Below The Tide (Charity Series #1)

• Seven •

Betina Tiara

~

Dinala ako ni Gavin sa isang classic restaurant na kung tawagin ay 'Septime' na nandito lang din naman sa loob ng mall. Sabi ko nga ay kahit mag-fastfood na lang kami but... oh well, it's his treat anyways.

"Have you been here before?" he asked while his eyes are on the menu, "I bet you've been here before." he glances.

"No, I haven't."

"Woah? Really? But you're a doctor, right?"

"How is that connected by me being here before?" I raised my eyebrows.

Binaba niya ang menu na at nginitian ako, "Karamihan kasi ng kumakain dito, puro mga doctor galing sa iba't-ibang ospital o clinic. You know I..." he trailed off.

"Huh?"

Nahihiya itong napakamot sa batok at natawa na lamang, "I... want to be a veretinary doctor like you, e."

Naituro ko pa ang sarili ko sa gulat, "Me?"

Hindi naman ako nagugulat nang dahil lang sa gusto niyang maging veterinary doctor, na-surpresa lang ako dahil akalain mo 'yun? Sa isang organisasyong napuntahan ko, may isang interesado na maging duktor. It's rare for me, especially I have encountered a lot of people in his age who finds medicine courses difficult and hard to achieve.

A crept smile formed into my lips, "What year are you again?"

"I'm a sophomore college student from an international school called, McGill University!" masigla niyang tugon sa tanong ko.

"And you're taking medicine...?"

He nodded while saying, "Doctor of veterinary medicine. I'm gonna be a veterinary doctor someday, I swear!"

Hindi ko na napigilang matawa. I like him! I like the confidence.

"That's the spirit," I commented.

"So..."

"Hmm?"

Bigla ay para siyang tumiklop at umiwas ng tingin, gayunpaman ay nasa kan'ya pa rin ang maliit na ngiti sa labi, "Can you please... help me study some time? I mean--- if you only have free time, I guess."

If I'm really going to stay here with you guys, I'd probably help you...

Hindi pa 'ko nakakadalaw kay Nanay Gretta. Hindi ko pa nasasabi kay Seven dahil balak ko na mamaya pa sabihin pag-uwi. Isipin ko palang na mawawalay ako sa kan'ya, parang bumibigat talaga ang loob ko.

"Betina?" Gavin called out my name.

I shook my head and cleared my thought, "Of course! I can help you."

Nang maka-order na siya ng pagkain ay nagsimula na rin kami. Habang kumakain, naisip ko na kunin ang phone sa bulsa ko at subukang mag-install ng messenger app para makausap ko naman si Carmille.

Sobrang nag-aalala na ako kay Nanay Gretta.

Pinagpapasalamat ko sa loob na mabuti na lang at may load pa ito. Infairness to them, they're maintaining its load.

Which made me remember to the real owner...

"Uh, excuse me?" I got his attention.

"Yes, Betina?"

"Nasabi n'yo sa akin kahapon na patay na 'yung dating nakatira sa sikretong apartment na 'yon," kumunot ang noo ko, "...what's the cause of her death? If you don't mind."

His bright expression turns into blank. In just a snap, the atmosphere suddenly went awkward.

I guess I should've not asked that...