Exactly three ng hapon, dumating si Joshua Salvador sa ospital. Dire-diretso siyang umakyat papunta sa kanyang destinasyon, sa opisina ni Justine Abalos.
Matagal na niya itong pinag-iisipan. Yes, bago pa nangyari ang lahat. Kinilala niya si Justine, inalam lahat ng tungkol dito. Mukha man itong panghihimasok, pero kailangan ito gawin ni Josh. It's part of his plan. Probably his final plan.
Hindi na nagtaka yung mga nurse nung dumating siya. Ang alam nila, laging dumarating ang lalaki na ito sa ospital. Ang pinupuntahan, either si Dr. Abalos o Dra. Martinez, pero hindi nagsasalita yung mga nurse about dito. Alam nila na may tensyon between the three, lalo na yung dalawang doctor. They knew the story. They saw what was happening, but were smart enough not to interfere.
Hindi na nagknock si Josh. Tumawag siya. He knows Justine will be expecting. Pumasok siya, nagsara ng pintuan, at tumayo lang sa harap nung lalaking nakasubsob sa binabasa niya. Tinignan siya nito at pinaupo siya.
"Mr. Salvador. Ano maitutulong ko ngayon?" tinabi ni Justine yung binabasa niya.
"Don't be so polite, Dr. Abalos. It's not like nothing's happening." Josh rolled his eyes. Justine shrugged and followed what Josh wants.
"Ano ang kailangan mo, Josh? Recent results? Alternative to the cure?" Detached voice. Ngumiti si Josh.
"Gusto ko malaman kung ano ang nangyari kay Yana bago siya bumalik sa amin. Don't deny it. Alam kong sa iyo siya nakituloy." Straight to the point. Napangiti si Justine.
"We're on the confines of a hospital, Josh. This is a workplace, not some cafe where you can gossip about anything."
"No. I don't care. I know you don't treat this place much as a workplace, considering you watch over my girl in this place every now and then."
Justine felt a pang in his heart. Masakit pala yun, hearing it from the owner. My girl. Gustong takpan ni Justine yung tenga niya at palayasin si Josh. Hindi na niya kailangan ipamukha yun sa kanyan.
"I am her friend. I feel responsible over her, lalo na't wala ka." Justine replied sharply. Josh felt the heaviness in his heart. He could not always be with Yana, and it seemed like their time together is being robbed by this fcking disease.
Tumayo si Josh at tinignan yung room. Yung mga certificate of recognition. Yung painting. Yung wall. Yung mga paperworks. Nagland yung tingin niya sa taas ng steel cabinet. Nandoon yung family picture nila Justine. At may isa pang frame sa likod noon. Mabilis itong kinuha ni Josh. Hinawakan niya yung glass cover at ngumiti.
Of course. Maglalagay siya ng picture ni Yana sa opisina niya.
"Tell me. Except for Yana, what do you want the most right at this moment?"
Tinignan ni Justine yung hawak ni Josh. He should have known. Matinik ang mata ni Josh. Alam niya kung saan mahahanap yung mga bagay na hindi dapat pinapakialaman.
"What I really want? Honestly?" Josh nodded.
"I want you dead."
Napakaimpolite kung iisipin yung sinabi ni Justine. But Josh asked for it. And the guy has every right to know what the span of his winning is. Josh nodded wistfully and went to Justine's table. Binaba niya yung picture frame na nakaharap kay Justine at kinuha yung folder na may pangalan niya. Kumuha siya ng pen at pumirma.
"There. I signed the DNR. Just be patient, Justine. Your time will come, I promise."
---
Yana nursed a cup of coffee. Tuloy pa rin siya sa paperworks, at wala pa siya sa kalahati kahit nung umaga pa niya ito ginagawa. Ganoon ba talaga siya kamiserable na napabayaan na niya yung trabaho niya.
