Taking Chances

One

To Ninna, with much love.

*****

Richard, as indicated on his nameplate, is a 5'11 head turner. With his fair skin, a dimple on his left cheek, and his red lips, it shouldn't be a surprise that this country's most eligible bachelor can make women of all ages swoon with delight. At the age of 24, he was named Director for Procurement at a well known hospital, a coveted position by most but was readily handed to him because his family owns it.

He chucked his things inside a huge cardboard box, wondering how he was able to collect so much stuff in two years. Just an hour ago, he handed in his irrevocable resignation that was to take effect immediately. The hospital management welcomed his decision with open arms, after all, he had been nothing but a pain in the ass the past few months.

Pens, empty food takeaway boxes, used shirts, loose coins, a long-forgotten pair of Air Jordans, old photos yellowing at the edges, a discarded gym towel, and a shoebox filled with love letters were only some of the things he managed to shove into the box. He let out a loud hoot and merrily said his goodbyes to anyone who cared to listen, echoes of sighs coming from his co-workers sounding further and further the closer he got to the exit.

With visiting hours already over, the hospital corridors are quiet. He's trudging along the disinfected halls, heavy box in hand. At the far end, he could see a girl slumped against a wall, both her hands busy with her cellphone. He's used to seeing this scene a lot - members of the family regularly updating other relatives regarding a patient's condition. But there is something about the girl that made him stop and look. Because - despite the sensual way that her hair falls over her shoulder, or her dainty fingers flying across her phone's screen, or her long legs splayed out on the floor - she is silently crying.

He approach her silently, afraid that any form of quick movement would scare her away. He puts the huge box down, fishes out a handkerchief from his pocket, sits down beside her, and hands her the hanky.

"Miss, o."

She raises her head to look at him and then after a while, she reaches out and takes the hanky from his hand.

"Malinis ba 'to?," she asks, smelling it.

"Ay grabe ka. Naghahalo na luha at sipon mo, yan pa talaga ang concern mo?"

She wipes her eyes first and then proceeds to blow her nose.

"Sa akin na muna 'tong panyo ha, labhan ko lang. Tapos ibabalik ko sa'yo."

"Wag na, sa'yo na yan. Mukhang mas kailangan mo eh."

She nods.

"Salamat."

He clears his throat.

"You wanna talk about it?"

"About what?"

"Yan. Kung bakit ka umiiyak."

She looks at him as if he's crazy.

"Bakit? Close ba tayo?"

"Hindi. Pero mas okay nga yun eh, at least walang emotional attachment. Pagkatapos mong

ibuhos lahat, we can both go on our merry ways."

"Sounding board lang?"

"Oo. Pwede rin punching bag if you need one."

She laughs. He's surprised to discover that he actually likes the sound of it.

"Well, it's Creutzfeldt-Jakob."

"Ano? Tangina. Marunong kang mag-Latin? Englishin mo, o di kaya Tagalog."