying didn't respond immediately.
At first, it was just silence, her lips parted slightly, her eyes fixed somewhere beyond Doctor Jasmin, as if her mind refused to accept what it had just heard. Then her fingers trembled. The strength she carried so firmly until now… cracked.
A single breath escaped her, shaky, uneven.
And then she broke.
Tears welled up faster than she could stop them, spilling down her cheeks as she covered her mouth, trying, failing, to keep herself quiet. Her shoulders shook, the sound of her crying soft but painful, like something buried deep inside her was finally tearing its way out.
"L-Lolo…" she whispered, her voice breaking completely. "He… he was just fine…two days ago…"
Her knees weakened slightly, and she held onto the edge of the bed for support, as if the world itself had tilted beneath her feet.
Doctor Jasmin Dizon moved immediately.
Not rushed. Not panicked.
But precise.
She stepped closer, her expression no longer just clinical, but human. She gently placed a steady hand on Lin's shoulder, firm enough to ground her, soft enough to comfort.
"Hey… look at me."
Her voice was calm, low, and unwavering, cutting through the chaos of emotion without raising itself.
Lin struggled, but slowly lifted her tear-filled eyes.
"I need you to breathe first," Doctor Jasmin said quietly. "Slowly. You can cry… that's okay. But you need to stay with me."
"For a young child, you remind me of someone," Doctor Jasmin said, glancing briefly at Nille before looking back at Lin Meiying.
She gave her a moment, just enough for Lin to catch a fragment of control.
Then, carefully… she spoke again.
"I'm not going to lie to you."
There was no hesitation. No sugarcoating.
"Your grandfather's condition is very serious."
Lin's grip tightened.
"But…" Doctor Jasmin continued, her tone firming, not cold, but anchored in truth, "he's still fighting."
She slightly adjusted her stance, her hand still steady on Lin's shoulder.
"Based on his injuries, his age, and his current physical condition… his chances are around fifty percent."
The number hung in the air, heavy, unavoidable.
Lin's breath hitched again, fresh tears forming.
But Doctor Jasmin didn't let her fall back into panic.
"Listen to me," she said, more firmly now, not harsh, but commanding presence. "Fifty percent is not zero."
Her eyes locked onto Lin's, unwavering.
"That means there is still a chance. A real one."
Her grip tightened slightly, not in force, but in reassurance.
"I've seen patients in worse conditions survive. And I've seen strong ones fall. Medicine is not just numbers, it's how the body responds, how fast we act… and how much they fight."
Her voice softened just a fraction.
"And right now, your grandfather is still fighting."
Lin's sobs quieted, not gone, but steadier.
Doctor Jasmin reached up briefly, handing her a clean cloth.
"So you don't give up on him either," she added gently. "Not yet."
For a moment, the room held still.
Pain was still there. Fear was still there.
But now, so was something else.
A fragile… stubborn thread of hope.
Nille and Doctor Miyako Ueda remained still during Lin Meiying's breakdown.
Neither of them spoke.
Not because they didn't care, but because they understood. In a place like this, where life and death walked side by side, even the smallest sound could feel… intrusive. Disrespectful.
So they stayed quiet.
as Doctor Miyako Ueda was still just a visiting Doctor,
But Present.
and Respectful.
Doctor Miyako Ueda adjusted the Rucksack she had been carrying on her shoulder. Without a word, she stepped closer to Nille and gently handed it to him.
"Here… take this," she said softly. "These are books I already finished reading, and a few unused shirts and Japanese snacks"
"please accept my humble gift , or else i will get upset,"
Nille accepted the bag with both hands, careful, almost deliberate. As she did, Miyako's eyes drifted to the book he was holding.
"What is that?" she asked politely, her voice light and curious.
Nille turned the book slightly and handed it to her.
"I borrowed it from the hospital mini library… at the ground floor."
Miyako took it and began skimming through the pages, her eyes moving quickly but attentively. A faint smile formed on her lips.
"This is nice…" she murmured. Then she glanced at him. "So… you're interested in these things too?"
Nille scratched the side of his head slightly, a small, almost shy gesture.
"Kinda… it's somewhat amazing."
Miyako nodded as she flipped another page.
"Ah… it's similar to Japanese folklore," she said, her tone brightening just a little. "We also have stories about… spooky things like this."
She paused, as if recalling something fond.
"My uncle is a teacher in Japan. He studies and writes about these kinds of stories." She looked back at Nille. "When I get back, I'll try to get a few of his books for you… if you like reading them."
For a brief moment, something warm appeared on Nille's face.
A small, genuine smile.
"Thank you," he said simply.
It wasn't loud. It wasn't exaggerated.
But it was real.
Before the moment could linger, a familiar presence approached.
Doctor Jasmin Dizon stepped beside them, her attention already shifting to the patient on the bed.
"Hello, Nille," she said gently, her tone returning to professional calm. "Let me check your grandmother first, okay?"
Nille nodded immediately and stepped slightly aside, giving her space.
Doctor Jasmin moved with quiet efficiency, checking Granny Amparo's pulse, adjusting the IV line, and observing her breathing. Her hands were steady, practiced, every motion precise, as if guided by years of experience.
The room fell quiet again.
But this time, it wasn't heavy.
It was… waiting.
After a few minutes of careful examination, the subtle tension in Doctor Jasmin's posture eased.
She adjusted the IV line one last time, then gently placed Granny Amparo's hand back onto the bed, making sure she was comfortable before turning to Nille and Doctor Miyako Ueda
"She's stable," Doctor Jasmin said, her voice calm but reassuring. "Her vital signs are consistent, and there's no immediate danger."
Nille didn't speak. but the slight release in his shoulders said enough.
Doctor Jasmin gave a small, knowing nod before continuing.
"She'll wake up soon."
Miyako let out a quiet breath she didn't realize she had been holding.
Nille, however, remained focused.
"Why… is she still asleep?" he asked.
Doctor Jasmin glanced back at Granny Amparo, then returned her gaze to him, explaining in a way he could understand.
"Her body is recovering," she said. "When someone goes through physical stress, like illness, exhaustion, or even emotional strain, the body sometimes forces itself into a deeper rest. It's a protective response."
She lightly gestured toward the IV.
"We also gave her medication to help stabilize her condition and reduce discomfort. Some of those medicines can make patients drowsy or keep them asleep longer than usual."
Her tone softened slightly.
"Think of it like this, her body is prioritizing healing over being awake. While she's resting, her system is conserving energy, repairing what it can, and slowly returning to normal function."
Nille listened carefully, absorbing every word.
"She's not unconscious in a dangerous way," Doctor Jasmin added, sensing his concern. "It's more like a deep, necessary sleep."
She gave him a small, reassuring smile.
"And when she wakes up, she may feel weak or a little disoriented, but that's normal. What matters is that her condition is improving."
Nille looked at his grandmother.
For the first time since arriving… she didn't look fragile.
Just… resting.
Quietly.
Peacefully.
Doctor Jasmin picked up her clipboard again.
"I'll continue to monitor her, but for now… you can stay with her."
She paused briefly, then added,
"She's going to be okay."
The words weren't loud.
But they carried weight.
And this time… it was the kind that lifted something off the chest instead of pressing down on it.
Doctor Jasmin finished noting something on her clipboard before glancing at Nille again, this time, not as a doctor checking a patient, but as an adult quietly looking after a child.
"Nille… have you eaten?" she asked gently.
Nille nodded.
"Mnang Jun's son… Junior. He gave me food and water this morning. I just finished eating."
Doctor Jasmin gave a small approving nod.
"That's good. You need your strength too."
She closed the clipboard and held it to her side, her tone shifting slightly, more personal now.
"We won't be staying long," she said. "We'll be heading back to Manila later today. We just came to check on the patients admitted in this section."
She glanced briefly at Miyako.
"Miyako has a flight scheduled tomorrow. She'll be returning to Japan… and likely won't be back for about six months."
Miyako gave a small, apologetic smile, but it was warm.
"And as for me," Doctor Jasmin continued, "I need to attend a medical seminar and continue my practice in Manila. I have a small clinic there."
There was a short pause.
Then, without making it dramatic, Doctor Jasmin reached into her coat and took out a small paper envelope.
She held it for a second… then gently placed it in Nille's hands.
"As soon as your grandmother wakes up," she said softly, "buy her medicine… and some healthy, nutritious food."
Nille looked at the envelope, confused.
"It's not much," she added quickly. "But… Miyako and I both chipped in. We just wanted to help you a little."
Nille didn't speak.
Doctor Jasmin continued, her voice calm but sincere.
"We heard you're studying at a public school… and that you have excellent grades."
Nille's grip on the envelope tightened slightly.
"Many of your neighbors spoke about you when I was at the clinic," she said. "They told me stories… about how you take care of your grandmother, how hardworking you are."
She gave him a small, meaningful look.
"After hearing all that… I decided to extend a little help."
Her tone softened even more.
"Please take it. And continue being kind… and keep studying."
She reached into her pocket again and handed him a small piece of paper.
"Our contact details," she said. "If you ever need help… don't hesitate to reach out."
Nille stood there silently.
Not because he didn't understand,
But because he did.
Miyako stepped closer, her expression bright despite the exhaustion in her eyes. She raised her hands and formed a small heart with her fingers, smiling at him.
"Benkyou ganbatte… ii hito ni natte ne," she said softly.
Then, in simple English, she added with a gentle nod,
"Study hard… be a good person."
The room was quiet again.
Nille looked down at the envelope in his hands for a long moment.
Then he lifted his eyes, steady, quiet, but searching.
"…Why?" he asked.
It wasn't suspicion.
It wasn't doubt.
It was something simpler.
"Why are you being kind to me?"
For a brief second, Doctor Jasmin didn't answer.
Not because she didn't have one
But because she wanted to say it properly.
She exhaled softly, then met his gaze.
"Because this is what people are supposed to do," she said.
Her tone wasn't dramatic. It was grounded. Real.
"You're doing your part already, Nille. You're studying, taking care of your grandmother, staying out of trouble… that's not easy."
She gestured lightly toward the envelope.
"And sometimes, people who are doing the right thing just need a little support to keep going."
Miyako nodded beside her, her expression gentle.
Doctor Jasmin continued,
"When I was younger, someone helped me too. Not because they had to, but because they believed I could do something with my life."
Her voice softened just slightly.
"I didn't forget that."
She gave him a small, knowing look.
"This isn't charity. It's… passing something forward."
Miyako added quietly,
"And… we are doctors. Helping people is not only our job—it's our responsibility. Even outside the hospital."
There was no exaggeration in her words.
Just truth.
Doctor Jasmin tapped the envelope lightly in Nille's hand.
"So don't overthink it. Just use it well."
For a moment, Nille said nothing.
But something in his expression shifted,
Not confusion anymore.
Understanding.
Doctor Jasmin gave a small nod, then turned, her professional focus returning as naturally as breathing.
"Come on," she said to Miyako. "We still have rounds."
Miyako gave Nille one last small smile before following.
As the two doctors moved down the corridor, their pace steady and familiar, it became clear, this wasn't something new to them.
They had done this before.
And they would do it again.
Every six months, like clockwork, they returned, not for recognition, not for obligation, but because the hospital needed them.
The emergency ward had slowly gained more support over time, but the admitting wing, the newer part of the hospital, still lacked enough staff to handle the growing number of patients.
The building itself reflected that struggle.
A modest, U-shaped, two-floor structure.
Parts of it old, walls worn, paint slightly faded.
And parts of it new, the expanded admitting wing, recently constructed, still carrying the look of fresh concrete and effort.
It was a place caught between what it had been…
And what it was trying to become.
Inside it, footsteps echoed as Doctor Jasmin and Miyako moved from one room to another, checking charts, speaking to patients, adjusting treatments.
No announcements.
No attention.
Just quiet, consistent work.
The kind that keeps places like this alive.
And behind them, in a small room at the edge of that U-shaped corridor,
Nille stood still.
Holding something small in his hands…
That carried far more weight than it looked.
Miyako paused just before stepping out of the room, as if remembering something. She turned back to Nille, her eyes landing on the book still in his hand.
"That folklore book… it's nice," she said with a soft smile. "You Study well, ok"
Her gaze shifted slightly, to the scarf wrapped neatly around his neck.
"And your scarf… it suits you," she added, her tone light but sincere.
Nille gave a small nod, the faintest hint of acknowledgment.
Doctor Jasmin was already by the door. "Take care, Nille," she said, not turning back this time, but her voice carried enough to linger.
And just like that,
They were gone.
No dramatic farewell.
Just footsteps fading into the corridor, blending into the quiet rhythm of the hospital.
Not far from the doorway, behind the thin curtain her maid had drawn for privacy, Lin Meiying stood still.
She had heard more than she was supposed to.
Not everything,
But enough.
Carefully, she lifted a small corner of the curtain and peeked through. Her eyes followed the direction where the two doctors had left… then shifted toward Nille.
There was something she didn't understand.
Why were those doctors… speaking to him like that?
Helping him?
He didn't look like family. He wasn't part of the hospital staff. And yet… they treated him with a kind of quiet respect.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
Nille noticed.
He saw the movement.
Saw her watching.
But he didn't react.
Didn't question it.
Didn't acknowledge it.
Because his attention had already moved somewhere else.
If the elderly man in the other bed didn't survive… things could change.
And Nille understood that.
So he turned away.
Focused.
Back to what mattered.
He crouched slightly and opened the rucksack Miyako had given him.
Inside were several books, thin, lightweight, clearly meant for practical reading rather than heavy study.
He pulled them out one by one.
A first aid manual.
A book about medical tools—their structure, their creation, and their uses.
And another about herbal medicine.
Simple.
Useful.
Intentional.
Then his hand paused.
At the bottom of the bag… was something else.
A small, sealed aluminum alloy box.
Nille picked it up and examined it.
A disposable scalpel set.
Unopened.
He blinked once.
"…She must've forgotten this," he thought.
But before he could set it aside,
The scarf stirred.
"Medical tools…"
The voice was faint.
But clear.
"Medical tools… medical tools…"
It repeated.
Again.
And again.
Nille's eyes narrowed slightly.
Then, without moving his lips, he spoke in his mind.
"Are you interested in the medical tools book?"
There was a pause,
Then the response came. Fragmented. Interconnected.
"Medical tools… me learn… many aluminum… clip boards… make many scalpels… extra weapon… ate monster beads… can craft tools… eat more beads… learn more…"
Nille went still.
The words didn't sound human.
Not fully. but the meaning.
Was clear enough, the scarf wasn't just reacting.
It was… thinking.
Learning. And more importantly, It wanted to.