Chapter 30: Wounds

Soon, they got out of the tent and went to the central tent.

"This is where… Eugene is supposed to be?" She asked.

"Go in, Alicia," Haru smiled softly. "You can meet him there."

Although unsure about it, Alicia stepped inside the central tent and saw the huge stage in front of her.

And there, she saw Eugene running around healthily, enjoying himself.

He's with Alicia as well.

The images showed the real Alicia how blissful the scenario she wants to play out in real life.

A few years ago, in a house in Manila where Alicia and his son reside…

Eugene has grown up a little.

Alicia took out the thermometer from his son and glanced at the 38° Celsius temperature. Eugene laid at the bed, shivering under a thick blanket.

"Hmm… this is the third day already," Alicia shook her head with a worried face. "Why isn't your fever going down? We've done everything already."

"Maybe it's the honey blend you made me drink."

"What do you mean? That was delicious, you know!"

"Mom, it wasn't. Made me feel worse!"

"Oh, so you still have something to say about my blend, huh!" She grinned.

"Hey mom! You can't tickle me!" He giggled. "I'm sick! Hahaha!"

The next day, Alicia finally brought Eugene to the hospital when his fever wouldn't subside.

"Mom, it's just a fever!" Eugene insisted. "I'll just sleep and it'll get better!"

"Why do you hate hospitals so much?!"

"It costs a lot! You're gonna overwork yourself again!"

"Hey, that's not a kid's problem! Now come on! Let's not waste our doctor's appointment!"

Eugene groaned and reluctantly went with her mother.

The check-up began and the doctor named Reyes reviewed the child's medical background and took into account the persisting fever.

Dr. Reyes decided to prescribe usual medicines and routines for fever and advised them to return if the fever continues.

Two days after their visit to the doctor, Eugene had finally recovered and was back to playing and studying again.

However, a week later, Eugene got a fever again.

"Is there some kind of infectious virus going on right now?" Alicia worriedly asked Dr. Reyes, returning at once, having a strong feeling that something is wrong. "I immediately booked an appointment with you since you're the one who handled his fever before, so I thought you must know something."

Dr. Reyes seems to ponder this longer, staring at Eugene's medical history. In the end, the doctor concluded that Eugene ought to stay in the hospital for further observation.

Alicia reluctantly agreed and quickly set up the confinement issues.

Going back home, 'The doctor must have some inkling set. I wonder what that is?' She thought.

In the hospital, Dr. Reyes greeted Eugene warmly.

"Are you comfortable here right now?"

Eugene nodded, "Yeah! I'm totally okay!"

The doctor ruffled the boy's hair, "You're so brave, aren't you? You even told your mom to go home and not to worry, even though she insisted on taking care of you until tomorrow."

Eugene looked down. "Mom tends to overwork herself for me. That's why I don't want her worrying excessively."

"How very considerate."

"Uhm, doctor!"

"Yes?"

"We've always avoided hospitals because it costs a lot, so I seldom see doctors, but I've always heard about you from my teachers! And I also read about them in the books!"

"Really?"

"Are there a lot of amazing doctors like you? And are all doctors like you too?"

Dr. Reyes responded in silence for a few seconds, wondering if he should entertain the child's question personally.

He usually lies in these kinds of moments to keep off his work from life very distantly.

But somehow, he felt that the boy's firm and honest eyes wouldn't let him off the hook with just a half-hearted response.

"To be honest, not all doctors are amazing and are like me. Some doctors are bad. They could be dishonest, prejudiced, and pretentious. And they'd often make mistakes. Sometimes, I'm also the same as them. That's because they're--we're humans too. But generally, doctors are amazing like you said, Eugene. Doctors save lives, treat wounds, and rehabilitate injuries. When people are sick and hurt, they're usually at their lowest. And doctors take all these in with a professional face and a brave heart."

Eugene stared at Dr. Reyes in awe.

He thought that he looked awesome and genuine.

It was ever since that day that Eugene admired doctors and aspired to be one.

After assuring that the child was comfortable in the hospital and in his bed, Dr. Reyes went back to his desk and reviewed Eugene's condition once more.

He stared at it a bit longer and massaged his forehead.

"Dealing with this… is always heart-breaking."

The next day, Dr. Reyes finally made the call to Alicia.

"There's something we need to talk about, madam."