"Sasabay ka ba?"I nodded to answer Alise' question. Tumatambay na naman siya dito sa lab namin. She's inviting me to have lunch with Taine. Hindi na rin kami masyadong nagkikita kaya pumayag na ako. Sabay naman ang schedule naming tatlo."Kumusta pala si Ismael?" she suddenly asked.Napatigil ako sa ginagawa at mabilis siyang tiningnan ng masama. She crossed her arms trying to make a shield."Woah, parang noong nakaraang araw lang confident ka pa na di mo kailangang mag move on." She teased me."Nagbago na ang isip ko. He's a jerk." I hissed."A jerk that you love. Okay, accepted," she murmured."Alise!" pagsusuway ko sa kanya.She chuckled and tapped my shoulder. Umiling-uling pa siya na para bang hindi siya sure kung paniniwalaan niya ako."Kay Dr. Santiago ka nalang! Tagasundo na, surgeon pa!" tumawa ulit siya ng malak

"Okay ka na ba?"I made a face and looked at my brother who's still looking worried. It's been a week since the accident. Nakawala daw ang baliw na 'yon sa ward nina Ismael. Maybe it's not a good thing na iisang floor lang kaming lahat.The director was very worried because his niece got attacked and one of his employees got hurt that's why he decided to move the Psychiatry Department to the 5th floor. They will occupy the whole floor para wala wala ng manyari na ganito sa susunod.After Ismael's last visit, di na rin siya nagpakita. I sighed heavily when I remembered him. Eikel never said a word so I guess he's trying to weigh things first."Magpapahinga naman ako sa bahay, kuya," I finally said and stand up.Medyo okay na rin ang sugat ko kaso di pa ako nakakagalaw ng maayos. Nasa business meeting din si mommy sa Iloilo kaya si kuya ang nagsundo sa akin. Llianne was also busy with her st

"Sasama ka ba sa outing?"  Alise asked me while I'm busy sorting the results of the five CT scans I performed two hours ago. The director asked all of us to have an outing this coming friday. Three days din 'yon kaya nag-aalinlangan ako.  We're too busy actually but he assured us that the second team including the second shifters will be left here. Kumbaga, mauuna kami sa outing this weekend and pagkatapos namin,  sila naman. Salitan lang.  "Ewan." I shrugged and continued my work.  "Ano ba naman 'yan! Dapat sasama ka! Bawal kang maiwan." She rolled her eyes and left.  "Nagtanong ka pa kung ikaw din naman ang masusunod," I whispered to myself. 

"Pose ka rin dito, Kara!"Nasa dalampasigan kami at trip ni Alise mag pictorial kaya nakisabay na rin kami ni Taine. Ilang beses na niya akong pinipilit mag-pose ng kung ano-ano. Some tourist were actually looking and that made me felt awkward.We're wearing a two piece. Napilitan akong hubarin ang ipinatong ko dito kanina dahil sa kakulitan ni Alise. I was about to walk away when she pulled me."I don't want this, Alise. Marami na ang nakatingin," I awkwardly told her."Natural! Maganda tayo at sexy!" she said and rolled her eyes.Sa huli, wala rin akong nagawa dahil mapilit siya. Si Taine nga ay ginawa niya pang model. Nakikisakay naman ang isa kaya natutuwa si Alise. Kahit kailan talaga, pahamak siya.I was already enjoying while watching them when someone sat beside me. It was a couple of seconds when I realized that it was Ismael. He looked so grumpy and pissed off.

" Sunbae, nasa labas po si Dr. Santiago."I urgently faced Erika when she said those words. She smiled awkwardly at me when she noticed that I was totally shocked. After we talked last time, we never had the chance to talk again. I rarely saw him these days. I don't know if he's just avoiding me or he's really busy.Despite of the awkwardness, I chose to go out and face him. I sighed heavily when I saw him leaning on the wall, just behind the door of the laboratory. His hands were on the pockets of his white coat, slightly bowing his head."Eikel," I called him.He swiftly moved and looked at me with his tired eyes. He faked a smile and came closer."Can we talk?" he suddenly asked.I seriously don't have enough reasons to turn down his request so I nodded and followed him.After a few minutes, I found myself sitting in front of him. We're on a café