Chapter LI: Operation
Months pass, yet the pandemic refuses to disappear. What initially feels like a temporary disruption slowly becomes part of everyday life. Weeks become months, and months become years. The virus continues spreading from town to town, city to city, province to province.
Every day, the radio reports new infections. All day long, updates from television and radio broadcast show new statistics as the numbers continue to rise, hospitals remain crowded, and families become worried more. Not just radio and TV, but also through social media. Fear becomes an invisible guest that visits every household.
In Caluipat, life moves forward carefully. People no longer gather the way they used to like in drinking sessions, gambling sessions, and a lot more, well only for the neighbors. Marites or gossipers become quieter, and visits become fewer. Everyone seems cautious whenever another person coughs. Even the simplest activities now come with rules as masks, face shields, alcohol, and distancing are ubiquitous, especially temperature checks.
The entire world appears different, and among those carrying the heaviest burden is Jonn. As a nurse at the Provincial Hospital, he cannot simply stay home. Every morning before sunrise, he prepares for duty, and every evening he returns exhausted. Sometimes he works overtime and sometimes he barely sleeps. Yet he continues since patients keep on arriving continuously and people need help. This is the duty to fight against the widespread transmission of the virus, and it's what doctors and nurses do.
One evening, after removing his protective equipment at the hospital, Jonn stands in front of a mirror. Dark circles have formed beneath his eyes. His shoulders feel heavy and his feet ache. But despite everything, he still reports for work the next day. The pandemic has transformed him into a frontliner and a soldier fighting an invisible enemy. And like every soldier, he carries wounds nobody can see.
Meanwhile, life continues at the Bensmert Store, the small store remains one of the few places where neighbors can buy necessities without traveling far. Supplies and basic necessities are still present such rice, coffee, canned goods, soap, sugar, biscuits, and more. The shelves remain stocked as best as Ben and Meric can manage.
However, the store no longer looks like it once did. A large transparent plastic sheet hangs in front of the counter. Outlining the store window frame, the barrier separates customers from the owners and only a small opening remains below. There is also a tray placed at the counter and beside it rests a towel dampened with alcohol. Every amount either it can be bills or coins, all payments must be sanitized.
Many neighbors dislike it. Some grimace whenever their money is sprayed, and others complain openly. One elderly customer wrinkles his nose.
"You are treating my money like it is infected."
Ben simply smiles.
"We are treating every money as potentially infected."
The man grumbles but eventually accepts it. Health comes first, even if some people refuse to understand. The protocols continue. Masks become mandatory. Visitors are limited.
Even Mark spends most of his time studying at home. School has changed from face to face, to virtual and online. Mark focuses on these learning modules and gets the help from her mom and dad in case if he doesn't understand a thing in it. The world has changed and everyone is trying to adapt.
Then one afternoon, another problem emerges. Jonn returns from duty as usual. The hospital has recently handled exposure cases. Protocols dictate that households exposed to confirmed cases undergo specific observation periods. As can be seen in other posts, especially from the provincial government, all rules and guidance are clear. But not everyone wants to follow science, especially one neighbor.
Irene lives behind their compound and serves as a Barangay Health Worker. Unfortunately, she also has a long history of disagreements with the Quadro-Lamento family, though not verbally or physical, yet disliking their mindset.
Whenever issues arise, she somehow finds herself involved. This time is no different, especially it's the pandemic. She insists the entire compound should undergo another week of quarantine. Upon hearing this, Jonn immediately objects.
"Ate, that is not the guideline."
"It is safer. 11 days nga naiexpose ka ken didiay kaso. (You were exposed to the case 11 days ago.)"
"Haan met ah. (I beg to differ.)," Jonn replies firmly.
"The guideline says 10 days, I'm already in 11 days."
The discussion grows tense, several neighbors quietly listen nearby. Irene refuses to budge yet Jonn explains everything carefully. He cites the proper observation periods and explains the exposure timeline. He also explains the medical recommendations.
Still, Irene remains stubborn. Finally, after a lengthy discussion, a compromise is reached. They could only be in 1 day lockdown, and nothing more. The compound enters temporary lockdown.
Unfortunately, damage has already been done. Rumors spread faster than any virus. A lot of Marites erupts, especially through chats as 'chismis' or gossip always carries nonsense within their Barangay. Some claim the family is infected, and others exaggerate stories. A few even avoid the store. The business slows and trust weakens. And Irene seems completely unaware of the consequences.
Weeks later, another incident occurs. Dalene, Irene's daughter, arrives at the store. She purchases several items and as usual, Meric and Ben sanitize the money with a light spray of alcohol. It's nothing unusual nor personal, just another safety measure. Dalene leaves, and the matter should have ended there. However, it does not.
By evening, trouble arrives. Irene interprets the act differently. According to her, spraying the money is offensive. Before long, her nephew and her live-in partner arrive at the store. They're ferocious, angry, loud, drunk, and aggressive.
Ben immediately senses trouble, so he closes the store window. The men become even angrier. One grabs a large stick. Another pounds against the metal covering. Loud banging echoes inside the store. The entire store shakes, and customers quickly leave. Neighbors peek through windows. Mark freezes inside the house. Meric feels her heart race. The banging continues and the shouting grows louder. For a few terrifying moments, nobody knows what might happen next. But at the end of the day, not just for long, two Barangay Tanods sees them and chases them back to their houses.
Eventually, the conflict reaches the Barangay Hall. The matter is formally discussed. Both sides present their arguments. Irene insists the alcohol treatment is unethical. Ben and Meric explain the safety reasons. They explain contamination, transmission, surface contact, and preventive measures. The Barangay Capitana listens carefully. Then comes the decision. Ben and Meric are correct, their actions are reasonable and the Barangay Capitana does agree with them in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Their actions follow health recommendations. And despite being a Barangay Health Worker, Irene demonstrates a poor understanding of viral transmission.
The decision settles the issue, at least officially. Though the bitterness remains.
Time moves forward, slowly and painfully, and the store gets its groove back again. The calendar eventually reaches 2022. The pandemic remains present, though life gradually begins adjusting.
One day, Mark and Ben return from Conolem. They have attended the funeral of a tribal chieftain who is also one of Mark's great-grandfathers. The trip is long and arduous. The atmosphere remains solemn. Death has become something the family understands all too well. However, another challenge is quietly developing.
For over a year, Meric has been experiencing discomfort. At first she ignores it, then she tolerates it, and simply learns to live with it. But the pain continues and it's always on the left side of her abdomen. The pain sometimes activates mildly, and severely, and enough to wake her up in the night.
One evening, the pain becomes impossible to ignore. She sits down slowly, holding her side and breathing carefully. Ben immediately notices.
"Ma, you need a doctor."
Meric nods and for once, she does not argue.
The next day, Ben brings her to Northside Hospital. The building feels cold yet clinical and quiet. Doctors begin to run some tests on her. They ask questions and machines scan her body. Hours pass while Ben waits outside each of the room she goes.
Then the results arrive. Findings would reveal that Meric have a gallbladder stone, which is large. Due to this, she requires surgery. Meric stares silently at the report. The reality sinks in. She feels another battle approaching, inside the hospital, as there will be an operation.
That evening, Ben returns home temporarily. Mark waits anxiously, and Raffy and Reina remain unusually quiet. Even the dogs seem to sense something is wrong. Mark asks endless questions.
"Daddy, will Mommy be okay?"
"Will she come home soon?"
Ben answers as honestly as he can.
"Haanka madanagan, Balong. (Don't worry, Son.) She will be alright."
He hopes it is true.
Surgery day arrives and Meric lies on the hospital bed. Machines beep nearby and doctors move around her. Nurses prepare equipment, and the atmosphere feels strangely familiar. It reminds her of another hospital experience many years ago, when Mark was born and she underwent a Caesarean section. The memories flood back with all the fear, uncertainty, determination, and love.
However, Meric suddenly sleeps. Meanwhile, back home, Mark kneels in prayer as his hands are clasped tightly, his eyes remain closed, and he prays harder than he has in a long time. He kneels in front the centuries-old bronze crucifix next to his Lelang Tory's Ti Librok dagiti Estoria iti Biblia.
Inside the operating room, the procedure begins. The surgeons work carefully, methodically and professionally. Meric is asleep. They put a large tube to suck the gallbladder stone out, but it can't. In doing so, they don't have any other option than to make an incision. The gallbladder is removed, then the reason for years of pain becomes visible. The massive gallstone is there, nearly the size of a mango seed. Even the medical staff are impressed by its size, no wonder she has suffered for so long.
Meric drifts in and out of consciousness, yet she is asleep. She doesn't feel the pain, yet in her dream, she hears a voice.
"Kayam deta, Mayyang! (You can do it, Mayyang!)".
She already knows who it is, and it's her mother. Mercy's strong will and hard work for the family, even at hard times, she knows how to go through things. The countless times she endured suffering for her family. She also remembers the time when Mercy and Rico found out that Meric has a heart condition. Mercy cried, and asked Meric,
"Apay kasta metten, anakko? (Why is it like that, my child?)"
Meric knows that even if she has a heart problem, she doesn't back down from a fight. She knows her mother's sacrifices, and she needs to recover and fight as well for her own family. For Ben, for Mark, and for her two dogs. The memory gives Meric strength. If her mother could endure so much, then she can endure this too.
As she wakes up, Meric is shocked to find about the incision, and a certain Dr. Agdeppa tells her about it, explaining the process on why the large tube didn't continue.
Ben comes to see her, and he explains to her that there is discount for the surgery plus a donation by the humble congressman from Cabu-angao.
Day after day, healing progresses. The stitches remain tender yet movement remains difficult. But every morning feels slightly better than the one before. The doctors are satisfied and the nurses are pleased.
Several weeks later, discharge finally comes. With relief, Meric can go home. The news immediately lifts everyone's spirits. Mark practically counts the hours, and Ben prepares everything. The house feels excited again.
When Meric finally arrives home, the welcome is immediate. Raffy rushes forward first, his tail wags furiously. Reina follows closely behind. The two dogs practically dance around her. Mark embraces her carefully, afraid of hurting her. Yet unable to hide his happiness. Ben simply smiles or relief. One he has been waiting weeks to show.
Meric hugs her son, then her husband, then gently pets the dogs. She is finally home, still healing, recovering, and needing rest. And for now, that is enough.
The afternoon sunlight slowly pours into the house. The family sits together, talking quietly, and laughing softly. They are appreciating the simple blessing of being together. Unseen by mortal eyes, two figures stand nearby. It's Mercy and Conching, who are watching and smiling. They are happy to see the family continuing forward, another hardship overcome, and that despite loss, despite sickness, despite uncertainty, the people they love continue living.
And as the golden sunlight fills the room, the two spirits quietly remain there watching, protecting, remembering and smiling.