Sweet Pacific Breezes (Provincia de Marina Series #4)

Kabanata 7

Kabanata 7

Sweet Pacific Breezes

"Bakit busangot ang mukha ng maganda kong pamangkin? Did something happen at work?" Uncle sat down on the dining chair. Kakarating niya lang mula sa trabaho at naabutan niya akong kumakain nang mag-isa.

"Nothing happened, Uncle," I replied curtly. Mas lalo lamang akong tinitigan ni Uncle.

"I know when something's wrong with you. Hindi ka ba tinatrato nang maayos sa clinic? Do you want me to file a case of abuse against them?"

"Uncle!" bigla kong protesta. "It's not like that!"

"So did my stubborn niece do something inappropriate? Dalawang lang iyan eh. It's either your fault or the clinic."

"It's not my fault—well, technically may kasalanan din ako but it's nothing that I can't handle. No need to file a case or something."

Hindi na nagtanong si Uncle kung ano ang nangyari. When I tell him that I can handle anything, he's sure that I could really handle it. Malaki na ako at ang ganitong mga bagay ay dapat na harapin ko nang ako lang. I don't need to rely on my Uncle's help all the time. Isa pa, it's a matter between me and that doctor.

That night I tried to work on the research as promised. Natapos ko ang pinapagawa niya sa akin para sa araw na iyon at agad ko rin namang ipinasa sa kaniyang e-mail. I sent it at 2 am in the morning and I haven't slept a wink after that. Buhay na buhay ang utak ko kaya nagawa ko pang gawin ang ipinapagawa ng isa ko pang boss sa akin.

I work for a research institute in Manila. I was just a part-time employee and I only work when I'm needed. Maraming research projects na available at pinipili namin kung ano ang gusto naming kunin. I take on marine biology researches. I also do collaborations with different marine biologists and scientists to work on our given project. Kapag kailangan talaga ako sa field, I had to travel to Manila to meet with my co-researchers. Para sa akin, hindi naman problema ang pag-ta-trabaho. I love working a lot and it doesn't tire me to explore things that I haven't discovered before.

"Good morning, Cleora!" bati sa akin ni Ricky nang pumasok ako sa clinic kinaumagahan. My eyes were a little tired but I took my morning coffee so I'll be fine.

I've cooled down a little, too. Hindi ko naman sinabi na matatagalan bago ako bumalik sa clinic. Mabilis mawala ang pasensya ko, oo, but I also recover quickly like nothing happened to me. Pero hindi naman madali sa akin ang makalimot ng isang kasalanan. I can forgive but I can never forget. That just means that I am trying to learn my lesson from whatever happened.

"Good morning, Ricky!" My usual cheery response. Buti na lang at hindi nagtanong si Ricky kung ano ang nangyari kahapon. He saw me walked out so I was also expecting that he would ask about what happened.

Medyo close naman kami ni Ricky kasi nag-uusap naman kami araw-araw. He would also do errands for me like buying me something from the store or anything.

Ganiyan kabait si Ricky as a receptionist.

I stepped inside the Isidore's office. Kumatok ako pero wala namang sumasagot kaya naman pumasok na lang ako. I bet he's late again because he wasn't expecting me to come here the next day after what happened.

Oh well, I'll just keep surprising him, then.

Nilapag ko ang aking bag doon bago lumabas ng opisina niya. Pumunta ako sa pool area para magbihis na sana ngunit natigilan ako nang makita si Isidore na naroon sa pool. He was wearing a black swimming suit while he walked around the pool with Ira in his arms.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Did he stay here for the night to take care of Ira? Ang alam ko kasi iba ang nagbabantay kay Ira tuwing gabi. I was assigned in the morning shift because Ira was always active on the day. Kapag gabi naman, kailangan niya nang magbabantay sa kaniya aside from the security assigned inside to guard the clinic.