Hospital Series 1: Paraluman

Chapter 34

Umayos ako ng tayo at nag-inat. I folded and unfolded my legs which are both aching from standing too long. Karma probably hit me for lying dahil magdadalawang oras na ako dito, wala pang dumadaang jeep. 

Nagulat ako nang narinig pa ang pagkulog. Oh shit, not that.

Cursing under my breath, hirap kong hinalungkat ang bag para sa payong nang may humintong sasakyan sa harap ko. It was a familiar maroon car. At hindi ako nagkamali nang bumaba ang salamin.

"Good afternoon po, doc," bati ko sa kaniya. Doc Nathan looked at his silver watch bago binalik sakin ang tingin. "Evening na. Kanina ka pa ba diyan?"

"Medyo po, wala pong jeep kasing dumadaan eh," I said while looking at my own watch. I silently cursed, 6:20 PM na. Maya-maya, magdidilim na. 

"Sabi kanina sa ward may strike daw ata eh," he said.

I looked at the empty street behind him. Walang kahit anong bakas ng jeep doon. That explains it. I sighed. Kung nabibigay naman kasi ang hinanaing nila, e'di sana hindi nagstrike. Tignan mo tuloy, they already lost income today, at inconvenience din sa mga commuters gaya ko.

"Sumabay ka na sa'kin," Doc Nathan offered. 

Napatingin ako sa kaniya and saw him removed his seatbelt. That highlighted his plain white polo shirt that looked too clean. His facial hair was also shaved off, at mukhang ayos na ayos. "Okay lang po, doc? Baka po may pupuntahan kayo," I said hesitating.

"Dun din naman sa coffee shop malapit sa inyo punta ko. Hindi naman out-of-way," he answered. Lumapit siya banda sa pintuan ng passenger seat, at binuksan yun galing sa loob. "Tara na, abutan ka ng ulan diyan," he said looking at the dim sky.

And right on cue, the sky roared kasabay ang biglaang patak ng ulan. Mabilis akong pumasok at nilagay ang gamit sa paanan ko. Pinagpag ko ang basang braso bago sinara ang pinto. 

"Thank you po, doc," I said sheepishly. Medyo nabasa ko kasi ang upuan ng sasakyan niya.

The car started and I tried to wipe down my things with my hands. I silently thank the heavens for the timely arrival of Doc Nathan. I would've been more wet of it wasn't for him. 

"Punasan mo muna yung sarili mo," Doc Nathan suggested. 

Nilingon ko siya. He's facing the road but his right hand is extended to my side, inaabot ang gray niyang panyo. Nagbuga siya ng hangin sa ilong kasabay nang pagngisi. "'Di ka na natuto. Unahin mo kasi sarili mo," he added giving me glance.

"Importante po kasi yung laman eh," sabi ko bago nagpasalamat uli at kinuha ang panyong inoffer niya. Red stoplight kaya huminto ang sasakyan. Pinunasan ko ang balikat at braso. "Ikaw ba, hindi?" He asked.

Napaangat ang tingin ko sa kaniya. He's still wearing his warm goofy smile. Something's different on him, pero hindi ko lang mapoint-out.  "Ang documents po, doctora, napapalitan. Ang tao po, hindi," pahabol niyang biro.