Blood Donation Day

Today was a day full of unexpected twists.

So, I had planned to donate blood today—something I’ve always wanted to do regularly—and I actually did it! My original plan was to finish everything by 10 AM, go home, and rest before noon. I usually feel like I’ve been completely knocked out after donating blood, so rest felt necessary.

But life had other plans for me.

While I was still at the blood donation center, my dad forwarded some messages to our family WhatsApp group. That’s when I found out something shocking—my Aunt E, the wife of my Uncle D (my dad’s younger brother), was at the general hospital for a tumor removal operation. I was stunned. Apparently, they had known about this since last year… but today was the first time the rest of us were hearing about it.

I felt a wave of guilt and concern. I immediately texted Uncle D, asking where they were so I could visit. He said he had gone out to tapao some food and that Aunt E had already been sent in for surgery. And then… I made what I thought was a clever decision—but in hindsight, it was kind of a stupid one. I decided to wait for him outside, sitting on a bench near the parking area.

It was scorching hot.

The heat and the post-donation fatigue hit me hard, and I genuinely felt like I was going to faint. I rushed into the nearest air-conditioned room and straight into the toilet. I sat there, breathing slowly, trying to steady myself for what felt like forever. After about five minutes, I finally started to feel okay again.

Eventually, Uncle D returned, and we went to the hospital cafeteria to eat. I ordered a cup of iced Milo—it was really sweet, but weirdly, I think it saved me from actually fainting.

We waited and waited… until finally, the hospital called. The surgery was over. Aunt E was back in the ward. We went up to see her, helped her change clothes, and the nurses did a few checks before she was cleared to rest.

Honestly, I don’t like visiting people in hospitals. The last time I did, it was to visit my late grandpa after he had a stroke. He suffered for seven long years and passed away in 2019. That memory still hurts. Hospitals make me feel heavy.

But today reminded me how fragile life is—how, in just a moment, plans change, hearts worry, and health becomes the only thing that matters.

I truly, deeply hope that everyone I love stays healthy. That none of us have to go through pain or illness. Just peaceful, joyful, ordinary days… that’s all I pray for.