Aquarius (PUBLISHED UNDER IMMAC PPH)

Chapter 8: Fact-Finding

Naagaw ang atensyon nila sa babaeng biglang nagsalita.

"Dr. Frondoja! You're here." Medyo nagulat naman si Dr. Aguillard.

"Of course. We're having a meeting about her patient who has water allergy. Isn't that ironic and interesting? How can a human be allergic to water? This is her first time diagnosing a patient who has water allergy. Ito rin ang kauna-unahang kaso rito sa St. Zephra Medical Hospital kaya dapat talagang pagtuunan ito ng pansin. Sa hula ko, ngayon mo lang din ito narinig? Hmm?" Dr. Sylvan said as he sat on the chair beside Dr. Frondoja while raising his both eyebrows.

Nabigla naman si Dr. Aguillard sa sinabi ni Dr. Sylvan kaya hindi niya magawang makaimik agad. What a coincidence, huh?

"You're right. That's very interesting. How come?" Tuluyan nang pumasok si Dr. Aguillard sa opisina ni Dr. Sylvan saka na rin naupo.

"I know right. But how about you? Why do you need my help?" Dr. Sylvan said.

"I also need your help, Dr. Frondoja. It's–"

"Sandali nga! Bakit ba ang formal natin masyado? Para namang wala tayong pinagsamahan," singit ni Dr. Sylvan.

"Alright. Whatever." Dr. Frondoja said as she leaned on the back of her swivel chair.

"Okay. Maymie and Knute, I need your help. Tungkol ito sa pasyente kong hindi ko malaman-laman kung ano ba talaga ang mali sa kanya. It's very strange and difficult. She brought back here because of the rain. Weird, isn't it?"

Natahimik ang dalawang doktor dahil sa sinabi ni Dr. Aguillard.

"Ang una kong diagnosis sa kanya ay masyadong naging komplikado kaya inisip ko na dahil lang 'yon sa make-up at 'yon na rin mismo ang sinabi ko sa mga magulang niya. I'm confused so don't you dare try to laugh at me," dagdag pa ni Dr. Aguillard.

Nagkatinginan ang dalawa at sabay na natawa. Napa-poker face na lang si Dr. Aguillard at hindi na umimik pa.

"That was a very stupid move, Lemuel. I can't help but to laugh. Gosh," Dr. Frondoja said saka tumawa ulit.

"Yeah. Right," inis na saad naman ni Dr. Aguillard.

"But wait..." Tinitigan ni Dr. Frondoja si Dr. Sylvan at agad na gumuhit sa kanyang labi ang isang ngisi. "I know what you're thinking."

"Likewise!"

Ilang minuto pa silang nagkatitigan bago sabay na humarap kay Dr. Aguillard na nakakunot-noo na ngayon dahil sa inaasal ng dalawa niyang ka-co-workers.

"Water allergy!" sabay na pahayag ng dalawang doktor habang may ngiti sa mga labi nila na para bang nanalo lang sila sa lotto ng isang milyon.

"What?" Dr. Aguillard stuttered.

"Your patient is allergic to water! Same as her patient," Dr. Sylvan said while glancing at Dr. Frondoja.

"But if that's the case..." Lumapit pa si Dr. Sylvan sa mesa saka ipinatong ang dalawang kamay dito. "Then, our hospital is so lucky to have two patients who has water allergy. I know it might be very difficult for us to find out the right treatments and medications but there's a lot of doctors here that can also help us in this case. So, what do you think?"

"But, how? How's that possible?" Dr. Aguillard is still confused.

"How's that impossible?" balik na tanong ni Dr. Sylvan sa kanya. "Simple. You said earlier that she brought back here because of the rain? It's just like the case of Maymie. Her patient brought here also because of drinking hot chocolate. Strange, right? It's the same to your patient though magkaiba lang sila ng rason. Both involves water because hot chocolate has a water content too. But still!" Dr. Sylvan explained but Dr. Aguillard still didn't get what he's trying to say. Lalo lang gumulo ang utak niya dahil sa mga sinabi ni Dr. Sylvan.