Having listened to Good Times with Mo (Twister) the Podcast inspired me to once again scribble my notes to writing significant events that transpired in my life. I would say, I am more of a story teller rather than a writer so let me tell you of a story that happened on a sunny day of July 16, 2011, a Saturday.
I got off from ICU 10 minutes past 8am from my usual 11pm-8am shift, worn out, exhausted and left weighing things over if I will push through with the planned activity with Aizza, a friend and a colleague; her Palestinian boyfriend, Muyyad and another close Filipino male friend and churchmate and confidante, Rico. I told myself that if Rico will back out and will tell me he's tired from work (he's from 12midnight-8am shift), then I, too will not go.
As soon as I arrived at my flat, I promptly grabbed my netbook and found Aizza online. It's her day off and told me via YM that everything was prepared including that of a car rented by Muyyad ready for this journey. Now, the final say: Rico has to tell me he's drop dead and freakin' tired he can't make it! Unexpectedly, it was the other way around! He texted that he's all dressed up for the "party" and was ready for this "once in a lifetime" adventure. Needless to say that I didn't give a second thought and proceeded with my usual immediate-after-duty bath and made ready for the late morning road trip.
It was quarter past 9am when Muyyad came in his rented Hyundai accent 2010 model. Packed with bottled water, our choice of junk foods and some pepsi in can, we jumped in the car and off we go. We proceeded to Rico's place who was at the pharmacy of Dammam Medical Dispensary waiting in his stunning yellow shirt. We were in our innate festive spirit as we greeted each other. We even bursted to laughter as we listen to each other's seemingly funny jokes. We were heading towards Khobar area while we listen to a variety of music provided by the local FM radio. Since we haven't had breakfast, we decided to stop over at a pastry store in Khobar, named Abumaheer. Pizza was also served there and cooked through a conventional oven so the crust was perfectly made. The toppings of our choices were simple- cheese, bacon and a variety of vegetables. The pizza comes with pastries. They also serve fresh juices. Muyyad ordered apple juice for all of us, of which I courteously declined because I never really drink apple juice before. By the way, I don't eat apple, that's why. But he insisted it was good and healthy. So Rico, Muyyad and I grabbed a medium sized apple juice while Aizza had melon juice. We also bought more soda in the same store. We then went back to the car sipping our juices in a minute or two because it was indeed one of the best we ever tasted! And so we continued on our journey towards the east where the only things we see were few cars and buildings, sand and the seas. Indeed, we're having a great time!
We actually planned to go visit Fanateer, near Jubail in the Eastern Region but according to Muyyad, it will take us few hours more at a speed of 140kph drive and it's already 10:30am! He was driving, by the way; Rico, at the passenger seat while Aizza and I were at the back seat. Aizza was busy taking video on her iPhone while sleep started creeping on me. I tried to stay awake, however, for me to witness the beauty of nature along the way. And along the way, we spotted a good place to stop over - a beach! We made a u-turn and unpacked our things in a shade built just along the shore. Of course, moment like this I really won't let it pass by without taking pictures. So I pulled out my 12.1 mp sony digicam from my pink Eastpack mailbag and started clicking on to the best and not so best poses I can capture.
We decided to frolick under the heat of the sun. But the Arabian sea was so inviting that Muyyad, who was, well, "not so well prepared", with his extra shirt and shorts, promptly removed his shirt and off he dipped into the sea. Aizza, being too adventurous at the age of 24, didn't think twice and ran a few meter towards the light blue sea in her pink shirt and dark green shorts and joined Muyyad. Rico was tempted to go after them but first asked me if it's ok to go swimming. I consented because I knew it was his dream to go swimming in Saudi Arabia and today his dream will be fulfilled! He didn't have extra shirt or shorts but he dive in anyway.
I was left on that shady place and thought of catching some sleep while they all swim. Muyyad brought a little pillow and a rectangular foamy bed which they call jambiah in Arabic. Not so tired, but a bit sleepy, I laid down on the jambiah, put my headset on, and listened to my favorite music on my MP4 at its almost maximum volume and under the scorching heat of the sun plus the humid wind that can blew all lightweight materials, tried to catch at least a quarter hour of a much deprived sleep but I just can't find the needed rest. So Instead of forcing myself to get sedated, I got up, took my cam and captured all our moments at the beach! No, I don't mean me swimming! I mean, I joined my friends at the beach on my long black leggings and pink Nike tee taking pictures, and I was all wet up to my knee high.
It took us at least an hour long on that part of our world. A world which we've felt wasn't the safest but a refuge from our freedomless environment. Honestly, we were afraid that if a Mottawa (a religious police) will see us going out with the opposite sex, not our husband or wife, then it'll be mushkeela (big problem) for all of us! More so, that we weren't on our abaya (the long black dress Arab women wear) while at the beach. If caught, we might end up in jail the least or be sent home the worst. But as "pasaway" as we are, or should I use the word DISOBEDIENT, or of its lightest counterpart "ADVENTUROUS", or say, DRIVEN (?) took all the risks of this travel and tried to live a real LIFE at that moment.
11:45am- we wanted more! A jet ski! So we left the place and wanted to drive farther for more thrill. But due to the heat, probably at a temperature of 45-48 degree celcius (113-118 in Fahrenheit), we all agreed to drop by at a nearby small supermarket, called Bacala, to get cold bottled water and more chips. Muyyad and myself got down from the car and we both entered the store and picked everything we needed. I wanted to pay but as gentleman as he is and always, he paid everything. When we're about to leave the place, two young men came near the store in their motorbike! Motorbikes are for rent in the nearby place and so, instead of pushing through with the jet ski plan, we all agreed to do motorbiking instead. Motorbikes are rented at 20 rials each. So we drove to that place and got more excited of our never ending fun and adventures. There were at least 50 motorbikes for rent and the old, skinny guy at the shady little hut who was in charge was awakened when we arrived. Muyyad talked to him in Arabic trying to get a discount but he didn't get any so he paid him 80 rials for the 4 of us and as soon as he got paid, I jumped off that elevated shady little dirty hut, chose one bike best suited for my size (there were small, medium and large sizes but for me, all were but one and the same, except maybe that some were new and some were kinda' well used) and tried it on the very first motorbike I saw. Rico got his and Muyyad also. Aizza was a bit hesitant to start hers so Muyyad has to orient her a bit with the mechanism of that little 3-wheeled vehicle. Me? The soonest I got into the bike, I started driving fast. But Muyyad stopped me and taught me to maneuver and all. So I restarted and drove fast-again! Rico was behind me, driving slowly and carefully. We're heading towards west where the strong wind was blowing sands and sands were getting into our eyes so we decided to go back. Still driving fast and Rico still behind me, I drove at my highest adrenaline level, imagining I am Angelina Jolie in the movie Salt (see how full of cracks I am?)! Rico warned me to take it slow but I was already set to driving swiftly. At the end of the road , I straightway made a left turn. It was too late to slow down and there it was! A wrong turn, indeed! The moment I turned left, I was outbalanced and fell from the motorbike and heard myself banged on the asphalted road. I rolled over and heard no more. Still conscious, however, I managed to get up as fast as I could but was dizzy and in so much pain. Rico and Muyyad came to my rescue. They asked if I'm ok and said I was, but I knew I'm not! They carried me to the car and we all left the place in no time. I was talking the whole time trying to stay alert and awake. But I started feeling cold and clammy. Rico, who looked anxious, afraid, confused and worried, said "you looked pale". I closed my eyes and made a quick physical assessment on myself, trying to remember all my readings and lectures on neurological nursing. I wasn't feeling dizzy or nauseated. But my left occipital area was soft to touch and in pain. My left leg was numbed. My left ankle was bruised and my left arm was swollen. Only then that worry enveloped me. Will I undergo CT scan? Do I have a skull fracture? Will I be able to walk again? How about my kids? As I looked at Rico who witnessed the whole thing and have seen it all, at Muyyad who suddenly became silent and at Aizza who was trying to be strong for all of us, only then that guilt encircled me. Muyyad said it was his fault bringing us to that place but no! It was mine, being too careless and aggressive. Aizza said it was her fault, too. Should she not insisted on the jetski, then we should not have ended motorbiking instead. Everybody now feels some degree of guilt but it's nobody's fault, I positively reiterated. It was an accident! But deep inside, I knew I was the culprit.
Muyyad, who suddenly changed from being jolly to gloomy, asked me which hospital we should go to. I told him to bring me to the hospital where Aizza and I work so I could get a sick leave. Aizza, who's sitting beside me on my right, was trying to withhold her tears. She've always been "soft" when it comes to emotions, contrary to what other people knew and think of her. And in the verge of my mishap, I was whispering at her giving her instructions not to tell anyone of the nature of my accident. I have personal reason, not work related, why I refused to let anyone knew about it and I refuse to write in this blog the reason behind the soon-to-be controversial story. And I beg my readers not to ask me about the matter.
We dropped by at a McDonald's store along the way. Muyyad works at McDonald's as a store manager and he knows almost all of the stores in the Eastern region having been assigned to different stores in this part of Saudi Arabia. He entered the store and came back with a bag of ice cubes. Immediately, I wrapped a fistful of ice cubes in my purple hand towel and placed it on my head. Couldn't feel any relief but I can feel the affected part getting a constricting sensation. I kept observing myself of any symptoms like nausea or any dizzy spells but after 30 minutes, I couldn't feel any neurological change. I knew I'm ok. Rico said he wanted to give me a blessing (of the sick) but can't at that moment. So I called my friend and Elder's Quorum President, Evan Glassett but he 's not picking up his phone. After all, it was office hours when I called. So I dialled Steve Funk's number instead. Steve is the husband of Sheri, my visiting teacher. He also is the 1st counselor in the branch presidency. I told him the whole thing of which I asked him if it's ok to receive a blessing that day. He affirmatively said he'll find another priesthood holder to assist him. The soonest I put down the phone, Evan called back and told him the same thing. He said he will come to give me the needed blessings and comfort. I was relieved!
We arrived at the emergency room of our hospital, the Dammam Medical Complex at about 1:20pm. Aizza immediately got off the car, took my iqama (residence ID) and got me an ER number. She knew ER protocol very well since she worked there for 6 months. Rico assisted me the whole time. I was in pain and can't barely walk. Oh, I just felt so lucky to have him be my "crutches" that time. Not all of his girl-friends has that privelege hahaha. I was told to proceed to the female ER where there were at least 10 more patients waiting so I instructed Aizza to tell Rico to go home so he could get a rest and some sleep. He will have duty that night and he's tired and sleepless either. Besides, men were not allowed at the female ER so Muyyad brought Rico home and Aizza and I were left at the female ER. I had a quick nap while I waited for my turn. It was past 4pm when I was attended to by Dr. Walaa. I was told to have skull and lumbar X-rays. Both have normal results and was prescribed Voltaren 1 ampule IM but due to fear of injection, I took the ampule and put it in my pocket and told the nurse I will ask Aizza to inject it on me if pain will be unbearable. Paracetamol 1 gram tablet and Voltaren tablet was added as my PRN (as necessary) meds plus a day sick leave. Aizza questioned the doctor's order of a day sickleave but it's an ER protocol. Should I need more, then I have to go to the employee's clinic the next day for additional and longer number of days of sick leave.
4:30pm- Got my ER sickleave notification and have to submit it to ICU where I work. Aizza processed the whole thing. First, she called Muyyad, who lives across the hospital, came to ER then drove us to the medical tower, the building where our ICU is located. Why drive? Two things:1) I can't walk and 2) the distance between ER and ICU is as far as, in my fair mathematical calculation, 250 meters. Besides, getting a sick leave in our department is terrible like, there's a lot of papers to fill in, etc. Aizza went to the nursing office to get a sickleave form while I waited in the car with Muyyad infront of the dental clinic. There, while parked, me sitting at the back and muyyad at the driver's seat, mam Carmen (Ciudad) and mam Luz (Quiamco) saw us and smiled at me while they walked through going back to the hostel. After getting the form at the nursing office, we went back to ER with Joyce, who just came from duty and was invited by Aizza to go with us in the car. But decided to go home when she reached ER. The ER doctor then signed the sickleave form, then we drove back to the medical tower, then Aizza went to ICU, submitted my sickleave form and finally, alleluia, it was done! Whew! What a protocol!
It was 5:15pm and we were hungry! I told Muyyad to bring us to a restaurant where we can have dinner before going home to rest and sleep. Besides, the cafeteria wasn't open yet (and even if it's open, I seldom go there to eat) plus the fact that I can no longer go out from the hostel after declaring my sick leave so he drove us to Khobar to have us dine at a Thai Resto where "real foods" were served. While driving towards Khobar, I called Evan and dropped the idea of a priesthood blessing because I thought I was perfectly okay. Evan reminded me once again that should I need help or any assistance, I should not hesitate to call back. We arrived in Khobar before prayertime and even in my most painful situation, I managed to walk 15 meters from the parking area to the restaurant. It's in there where I took my first dose of Diclofenac and Paracetamol tabs. We stayed til 7:35pm. On our way home, I started to fall asleep.
I was awakened when we made the right turn at MMG building. But between MMG building and our hostel will take at least 10-15 more minutes so I went back to my slumber. After 10 minutes, I was awakened with Muyyad's voice, calling my name. As I slowly opened my eyes, saw blinking lights infront of the car and heard Aizza who was sitting at the passenger seat infront, saying "Ate, naaksidente tayo" (Ate, we had an accident). I looked at Muyyad, hold his face by my left hand and asked him who he was and where we came from. He said my lips has blood in it, my right cheek has bruises and blood was dripping on my cheek but I couldn't feel anything. Then he started to cry and told Aizza I can't remember who he was! At the back of mind, however, I vividly remember 3 names- Knycole, Kryztl and Rico! Other than that, I couldn't remember anything. The next thing I knew, I was lying on a bed and heard Rico on the left side of the bed saying, "Gie, andito na ako". I remembered saying "Rico?" then I fall asleep again. When I woke up, I was at the female ER and saw Aizza sitting at the foot of my bed. Friends and colleagues were there, too. But up to that point, I was clueless of what really happened. Things were so unclear! The only thing I knew was we had an accident! But detailwise, I was innocent.
There were info coming in and out but things aren't sinking in. I was observing and looking at and talking to people but all of the things around me seem like a dream. After staying at the female ER for 2 hours, I was finally declared safe and free from confinement and can go home and rest. Rose, another colleague and a friend who were with 5 other friends, came from an interrupted sleep opted to stay while the others (after having known everything was well) went home to prepare for their night duty. She and Aizza assisted me to the wheelchair and brought us to Mudeer Munawa, the hospital director on duty. He has with him our iqama and told us we're free from police questionings and other interrogations and that he cleared us from the hospital director and that we're free to go home. And as the Arabic saying goes. "Al Hamdullilah!"
But where's Rico and Muyyad?.............Didn't you know that the only time I got back to my real self was when I saw Muyyad and Rico again after 3 days? Yes, after 3 days, the 4 of us got reunited again at McDonald's Bin Khaldoun store and that's the only time I was able to gather my thoughts and senses - that's the very time I came to know of the reallity and the severity of the accident and the other misfortunes that go with it.
Rico WASN'T with us during the accident. He went back home after he brought us to ER at about 2pm. Out of confusion, however, Aizza called him that night to inform him of what happened. He then insisted to come to the hospital. When the police saw him talking to me while I was at the Xray room, they took his iqama and was asked to go with them. He can't speak Arabic and can't express his side of the story. All the while, the police thought he was with us. There were mixed emotions as he dealt with his own adversities. While waiting for the police to give back his iqama, the red crescent (ambulance) driver told him to go with him and in his cluttered mind, entered into the ambulance car and the driver brought him to Khobar area asking him personal questions along the way. All the while, he thought that the driver knew where to get his iqama. He tried to call Aizza but he ran out of load and even asked the driver to lend him his phone. Aizza informed him that the police got back to the hospital and they were looking for him so they could give him back his ID so he asked the ambulance driver to turn back and lucky enough, he was brought back to the hospital safe and unharmed. He got back his iqama and went back home the soonest. That's the very time I saw him on a hurry and looked disoriented. He said it's not safe there and he's going home, he still have his duty that night. He said he will call and will get updates.
Muyyad, on the other hand, was taken by the police. He was put in jail for 6 hours. He was questioned why he was with women, not his wife and has to answer the totally wrecked rented car, the red crescent car he bumped into and the other car that was parked near the ambulance's GMC car that sustained minor injury. Lucky enough, they let go of him between 2:30-3am the next day.
That day when I saw him again and it was a Wednesday, July 20, I gave him a hug knowing we are still alive and intact as friends. He told us of his emotional battles, his painful experiences with the police, the fear of being put back in jail, the hefty amount he was about to pay for all the damages and more so, the blame of being a careless driver. I have to assure him it's no one's fault and we should be thankful to God, to Allah (to him being a Muslim) that we were there that day celebrating life.
Its been 3 weeks since that topsy turvy day. Physical pain has subsided and eventually, will totally fade in time but the emotional cut that goes with the surreality of that experience will remain. We've been judged harshly, we've been talked about, we've been tried by the secret publicity of wrong informations, we're the issue in the entire desperate Filipino (and other nationalities, to be fair)community in the hospital, we've been looked down by the seemingly innocent and righteous individuals. In other words, up to this day, we're still THE BOMB that dropped deadly in the silent worlds of the paparazzis! Mind you, the issue is slowly getting out from the hot spot but in the mind of those who thought themselves as if they were the affected parties, the drama remains
Oh well, I have said much! And my parting words will be this: Bring us in or bring us down! The experience gave us a new life and to Muyyad, Rico and Aizza: YOU ROCK!!!!! Cheers to new LIFE!!!
I got off from ICU 10 minutes past 8am from my usual 11pm-8am shift, worn out, exhausted and left weighing things over if I will push through with the planned activity with Aizza, a friend and a colleague; her Palestinian boyfriend, Muyyad and another close Filipino male friend and churchmate and confidante, Rico. I told myself that if Rico will back out and will tell me he's tired from work (he's from 12midnight-8am shift), then I, too will not go.
As soon as I arrived at my flat, I promptly grabbed my netbook and found Aizza online. It's her day off and told me via YM that everything was prepared including that of a car rented by Muyyad ready for this journey. Now, the final say: Rico has to tell me he's drop dead and freakin' tired he can't make it! Unexpectedly, it was the other way around! He texted that he's all dressed up for the "party" and was ready for this "once in a lifetime" adventure. Needless to say that I didn't give a second thought and proceeded with my usual immediate-after-duty bath and made ready for the late morning road trip.
It was quarter past 9am when Muyyad came in his rented Hyundai accent 2010 model. Packed with bottled water, our choice of junk foods and some pepsi in can, we jumped in the car and off we go. We proceeded to Rico's place who was at the pharmacy of Dammam Medical Dispensary waiting in his stunning yellow shirt. We were in our innate festive spirit as we greeted each other. We even bursted to laughter as we listen to each other's seemingly funny jokes. We were heading towards Khobar area while we listen to a variety of music provided by the local FM radio. Since we haven't had breakfast, we decided to stop over at a pastry store in Khobar, named Abumaheer. Pizza was also served there and cooked through a conventional oven so the crust was perfectly made. The toppings of our choices were simple- cheese, bacon and a variety of vegetables. The pizza comes with pastries. They also serve fresh juices. Muyyad ordered apple juice for all of us, of which I courteously declined because I never really drink apple juice before. By the way, I don't eat apple, that's why. But he insisted it was good and healthy. So Rico, Muyyad and I grabbed a medium sized apple juice while Aizza had melon juice. We also bought more soda in the same store. We then went back to the car sipping our juices in a minute or two because it was indeed one of the best we ever tasted! And so we continued on our journey towards the east where the only things we see were few cars and buildings, sand and the seas. Indeed, we're having a great time!
We actually planned to go visit Fanateer, near Jubail in the Eastern Region but according to Muyyad, it will take us few hours more at a speed of 140kph drive and it's already 10:30am! He was driving, by the way; Rico, at the passenger seat while Aizza and I were at the back seat. Aizza was busy taking video on her iPhone while sleep started creeping on me. I tried to stay awake, however, for me to witness the beauty of nature along the way. And along the way, we spotted a good place to stop over - a beach! We made a u-turn and unpacked our things in a shade built just along the shore. Of course, moment like this I really won't let it pass by without taking pictures. So I pulled out my 12.1 mp sony digicam from my pink Eastpack mailbag and started clicking on to the best and not so best poses I can capture.
We decided to frolick under the heat of the sun. But the Arabian sea was so inviting that Muyyad, who was, well, "not so well prepared", with his extra shirt and shorts, promptly removed his shirt and off he dipped into the sea. Aizza, being too adventurous at the age of 24, didn't think twice and ran a few meter towards the light blue sea in her pink shirt and dark green shorts and joined Muyyad. Rico was tempted to go after them but first asked me if it's ok to go swimming. I consented because I knew it was his dream to go swimming in Saudi Arabia and today his dream will be fulfilled! He didn't have extra shirt or shorts but he dive in anyway.
I was left on that shady place and thought of catching some sleep while they all swim. Muyyad brought a little pillow and a rectangular foamy bed which they call jambiah in Arabic. Not so tired, but a bit sleepy, I laid down on the jambiah, put my headset on, and listened to my favorite music on my MP4 at its almost maximum volume and under the scorching heat of the sun plus the humid wind that can blew all lightweight materials, tried to catch at least a quarter hour of a much deprived sleep but I just can't find the needed rest. So Instead of forcing myself to get sedated, I got up, took my cam and captured all our moments at the beach! No, I don't mean me swimming! I mean, I joined my friends at the beach on my long black leggings and pink Nike tee taking pictures, and I was all wet up to my knee high.
It took us at least an hour long on that part of our world. A world which we've felt wasn't the safest but a refuge from our freedomless environment. Honestly, we were afraid that if a Mottawa (a religious police) will see us going out with the opposite sex, not our husband or wife, then it'll be mushkeela (big problem) for all of us! More so, that we weren't on our abaya (the long black dress Arab women wear) while at the beach. If caught, we might end up in jail the least or be sent home the worst. But as "pasaway" as we are, or should I use the word DISOBEDIENT, or of its lightest counterpart "ADVENTUROUS", or say, DRIVEN (?) took all the risks of this travel and tried to live a real LIFE at that moment.
11:45am- we wanted more! A jet ski! So we left the place and wanted to drive farther for more thrill. But due to the heat, probably at a temperature of 45-48 degree celcius (113-118 in Fahrenheit), we all agreed to drop by at a nearby small supermarket, called Bacala, to get cold bottled water and more chips. Muyyad and myself got down from the car and we both entered the store and picked everything we needed. I wanted to pay but as gentleman as he is and always, he paid everything. When we're about to leave the place, two young men came near the store in their motorbike! Motorbikes are for rent in the nearby place and so, instead of pushing through with the jet ski plan, we all agreed to do motorbiking instead. Motorbikes are rented at 20 rials each. So we drove to that place and got more excited of our never ending fun and adventures. There were at least 50 motorbikes for rent and the old, skinny guy at the shady little hut who was in charge was awakened when we arrived. Muyyad talked to him in Arabic trying to get a discount but he didn't get any so he paid him 80 rials for the 4 of us and as soon as he got paid, I jumped off that elevated shady little dirty hut, chose one bike best suited for my size (there were small, medium and large sizes but for me, all were but one and the same, except maybe that some were new and some were kinda' well used) and tried it on the very first motorbike I saw. Rico got his and Muyyad also. Aizza was a bit hesitant to start hers so Muyyad has to orient her a bit with the mechanism of that little 3-wheeled vehicle. Me? The soonest I got into the bike, I started driving fast. But Muyyad stopped me and taught me to maneuver and all. So I restarted and drove fast-again! Rico was behind me, driving slowly and carefully. We're heading towards west where the strong wind was blowing sands and sands were getting into our eyes so we decided to go back. Still driving fast and Rico still behind me, I drove at my highest adrenaline level, imagining I am Angelina Jolie in the movie Salt (see how full of cracks I am?)! Rico warned me to take it slow but I was already set to driving swiftly. At the end of the road , I straightway made a left turn. It was too late to slow down and there it was! A wrong turn, indeed! The moment I turned left, I was outbalanced and fell from the motorbike and heard myself banged on the asphalted road. I rolled over and heard no more. Still conscious, however, I managed to get up as fast as I could but was dizzy and in so much pain. Rico and Muyyad came to my rescue. They asked if I'm ok and said I was, but I knew I'm not! They carried me to the car and we all left the place in no time. I was talking the whole time trying to stay alert and awake. But I started feeling cold and clammy. Rico, who looked anxious, afraid, confused and worried, said "you looked pale". I closed my eyes and made a quick physical assessment on myself, trying to remember all my readings and lectures on neurological nursing. I wasn't feeling dizzy or nauseated. But my left occipital area was soft to touch and in pain. My left leg was numbed. My left ankle was bruised and my left arm was swollen. Only then that worry enveloped me. Will I undergo CT scan? Do I have a skull fracture? Will I be able to walk again? How about my kids? As I looked at Rico who witnessed the whole thing and have seen it all, at Muyyad who suddenly became silent and at Aizza who was trying to be strong for all of us, only then that guilt encircled me. Muyyad said it was his fault bringing us to that place but no! It was mine, being too careless and aggressive. Aizza said it was her fault, too. Should she not insisted on the jetski, then we should not have ended motorbiking instead. Everybody now feels some degree of guilt but it's nobody's fault, I positively reiterated. It was an accident! But deep inside, I knew I was the culprit.
Muyyad, who suddenly changed from being jolly to gloomy, asked me which hospital we should go to. I told him to bring me to the hospital where Aizza and I work so I could get a sick leave. Aizza, who's sitting beside me on my right, was trying to withhold her tears. She've always been "soft" when it comes to emotions, contrary to what other people knew and think of her. And in the verge of my mishap, I was whispering at her giving her instructions not to tell anyone of the nature of my accident. I have personal reason, not work related, why I refused to let anyone knew about it and I refuse to write in this blog the reason behind the soon-to-be controversial story. And I beg my readers not to ask me about the matter.
We dropped by at a McDonald's store along the way. Muyyad works at McDonald's as a store manager and he knows almost all of the stores in the Eastern region having been assigned to different stores in this part of Saudi Arabia. He entered the store and came back with a bag of ice cubes. Immediately, I wrapped a fistful of ice cubes in my purple hand towel and placed it on my head. Couldn't feel any relief but I can feel the affected part getting a constricting sensation. I kept observing myself of any symptoms like nausea or any dizzy spells but after 30 minutes, I couldn't feel any neurological change. I knew I'm ok. Rico said he wanted to give me a blessing (of the sick) but can't at that moment. So I called my friend and Elder's Quorum President, Evan Glassett but he 's not picking up his phone. After all, it was office hours when I called. So I dialled Steve Funk's number instead. Steve is the husband of Sheri, my visiting teacher. He also is the 1st counselor in the branch presidency. I told him the whole thing of which I asked him if it's ok to receive a blessing that day. He affirmatively said he'll find another priesthood holder to assist him. The soonest I put down the phone, Evan called back and told him the same thing. He said he will come to give me the needed blessings and comfort. I was relieved!
We arrived at the emergency room of our hospital, the Dammam Medical Complex at about 1:20pm. Aizza immediately got off the car, took my iqama (residence ID) and got me an ER number. She knew ER protocol very well since she worked there for 6 months. Rico assisted me the whole time. I was in pain and can't barely walk. Oh, I just felt so lucky to have him be my "crutches" that time. Not all of his girl-friends has that privelege hahaha. I was told to proceed to the female ER where there were at least 10 more patients waiting so I instructed Aizza to tell Rico to go home so he could get a rest and some sleep. He will have duty that night and he's tired and sleepless either. Besides, men were not allowed at the female ER so Muyyad brought Rico home and Aizza and I were left at the female ER. I had a quick nap while I waited for my turn. It was past 4pm when I was attended to by Dr. Walaa. I was told to have skull and lumbar X-rays. Both have normal results and was prescribed Voltaren 1 ampule IM but due to fear of injection, I took the ampule and put it in my pocket and told the nurse I will ask Aizza to inject it on me if pain will be unbearable. Paracetamol 1 gram tablet and Voltaren tablet was added as my PRN (as necessary) meds plus a day sick leave. Aizza questioned the doctor's order of a day sickleave but it's an ER protocol. Should I need more, then I have to go to the employee's clinic the next day for additional and longer number of days of sick leave.
4:30pm- Got my ER sickleave notification and have to submit it to ICU where I work. Aizza processed the whole thing. First, she called Muyyad, who lives across the hospital, came to ER then drove us to the medical tower, the building where our ICU is located. Why drive? Two things:1) I can't walk and 2) the distance between ER and ICU is as far as, in my fair mathematical calculation, 250 meters. Besides, getting a sick leave in our department is terrible like, there's a lot of papers to fill in, etc. Aizza went to the nursing office to get a sickleave form while I waited in the car with Muyyad infront of the dental clinic. There, while parked, me sitting at the back and muyyad at the driver's seat, mam Carmen (Ciudad) and mam Luz (Quiamco) saw us and smiled at me while they walked through going back to the hostel. After getting the form at the nursing office, we went back to ER with Joyce, who just came from duty and was invited by Aizza to go with us in the car. But decided to go home when she reached ER. The ER doctor then signed the sickleave form, then we drove back to the medical tower, then Aizza went to ICU, submitted my sickleave form and finally, alleluia, it was done! Whew! What a protocol!
It was 5:15pm and we were hungry! I told Muyyad to bring us to a restaurant where we can have dinner before going home to rest and sleep. Besides, the cafeteria wasn't open yet (and even if it's open, I seldom go there to eat) plus the fact that I can no longer go out from the hostel after declaring my sick leave so he drove us to Khobar to have us dine at a Thai Resto where "real foods" were served. While driving towards Khobar, I called Evan and dropped the idea of a priesthood blessing because I thought I was perfectly okay. Evan reminded me once again that should I need help or any assistance, I should not hesitate to call back. We arrived in Khobar before prayertime and even in my most painful situation, I managed to walk 15 meters from the parking area to the restaurant. It's in there where I took my first dose of Diclofenac and Paracetamol tabs. We stayed til 7:35pm. On our way home, I started to fall asleep.
I was awakened when we made the right turn at MMG building. But between MMG building and our hostel will take at least 10-15 more minutes so I went back to my slumber. After 10 minutes, I was awakened with Muyyad's voice, calling my name. As I slowly opened my eyes, saw blinking lights infront of the car and heard Aizza who was sitting at the passenger seat infront, saying "Ate, naaksidente tayo" (Ate, we had an accident). I looked at Muyyad, hold his face by my left hand and asked him who he was and where we came from. He said my lips has blood in it, my right cheek has bruises and blood was dripping on my cheek but I couldn't feel anything. Then he started to cry and told Aizza I can't remember who he was! At the back of mind, however, I vividly remember 3 names- Knycole, Kryztl and Rico! Other than that, I couldn't remember anything. The next thing I knew, I was lying on a bed and heard Rico on the left side of the bed saying, "Gie, andito na ako". I remembered saying "Rico?" then I fall asleep again. When I woke up, I was at the female ER and saw Aizza sitting at the foot of my bed. Friends and colleagues were there, too. But up to that point, I was clueless of what really happened. Things were so unclear! The only thing I knew was we had an accident! But detailwise, I was innocent.
There were info coming in and out but things aren't sinking in. I was observing and looking at and talking to people but all of the things around me seem like a dream. After staying at the female ER for 2 hours, I was finally declared safe and free from confinement and can go home and rest. Rose, another colleague and a friend who were with 5 other friends, came from an interrupted sleep opted to stay while the others (after having known everything was well) went home to prepare for their night duty. She and Aizza assisted me to the wheelchair and brought us to Mudeer Munawa, the hospital director on duty. He has with him our iqama and told us we're free from police questionings and other interrogations and that he cleared us from the hospital director and that we're free to go home. And as the Arabic saying goes. "Al Hamdullilah!"
But where's Rico and Muyyad?.............Didn't you know that the only time I got back to my real self was when I saw Muyyad and Rico again after 3 days? Yes, after 3 days, the 4 of us got reunited again at McDonald's Bin Khaldoun store and that's the only time I was able to gather my thoughts and senses - that's the very time I came to know of the reallity and the severity of the accident and the other misfortunes that go with it.
Rico WASN'T with us during the accident. He went back home after he brought us to ER at about 2pm. Out of confusion, however, Aizza called him that night to inform him of what happened. He then insisted to come to the hospital. When the police saw him talking to me while I was at the Xray room, they took his iqama and was asked to go with them. He can't speak Arabic and can't express his side of the story. All the while, the police thought he was with us. There were mixed emotions as he dealt with his own adversities. While waiting for the police to give back his iqama, the red crescent (ambulance) driver told him to go with him and in his cluttered mind, entered into the ambulance car and the driver brought him to Khobar area asking him personal questions along the way. All the while, he thought that the driver knew where to get his iqama. He tried to call Aizza but he ran out of load and even asked the driver to lend him his phone. Aizza informed him that the police got back to the hospital and they were looking for him so they could give him back his ID so he asked the ambulance driver to turn back and lucky enough, he was brought back to the hospital safe and unharmed. He got back his iqama and went back home the soonest. That's the very time I saw him on a hurry and looked disoriented. He said it's not safe there and he's going home, he still have his duty that night. He said he will call and will get updates.
Muyyad, on the other hand, was taken by the police. He was put in jail for 6 hours. He was questioned why he was with women, not his wife and has to answer the totally wrecked rented car, the red crescent car he bumped into and the other car that was parked near the ambulance's GMC car that sustained minor injury. Lucky enough, they let go of him between 2:30-3am the next day.
That day when I saw him again and it was a Wednesday, July 20, I gave him a hug knowing we are still alive and intact as friends. He told us of his emotional battles, his painful experiences with the police, the fear of being put back in jail, the hefty amount he was about to pay for all the damages and more so, the blame of being a careless driver. I have to assure him it's no one's fault and we should be thankful to God, to Allah (to him being a Muslim) that we were there that day celebrating life.
Its been 3 weeks since that topsy turvy day. Physical pain has subsided and eventually, will totally fade in time but the emotional cut that goes with the surreality of that experience will remain. We've been judged harshly, we've been talked about, we've been tried by the secret publicity of wrong informations, we're the issue in the entire desperate Filipino (and other nationalities, to be fair)community in the hospital, we've been looked down by the seemingly innocent and righteous individuals. In other words, up to this day, we're still THE BOMB that dropped deadly in the silent worlds of the paparazzis! Mind you, the issue is slowly getting out from the hot spot but in the mind of those who thought themselves as if they were the affected parties, the drama remains
Oh well, I have said much! And my parting words will be this: Bring us in or bring us down! The experience gave us a new life and to Muyyad, Rico and Aizza: YOU ROCK!!!!! Cheers to new LIFE!!!
