Remains in the Sand | Los Quiros Series Book #01

18

RITS: Chapter Eighteen

"Did you check Dr. Tuazon's email? He personally wanted it to be you who's going to attend his talk."

I gave my condolences to the family of the body I just operated and they just went on with a sad expression painted on their faces. Iginiya ako ni Dr. Ybanez sa kaniyang opisina at pagdating doon ay prente siyang naupo sa kaniyang upuan at tinitigan akong nakatayo lang sa kaniyang harapan.

"What?" I asked.

"Are you sure you don't want to go back to being a Doctor?"

My face fell pero kaagad ko 'yong itinago at inismiran siya. I placed my hand in one of the pockets of my coat. "Why? Are you fine losing one of your best pathologist? Kapag nawala ako rito, wala kang ipapalit sa'kin."

Like he always does, tinawanan lang ako ni Dr. Ybanez at wala nang sinabi pa. I made that my cue to go out at saka bumalik sa aking opisina. Parang hindi ako sanay na wala akong ginagawa kaya binuksan ko yung mga unopened emails sa inbox ko hanggang sa mabuksan ko yung email ni Dr. Tuazon.

It was a Medical Talk in London.

Kaagad kong sinara ang aking laptop at bumuntong hininga.

What's the point of him sending me an invitation, e hindi na naman ako doktor.

["I've heard from a friend na binigyan ka raw ng invitation ni Dr. Tuazon sa talk niya? God, I'm envious!"]

I sighed when Leorthon called the next day at hindi sadya kong nasagot ang tawag. "I'm not coming,"

["What?!"] He sounded surprised but I knew deep down he was happy dahil pwede niyang hilingin yung invitation. It was addressed to us Los Quiros... Though he added a separate invitation for me. ["Bigay mo nalang sa'kin yung invitation. It will be in good hands."]

I gave him what he asked for at binigyan naman niya ako ng isang pagkakatuparan sa kung anumang gusto kong hilingan sa kanita. Leorthon and his fear of things given to him for free. Hindi ko alam kung ano yung hihilingin ko sa kaniya kaya hindi ko nalang siya sinagot at pinatay na ang tawag pagkatapos kong i-forward sa kaniya yung email.

Leorthon has always been looking up to Dr. Tuazon simula nung nag-med school siya. Well, he has a great record of having no dead patients under his hands simula nung naging doktor siya. He even cured the daughter of the President of America before, kaya tinitingala ko siya dahil doon noong mga panahong 'yon. Everyone thought it was a hopeless case, but he proved them otherwise. Kaya nga siya binansagang pinakamahusay na neurosurgeon sa buong mundo.

While on my end, I've always loathed him noong nasa med-school pa 'ko. Siya yung bumagsak sa'kin sa lab work kaya bumaba yung grades ko nung 1st year! He just had these high standards! Hindi ko alam kung ako lang ba yung pinagtutuonan niya ng pansin, but it seems to me na ako lang yung palaging napapagalitan sa klase niya kahit wala naman akong ginagawa, kaya hindi ko makuha yung essence kung bakit niya 'ko personal na inimbitahan sa talk niya.