The Verdict Remedy

Chapter 43

"Wala pa rin yung sasakyan?" Tanong ni Clara nang makalabas kami sa garahe.

"Nasa talyer pa rin," Sagot ko dahil totoo namang nasa talyer pa, though bayad na yun. Kaso ako itong 'di pa rin iyon nakukuha.

Tatlong araw na akong sumasama para magvolunteer dahil walang magawa rito sa bahay, si Manuel nasa school, si Papa nasa kung saan mang volunteer work na under sa project ni Claude. Konti na lang magiging humanitarian advocate na kami rito.

"Ang tagal namang maayos nun?" Tanong niya habang iniiwasan ko siya ng tingin at nakayukod pa rin sa cellphone at tinatrack yung cab.

"Gusto mo ikaw mag-ayos," Sagot ko.

"Saan bang talyer yan—"

"Ayan na yung cab," Sagot ko at kinaladkad na siya papasok sa sasakyan.

"Nga pala, paano ka nakauwi kahapon?" Muling tanong niya.

"Maayos," Sagot ko at pinasak ang airpods sa tenga ko. She's not with me sa medical mission kahapon dahil may duty siya sa ospital, kaya 'di niya alam kung paano ako nakauwi

Ang totoong dahilan kaya nakakalimutan kong daanan yung sasakyan ko dahil kung saan pa kami nagpupunta ni Claude tuwing nakikisabay ako. After the Batangas, sa Laguna naman kami kumain kahapon.

Just like yesterday, the day went on. We diagnosed and prescribed medicine to the patient. Meron rin ilan na nirerefer sa hospital for thorough tests.

Nang mag-lunch break ay sandali akong umalis sa table ko para makapaglakad-lakad. I entered the private hall of gym at sa loob nito ay may isa pang kwarto na siyang nagsisilbing pantry. Balak ko lang naman sanang magtimpla ng kape nang marinig ko ang tunog ng kabubukas lamang na pinto ng hall na nasundan ng mga boses.

"Claude, what's your plan? Ilang araw na lang ay filing for candidacy na. You have done so much here in the city. Maybe It's time for you to take the national level," someone's voice outside. I stayed at the back of the pantry door, listening to them.

"I'm fine here in the city," Claude answered.

"You have a lot of plans for the betterment of people. You can easily execute it when you have the power. After all, you have the potential and competency in every aspect. Make use of it. Aside from that, the people themselves are rooting for you. They are more than willing to campaign for you voluntarily,"

"You want coffee?" Claude asked as if trying to divert the conversation.

Agad akong nataranta nang marinig iyon kaya naman nilock ko kaagad ang pinto ng pantry kung saan ako nakatago at nagpipigil ng hininga para 'di makalikha ng ingay.

"No, listen. Just imagine the power you—"

"You should've known how my father was blinded with power," Claude said, interrupting the word of a man he was talking to.