Chapter 5

After lunch, the memo came. I am going to the medical mission in Cebu together with 5 more doctors’ specialist. Inayus ko na ang mga maiiwang trabaho sa aking assistant na si Lala. She wants to go with me kaya lang ang department ang pumili. Gustohin ko mang isama siya ayaw ko namang may masabi ang head namin dahil lang sa close friend ko ang may-ari ng hospital.

“Doc, pinapatawag na daw po kayo sa conference room”. Bungad ni Lala pagkapasok nito.

“Thank you”.

I meet half way the other doctors. We greeted each other and they are excited with our coming trip. Although it is not a vacation but they can still enjoy there. Masarap din sa pakiramdam iyong nakaklabas ng hospital.

Nang bigla akong napahinto.

I almost lost my balance when I saw Elijah sitting confidently inside the conference room, it’s a transparent glass that is why we can see who are waiting for us. He is with the higher ups with Yuhan.

I saw some of my colleague dart their eyes towards my direction when they saw Elijah inside.

Hindi ko din alam bakit ako kinabahan.

Nakakalokong ngiti ang isinalubong ni Yuhan sakin. I furrowed. He then smile widely with his gum so evident, I know him…that gummy smile… he is teasing me. Inirapan ko ito kaya naman lalong lumakas ang tawa nito.

"I'm sorry". Paumanhin nito ngunit di pa rin maalis ang ngiti.

“Good afternoon! Doctors!”. Masayang bati ng hospital director.

“Good afternoon!”. We response in unison.

While the director is discussing about the details of the trip, I remain uneasy. Why? Because Elijah’s eye never leaves me. Para bang sinusundan nito ang bawat galaw ko. Our eyes meet, I eyed him with a ‘what’ look and he just smirked. I rolled my eyes in return and his eyes widen. He shifted in his seat. Tumikhim si Yuhan kaya naman sabay kaming napabaling ng tingin dito.

“Mr. Ricaford?”. Tawag pansin ng director.

Tumingin muna ito sa akin bago bumaling sa director.

“Well… your safety is our priority. I already contact the military for assistance”. Tugon nito.

Yun na ba ang pinag-uusapan? Gosh! Wala atahng pumasok sa isip ko.

“Tomorrow our private plane will accommodate you, I suggest that Dr. Verde will come with us this evening”. Saad ni Yuhan kaya naman napatigin ang lahat sa akin.

“I’m okay with the team, bab- I mean Mr. Tan”. Sagot ko naman dito.

Yuhan and Elijah look at me with disapproval.

“I’m not ready kasi, may mga ibibilin pa ako sa assistant ko before living…kaya sasabay nalang po ako sa team”. Pagpapaliwanag ko.

“Tell Chim about this please, so he wouldn’t be going crazy”. Natatawang saad naman ni Yuhan. “I don’t also like the idea na di ka sa amin sasabay, alam mo yan”. Seryoso ito sa pagkakasabi.

Kita kung nagsalubong ang kilay ni Elijah, his jaw clinch.

“Don’t worry, I am with a bunch of experts”. Pabiro kung saad kay Yuhan to lighten the mode. Tumango lang ito sa akin ngunit kita kung di nito nagustuhan ang sagot ko.

This couple is always my protector. Napailing nalang ako.

“We’re all set then!”. Saad naman ng hospital director naming. Tumayo na kaming lahat at isa-isang nag paalam.

Nagmamadali akong umalis ngunit bago pa ako nakalabas someone grab me. Napatingin ako sa kamay nitong nakahawak sa braso ko.

“Excuse me, can I have a minute?”.

Bigla akong kinabahan ng malingunan ko si Elijah.

“I’ll go first”. Saad naman ni Yuhan. Really? iiwan niya ako dito?. I slightly panicked.

"Y-Yuhan?". ngunit di na nito ako nilingon. Bumuntong hininga ako.

“Y-yes?”. I shuttered a bit.

Kahit na kinakabahan ay nakuha ko pang makipagtitigan dito. I can't read his emotions. His eyes were so soft. Tumikhim ito bago nagsalita.

“I just want to personally say my apologize about the said issue”. He said calmly.

I push my hair back. Tumitig ito dito ulit. I look at him, eye to eye. His eyes is expressive. Nangungusap na para bang may kung anong gustong iparating.

“Okay lang”. Maikli kung saad. Tumango-tango ito.

Gosh! He’s almost perfect sa malapitan. Screaming power with his coat and tie. A business man indeed. Now I fully understand why girls and gays are drooling towards him.

“I’ll go now”. Saad ko nang mapansing wala na naman atah itong sasabihin.

Tumango lang ito. I darted my eyes on his lips when he unconsciously leak it.

“I’ll go with you”.

Tumango lang ako at sabay na kaming nag lakad. We used fire exit since sa baba lang naman ang opisina ko. I saw how we steal attention from the crowd, from nurses and doctors as well as patients and visitors. 

Pinagtitinginan kami sa bawat station na daanan namin. 

Some nurses are greeting me. Tumatango lang ako sa mga ito.

“Are you sure, na di ka sasabay sa amin mamaya?”. Nagulat ako ng mag salita ito.

Tumango lang ako bilang tugon. Nakita ko ang pag-aalala nito, ngunit agad ding nawala. Baka namamalikmata lang ako.

“Nakakahiya naman kung iiwan ko ang mga kasama ko”. Mahina kung bulong.

“Hmmm”. Maikling sagot nito. Nakita kung tumingin ito sa loob ng canteen.

“Coffee?”. Alok ko dito ng mapadaan kami sa canteen, ngunit umiling ito.

“I’ll just walk you to your office, pupunta pa akong opisina…I still have an afternoon meeting”. Saad nito. My body stiffed when his hand brushes at my back, like his guiding me while walking. I felt my ears heated. Napayuko ako.

Bumaling ito sa akin.

“Why?”. He asked softly.

Umiling lang ako habang nakayuko pa ring nag lalakad.

“Lift your head up!”. Maawtoridad nitong saad kaya naman napatingin ako dito, nag sukatan kami ng tingin dahil di ko alam kung ano ang ipinupunto nito. My brows furrowed.

“You don’t have to be feel embarrassed when I’m with you…because I never be this proud walking beside you”.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang oras na akong nakaupo at nakatitig lang sa monitor na nasa harap ko. Hindi maalis sa isip ko ang sinabi niyo.