Through the Nights

Chapter 3

"Just lay on your back. Baka mamaya mas lalong sumakit 'yong appendix mo kasi maiipit."

She didn't answer. She didn't want to argue with him either. He's the doctor anyway. Kaya nakinig na lang siya. Francine didn't lay on her side anymore. Tama rin naman 'yong sinabi ni Nicco. She felt a bit of pain in her slightest movement. Kaya 'di niya na lang din tinuloy.

"If you want, adjust na lang natin 'tong bed mo. So you're elevated and makikita mo ako nang maayos?" A little smile appeared on his lips at the last statement.

Nangunot naman ang noo ni Francine doon. He was definitely teasing her and it looks like he's enjoying it too.

Ang unfair.

"Tatayo ako doon sa may pader para makita mo ako."

"Hmp! Okay," she said.

"So . . . can I ask? Ano ba 'yong iniisip mo kanina?" he asked while adjusting her bed.

Francine sighed. She didn't want to talk about it but she wants to ask him about some things, too.

Gawin ko na lang sigurong excuse 'yong gamot na binigay nila sa akin kanina? Or itong appendicitis ko?

"Baka kasi sore spot," mahina niyang sabi.

"Sore spot? Bakit naman sore spot?"

"Napaisip lang ako sa 'tin. Dati. Kaya ayon. I thought na baka sore spot."

"Oh . . . I see." Napatango si Nicco. "But is it a sore spot for you?" he asked.

Francine shrugged. "Hindi ako sure. Sa 'yo ba?"

"Hindi rin ako sure. Pero sige, sabihin mo tapos let's see if sore spot nga."

"Okay . . . "

Nicco did as he promised. After placing a pillow on her back, he stood across her bed, leaning on the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.

Francine cleared her throat. "Naalala ko lang 'yong brief moments natin before. Nabanggit mo kasi 'yong tabs na nilalagay ko sa readings mo as a reminder for your study breaks. Kaya ayon, napaisip ako sa ginagawa natin dati."

"Ah . . . okay. Ayon pala. Hindi naman siya sore spot," sabi ni Nicco.

"Really?"

He nodded. "Oo, hindi naman. Actually ginagawa ko pa rin 'yan ngayon. Kapag may research akong binabasa or case studies. I place a tab on some pages para maalala ko na kailangan ko magpahinga or kumain."

She smiled. "That's nice to know."

He smiled, too. "Sometimes naaalala ko rin na ginagawa mo 'yon para sa akin dati."

"And?" she asked.

"And?"

"Does that make you feel something? Sad? Or anything?"

"'Yong honest?"

"Yup. 'Yong honest answer."

She noticed how his shoulders fell after heaving a sigh. "Nalulungkot ako minsan. But duty helps."

"Okay . . . "

"How about you?"

"Me?"

"Yes. Napapaisip ka rin ba minsan? And do you feel sad?"

"No."

"No?" Nicco repeated. A slight crease momentarily visited his forehead. But it also faded away that quickly. Francine pretended she didn't notice him, seemingly disappointed with her response.

"No sa minsan."

"What do you mean?"

"I think about it most of the time. Involuntarily. Nagkakaroon lang ng certain flashes sa memory ko kapag may reminders. Sometimes I'm happy kapag happy memories natin 'yong bigla kong naalala. Then minsan malungkot."

"Ah . . . okay."

Silence hovered over them for a good minute. Francine was just looking at him, and he was looking at her too.

A smile slowly appeared on his lips. It was warm enough to make her smile back at him.

"Nicco?" she called.

"Hmm?"

"Neurosurgeon ka na ba?" Francine asked.

He smiled, shaking his head. "Hindi pa. I still have a long way to go and kapapasa ko lang ng boards."

"Oh . . . so, resident?"

"Yup. First year resident."

"How was the board exams? Mahirap ba or okay naman?" Francine asked even though she's well aware he passed and topped the boards.

"Mahirap. Kaya thankful ako na nakapasa ako."

"I see. Congrats, Nicco. Kahit late na ata 'yong bati ko."

"Hindi naman late. And thank you," he answered, yawning.

"Until what time duty mo?"

"6 a.m. pa."

"Then? What do you do after ng duty?"

"Hmm . . . either iidlip muna ako saglit sa on-call room bago ako umuwi. Hindi ko kasi kaya mag-drive minsan kapag inaantok ako kaya tinutulog ko muna. Bumibili din ako ng food kapag may nadadaanan ako pauwi tapos kakain ako then I'll clean up then sleep hanggang sa magising ako ulit for the next duty."

"Okay."

"How about you? Sabi mo kanina katatapos lang ng shoot ninyo."

"Ah, oo. Wrap up na kami. Last taping na 'yong kanina tapos . . . " Francine paused. Remembering her trip.

"Why?"

"Bakasyon ko kasi dapat. Looking forward ako kasi sabi nila Hale super ganda daw doon sa Calayan. And ang sarap daw ng seafood nila and super affordable. Excited din kasi sana ako mag-swimming sa dagat. Na-miss ko kasi."

"But then you're here?"

She nodded disappointingly. "Oo. Busy na rin kasi ulit for promotion after sana no'ng week long vacation ko. Sayang."

"It's okay. You can still go next time."

"Gusto ko kasi sana ngayon. Pang reward ko lang din sa sarili ko."

"I get that," he said. "After all you worked hard sa film ninyo."

"Pero ayon. Wala naman akong magagawa. Hindi ko naman alam na bigla akong magkakasakit."

"You should take care of yourself more, Francine. Reminder mo sa akin 'yan dati."

"Yes . . ." She nodded. "I will, Doc."

He smiled, yawning again. She noticed his eyes growing heavy with how his lids were falling. She wanted to ask him about med school and his internship but he looked really tired and sleepy so she decided to stay quiet so he could rest.

But she didn't expect he could sleep while standing perfectly still, with his back leaning against the wall and his arms crossed over his chest.

For a moment, she wanted to call him so he'd wake up. Just to tell him he could lay beside her so he could rest comfortably.

But that would be too much, right?

Napsinghap naman si Nicco. Prompting him to wake up from his 10-minute power nap.

And all the while, she just watched him sleeping. Just like how she used to before.

He blinked his eyes a couple of times, trying to catch his senses.

"Tulog ka pa," sabi ni Francine.

"Sorry. 'Di ko namalayan."

"It's okay."

"Anyway, why did you stop talking? Nakikinig pa rin naman ako," he asked.

"To let you sleep."