Over Each Ruins (Virago Series #2)

yearning the solace

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CHAPTER NINETEEN 
yearning the solace
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Lumabas ako ng kotseng pinahiram ni Vienna na suot-suot ang coat ko sa trabaho. Inayos ko ang pagkakadantay nu'n sa balikat ko bago hinawi ang buhok kong tumatabing sa titulo kong nakaukit sa may bandang dibdib.

Solace Cerilla, R. Psy. That's my title, not including the Psy. D. I gained during my years of night classes for that degree.

I took a deep breath then, bago ako naglakad papasok ng puting gusali ng IMI. Stares immediately greeted me as I entered for the second time around.

Gaya ng nauna kong pagpunta rito ay natigilan ang mga nakakakilala sa'kin pero wala kong may pinansin at deretso lang na lumakad sa kung nasa'n ang opisina ni Dr. Selene. Shaunt already told me the directions.

I have an agenda to be fulfilled here. It's been a week or two anyway. Hindi ko na kayang patagalin pa ang kung anumang desisyon ng committee at ni Dr. Selene sa'kin. I can't wait that long and be idle upon achieving my goals.

Nang makarating ako ro'n ay may iilang doktor na kalalabas lang ng opisina niya. Gaya ng iilang nurse ay nagsalubong ang kilay nila habang nakatingin sa ayos ko.

"Dr. Cerilla? What are you doing here? Aren't you under suspension?" Bungad ng doktor na nasa harap ng opisina ni Dr. Selene.

I smiled, "I'm here to revoke that. Would you excuse me, Doc?"

Hindi ko hinintay ang sagot niya't agad lang na kumatok nang tatlong beses bago pumasok. Nadatnan kong nakaupo si Dr. Selene sa upuan niya't nagsusulat ngunit nang iangat niya ang tingin sa'kin ay napatigil siya sa ginagawa.

Ang mata niya'y panandaliang bumaba sa suot-suot ko. Isang ngiti ang sumilay sa labi niya bago niya kinuha ang suot-suot na eyeglasses at inipit 'yun sa pagitan ng dibdib niya.

"What a surprise to see you, Dr. Cerilla. Although, as far as I know, it's just been a week or two ever since I suspended you?" She welcomed me, "Please take a seat."

I followed her gesture. Naupo ako sa harap ng lamesa niya't inilahad ang isang puting envelope. Walang padalos-dalos ang bawat galaw ko.

Isang segundo niyang tinignan ang nilahad ko bago 'yun tinanggap, "What is this?"

"A penance. Another one," I said seriously, "Let me be Antonov's psychotherapist again. I can treat him better than everyone else and you know it, Dr. Canzar, that's why you appointed me despite my low years of experience in the field."

Natigilan siya. Binuksan niya ang looban ng envelope bago siya napatingin sa'kin. There's a slight ghost of amusement in her face and I can't help but feel thrilled at the sight of it.

Knowing Dr. Canzar, she might agree and she may not. You can never decipher her at this kind of situations. She may contrast your expectations and that's what made her connive in the field.

"What's making you go this far, hm?" She thinned her lip as she smiled at me.

I raised my chin, "Because my patient, Doctor Canzar. I was taken out of my contract with him without my acknowledgement. Don't you suppose that it's disrespectful na hindi niyo muna pinaalam sa'kin ang nangyayari o hinintay man lang na magising ako?"

Umangat ang gilid ng labi niya lalo.

"Dr. Cerilla, you were declared as a comatose patient for a week. I can't guarantee that Antonov will remain that sane for so long after killing two people at once. I had no choice but to put him under a different contract, which was agreed upon by the committee. To protect him and to make sure that he will not harm someone else." She replied.